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Ellicott City, MD
Census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland. ZIP codes: 21042, 21043.
Population
75,257
Land area
30sq mi
People per sq mi
2,508
ZIP codes
2
Ellicott City and its ZIP codes
Ellicott City at a glance
- Ellicott City is about 3.9 times as dense as Maryland as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 7th among 527 cities and towns in Maryland.
- The median household income is $156,964, 51% above the Maryland median of $103,678.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $661,700 (58% above Maryland) and median rent is $2,061 a month.
Local data for Ellicott City, MD
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Ellicott City, MD, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$156,964
Poverty rate
3.7%
Median home value
$661,700
Median rent
$2,061/mo
Homeownership
72.0%
Bachelor's or higher
68.8%
Median age
43.2
Average commute
28.2 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (9,830), Indian Americans (9,485), Irish Americans (8,169).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Howard County. PPP loans are for Ellicott City.
Unemployment rate
3.4%
Aug 2026, -0.6 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$90,296
173,088 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$99,767
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$8.73B
FY 2026, $26,272 per person
PPP loans
$71.94M
1,359 loans, 8,306 jobs reported
How people get to work
Ellicott City, MD, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone65.4%
- Carpooled4.8%
- Public transit0.5%
- Walked0.7%
- Bicycle0.1%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.3%
- Worked from home27.2%
Average one-way commute: 28.2 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Ellicott City, MD, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
911
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
816
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 27°F
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone6 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Ellicott City, MD, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
26.9%
U.S. 33.3% -6.4 pts
Diabetes
10.5%
U.S. 12.1% -1.6 pts
Smoking
6.9%
U.S. 12.8% -5.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
4.8%
U.S. 11.1% -6.3 pts
ZIP codes in Ellicott City
2 in or overlapping Ellicott City. Population shown
Cities near Ellicott City
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| WoodlawnCensus-designated place | 4.7 mi | 9.5 |
| CatonsvilleCensus-designated place | 4.7 mi | 14 |
| IlchesterCensus-designated place | 5.4 mi | 10.8 |
| Milford MillCensus-designated place | 5.8 mi | 6.9 |
| ColumbiaCensus-designated place | 5.9 mi | 31.9 |
| RandallstownCensus-designated place | 6.7 mi | 10.2 |
| LochearnCensus-designated place | 7.3 mi | 5.6 |
| ElkridgeCensus-designated place | 7.4 mi | 8.4 |
| ArbutusCensus-designated place | 7.9 mi | 6.5 |
| SavageCensus-designated place | 8.7 mi | 2.7 |
| HighlandCensus-designated place | 9.4 mi | 2.4 |
| JessupCensus-designated place | 9.5 mi | 6 |
| LansdowneCensus-designated place | 9.6 mi | 2.3 |
| FultonCensus-designated place | 9.6 mi | 3.8 |
| ScaggsvilleCensus-designated place | 9.7 mi | 5 |
| Owings MillsCensus-designated place | 9.8 mi | 9.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Ellicott City, MD in?
- Ellicott City is in Howard County, Maryland.
- What ZIP codes are in Ellicott City, MD?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Ellicott City include 21042, 21043.
- What is the population of Ellicott City, MD?
- About 75,257 people live in Ellicott City, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Ellicott City?
- Nearby places include Woodlawn (4.7 mi), Catonsville (4.7 mi), Ilchester (5.4 mi), Milford Mill (5.8 mi), Columbia (5.9 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023