Town · Maryland
Elkton, Maryland
Elkton, town, in Cecil County, Maryland. Elkton had 16,670 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 15,807 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 15,910 (±35). GEOID 2425800.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,670
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,807 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,910 ±35
Median household income
$58,640
±$18,269 (90% margin)
Maryland: $103,678
Median home value
$293,400
±$23,143 (90% margin)
Maryland: $419,900
Median gross rent
$1,382
±$74 (90% margin)
Maryland: $1,705
Where is Elkton and what county is it in?
Elkton is a town in Cecil County, Maryland. It covers 9.0 square miles of land, 1,748 residents per square mile in 2020.
Elkton is in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 11 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Elkton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 16,670 people lived in Elkton on July 1, 2025, up 5.5% since 2020, faster than Maryland (+1.4%). The 2020 Census counted 15,807 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 15,910 (±35).
| Measure | Elkton | Cecil County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,910 ±35 | 104,960 | +266 |
| Households | 6,035 ±364 | 40,595 | +490 |
| Average household size | 2.49 ±0.14 | 2.54 | −0.20 |
| Housing units | 6,336 ±376 | 44,355 | no clear change |
Elkton's population since 2000
From 11,893 in 2000 to 16,670 in 2025: up 40.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Elkton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Elkton?
The median resident of Elkton is 37.4 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 14.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 16.6%. 7.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Elkton | Cecil County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.4 ±2.3 | 40.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4% ±2.3 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.1% ±2.4 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Male | 48.3% ±2.6 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.8% ±2.4 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.4% ±4.2 pts | 80.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 16.6% ±3.3 pts | 7.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±1.5 pts | 1.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.6% ±2.6 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±2.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.1% ±2.3 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.9% ±3.3 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6% ±2.1 pts | 8.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.1% ±2.6 pts | 13.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7% ±1.6 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.9% ±3.3 pts | 91.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.6% ±3.7 pts | 28.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.1% ±1.9 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.4% ±3.8 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 7.7% ±3.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Elkton earn?
Half of Elkton's 6,035 households earn less than $58,640 a year (±$18,269), against $92,007 in Cecil County and $103,678 in Maryland. In 2015-2019 it was $69,227 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Elkton | Cecil County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,640 ±$18,269 | $92,007 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $88,272 ±$9,232 | $112,022 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,361 ±$3,751 | $43,250 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.1% ±5.7 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 37.7% ±12.4 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 28.4% ±6.1 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.6% ±1.6 pts | 95.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.8% ±4.6 pts | 91.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Elkton?
Owners occupy 50.6% of Elkton's occupied homes and renters 49.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $293,400 by its owner (±$23,143). The median renter pays $1,382 a month including utilities, and 52.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Elkton | Cecil County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $293,400 ±$23,143 | $343,400 | +$53,661 |
| Median gross rent | $1,382 ±$74 | $1,377 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 52.6% ±8.5 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,818 ±$121 | $2,013 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 50.6% ±5.5 pts | 75.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 49.4% ±5.5 pts | 24.7% | – |
| Housing units | 6,336 ±376 | 44,355 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.2% ±3.9 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 41.6% ±5.0 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0% ±1.9 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.4% ±1.9 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.2% ±4.2 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.1% ±4.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Elkton building?
Builders took permits for 38 new housing units in Elkton in 2025 (38 in single-family houses), 2.3 per 1,000 residents against 2.1 across Maryland.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Elkton work and get to work?
76.7% of Elkton's workers drive alone and 9.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.9%.
| Measure | Elkton | Cecil County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.1% ±4.3 pts | 62.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% ±2.1 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.7% ±4.8 pts | 75.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5% ±4.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±1.0 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.5% ±1.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.2% ±2.5 pts | 12.4% | +5.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min ±2.9 | 28.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Elkton?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Elkton, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $43,342 (Tract 304) to $82,176 (Tract 305.08).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 304Cecil County | 5,100 | $43,342 |
| Tract 305.08Cecil County | 4,774 | $82,176 |
| Tract 305.07Cecil County | 3,837 | $66,445 |
| Tract 305.05Cecil County | 3,710 | $89,439 |
| Tract 305.03Cecil County | 6,461 | $78,897 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Elkton) · Census block assignment files
How does Elkton compare with other places in Maryland?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Elkton is the 2,237th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 18th-most populous of 157 in Maryland.
Elkton ranks 303rd of 322 places in Maryland with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 18th | 157 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 19th | 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 198th | 326 |
| Median household income | 303rd | 322 |
| Per capita income | 292nd | 326 |
| Median home value | 268th | 323 |
| Median gross rent | 226th | 288 |
| Poverty rate | 22nd | 230 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 280th | 325 |
| Median age | 228th | 326 |
| Owner-occupied share | 281st | 323 |
| Work from home | 266th | 293 |
| Travel time to work | 276th | 325 |
Elkton's figures with every place in Maryland (CSV)
Every place in Maryland, sortable · Compare Elkton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Elkton?
9 of the 57 figures for Elkton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Elkton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Elkton.