Baltimore, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Baltimore, Maryland had a total population of 573,243, the 1st largest city in Maryland, with a median household income of $62,177, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Baltimore is the 1st largest city in Maryland with a population of 573,243.
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Baltimore Quick Facts
How Baltimore Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 573,243 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $59,623 | $62,177 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $219,300 | $229,600 | +4.7% |
How Baltimore Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Baltimore Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Cities Similar to Baltimore
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 104,338 | $131,490 | $497,400 | 63.6% | 7.5% |
| Frederick | 83,395 | $97,069 | $401,500 | 43.2% | 9.2% |
| Germantown | 90,719 | $117,546 | $422,400 | 50.4% | 8.8% |
| Dundalk | 65,969 | $64,520 | $212,700 | 15.7% | 17.4% |
| Silver Spring | 81,462 | $99,860 | $643,300 | 60.6% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Baltimore is a major urban center located in Maryland. The total population is 573,243. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Baltimore is 36.2 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Baltimore is $62,177. This is 40% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.8%. This is 109% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $229,600. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 47.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Baltimore is Black or African American, making up 58.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (58.5% vs 28.9%). The Asian population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 6.5%.
Education
36.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.7%. Notably, 18.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Baltimore, Maryland is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Baltimore, Maryland?
Baltimore, Maryland has a population of 573,243 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Baltimore, MD?
The median household income in Baltimore is $62,177, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Baltimore, MD?
The poverty rate in Baltimore is 19.8%. This means approximately 109,292 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Baltimore, Maryland?
Baltimore's population is 26.0% White, 58.5% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Baltimore, MD?
The median home value in Baltimore is $229,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Baltimore, Maryland?
36.1% of adults (25+) in Baltimore hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.