Maryland · City Profile
Ellicott City, MD
Ellicott City sits in Howard, Maryland, and is covered by 3 ZIP code tabulation areas. Across those ZIPs, an estimated 89,837 people live, work, and commute. Demographic and housing figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2018–2022).
Each ZIP code in Ellicott City has its own character. Some are dense and walkable; others are exurban or rural, with single-digit households per square mile. The list below lets you compare the basic shape of each one — population, income, and home value — before clicking through to the full neighborhood profile.
Across the city overall, the typical owner-occupied home is valued near $615,250 and median asking rent runs around $2,040 per month. Median household income hovers around $161,603. These are averages of ZIP-level medians and will read differently depending on which neighborhood you actually settle in — which is precisely what the per-ZIP pages are for.
ZIP codes in Ellicott City
| ZIP | County | Population | Median income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21041 | Howard | 0 | — | — |
| 21042 | Howard | 42,528 | $178,207 | $650,900 |
| 21043 | Howard | 47,309 | $145,000 | $579,600 |
Thinking about relocating to Ellicott City?
A few practical considerations as you evaluate the move:
- Pick the ZIP, not just the city. Median income, school assignments, walkability and crime patterns can vary dramatically between neighboring ZIPs in the same city. Use the per-ZIP pages to compare.
- Compare housing math honestly. The median home value here is $615,250, and median rent is $2,040. At current mortgage rates, that often makes renting the more flexible option for the first 12–24 months while you learn the neighborhoods.
- Verify the commute. Drive your prospective work or school route at peak time — Google Maps optimistic estimates rarely match what locals actually experience.
- Check the boring stuff. Property tax rates, HOA dues, flood-zone designation, and homeowner's insurance availability are easier to research before you sign than after.