Race & Ethnicity
Age Breakdown
Key Indicators
| Median Age | 39.4 yrs |
|---|---|
| Avg HH Size | 2.76 |
| Below Poverty | 5.2% ▼ 48% below avg |
| College Grads | 69.4% ▲ 79% above avg |
| Unemployment | 3.5% ▼ 29% below avg |
| No HS Diploma | 3,341 (1.7%) |
| HS Graduate | 26,913 (13.4%) |
| Some College | 12,010 (6%) |
| Associates | 19,275 (9.6%) |
| Bachelors | 12,836 (6.4%) |
| Graduate Degree | 125,855 (62.9%) |
Education
Housing Tenure
Home Value Distribution
Financials
| Median HH Income | $149,288 ▲ 96% above avg |
|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $567,498 ▲ 104% above avg |
| Home/Income Ratio | 3.8x (nat avg ~3.5x) |
| Median Rent | $2,137/mo |
| Total Housing Units | 117,855 |
| Vacant Units | 4,238 |
Income Distribution
How People Get to Work
Commute Time
Year Built
Howard County is located in Maryland and encompasses 22 ZIP codes spanning 18 cities and communities. The county has an estimated population of 318,659 residents. With a median age of 39.36, it is a middle-aged county.
Howard County has a upper-middle-income economic profile. The median household income of $149,288 is significantly above the national average. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, below the national average. The poverty rate of 5.2% is well below the national average.
Housing in Howard County is a premium housing market, with a median home value of $567,498 — more than double the national average. Monthly median rent is approximately $2,136. Homeownership rates are high at 71.2%, reflecting a largely residential, stable population.
The residents of Howard County are racially diverse, with White as the largest group at 45.7%. Educational attainment is highly educated — 69.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, significantly above the national average.
Howard County, MD is a upper-middle-income area in Maryland. The 22 ZIP codes within the county each have their own character — browse the full list below to find the right community, whether you're looking for affordable housing, strong schools, or economic opportunity.
| ZIP | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home | Median Rent | Unemp. | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20701 | Annapolis Junction | 749 | $81,763 | — | $2,147 | 8.4% | 50.7% |
| 21029 | Clarksville | 13,783 | $250,001 | $904,700 | $3,501 | 2.5% | 86.1% |
| 21044 | Columbia | 44,775 | $132,924 | $541,100 | $2,096 | 4.2% | 72.2% |
| 21045 | Columbia | 40,866 | $117,323 | $438,500 | $1,768 | 5.6% | 64.8% |
| 21046 | Columbia | 15,433 | $126,549 | $469,000 | $2,099 | 3.2% | 70.0% |
| 21723 | Cooksville | 587 | $250,001 | $914,800 | — | 0.0% | 85.5% |
| 21036 | Dayton | 2,162 | $170,313 | $843,200 | — | 7.8% | 73.2% |
| 21075 | Elkridge | 37,146 | $133,321 | $439,400 | $2,108 | 3.7% | 64.0% |
| 21042 | Ellicott City | 43,021 | $190,504 | $674,700 | $2,253 | 2.1% | 79.5% |
| 21043 | Ellicott City | 47,134 | $141,846 | $607,300 | $1,964 | 3.3% | 69.9% |
| 20759 | Fulton | 6,758 | $250,001 | $888,200 | $3,501 | 1.2% | 85.2% |
| 21737 | Glenelg | 2,384 | $250,001 | $1,032,800 | — | 0.8% | 80.3% |
| 21738 | Glenwood | 3,668 | $230,429 | $889,100 | — | 2.4% | 80.0% |
| 20777 | Highland | 3,046 | $218,808 | $808,700 | $2,893 | 3.6% | 74.8% |
| 20794 | Jessup | 16,182 | $105,441 | $393,700 | $1,940 | 2.5% | 37.3% |
| 20723 | Laurel | 36,319 | $129,870 | $508,000 | $1,986 | 2.8% | 67.8% |
| 20763 | Savage | 2,320 | $119,083 | $406,300 | $2,140 | 10.3% | 50.9% |
| 21794 | West Friendship | 2,326 | $223,833 | $977,200 | — | 2.4% | 70.7% |