City profile · Maryland · Census ACS 2023

La Plata, MD

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

10,470
Residents
$121,707
Median income
$405,200
Median home
$2,246
Median rent (state)

La Plata - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, La Plata lands in the 88th percentile for household income and the 33rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

88th
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
87th
percentile, median rent
33rd
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: La Plata, MD

La Plata is a small town in Maryland, home to 10,470 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $121,707 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 1.1%. Typical homes in La Plata are valued around $405,200, and the median resident age is 41.5 years. 33.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 367 residential building permits were authorized in La Plata (Building Boom), up 317% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1970.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Maryland carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 105.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,246 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Maryland run around $255, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 44.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

10,470 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maryland

Median Household Income

$121,707 /yr

Poverty 1.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maryland average

How does La Plata compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 88% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 87% pricier than other cities
Safety 33% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Maryland, La Plata ranks #34 of 70 Maryland cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares La Plata 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 sits close to the middle of Maryland's city distribution

Among the 479 Maryland cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, La Plata ranks #346 - the 27th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares La Plata only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#144 of 445
68th percentile in Maryland
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 479
66th percentile in Maryland
Median Home Value
#185 of 450
59th percentile in Maryland
Poverty Rate
#346 of 479
27th percentile in Maryland
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#247 of 479
48th 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.

88thIncome percentile
33rdSafety percentile

88th percentile nationally for median household income · 33rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

La Plata's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

La Plata'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 46 Avg. percentile National median
La Plata'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 La Plata's home value compares nationally

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

$405,200 22nd percentile more affordable than 22% 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%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. La Plata $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 - La Plata, MD La Plata, MD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not La Plata, 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 La Plata, MD median $121,707/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%
La Plata, 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 La Plata, MD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.2%

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

Population
10,470
Median Income
$121,707
Median Home Value
$405,200
Median Age
41.5
Poverty Rate
1.1%
Labor force participation
60.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1970.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
215.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1754.5
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
10,000 residents11,000 residents12,000 residents13,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,211 residents 12,137 residents ▲ +18.9%
La Plata's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
367
housing units authorized
Single-Family
223
detached homes
Multifamily
144
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
35.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 88
2020 101
2021 112
2022 97
2023 219
2024 367

Permit volume increased 317% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
67.3%
Carpool
11.8%
Public Transit
2.9%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
16.8%

Based on 5,332 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 La Plata 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
44.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maryland

Fort Meade
10,477 people
White Marsh
10,480 people
Garrison
10,449 people
Scaggsville
10,441 people
Linthicum
10,545 people
Marlton
10,223 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to La Plata's 10,470 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Española, NM
10,472 people
Marlton, NJ
10,473 people
Rifle, CO
10,466 people
Chestnut Ridge, NY
10,464 people
Lighthouse Point, FL
10,463 people
Somers Point, NJ
10,461 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to La Plata's $121,707 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Buckley, WA
$121,719 median income
Pike Road, AL
$121,687 median income
Sea Ranch, CA
$121,731 median income
Byron, MN
$121,681 median income
Point Venture, TX
$121,750 median income
Windsor, CO
$121,758 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - La Plata, 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 La Plata, MD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 48.8% 35.1% 10.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.8% White 48.8% Black or African American 35.1% Asian 3.8% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 10.8% 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 La Plata 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
La Plata (this city) 10,470 $121,707
Fort Meade 10,477 $102,886
White Marsh 10,480 $123,302
Garrison 10,449 $96,916
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MD FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about La Plata, MD?

What is the population of La Plata, MD? +

The population of La Plata, MD stands at 10,470 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in La Plata, MD? +

La Plata households earn a median of $121,707 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in La Plata? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for La Plata; 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 La Plata, MD safe? +

La Plata has a total crime rate of 1970.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 La Plata, MD? +

The median home value in La Plata is $405,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.