Bel Air, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bel Air, Maryland had a total population of 1,837, the 291st largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $97,685, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.2% — among the lowest in Maryland.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Bel Air Quick Facts
How Bel Air 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 | 1,894 | 1,837 | -3.0% |
| Median household income | $87,636 | $97,685 | +11.5% |
| Median home value | $189,700 | $195,700 | +3.2% |
How Bel Air 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bel Air Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Allegany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 18,804 | $48,162 | 25.1% | $123,200 |
| Frostburg | 6,977 | $52,977 | 28.8% | $181,700 |
| Cresaptown | 5,121 | $68,370 | 3.3% | $142,600 |
| La Vale | 4,196 | $77,500 | 4.6% | $170,800 |
| Westernport | 1,588 | $47,688 | 22.2% | $86,300 |
| Bowmans Addition | 1,102 | $82,475 | 29.0% | $187,300 |
| Potomac Park | 978 | $53,221 | 17.3% | $139,400 |
| Bowling Green | 966 | $76,140 | 7.7% | $132,000 |
| Lonaconing | 889 | $54,250 | 20.9% | $89,400 |
| Eckhart Mines | 670 | $64,100 | 2.5% | $182,700 |
Cities Similar to Bel Air
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingstown | 1,713 | $93,625 | $293,000 | 49.4% | 19.7% |
| Landover Hills | 2,031 | $92,500 | $351,900 | 19.2% | 7.8% |
| Long Beach | 1,849 | $126,683 | $441,000 | 31.5% | 1.3% |
| Hebron | 1,566 | $97,841 | $235,300 | 27.4% | 23.8% |
| Arden on the Severn | 1,761 | $125,484 | $478,700 | 38.1% | 0.0% |
Population Overview
Bel Air is a small community located in Maryland, within Allegany County. The total population is 1,837. It ranks as the 291st most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bel Air is 43.4 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bel Air is $97,685. This is 6% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 21% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.2%. This is 98% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Bel Air, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $195,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $419,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Bel Air is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bel Air has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 4.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.8% vs 46.6%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 28.9%.
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bel Air, 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 Bel Air, Maryland?
Bel Air, Maryland has a population of 1,837 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bel Air, MD?
The median household income in Bel Air is $97,685, which is 21% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bel Air, MD?
The poverty rate in Bel Air is 0.2%. This means approximately 4 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bel Air, Maryland?
Bel Air's population is 87.8% White, 0.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bel Air, MD?
The median home value in Bel Air is $195,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Bel Air, Maryland?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Bel Air hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.