Bel Air, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bel Air, Maryland had a total population of 10,585, the 133rd largest town in Maryland, with a median household income of $74,605, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 10,616 | 10,585 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $69,912 | $74,605 | +6.7% |
| Median home value | $297,400 | $318,400 | +7.1% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bel Air Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Harford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bel Air South | 58,137 | $123,653 | 3.9% | $405,900 |
| Bel Air North | 31,302 | $137,336 | 3.5% | $446,500 |
| Edgewood | 24,922 | $80,772 | 12.0% | $242,200 |
| Aberdeen | 17,298 | $74,826 | 14.3% | $261,400 |
| Havre de Grace | 14,994 | $105,817 | 9.0% | $392,900 |
| Joppatowne | 14,237 | $117,881 | 6.5% | $342,300 |
| Fallston | 10,013 | $154,688 | 4.5% | $562,300 |
| Riverside | 6,585 | $105,785 | 5.7% | $246,100 |
| Abingdon | 5,019 | $136,833 | 10.5% | $366,200 |
| Pleasant Hills | 3,836 | $166,339 | 2.1% | $532,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forestville | 10,495 | $70,579 | $339,000 | 21.5% | 10.3% |
| Halfway | 10,849 | $71,036 | $253,300 | 21.3% | 10.5% |
| Walker Mill | 10,931 | $88,333 | $379,100 | 28.3% | 10.3% |
| Coral Hills | 9,756 | $68,603 | $339,200 | 20.9% | 18.4% |
| Bladensburg | 9,583 | $63,179 | $336,100 | 16.6% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
Bel Air is a small city located in Maryland, within Harford County. The total population is 10,585. It ranks as the 133rd most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bel Air is 42.6 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. 10.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bel Air is $74,605. This is 28% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $318,400. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bel Air is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (74.8% vs 46.6%). The Black or African American population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 28.9%.
Education
43.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 92.6%. Notably, 16.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
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 10,585 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 $74,605, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bel Air, MD?
The poverty rate in Bel Air is 13.9%. This means approximately 1,447 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bel Air, Maryland?
Bel Air's population is 74.8% White, 4.3% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bel Air, MD?
The median home value in Bel Air is $318,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Bel Air, Maryland?
43.0% of adults (25+) in Bel Air hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.