La Plata, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Plata, Maryland had a total population of 10,683, the 132nd largest town in Maryland, with a median household income of $121,208, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
La Plata Quick Facts
How La Plata 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 | 10,470 | 10,683 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $121,707 | $121,208 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $405,200 | $428,400 | +5.7% |
How La Plata 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+)
La Plata Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Charles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldorf | 82,943 | $116,089 | 7.7% | $407,600 |
| Bensville | 15,848 | $170,072 | 5.4% | $521,300 |
| Bryans Road | 9,371 | $118,361 | 2.8% | $377,300 |
| Indian Head | 4,055 | $89,063 | 9.7% | $303,700 |
| Hughesville | 2,098 | $106,250 | 1.7% | $489,100 |
| Potomac Heights | 1,351 | $71,786 | 9.6% | $115,800 |
| Cobb Island | 916 | N/A | 2.3% | $275,000 |
| Pomfret | 747 | $118,914 | 0.0% | $406,900 |
| Bryantown | 325 | $104,271 | 0.0% | $517,600 |
| Rock Point | 244 | N/A | 26.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to La Plata
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Marsh | 10,932 | $117,426 | $369,200 | 50.8% | 9.6% |
| Timonium | 10,304 | $119,863 | $480,800 | 65.0% | 5.8% |
| Friendly | 11,119 | $127,670 | $437,800 | 29.7% | 3.0% |
| Marlton | 10,222 | $109,328 | $415,700 | 40.9% | 5.5% |
| Burtonsville | 10,203 | $134,276 | $488,800 | 48.3% | 4.3% |
Population Overview
La Plata is a small city located in Maryland, within Charles County. The total population is 10,683. It ranks as the 132nd most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Plata is 41.7 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Plata is $121,208. This is 17% higher than the state median of $103,678. It is also 50% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.6%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $428,400. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 80.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Plata is White (non-Hispanic), making up 46.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.2%) is well below the state average of 12.5%.
Education
35.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 95.3%. Notably, 16.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Plata, 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 La Plata, Maryland?
La Plata, Maryland has a population of 10,683 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Plata, MD?
The median household income in La Plata is $121,208, which is 50% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Plata, MD?
The poverty rate in La Plata is 6.6%. This means approximately 672 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Plata, Maryland?
La Plata's population is 46.7% White, 35.8% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Plata, MD?
The median home value in La Plata is $428,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is La Plata, Maryland?
35.4% of adults (25+) in La Plata hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.