During the War of 1812 the island was briefly occupied by the British, who obtained provisions for their military forces.

The economy shifted from farming to greater reliance on oystering and fishing as markets developed in Baltimore and Washington, aided by steamboat service in the 1890s.

Collier, the Elsworth, the Hilda M. Willing, the Kathryn, the Maggie Lee, the Minnie V, the Nellie L. Byrd, the Paw Paw Cove Site, the Ralph T. Webster, the Rebecca T. Ruark, the Reliance, the Ruby G. Ford, Sharps Island Light, the Sigsbee, and the Virginia W are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

As of the census[6] of 2010, there were 784 people, 357 households, and 246 families residing in the CDP.

23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.