Columbia ZIP Code List — Howard County, MD

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Columbia, Maryland. Area code: 443/410/240/667/301.

ZIP codes

29.40

sq mi land

0.25

sq mi water

443/410/240/667/301

area code

Columbia, MD ZIP code map

About Columbia, MD

Columbia, Maryland, is a vibrant, planned community situated in Howard County. Known for its attractive neighborhoods and diverse culture, Columbia is a well-regarded suburban area. The city features a blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, making it a desirable place to live and visit.

Location & geography

Columbia is located centrally in Maryland, approximately 15 miles southwest of Baltimore and about 20 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. The city encompasses a total land area of 29.40 square miles, with a small water area of 0.25 square miles. The region's terrain is characterized by rolling hills and lush parklands, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Columbia is defined by its planned design that promotes a strong sense of community among its residents. Major industries in the area include technology, health care, and education, contributing to a robust local economy. Daily life in Columbia revolves around family-friendly activities, with numerous parks, shopping centers, and cultural events fostering an active and engaged community.

Transportation

Columbia is well-served by major highways, including U.S. Route 29 and Maryland Route 175, facilitating easy access to neighboring cities. The nearest named airports include Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, located about 12 miles to the east. Local public transit options, such as buses, provide connectivity within the region.

History

Columbia was founded in 1967 as a planned community aimed at promoting a balanced, inclusive urban development. Initially, the local economy was based on agriculture, but it transformed into a hub for innovation and technology as the community grew. Notable events in Columbia's development include the establishment of recreational areas and cultural institutions that reflect its commitment to a high quality of life.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Columbia is that it was founded with the intention of eliminating racial, religious, and economic divisions, making it one of the earliest planned communities with such a diverse vision. Additionally, Columbia is home to the famed Merriweather Post Pavilion, a premier outdoor concert venue that attracts artists from all over the world.

ZIP codes for Columbia, MD (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
21044	Columbia	Howard	View map
21045	Columbia	Howard	View map
21046	Columbia	Howard	View map

Demographics & statistics

101,974

Population

38.7

Median age

$120,485

Median household income

$57,874

Per capita income

$457,067

Median home value

$1,857

Median monthly rent

62.6%

Home ownership

7.7%

Poverty rate

4.0%

Unemployment

27,361

Housing units

61.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

2,729

Under 5

2,959

2,564

5–9

2,781

3,084

10–14

3,344

3,069

15–19

3,329

3,144

20–24

3,411

7,218

25–34

7,829

6,876

35–44

7,457

5,837

45–54

6,331

3,279

55–59

3,556

2,885

60–64

3,130

4,527

65–74

4,910

2,490

75–84

2,700

1,216

85+

1,319

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	21,166	20.9%
18 and over	80,808	79.1%
65 and over	17,162	15.9%
Median age	38.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 45.5%

Black or African American 27.5%

Asian 10.4%

Two or more races 7.8%

Hispanic or Latino 6%

Other race 2.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	49,319	45.5%
Black or African American	29,793	27.5%
Asian	11,328	10.4%
Two or more races	8,510	7.8%
Hispanic or Latino	6,526	6%
Other race	2,743	2.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	239	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 2.6%

$10k–$15k 2.2%

$15k–$25k 4.0%

$25k–$35k 3.0%

$35k–$50k 4.3%

$50k–$75k 9.8%

$75k–$100k 11.3%

$100k–$150k 24.3%

$150k–$200k 16.0%

$200k+ 22.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.6%
$10k–$15k	2.2%
$15k–$25k	4.0%
$25k–$35k	3.0%
$35k–$50k	4.3%
$50k–$75k	9.8%
$75k–$100k	11.3%
$100k–$150k	24.3%
$150k–$200k	16.0%
$200k+	22.7%
Median income	$120,485

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.4%

$50k–$100k 0.1%

$100k–$150k 0.5%

$150k–$200k 2.8%

$200k–$300k 10.3%

$300k–$500k 46.9%

$500k–$1M 37.3%

$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$457,067
Median rent / month	$1,857
Owner occupied	62.6%
Renter occupied	37.4%
Vacant	4.4%
Single-family detached	39.0%
Large apartment buildings	9.0%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.63

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	4.4%
2000–2009	5.6%
1990–1999	15.4%
1980–1989	32.7%
1970–1979	31.0%
1960–1969	7.8%
1950–1959	2.0%
1940–1949	0.1%
1939 or earlier	0.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.3%
1 bedroom	11.7%
2 bedrooms	22.8%
3 bedrooms	30.1%
4 bedrooms	27.2%
5+ bedrooms	7.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.6%
1 vehicle	32.5%
2 vehicles	44.5%
3 or more	17.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	36.2%
Electricity	60.4%
Propane / LP gas	0.5%
Fuel oil	1.7%
Wood	0.1%
Solar	0.4%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	19,049	48.3%
Cohabiting couple	2,398	6.3%
Male householder, no spouse	5,839	14.7%
Female householder, no spouse	12,510	30.7%
Households with children under 18	11,640	30.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	11,870	28.2%
Average household size	2.55

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	37.6%	34.0%
Married	51.8%	43.7%
Separated	1.1%	1.3%
Widowed	1.7%	8.1%
Divorced	7.9%	12.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.4%

Some HS, no diploma 1.6%

HS graduate 12.6%

Some college, no degree 14.8%

Associate's degree 6.8%

Bachelor's degree 29.3%

Graduate / professional 32.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.0%
Bachelor's or higher	61.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	1,621	6.5%
Kindergarten	1,001	4.0%
Elementary school	9,217	35.5%
High school	5,221	21.3%
College / grad school	8,623	32.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.2%

Professional & management 19.6%

Public administration 11.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.0%

Retail trade 7.7%

Finance & real estate 5.6%

Manufacturing 5.1%

Other services 4.3%

Construction 3.9%

Transportation & utilities 3.1%

Information 2.7%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Agriculture & mining 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	62.2%
Service	12.2%
Sales & office	17.4%
Natural resources & construction	2.3%
Production & transportation	5.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.7%
Government	23.9%
Self-employed	4.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	70.6%
Carpool	5.6%
Public transit	3.1%
Walk	1.4%
Other means	1.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	28.7

Poverty

All people 7.7%

Under 18 years 11.3%

18 and over 6.7%

Married-couple families 1.2%

Female-led households 17.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	24.6%
Retirement income	24.0%
Supplemental Security	4.6%
Cash public assistance	2.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	30.1%
High cholesterol	31.1%
Heart disease	4.1%
Stroke	2.2%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	19.3%
Kidney disease	2.2%
Pulmonary disease	3.8%
Cancer	5.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.1%
No physical activity	17.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.8%
Fair or poor health	8.8%
Poor mental health	12.1%
Poor physical health	6.5%
No health insurance	8.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.7%
Visited dentist	72.2%
Cholesterol screening	93.1%
Teeth loss	6.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	5,586	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.6%
Under 18	5.6%
18–64 years	7.6%
65 and over	28.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	78.5%
Public insurance	30.7%
Uninsured under 19	2.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	96,286	94.1%
Spanish	7,953	7.7%
Other Indo-European	2,386	2.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	1,562	1.6%
Other languages	3,204	3.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	81,753	81.1%
Born in same state	79,887	79.4%
Born in different state	37,577	38.9%
Foreign born	1,866	1.7%
Naturalized citizen	20,221	18.9%
Not a US citizen	12,493	60.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	9,868	9.7%
French	8,042	7.9%
Arab	3,203	3.1%
Polish	746	0.7%
Irish	509	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	497	0.5%
German	456	0.4%
English	381	0.4%
Dutch	255	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.0%
Internet access	97.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Columbia, MD have?

Columbia, MD has 3 ZIP codes: 21044, 21045, 21046. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.

What is the main ZIP code for Columbia, MD?

The primary ZIP code for Columbia, MD is 21044. The city uses area code 443 or 410 or 240 or 667 or 301 for phone service.

What county is Columbia, MD in?

Columbia is located in Howard County, Maryland.

How many ZIP codes are in Columbia, MD?

Columbia, MD has 3 ZIP codes.

What ZIP code is Columbia's Downtown Columbia area located in?

Downtown Columbia, the central hub of the city featuring the lakefront promenade and Town Center, is primarily located in ZIP code 21044.

Which ZIP code covers Columbia's Merriweather Post Pavilion and nearby residential neighborhoods?

Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia's premier outdoor concert venue, and the surrounding neighborhoods are located in ZIP code 21045.