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Essex, MD
Census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland. ZIP codes: 21221.
Population
40,580
Land area
9.3sq mi
People per sq mi
4,382
ZIP codes
1
Essex and its ZIP codes
Essex at a glance
- Essex is about 6.9 times as dense as Maryland as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 25th among 527 cities and towns in Maryland.
- The median household income is $67,168, 35% below the Maryland median of $103,678.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $258,900 (38% below Maryland) and median rent is $1,319 a month.
Local data for Essex, MD
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Essex, MD, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$67,168
Poverty rate
12.6%
Median home value
$258,900
Median rent
$1,319/mo
Homeownership
61.3%
Bachelor's or higher
19.9%
Median age
41.8
Average commute
29.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (5,581), Irish Americans (3,805), Italian Americans (1,915).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Baltimore County. PPP loans are for Essex.
Unemployment rate
3.6%
Sep 2026, -0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$74,175
369,662 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$78,953
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$8.5B
FY 2026, $9,937 per person
PPP loans
$57.7M
967 loans, 6,921 jobs reported
How people get to work
Essex, MD, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone73.1%
- Carpooled12.1%
- Public transit4.1%
- Walked1.1%
- Bicycle0.2%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.8%
- Worked from home7.5%
Average one-way commute: 29.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Essex, MD, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
2,155
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
3,097
1.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
90° / 30°F
43.7 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Essex, MD, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.1%
U.S. 33.3% +3.8 pts
Diabetes
13.9%
U.S. 12.1% +1.8 pts
Smoking
15.2%
U.S. 12.8% +2.4 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
10.8%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
ZIP codes in Essex
1 in or overlapping Essex. Population shown
Cities near Essex
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Middle RiverCensus-designated place | 3.1 mi | 12.8 |
| DundalkCensus-designated place | 3.2 mi | 13.1 |
| RosedaleCensus-designated place | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Bowleys QuartersCensus-designated place | 3.7 mi | 3.1 |
| RossvilleCensus-designated place | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| EdgemereCensus-designated place | 5.2 mi | 10.9 |
| OverleaCensus-designated place | 5.3 mi | 3 |
| White MarshCensus-designated place | 5.5 mi | 5.3 |
| HoneygoCensus-designated place | 7.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Perry HallCensus-designated place | 7.3 mi | 6.9 |
| ParkvilleCensus-designated place | 7.8 mi | 4.3 |
| CarneyCensus-designated place | 8.2 mi | 7 |
| BaltimoreCity | 9.2 mi | 80.9 |
| JoppatowneCensus-designated place | 9.5 mi | 6.7 |
| KingsvilleCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 10 |
| Riviera BeachCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 2.6 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Essex, MD in?
- Essex is in Baltimore County, Maryland.
- What ZIP codes are in Essex, MD?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Essex include 21221.
- What is the population of Essex, MD?
- About 40,580 people live in Essex, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Essex?
- Nearby places include Middle River (3.1 mi), Dundalk (3.2 mi), Rosedale (3.4 mi), Bowleys Quarters (3.7 mi), Rossville (3.7 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023