Ellicott City, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ellicott City, Maryland had a total population of 75,257, the 7th largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $156,964, which is 51% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Maryland.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.8% — among the lowest in Maryland.
- 68.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Maryland.
Ellicott City Quick Facts
How Ellicott City 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 | 73,737 | 75,257 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $157,891 | $156,964 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $644,300 | $661,700 | +2.7% |
How Ellicott City 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+)
Ellicott City Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Howard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 104,338 | $131,490 | 7.5% | $497,400 |
| Ilchester | 28,364 | $152,103 | 5.1% | $532,400 |
| Elkridge | 26,283 | $139,913 | 7.6% | $454,200 |
| North Laurel | 25,563 | $122,949 | 4.7% | $450,100 |
| Scaggsville | 10,564 | $207,220 | 2.9% | $668,500 |
| Savage | 8,239 | $116,895 | 5.5% | $424,300 |
| Fulton | 5,677 | $222,039 | 0.7% | $913,100 |
| Highland | 972 | $250,000+ | 3.4% | $914,000 |
| Lisbon | 126 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ellicott City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda | 69,397 | $192,237 | $1,169,900 | 87.1% | 4.3% |
| Rockville | 67,671 | $128,649 | $682,300 | 65.6% | 7.6% |
| Gaithersburg | 69,825 | $112,467 | $496,500 | 52.5% | 8.8% |
| Waldorf | 82,943 | $116,089 | $407,600 | 34.8% | 7.7% |
| Silver Spring | 81,462 | $99,860 | $643,300 | 60.6% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Ellicott City is a mid-sized community located in Maryland, within Howard County. The total population is 75,257. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ellicott City is 43.2 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ellicott City is $156,964. This is 51% higher than the state median of $103,678. It is also 94% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $661,700. Housing costs are 58% higher than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ellicott City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 30.7%. The Black or African American population (9.0%) is well below the state average of 28.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 12.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (30.7% vs 6.5%).
Education
68.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ellicott City in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 58% higher 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 95.7%. Notably, 37.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ellicott City, 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 Ellicott City, Maryland?
Ellicott City, Maryland has a population of 75,257 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ellicott City, MD?
The median household income in Ellicott City is $156,964, which is 94% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ellicott City, MD?
The poverty rate in Ellicott City is 3.8%. This means approximately 2,796 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ellicott City, Maryland?
Ellicott City's population is 50.1% White, 9.0% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 30.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ellicott City, MD?
The median home value in Ellicott City is $661,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Ellicott City, Maryland?
68.8% of adults (25+) in Ellicott City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 37.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.