21221 ZIP Code
Essex, Maryland
December 15, 2025
| ZIP Code: | 21221 |
| City/Town: | Essex |
| County: | Baltimore |
| State: | Maryland |
| ZIP Type: | Standard |
| Population: | 43,822 |
| Median Household Income: | $68,140 |
| Per Capita Income: | $43,313 |
| Total Housing Units: | 18,306 |
| Median Home Value: | $245,900 |
| Land Area: | 15.0 sq miles
38.9 sq km |
| Water Area: | 6.3 sq miles
16.3 sq km |
| Coordinates: | 39.2921, -76.4370 |
Population Information (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population: | 43,822 | -- | -- |
| Male: | 20,728 | 47.3% | 49.6% |
| Female: | 23,094 | 52.7% | 50.4% |
| Median Age: | 41.4 yrs | -- | 38.5 yrs |
| Under 5 years: | 2,296 | 5.2% | 5.7% |
| 5 to 9 years: | 2,817 | 6.4% | 6.0% |
| 10 to 14 years: | 2,532 | 5.8% | 6.5% |
| 15 to 19 years: | 2,671 | 6.1% | 6.6% |
| 20 to 24 years: | 2,489 | 5.7% | 6.7% |
| 25 to 34 years: | 5,970 | 13.6% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 years: | 4,797 | 10.9% | 12.9% |
| 45 to 54 years: | 6,418 | 14.6% | 12.4% |
| 55 to 59 years: | 3,259 | 7.4% | 6.5% |
| 60 to 64 years: | 2,995 | 6.8% | 6.4% |
| 65 to 74 years: | 4,681 | 10.7% | 9.7% |
| 75 to 84 years: | 2,139 | 4.9% | 4.8% |
| 85 years and over: | 758 | 1.7% | 2.0% |
Housing Information (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value: | $245,900 | -- | $281,900 |
| Median rooms: | 5.7 | -- | 5.5 |
| Median rent: | $1,210 / mo. | -- | $1,268 / mo. |
| Total housing units: | 18,306 | -- | -- |
| Occupied housing units: | 17,103 | 93.4% | 38.0% |
| Vacant housing units: | 1,203 | 6.6% | 4.6% |
| Housing tenure: | -- | -- | -- |
| Owner-occupied: | 10,212 | 59.7% | 64.8% |
| Renter-occupied: | 6,891 | 40.3% | 35.2% |
Educational Attainment (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 years and over: | 31,017 | -- | -- |
| Less than 9th grade: | 1,760 | 5.7% | 4.7% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 2,730 | 8.8% | 6.1% |
| High school graduate: | 12,309 | 39.7% | 26.4% |
| Some college, no degree: | 6,276 | 20.2% | 19.7% |
| Associate degree: | 2,418 | 7.8% | 8.7% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 3,555 | 11.5% | 20.9% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 1,969 | 6.3% | 13.7% |
| Percent high school graduate or higher: | -- | 85.5% | 89.1% |
| Percent bachelor's degree or higher: | -- | 17.8% | 34.3% |
Income Information (21221 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income: | $68,140 / yr. | $75,149 / yr. |
| Mean household income: | $88,164 / yr. | $105,833 / yr. |
| Median family income: | $85,298 / yr. | $92,646 / yr. |
| Per capita income: | $43,313 / yr. | $41,261 / yr. |
Employment (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In labor force: | 23,362 | -- | 63.5% |
| Employed: | 21,908 | 93.9% | 96.4% |
| Unemployed: | 1,416 | 6.1% | 5.3% |
| Not in labor force: | 12,122 | -- | -- |
| Class of Worker: | -- | -- | -- |
| Private wage and salary: | 17,371 | 79.3% | 79.7% |
| Government workers: | 3,734 | 17.0% | 14.2% |
| Self-employed: | 786 | 3.6% | 5.9% |
| Unpaid family workers: | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% |
Race & Ethnicity (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race (one race): | -- | -- | -- |
| White: | 26,297 | 60.0% | 61.6% |
| Black or African American: | 13,317 | 30.4% | 12.4% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native: | 61 | 0.1% | 1.1% |
| Asian: | 761 | 1.7% | 6.0% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Some other race: | 673 | 1.5% | 8.4% |
| Two or more races: | 2,713 | 6.2% | 10.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race): | 1,388 | 3.2% | 18.7% |
| Mexican: | 2,407 | 5.5% | 11.2% |
| Puerto Rican: | 647 | 1.5% | 1.8% |
| Cuban: | 563 | 1.3% | 0.7% |
| Other Hispanic or Latino: | 141 | 0.3% | 5.0% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino: | 1,056 | 2.4% | 81.1% |
Income Distribution (21221 zip code)
| Household Income | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $10,000: | 793 | 4.6% | 4.9% |
| $10,000 to $14,999: | 731 | 4.3% | 3.8% |
| $15,000 to $24,999: | 1,481 | 8.7% | 7.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999: | 1,536 | 9.0% | 7.4% |
| $35,000 to $49,999: | 1,919 | 11.2% | 10.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999: | 2,960 | 17.3% | 16.1% |
| $75,000 to $99,999: | 2,082 | 12.2% | 12.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 2,991 | 17.5% | 17.1% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 1,516 | 8.9% | 8.8% |
| $200,000 or more: | 1,094 | 6.4% | 11.4% |
Commute to Work (21221 zip code)
| Commute Method | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone: | 15,800 | 72.1% | 67.8% |
| Carpooled: | 2,062 | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Public transportation: | 1,491 | 6.8% | 4.2% |
| Walked: | 380 | 1.7% | 2.5% |
| Other means: | 363 | 1.7% | 0.9% |
| Worked from home: | 1,300 | 5.9% | 13.8% |
| Mean travel time to work: | 30.1 min | -- | 26.7 min |
Industry (21221 zip code)
| Industry Sector | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining: | 18 | 0.1% | 1.6% |
| Construction: | 1,595 | 7.3% | 6.9% |
| Manufacturing: | 1,501 | 6.9% | 10.0% |
| Wholesale trade: | 493 | 2.3% | 2.4% |
| Retail trade: | 2,636 | 12.0% | 11.0% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities: | 1,943 | 8.9% | 5.8% |
| Information: | 156 | 0.7% | 1.9% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate: | 1,653 | 7.5% | 6.7% |
| Professional, scientific, management: | 1,972 | 9.0% | 12.1% |
| Education, health care, social services: | 5,296 | 24.2% | 23.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, food services: | 1,755 | 8.0% | 9.0% |
| Other services: | 1,148 | 5.2% | 4.7% |
| Public administration: | 1,742 | 8.0% | 4.7% |
Poverty Status (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Rate: | -- | 11.9% | 8.8% |
| All people below poverty level: | -- | -- | -- |
| Under 18 years: | -- | -- | 16.3% |
| 18 to 64 years: | -- | -- | 11.0% |
| 65 years and over: | -- | -- | 10.3% |
Health Insurance (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With health insurance: | 41,564 | 94.8% | 91.3% |
| Private health insurance: | 27,486 | 62.7% | 67.6% |
| Public health coverage: | 19,944 | 45.5% | 35.9% |
| Without health insurance: | 1,990 | 4.5% | 8.7% |
Benefits & Assistance (21221 zip code)
| Households with: | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings: | 13,277 | 77.6% | 77.4% |
| Social Security income: | 6,294 | 36.8% | 31.0% |
| Retirement income: | 3,931 | 23.0% | 21.8% |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI): | 1,080 | 6.3% | 4.5% |
| Cash public assistance income: | 585 | 3.4% | 1.8% |
| SNAP (food stamps) benefits: | 3,166 | 18.5% | 11.4% |
Housing Types (21221 zip code)
| Structure Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-unit, detached: | 7,695 | 42.0% | 61.4% |
| 1-unit, attached: | 5,943 | 32.5% | 6.1% |
| 2 units: | 273 | 1.5% | 3.4% |
| 3 or 4 units: | 570 | 3.1% | 4.3% |
| 5 to 9 units: | 565 | 3.1% | 4.6% |
| 10 to 19 units: | 2,102 | 11.5% | 4.3% |
| 20 or more units: | 875 | 4.8% | 9.9% |
| Mobile home: | 283 | 1.5% | 5.8% |
| Boat, RV, van, etc.: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
Year Structure Built (21221 zip code)
| Year Built | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built 2020 or later: | 22 | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Built 2010 to 2019: | 598 | 3.3% | 8.2% |
| Built 2000 to 2009: | 1,402 | 7.7% | 13.5% |
| Built 1990 to 1999: | 1,895 | 10.4% | 13.2% |
| Built 1980 to 1989: | 2,208 | 12.1% | 13.2% |
| Built 1970 to 1979: | 1,691 | 9.2% | 14.6% |
| Built 1960 to 1969: | 2,642 | 14.4% | 10.2% |
| Built 1950 to 1959: | 4,545 | 24.8% | 9.9% |
| Built 1940 to 1949: | 1,969 | 10.8% | 4.6% |
| Built 1939 or earlier: | 1,334 | 7.3% | 12.0% |
Bedrooms (21221 zip code)
| Number of Bedrooms | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio): | 732 | 4.0% | 2.4% |
| 1 bedroom: | 1,905 | 10.4% | 3.0% |
| 2 bedrooms: | 5,191 | 28.4% | 9.1% |
| 3 bedrooms: | 7,041 | 38.5% | 15.9% |
| 4 bedrooms: | 2,700 | 14.7% | 18.8% |
| 5 or more bedrooms: | 737 | 4.0% | 17.6% |
Heating Fuel (21221 zip code)
| Fuel Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas: | 8,353 | 48.8% | 47.1% |
| Bottled, tank, or LP gas: | 363 | 2.1% | 4.9% |
| Electricity: | 6,436 | 37.6% | 40.2% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.: | 1,678 | 9.8% | 4.2% |
| Coal or coke: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Wood: | 53 | 0.3% | 1.5% |
| Solar energy: | 34 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Other fuel: | 73 | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| No fuel used: | 113 | 0.7% | 0.2% |
Vehicles Available (21221 zip code)
| Vehicles | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle available: | 2,100 | 12.3% | 8.3% |
| 1 vehicle available: | 6,332 | 37.0% | 32.6% |
| 2 vehicles available: | 5,255 | 30.7% | 37.0% |
| 3 or more vehicles available: | 3,416 | 20.0% | 22.1% |
Home Value Distribution (21221 zip code)
| Value Range | Owner Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $50,000: | 548 | 5.4% | 5.7% |
| $50,000 to $99,999: | 190 | 1.9% | 7.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 957 | 9.4% | 9.2% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 2,055 | 20.1% | 10.8% |
| $200,000 to $299,999: | 2,974 | 29.1% | 19.9% |
| $300,000 to $499,999: | 2,774 | 27.2% | 24.1% |
| $500,000 to $999,999: | 584 | 5.7% | 17.0% |
| $1,000,000 or more: | 130 | 1.3% | 5.6% |
Housing Costs (21221 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median owner costs (with mortgage): | $1,757 / mo. | $1,828 / mo. |
| Median owner costs (no mortgage): | $580 / mo. | $584 / mo. |
| Median gross rent: | $1,210 / mo. | $1,268 / mo. |
| Average household size (owner-occupied): | 2.67 | 2.53 |
| Average household size (renter-occupied): | 2.36 | 2.38 |
Households (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households: | 17,103 | -- | -- |
| Married-couple households: | 6,693 | 39.1% | 47.5% |
| Cohabiting couple households: | 1,816 | 10.6% | 7.0% |
| Male householder, no spouse: | 3,162 | 18.5% | 5.4% |
| Female householder, no spouse: | 5,577 | 32.6% | 12.7% |
| Householder living alone: | 4,809 | 28.1% | 28.6% |
| 65 years and over living alone: | 5,647 | 33.0% | 11.8% |
| Average household size: | 2.54 | -- | 2.53 |
| Average family size: | 3.21 | -- | -- |
Marital Status (21221 zip code)
| Population 15 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 16,877 | -- | -- |
| Never married: | 6,101 | 36.1% | 37.0% |
| Now married: | 7,778 | 46.1% | 49.5% |
| Separated: | 590 | 3.5% | 1.5% |
| Widowed: | 1,879 | 11.1% | 2.6% |
| Divorced: | 6,434 | 38.1% | 9.3% |
School Enrollment (21221 zip code)
| Population 3 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in school: | 9,662 | -- | -- |
| Nursery school, preschool: | 561 | 5.8% | 5.8% |
| Kindergarten: | 372 | 3.9% | 5.0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 4,425 | 45.8% | 40.5% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1,966 | 20.3% | 21.4% |
| College or graduate school: | 2,338 | 24.2% | 27.3% |
Veterans & Disability (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian population 18 years and over: | 34,484 | -- | -- |
| Veterans: | 2,537 | 7.4% | 6.3% |
| Civilian noninstitutionalized population: | 43,554 | -- | -- |
| With a disability: | 6,817 | 15.7% | 13.4% |
| Under 18 with disability: | 762 | 11.2% | 5.8% |
| 18 to 64 with disability: | 3,331 | 48.9% | 10.4% |
| 65 and over with disability: | 2,724 | 40.0% | 33.4% |
Mobility (Residence 1 Year Ago) (21221 zip code)
| Population 1 year and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same house: | 38,766 | 88.5% | 86.9% |
| Different house: | 4,711 | 10.8% | 13.1% |
| Same county: | 2,490 | 52.9% | 7.0% |
| Different county: | 2,209 | 46.9% | 3.2% |
| Different state: | 446 | 9.5% | 2.5% |
| Abroad: | 12 | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Place of Birth (21221 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native born: | 39,985 | 91.2% | 86.2% |
| Foreign born: | 452 | 1.0% | 13.9% |
| Naturalized citizen: | 3,837 | 848.9% | 52.7% |
| Not a citizen: | 3,837 | 848.9% | 47.3% |
| Foreign-born by region: | -- | -- | -- |
| Europe: | 3,837 | 848.9% | 10.5% |
| Asia: | 183 | 40.5% | 31.3% |
| Africa: | 1,605 | 355.1% | 5.5% |
| Oceania: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| Latin America: | 1,290 | 285.4% | 50.0% |
| Northern America: | 32 | 7.1% | 2.2% |
Language Spoken at Home (21221 zip code)
| Population 5 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 41,526 | -- | -- |
| English only: | 37,470 | 90.2% | 78.3% |
| Language other than English: | 4,056 | 9.8% | 21.5% |
| By language: | -- | -- | -- |
| Spanish: | 1,676 | 4.0% | 13.3% |
| Other Indo-European languages: | 589 | 1.4% | 3.5% |
| Asian/Pacific Island languages: | 426 | 1.0% | 3.5% |
| Other languages: | 1,365 | 3.3% | 1.0% |
Computers & Internet (21221 zip code)
| Households | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households with a computer: | 17,103 | 100.0% | 93.1% |
| Households with broadband internet: | 15,455 | 90.4% | 89.4% |
Essex, MD21221