Essex ZIP Codes — Baltimore County, MD

There is one unique ZIP code in Essex, Maryland and it is 21221. Area code: 410/443.

ZIP codes

15.03

sq mi land

6.30

sq mi water

410/443

area code

Essex, MD ZIP code map

About Essex, MD

Essex, Maryland, is a vibrant community located within Baltimore County. Situated conveniently near the Chesapeake Bay, it is known for its scenic waterfront views and close-knit neighborhoods. The city offers a blend of suburban comforts with easy access to urban amenities in nearby Baltimore City.

Location & geography

Essex is positioned approximately 10 miles east of downtown Baltimore, making it an appealing place for commuters. The city covers a land area of 30.06 square miles and has a significant water area of 12.60 square miles, providing plenty of recreational opportunities. Notable neighboring cities include Dundalk to the southwest, Middle River to the northeast, and Bel Air to the north.

Community & economy

The character of Essex is marked by its friendly neighborhoods and community-oriented events. While primarily residential, the area supports various industries, including retail, services, and local businesses. Daily life in Essex is enriched by local parks, water activities, and a strong sense of community, making it a great place for families.

Transportation

Major highways such as I-95 and I-695 provide convenient access to and from Essex, facilitating travel to surrounding regions. The nearest airport is Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, located about 20 miles to the southwest. Public transit options, including bus services, connect residents to Baltimore and other nearby cities.

History

Essex was founded in the early 20th century and has evolved from a primarily agricultural area to a bustling residential community. Key industries have shifted over the years, but Essex has retained a strong local economy, complemented by its proximity to Baltimore. Notable events include the development of waterfront properties that have enhanced tourism and recreational opportunities in the area.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Essex is that it is home to the picturesque waterfront park, Colgate Creek Park, which offers nature trails and scenic views. Additionally, Essex was part of a thriving shipbuilding industry during World War II, contributing to its historic significance.

ZIP codes for Essex, MD (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
21221	Essex	Baltimore	View map

Demographics & statistics

43,822

Population

41.4

Median age

$68,140

Median household income

$35,497

Per capita income

$245,900

Median home value

$1,210

Median monthly rent

59.7%

Home ownership

11.9%

Poverty rate

6.1%

Unemployment

11,415

Housing units

17.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,086

Under 5

1,210

1,333

5–9

1,484

1,198

10–14

1,334

1,264

15–19

1,407

1,178

20–24

1,311

2,825

25–34

3,145

2,270

35–44

2,527

3,037

45–54

3,381

1,542

55–59

1,717

1,417

60–64

1,578

2,215

65–74

2,466

1,012

75–84

1,127

359

85+

399

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	9,300	21.2%
18 and over	34,522	78.8%
65 and over	7,578	17.3%
Median age	41.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 58.2%

Black or African American 29.5%

Two or more races 6%

Hispanic or Latino 3.1%

Asian 1.7%

Other race 1.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	26,297	58.2%
Black or African American	13,317	29.5%
Two or more races	2,713	6%
Hispanic or Latino	1,388	3.1%
Asian	761	1.7%
Other race	673	1.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	61	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.6%

$10k–$15k 4.3%

$15k–$25k 8.7%

$25k–$35k 9.0%

$35k–$50k 11.2%

$50k–$75k 17.3%

$75k–$100k 12.2%

$100k–$150k 17.5%

$150k–$200k 8.9%

$200k+ 6.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.6%
$10k–$15k	4.3%
$15k–$25k	8.7%
$25k–$35k	9.0%
$35k–$50k	11.2%
$50k–$75k	17.3%
$75k–$100k	12.2%
$100k–$150k	17.5%
$150k–$200k	8.9%
$200k+	6.4%
Median income	$68,140

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.4%

$50k–$100k 1.9%

$100k–$150k 9.4%

$150k–$200k 20.1%

$200k–$300k 29.1%

$300k–$500k 27.2%

$500k–$1M 5.7%

$1M+ 1.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$245,900
Median rent / month	$1,210
Owner occupied	59.7%
Renter occupied	40.3%
Vacant	6.6%
Single-family detached	42.0%
Large apartment buildings	4.8%
Mobile homes	1.5%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.67

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	3.3%
2000–2009	7.7%
1990–1999	10.4%
1980–1989	12.1%
1970–1979	9.2%
1960–1969	14.4%
1950–1959	24.8%
1940–1949	10.8%
1939 or earlier	7.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.0%
1 bedroom	10.4%
2 bedrooms	28.4%
3 bedrooms	38.5%
4 bedrooms	14.7%
5+ bedrooms	4.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	12.3%
1 vehicle	37.0%
2 vehicles	30.7%
3 or more	20.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	48.8%
Electricity	37.6%
Propane / LP gas	2.1%
Fuel oil	9.8%
Wood	0.3%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	6,693	39.1%
Cohabiting couple	1,671	9.8%
Male householder, no spouse	3,162	18.5%
Female householder, no spouse	5,577	32.6%
Households with children under 18	4,809	28.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	5,647	33.0%
Average household size	2.54

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.1%	33.3%
Married	46.1%	38.8%
Separated	3.1%	2.5%
Widowed	3.5%	10.4%
Divorced	11.1%	15.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.7%

Some HS, no diploma 8.8%

HS graduate 39.7%

Some college, no degree 20.2%

Associate's degree 7.8%

Bachelor's degree 11.5%

Graduate / professional 6.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.5%
Bachelor's or higher	17.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	561	5.8%
Kindergarten	372	3.9%
Elementary school	4,425	45.8%
High school	1,966	20.3%
College / grad school	2,338	24.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.2%

Retail trade 12.0%

Professional & management 9.0%

Transportation & utilities 8.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.0%

Public administration 8.0%

Finance & real estate 7.5%

Construction 7.3%

Manufacturing 6.9%

Other services 5.2%

Wholesale trade 2.3%

Information 0.7%

Agriculture & mining 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.2%
Service	18.2%
Sales & office	22.8%
Natural resources & construction	10.7%
Production & transportation	15.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.3%
Government	17.0%
Self-employed	3.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.8%
Carpool	9.6%
Public transit	7.0%
Walk	1.8%
Other means	1.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	30.1

Poverty

All people 11.9%

Under 18 years 16.4%

18 and over 10.7%

Married-couple families 3.4%

Female-led households 16.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.8%
Retirement income	23.0%
Supplemental Security	6.3%
Cash public assistance	3.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	18.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.0%
High cholesterol	33.3%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	10.8%
Arthritis	26.5%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	7.1%
Cancer	6.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.0%
No physical activity	26.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.8%
Fair or poor health	15.9%
Poor mental health	16.5%
Poor physical health	10.1%
No health insurance	13.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.3%
Visited dentist	58.6%
Cholesterol screening	90.9%
Teeth loss	14.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,537	7.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.7%
Under 18	8.2%
18–64 years	12.4%
65 and over	37.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.1%
Public insurance	45.8%
Uninsured under 19	3.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	41,526	94.8%
Spanish	917	2.2%
Other Indo-European	350	0.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	254	0.6%
Other languages	194	0.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	39,985	91.2%
Born in same state	39,533	90.2%
Born in different state	31,972	73.0%
Foreign born	452	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	3,837	8.8%
Not a US citizen	2,384	62.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	5,104	11.6%
French	2,929	6.7%
Arab	2,841	6.5%
English	219	0.5%
Irish	198	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	93	0.2%
Norwegian	72	0.2%
German	34	0.1%
Dutch	23	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.0%
Internet access	90.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Essex, MD have?

Essex, MD has one ZIP code: 21221. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.