City profile · Maryland · Census ACS 2023

Greenbelt, MD

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Greenbelt - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

24,572
Residents
$86,352
Median income
$258,600
Median home
$2,246
Median rent (state)

Greenbelt - the verdict

Nationally, Greenbelt sits in the 68th percentile for household income and the 4th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

68th
percentile, household income
57th
percentile, home value
87th
percentile, median rent
4th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Greenbelt, MD

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 24,572 residents in Greenbelt, a small city within Maryland. The typical household in Greenbelt brings in $86,352 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.8%. Greenbelt's housing stock carries a median value of $258,600, and the median resident age is 37.2 years. 46.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 67.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Greenbelt's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 5026.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Maryland carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Maryland at 105.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,246 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $255 across Maryland, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Greenbelt workers runs 28.7 minutes, with 57.2% driving alone and 14.5% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 93.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

24,572 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maryland

Median Household Income

$86,352 /yr

Poverty 12.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maryland average

How does Greenbelt compare to other US cities?

Here's how Greenbelt stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 68% higher than other cities
Home value 57% pricier than other cities
Median rent 87% pricier than other cities
Safety 4% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Maryland alone, Greenbelt ranks #62 of 70 Maryland cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Greenbelt against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Maryland only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Maryland-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Greenbelt toward the top of Maryland's cities

Among the 479 Maryland cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Greenbelt ranks #77 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Greenbelt only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#283 of 445
36th percentile in Maryland
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 479
66th percentile in Maryland
Median Home Value
#337 of 450
25th percentile in Maryland
Poverty Rate
#77 of 479
84th percentile in Maryland
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#137 of 479
71st percentile in Maryland

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Maryland only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

68thIncome percentile
4thSafety percentile

68th percentile nationally for median household income · 4th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Greenbelt's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Greenbelt's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 33 Avg. percentile National median
Greenbelt's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Greenbelt's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$258,600 43rd percentile more affordable than 43% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Greenbelt $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Greenbelt, MD Greenbelt, MD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Greenbelt, MD-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Greenbelt, MD median $86,352/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Greenbelt, MD's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Greenbelt, MD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 46.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
24,572
Median Income
$86,352
Median Home Value
$258,600
Median Age
37.2
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Labor force participation
67.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
46.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5026.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
648.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4377.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
24,400 residents24,600 residents24,800 residents25,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 24,859 residents 24,948 residents ▲ +0.4%
Greenbelt's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
28.7 minutes
Drive Alone
57.2%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
12.1%
Walk
3.5%
Work from Home
14.5%
Other
3.3%

Based on 12,768 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Maryland - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$255
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Maryland state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Maryland state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Greenbelt sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,246/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maryland

Landover
24,558 people
Suitland
24,667 people
North Potomac
23,994 people
Edgewood
25,170 people
North Laurel
25,201 people
Arnold
23,866 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Greenbelt's 24,572 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Watertown, NY
24,574 people
Selma, CA
24,586 people
Maywood, CA
24,593 people
Wyandotte, MI
24,593 people
Ridgeland, MS
24,548 people
Bainbridge Island, WA
24,607 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Greenbelt's $86,352 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Panhandle, TX
$86,354 median income
Huntley, IL
$86,349 median income
Hyde Park, NY
$86,346 median income
Collings Lakes, NJ
$86,359 median income
Winter Springs, FL
$86,332 median income
Galt, CA
$86,327 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Greenbelt, MD Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Greenbelt, MD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 22.5% 45.7% 9.0% 14.2% 8.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17.1% White 22.5% Black or African American 45.7% Asian 9.0% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 14.2% Two or more races 8.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Greenbelt compares to nearby Maryland cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Greenbelt (this city) 24,572 $86,352
Landover 24,558 $68,679
Suitland 24,667 $71,886
North Potomac 23,994 $186,438
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MD FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Greenbelt, MD?

What is the population of Greenbelt, MD? +

24,572 people live in Greenbelt, MD according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Greenbelt, MD? +

Greenbelt households earn a median of $86,352 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Greenbelt? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Greenbelt; the closest available measure is the Maryland state average, a cost of living index of 105.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Maryland vary by metro area.

Is Greenbelt, MD safe? +

Greenbelt has a total crime rate of 5026.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Greenbelt, MD? +

A typical home in Greenbelt is worth $258,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.