County · Maryland
Carroll County, Maryland
Carroll County, Maryland. Carroll County had 176,677 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.2% since 2020, faster than Maryland (+1.4%). It holds 9 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 37 census tracts. GEOID 24013.
Carroll County is one of the 7 counties of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
176,677
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 172,891 · ACS 2020-2024: 175,321
Median household income
$118,211
±$3,883 (90% margin)
Maryland: $103,678
Median home value
$434,000
±$5,460 (90% margin)
Maryland: $419,900
Median gross rent
$1,427
±$44 (90% margin)
Maryland: $1,705
How many people live in Carroll County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 172,891 residents in Carroll County. The Census Bureau estimates 176,677 for July 1, 2025, up 2.2% since 2020, faster than Maryland (+1.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 175,321 over 448 square miles of land.
| Measure | Carroll County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 175,321 | 6,206,011 | +7,622 |
| Households | 64,285±428 | 2,362,928 | +3,527 |
| Average household size | 2.66±0.02 | 2.57 | −0.04 |
| Housing units | 66,768±74 | 2,560,784 | +3,204 |
Carroll County's population since 2000
From 150,897 in 2000 to 176,677 in 2025: up 17.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Carroll County?
Carroll County holds 9 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Eldersburg with 31,695 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Eldersburg | 32,582 | $142,954 |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster | 20,126 | $86,219 |
| Taneytown | 7,234 | $87,621 |
| Hampstead | 6,241 | $97,871 |
| Mount Airy | 9,654 | $151,324 |
| Manchester | 5,408 | $121,676 |
| Sykesville | 4,316 | $139,556 |
| New Windsor | 1,441 | $111,250 |
| Union Bridge | 936 | $76,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Carroll County?
The median resident of Carroll County is 41.3 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 17.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.1%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Carroll County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3±0.3 | 39.4 | −1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0% | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.9%±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.1% | 12.5% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.5%±0.3 pts | 46.6% | −4.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.0%±0.3 pts | 28.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.2 pts | 6.5% | +0.5 pts |
| 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 | 3.2%±0.4 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5%±0.5 pts | 16.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.9%±0.6 pts | 21.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.5%±0.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4%±0.6 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.9%±0.4 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.3%±0.5 pts | 91.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.7%±1.1 pts | 43.4% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.7%±0.7 pts | 20.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
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 Carroll County earn?
Half of Carroll County's 64,285 households earn less than $118,211 a year (±$3,883), against $103,678 in Maryland. In 2015-2019 it was $119,093 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carroll County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $118,211±$3,883 | $103,678 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $142,587±$2,749 | $136,642 | – |
| Per capita income | $53,124±$950 | $52,979 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.2%±0.6 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.0%±1.1 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.2%±0.6 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.5%±0.8 pts | 92.4% | – |
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 Carroll County?
Owners occupy 84.3% of Carroll County's occupied homes and renters 15.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $434,000 by its owner (±$5,460). The median renter pays $1,427 a month including utilities, and 40.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carroll County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $434,000±$5,460 | $419,900 | +$16,056 |
| Median gross rent | $1,427±$44 | $1,705 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.9%±4.7 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,342±$33 | $2,347 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.3%±1.3 pts | 67.6% | +2.3 pts |
| Housing units | 66,768±74 | 2,560,784 | +3,204 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0%±2.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.4%±1.1 pts | 51.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.5%±1.1 pts | 10.7% | – |
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 Carroll County building?
Builders took permits for 153 new housing units across Carroll County in 2025 (153 single-family), 0.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Carroll County get to work?
73.9% of Carroll County's workers drive alone and 17.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 34.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Carroll County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.6%±0.8 pts | 67.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.9%±1.3 pts | 64.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.7%±0.7 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.3%±1.1 pts | 19.3% | +11.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 34.4 min±0.7 | 31.1 min | −1.8 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 are Carroll County's census tracts?
Carroll County is divided into 37 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $66,792 (Tract 5078.01) to $181,818 (Tract 5130.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Carroll County compare with Maryland's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 9th of 24 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 10th of 24 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 24 |
| Median household income | 8th of 24 |
| Median home value | 7th of 24 |
| Median gross rent | 12th of 24 |
| Poverty rate | 22nd of 24 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7th of 24 |
| Median age | 7th of 24 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Carroll County 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.