Census-designated place · Maryland
Ellicott City, Maryland
Ellicott City, census-designated place, in Howard County, Maryland. Ellicott City had 75,257 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±2,426). GEOID 2426000.
Residents, 2020-2024
75,257
±2,426 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 75,947
Median household income
$156,964
±$11,037 (90% margin)
Maryland: $103,678
Median home value
$661,700
±$11,299 (90% margin)
Maryland: $419,900
Median gross rent
$2,061
±$94 (90% margin)
Maryland: $1,705
Where is Ellicott City and what county is it in?
Ellicott City is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Howard County, Maryland. It covers 30.0 square miles of land, 2,531 residents per square mile in 2020.
Ellicott City is in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 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 Ellicott City, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts Ellicott City's population at 75,257 (±2,426). The 2020 Census counted 75,947 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Ellicott City is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Ellicott City | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 75,257 ±2,426 | 336,328 | no clear change |
| Households | 26,919 ±838 | 121,065 | +1,059 |
| Average household size | 2.77 ±0.06 | 2.76 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 27,645 ±800 | 125,286 | no clear change |
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 Ellicott City?
The median resident of Ellicott City is 43.2 years old; 24.7% are under 18 and 18.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 50.1%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 30.7%. 27.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ellicott City | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2 ±0.6 | 39.8 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 24.7% ±0.9 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.5% ±0.9 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Male | 49.4% ±1.0 pts | 49.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.5% ±1.1 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 50.1% ±2.0 pts | 45.9% | −4.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.0% ±1.0 pts | 19.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 30.7% ±2.0 pts | 19.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±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 | 5.1% ±1.8 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 27.7% ±1.6 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 33.9% ±2.2 pts | 28.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9% ±0.9 pts | 6.0% | – |
| With a disability | 9.1% ±1.0 pts | 8.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.1% ±1.1 pts | 4.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.7% ±1.1 pts | 95.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 68.8% ±2.3 pts | 64.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 37.1% ±2.0 pts | 34.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.8% ±1.4 pts | 88.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9% ±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
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 Ellicott City earn?
Half of Ellicott City's 26,919 households earn less than $156,964 a year (±$11,037), against $149,763 in Howard County and $103,678 in Maryland. In 2015-2019 it was $161,878 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ellicott City | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $156,964 ±$11,037 | $149,763 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $187,257 ±$7,823 | $184,243 | – |
| Per capita income | $67,822 ±$2,722 | $67,501 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 3.7% ±0.7 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 2.1% ±1.0 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.1% ±1.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.2% ±0.4 pts | 98.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.5% ±1.3 pts | 96.6% | – |
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 Ellicott City?
Owners occupy 72.0% of Ellicott City's occupied homes and renters 28.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $661,700 by its owner (±$11,299). The median renter pays $2,061 a month including utilities, and 45.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ellicott City | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $661,700 ±$11,299 | $597,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $2,061 ±$94 | $2,099 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.9% ±5.6 pts | 38.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,255 ±$102 | $3,021 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.0% ±2.1 pts | 71.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 28.0% ±2.1 pts | 28.5% | – |
| Housing units | 27,645 ±800 | 125,286 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.9% ±2.5 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 54.0% ±2.4 pts | 50.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 16.2% ±1.8 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.7% ±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.0% ±1.1 pts | 3.6% | – |
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 do people in Ellicott City work and get to work?
65.4% of Ellicott City's workers drive alone and 27.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.0%.
| Measure | Ellicott City | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.8% ±1.6 pts | 69.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% ±0.6 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 65.4% ±2.3 pts | 64.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.8% ±0.9 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.7% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 27.2% ±2.2 pts | 26.0% | +20.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.2 min ±0.9 | 28.5 min | −2.4 min |
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 Ellicott City?
13 census tracts lie mostly in Ellicott City, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $93,006 (Tract 6026) to $219,797 (Tract 6023.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 6021Howard County | 9,295 | $174,435 |
| Tract 6026Howard County | 8,287 | $93,006 |
| Tract 6028Howard County | 6,115 | $160,652 |
| Tract 6022.02Howard County | 5,890 | $180,652 |
| Tract 6027Howard County | 5,868 | $202,226 |
| Tract 6023.06Howard County | 5,525 | $118,125 |
| Tract 6023.04Howard County | 4,990 | $210,417 |
| Tract 6029Howard County | 4,864 | $98,656 |
| Tract 6030.01Howard County | 6,088 | $132,321 |
| Tract 6023.02Howard County | 6,417 | $145,981 |
| Tract 6023.05Howard County | 4,159 | $206,696 |
| Tract 6022.01Howard County | 3,836 | $201,750 |
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 Ellicott City) · Census block assignment files
How does Ellicott City compare with other places in Maryland?
Ellicott City ranks 56th of 322 places in Maryland with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 7th | 326 |
| Residents per square mile | 142nd | 326 |
| Median household income | 56th | 322 |
| Per capita income | 56th | 326 |
| Median home value | 31st | 323 |
| Median gross rent | 91st | 288 |
| Poverty rate | 207th | 230 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27th | 325 |
| Median age | 94th | 326 |
| Owner-occupied share | 182nd | 323 |
| Work from home | 55th | 293 |
| Travel time to work | 236th | 325 |
Ellicott City's figures with every place in Maryland (CSV)
Every place in Maryland, sortable · Compare Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City?
4 of the 57 figures for Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City 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' school search.