ZIP Code Tabulation Area · Maryland

ZIP Code 21221: Essex, MD

ZIP Code 21221 (Essex, Baltimore County, Maryland) has an estimated 43,487 residents in 17,286 households. The median household income is $67,340, the median home value is $271,500 and the median gross rent is $1,310/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

43,487

Margin of error ±1,954

Median household income

$67,340

Margin of error ±$4,158

Median home value

$271,500

Margin of error ±$16,100

Median gross rent

$1,310/mo

Margin of error ±$41

Median age

42.4 yrs

Margin of error ±1.8 yrs

Mean travel time to work

29.5 min

Margin of error ±2.9 min

How ZIP 21221 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 2122142.4 yrsMaryland39.4 yrsUnited States38.9 yrs

Median household income

ZIP 21221$67,340Maryland$103,678United States$80,734

Per capita income

ZIP 21221$36,926Maryland$52,979United States$44,673

Poverty rate

ZIP 2122112.8%Maryland9.4%United States12.5%

Unemployment rate

ZIP 212216.2%Maryland4.9%United States5.2%

Bachelor's degree or higher

ZIP 2122121.0%Maryland43.4%United States35.7%

Median home value

ZIP 21221$271,500Maryland$419,900United States$332,700

Median gross rent

ZIP 21221$1,310/moMaryland$1,705/moUnited States$1,413/mo

Owner-occupied homes

ZIP 2122162.5%Maryland67.6%United States65.2%

Mean travel time to work

ZIP 2122129.5 minMaryland31.1 minUnited States26.4 min

Worked from home

ZIP 212218.2%Maryland19.3%United States15.1%

All figures for ZIP 21221

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 21221 — ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates
MeasureZIP 21221Margin of errorMarylandUnited States
Total population43,487±1,9546,206,011334,922,499
Median age42.4 yrs±1.8 yrs39.4 yrs38.9 yrs
Households17,286±5712,362,928129,227,496
Median household income$67,340±$4,158$103,678$80,734
Per capita income$36,926±$1,824$52,979$44,673
Poverty rate12.8%±2.4 pts9.4%12.5%
Unemployment rate6.2%±1.6 pts4.9%5.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher21.0%±2.7 pts43.4%35.7%
Median home value$271,500±$16,100$419,900$332,700
Median gross rent$1,310/mo±$41$1,705/mo$1,413/mo
Owner-occupied homes62.5%±3.2 pts67.6%65.2%
Mean travel time to work29.5 min±2.9 min31.1 min26.4 min
Worked from home8.2%±1.3 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 21221
GroupZIP 21221MarylandUnited States
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino56.2%46.6%57.4%
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic or Latino27.8%28.9%11.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic or Latino0.1%0.1%0.5%
Asian alone, not Hispanic or Latino2.0%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 Latino1.3%0.7%0.6%
Two or more races, not Hispanic or Latino6.7%4.6%4.3%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)5.9%12.5%19.3%

Where ZIP 21221 is

State
Maryland
Main county
Baltimore County
Largest overlapping place
Essex (62% of the ZIP's land area)
Land area
15.03 sq mi· about 2,893 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 Baltimore County

21133 Randallstown, MD21136 Baltimore County, MD21152 Baltimore County, MD21153 Pikesville, MD21155 Baltimore County, MD21156 Kingsville, MD21162 Honeygo, MD21163 Baltimore County, MD21204 Towson, MD21207 Lochearn, MD21208 Pikesville, MD21209 Baltimore, MD21219 Edgemere, MD21220 Middle River, MD21222 Dundalk, MD21227 Arbutus, MD21228 Catonsville, MD21234 Carney, MD21236 Perry Hall, MD21237 Rosedale, MD21244 Milford Mill, MD21250 Catonsville, MD21252 Towson, MD21286 Hampton, MD

See every ZIP code in Maryland, or compare ZIP 21221 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.