ZIP Code Tabulation Area · Maryland

ZIP Code 21042: Ellicott City, MD

ZIP Code 21042 (Ellicott City, Howard County, Maryland) has an estimated 43,327 residents in 15,099 households. The median household income is $190,061, the median home value is $706,400 and the median gross rent is $2,183/mo. Figures are U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for the matching ZIP Code Tabulation Area.

American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates · Updated

Total population

43,327

Margin of error ±1,938

Median household income

$190,061

Margin of error ±$12,121

Median home value

$706,400

Margin of error ±$15,172

Median gross rent

$2,183/mo

Margin of error ±$104

Median age

45.1 yrs

Margin of error ±1.0 yrs

Mean travel time to work

28.6 min

Margin of error ±2.8 min

How ZIP 21042 compares with Maryland and the U.S.

State and national figures are the Census Bureau's own estimates for those areas from the same ACS release, not averages of ZIP codes.

Median age

ZIP 2104245.1 yrsMaryland39.4 yrsUnited States38.9 yrs

Median household income

ZIP 21042$190,061Maryland$103,678United States$80,734

Per capita income

ZIP 21042$77,643Maryland$52,979United States$44,673

Poverty rate

ZIP 210423.3%Maryland9.4%United States12.5%

Unemployment rate

ZIP 210422.0%Maryland4.9%United States5.2%

Bachelor's degree or higher

ZIP 2104272.9%Maryland43.4%United States35.7%

Median home value

ZIP 21042$706,400Maryland$419,900United States$332,700

Median gross rent

ZIP 21042$2,183/moMaryland$1,705/moUnited States$1,413/mo

Owner-occupied homes

ZIP 2104284.7%Maryland67.6%United States65.2%

Mean travel time to work

ZIP 2104228.6 minMaryland31.1 minUnited States26.4 min

Worked from home

ZIP 2104228.2%Maryland19.3%United States15.1%

All figures for ZIP 21042

Each estimate has a 90% margin of error: the true value is likely within that range. * marks estimates with a large margin of error (a coefficient of variation above 30%, or ±10 percentage points or more for rates).

ZIP 21042 — ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates
MeasureZIP 21042Margin of errorMarylandUnited States
Total population43,327±1,9386,206,011334,922,499
Median age45.1 yrs±1.0 yrs39.4 yrs38.9 yrs
Households15,099±6692,362,928129,227,496
Median household income$190,061±$12,121$103,678$80,734
Per capita income$77,643±$3,556$52,979$44,673
Poverty rate3.3%±0.9 pts9.4%12.5%
Unemployment rate2.0%±0.7 pts4.9%5.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher72.9%±2.1 pts43.4%35.7%
Median home value$706,400±$15,172$419,900$332,700
Median gross rent$2,183/mo±$104$1,705/mo$1,413/mo
Owner-occupied homes84.7%±1.7 pts67.6%65.2%
Mean travel time to work28.6 min±2.8 min31.1 min26.4 min
Worked from home28.2%±2.7 pts19.3%15.1%

Race and Hispanic or Latino origin

Shares of the total population by the Census Bureau's race and Hispanic or Latino origin categories (table B03002), listed in the Census Bureau's order. People self-identify on the survey.

Population by race and Hispanic or Latino origin, ZIP 21042
GroupZIP 21042MarylandUnited States
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino55.7%46.6%57.4%
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic or Latino6.2%28.9%11.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic or Latino0.1%0.1%0.5%
Asian alone, not Hispanic or Latino29.0%6.5%5.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic or Latino0.0%0.0%0.2%
Some other race alone, not Hispanic or Latino0.9%0.7%0.6%
Two or more races, not Hispanic or Latino4.4%4.6%4.3%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)3.7%12.5%19.3%

Where ZIP 21042 is

State
Maryland
Main county
Howard County
Largest overlapping place
Ellicott City (44% of the ZIP's land area)
Land area
37.00 sq mi· about 1,171 people per sq mi

County and place names come from the Census Bureau's 2020 ZCTA relationship files. A ZIP code's mailing city, set by the U.S. Postal Service, can differ from these names.

Other ZIP codes in Howard County

20701 Jessup, MD20723 North Laurel, MD20759 Fulton, MD20763 Savage, MD20777 Highland, MD20794 Jessup, MD21029 Howard County, MD21036 Howard County, MD21043 Ellicott City, MD21044 Columbia, MD21045 Columbia, MD21046 Columbia, MD21075 Elkridge, MD21104 Eldersburg, MD21723 Howard County, MD21737 Howard County, MD21738 Howard County, MD21794 Howard County, MD21797 Howard County, MD

See every ZIP code in Maryland, or compare ZIP 21042 with another ZIP code.

Census figures describe residents as a group and cannot tell you about any one home or street. For a specific address, check local government and housing records.

About ZIP codes and ZCTAs: the Census Bureau publishes statistics for ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, which approximate USPS ZIP code delivery areas. Learn how they differ.

Sources

  • U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, detailed tables B01003, B01002, B11001, B19013, B19301, B17001, B23025, B15003, B25077, B25064, B25003, B08013, B08303, B08301, B03002 — snapshot Oct 26, 2026.
  • U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA5 relationship files (county and place).
  • Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (detailed tables) and 2020 Census ZCTA relationship files. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. These agencies do not endorse OpenZIP.