Dayton ZIP Codes — Howard County, MD

There is one unique ZIP code in Dayton, Maryland and it is 21036. Area code: 240.
1
ZIP codes
6.25
sq mi land
0.36
sq mi water
240
area code
Dayton, MD ZIP code map

About Dayton, MD

Dayton, Maryland, is a quaint, rural community located in the heart of Howard County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and small-town charm, this area offers a serene environment while remaining close to urban conveniences. Dayton is primarily residential, attracting families and individuals looking for a peaceful lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities.

Location & geography

Dayton is nestled in Howard County, Maryland, and covers a total land area of 6.25 square miles. The community is surrounded by several neighboring cities, including Ellicott City approximately 8 miles to the east, Columbia about 10 miles to the south, and Westminster roughly 12 miles to the north. The area also features a water area of 0.36 square miles, contributing to its natural beauty.

Community & economy

The character of Dayton is reflective of its rich agricultural roots and strong sense of community. Known for its low population density, residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, with various local events and gatherings fostering neighborly connections. The local economy is primarily supported by residential developments, small businesses, and agriculture, allowing for a varied yet balanced daily life.

Transportation

Major highways serving Dayton include Route 32, which provides easy access to broader transportation networks. For air travel, the nearest named airport is Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, located about 20 miles to the southeast. Public transit options are limited, emphasizing the need for personal vehicles for most residents.

History

Dayton was founded in the late 19th century, gradually evolving from a primarily agricultural community to its current suburban form. Key industries have shifted over the years, but the area has retained its agricultural heritage, which continues to influence the local economy. A notable event in the history of Dayton includes the development of community-driven initiatives aimed at preserving its rural character amidst the pressures of urbanization.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Dayton is that it has only one ZIP code, 21036, which helps to maintain its distinct local identity. The community's dedication to preserving its rural character is evident in the agrarian landscapes and the local participation in preserving green space.

ZIP codes for Dayton, MD (1)
ZIP code City County Map
21036 Dayton Howard View map

Demographics & statistics

2,145
Population
47.6
Median age
$185,195
Median household income
$80,265
Per capita income
$804,100
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
95.7%
Home ownership
3.9%
Poverty rate
8.3%
Unemployment
770
Housing units
66.4%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
80
Under 5
68
49
5–9
42
54
10–14
47
63
15–19
54
77
20–24
66
94
25–34
81
116
35–44
100
161
45–54
139
65
55–59
55
97
60–64
84
144
65–74
124
90
75–84
77
63
85+
55
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1841419.3%
18 and over1,73180.7%
65 and over55325.8%
Median age47.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 80.5%
Hispanic or Latino 4.8%
Two or more races 4.6%
Asian 4%
Black or African American 3.3%
Other race 2.8%
GroupCount%
White1,81380.5%
Hispanic or Latino1074.8%
Two or more races1044.6%
Asian904%
Black or African American743.3%
Other race642.8%

Household income

$15k–$25k 0.8%
$25k–$35k 5.7%
$35k–$50k 2.7%
$50k–$75k 11.2%
$75k–$100k 3.9%
$100k–$150k 20.7%
$150k–$200k 14.4%
$200k+ 40.6%
Range% of households
$15k–$25k0.8%
$25k–$35k5.7%
$35k–$50k2.7%
$50k–$75k11.2%
$75k–$100k3.9%
$100k–$150k20.7%
$150k–$200k14.4%
$200k+40.6%
Median income$185,195

Housing

Home values

$50k–$100k 0.8%
$300k–$500k 11.3%
$500k–$1M 64.9%
$1M+ 23.0%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$804,100
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied95.7%
Renter occupied4.3%
Vacant4.2%
Single-family detached96.0%
Large apartment buildings3.2%
Mobile homes0.0%
Median rooms10.0
Avg household size (owned)2.80

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.6%
2000–200911.6%
1990–199917.3%
1980–198924.3%
1970–197922.7%
1960–19699.6%
1950–19593.0%
1940–19491.2%
1939 or earlier9.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)3.2%
1 bedroom0.0%
2 bedrooms5.9%
3 bedrooms23.3%
4 bedrooms36.2%
5+ bedrooms31.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle10.0%
1 vehicle13.8%
2 vehicles36.7%
3 or more39.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas17.8%
Electricity52.8%
Propane / LP gas6.1%
Fuel oil23.3%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family48362.8%
Cohabiting couple364.7%
Male householder, no spouse18624.2%
Female householder, no spouse648.3%
Households with children under 1823630.7%
Households with seniors (65+)38349.8%
Average household size2.72

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married24.9%21.8%
Married53.8%61.0%
Separated0.0%1.6%
Widowed14.7%9.0%
Divorced6.6%6.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.3%
Some HS, no diploma 1.5%
HS graduate 11.6%
Some college, no degree 16.3%
Associate's degree 3.9%
Bachelor's degree 39.7%
Graduate / professional 26.7%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher98.2%
Bachelor's or higher66.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool8716.3%
Kindergarten61.1%
Elementary school17532.8%
High school11321.2%
College / grad school15328.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Professional & management 25.2%
Education & healthcare 23.2%
Finance & real estate 12.5%
Construction 11.1%
Public administration 7.3%
Arts, food & hospitality 4.9%
Retail trade 4.7%
Manufacturing 3.7%
Information 3.6%
Transportation & utilities 2.6%
Wholesale trade 0.8%
Other services 0.4%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts65.8%
Service9.2%
Sales & office16.3%
Natural resources & construction5.6%
Production & transportation3.0%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector73.5%
Government16.8%
Self-employed9.6%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone72.0%
Carpool9.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk0.7%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)31.9

Poverty

All people 3.9%
Under 18 years 2.9%
18 and over 4.2%
Married-couple families 0.0%
Female-led households 44.4%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security42.7%
Retirement income42.4%
Supplemental Security3.4%
Cash public assistance1.0%
Food stamps / SNAP1.0%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure31.7%
High cholesterol36.8%
Heart disease5.1%
Stroke2.2%
Asthma8.1%
Arthritis22.3%
Kidney disease2.3%
Pulmonary disease4.0%
Cancer7.7%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking12.5%
No physical activity14.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep28.4%
Fair or poor health7.4%
Poor mental health10.2%
Poor physical health6.2%
No health insurance5.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.4%
Visited dentist78.8%
Cholesterol screening95.4%
Teeth loss4.9%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans563.2%
Disability%
Any disability16.9%
Under 187.2%
18–64 years12.3%
65 and over34.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance85.9%
Public insurance26.1%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,99793.1%
Spanish261.3%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages261.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)2,05895.9%
Born in same state2,02094.2%
Born in different state1,05849.3%
Foreign born381.8%
Naturalized citizen874.1%
Not a US citizen6170.1%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French47122%
Italian43420.2%
Arab683.2%
Polish643%
AncestryCount%
German261.2%
Norwegian211%
English170.8%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access35.9%
Internet access96.7%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Dayton, MD have?
Dayton, MD has one ZIP code: 21036. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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