Census-designated place · Maryland
Towson, Maryland
Towson, census-designated place, in Baltimore County, Maryland. Towson had 58,679 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±1,741). GEOID 2478425.
Residents, 2020-2024
58,679
±1,741 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 59,553
Median household income
$101,320
±$6,307 (90% margin)
Maryland: $103,678
Median home value
$469,000
±$12,664 (90% margin)
Maryland: $419,900
Median gross rent
$1,764
±$42 (90% margin)
Maryland: $1,705
Where is Towson and what county is it in?
Towson is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Baltimore County, Maryland. It covers 14.2 square miles of land, 4,208 residents per square mile in 2020.
Towson 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 Towson, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts Towson's population at 58,679 (±1,741). The 2020 Census counted 59,553 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Towson is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Towson | Baltimore County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 58,679 ±1,741 | 850,796 | no clear change |
| Households | 23,262 ±810 | 332,801 | +2,163 |
| Average household size | 2.21 ±0.06 | 2.50 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 24,871 ±747 | 350,821 | +1,957 |
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 Towson?
The median resident of Towson is 33.6 years old; 17.8% are under 18 and 18.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 16.5%. 10.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Towson | Baltimore County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.6 ±1.3 | 39.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.8% ±0.9 pts | 21.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.0% ±1.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Male | 45.5% ±1.3 pts | 47.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.0% ±1.0 pts | 7.8% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.6% ±1.7 pts | 51.1% | −4.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 16.5% ±1.8 pts | 30.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.0% ±1.1 pts | 6.1% | 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 | 4.4% ±0.8 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.6% ±1.5 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.7% ±1.4 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8% ±0.5 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 9.3% ±1.0 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.5% ±0.6 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.3% ±0.7 pts | 91.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 69.3% ±1.9 pts | 42.3% | +4.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 35.8% ±1.9 pts | 19.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 81.6% ±1.7 pts | 89.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9% ±0.7 pts | 1.5% | – |
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 Towson earn?
Half of Towson's 23,262 households earn less than $101,320 a year (±$6,307), against $91,768 in Baltimore County and $103,678 in Maryland. In 2015-2019 the median was $109,268 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $7,948 after inflation. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Towson | Baltimore County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $101,320 ±$6,307 | $91,768 | −$7,948 |
| Mean household income | $150,464 ±$8,263 | $122,863 | – |
| Per capita income | $61,912 ±$3,580 | $49,074 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.1% ±1.7 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.3% ±3.2 pts | 12.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.6% ±1.0 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.4% ±1.3 pts | 95.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.4% ±1.8 pts | 91.4% | – |
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 Towson?
Owners occupy 55.6% of Towson's occupied homes and renters 44.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $469,000 by its owner (±$12,664). The median renter pays $1,764 a month including utilities, and 44.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Towson | Baltimore County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $469,000 ±$12,664 | $349,300 | +$21,274 |
| Median gross rent | $1,764 ±$42 | $1,627 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.3% ±5.7 pts | 44.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,520 ±$97 | $2,049 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.6% ±2.2 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 44.4% ±2.2 pts | 33.6% | – |
| Housing units | 24,871 ±747 | 350,821 | +1,957 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.7% ±2.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 33.7% ±1.9 pts | 47.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.3% ±1.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.7% ±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.0% ±1.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
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 Towson work and get to work?
61.7% of Towson's workers drive alone and 23.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Towson | Baltimore County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.4% ±1.7 pts | 65.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% ±1.0 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 61.7% ±2.3 pts | 69.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.3% ±1.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.0% ±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Walked | 5.2% ±1.0 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 23.3% ±1.8 pts | 16.5% | +16.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.1 min ±1.3 | 28.0 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 Towson?
19 census tracts lie mostly in Towson, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $2,500 or less (Tract 4906.05) to $219,028 (Tract 4910).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4906.05Baltimore County | 5,521 | $2,500 or less |
| Tract 4909Baltimore County | 5,188 | $51,908 |
| Tract 4903.04Baltimore County | 4,263 | $73,203 |
| Tract 4913Baltimore County | 3,869 | $87,702 |
| Tract 4905Baltimore County | 3,661 | $200,682 |
| Tract 4911Baltimore County | 3,559 | $116,595 |
| Tract 4903.02Baltimore County | 3,438 | $108,157 |
| Tract 4908Baltimore County | 3,384 | $101,667 |
| Tract 4907.03Baltimore County | 3,186 | $108,654 |
| Tract 4906.02Baltimore County | 3,071 | $132,740 |
| Tract 4903.03Baltimore County | 2,563 | $75,392 |
| Tract 4910Baltimore County | 2,457 | $219,028 |
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 Towson) · Census block assignment files
How does Towson compare with other places in Maryland?
Towson ranks 186th 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) | 13th | 326 |
| Residents per square mile | 79th | 326 |
| Median household income | 186th | 322 |
| Per capita income | 83rd | 326 |
| Median home value | 125th | 323 |
| Median gross rent | 146th | 288 |
| Poverty rate | 66th | 230 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25th | 325 |
| Median age | 299th | 326 |
| Owner-occupied share | 263rd | 323 |
| Work from home | 85th | 293 |
| Travel time to work | 278th | 325 |
Towson's figures with every place in Maryland (CSV)
Every place in Maryland, sortable · Compare Towson 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 Towson?
6 of the 57 figures for Towson 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 Towson 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.