La Plata ZIP Codes — Charles County, MD

There is one unique ZIP code in La Plata, Maryland and it is 20646. Area code: 240/301.

ZIP codes

79.77

sq mi land

0.69

sq mi water

240/301

area code

La Plata, MD ZIP code map

About La Plata, MD

La Plata is a charming town located in Charles County, Maryland. Known for its rich history and community-oriented atmosphere, La Plata serves as the county seat and a hub for local businesses. The welcoming ambiance and historical significance make it an attractive destination for both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Positioned in the southern part of Maryland, La Plata is approximately 30 miles southeast of Washington, D.C. The town is bordered by several other cities, including Waldorf, which lies to the north about 10 miles away, and Indian Head to the south about 15 miles away. Covering a land area of 79.77 square miles, La Plata includes a small water area of 0.69 square miles, characterized by primarily flat terrain.

Community & economy

La Plata boasts a strong sense of community, with friendly residents who take pride in their town. The local economy is supported by a mix of retail businesses, professional services, and government-related jobs, providing a stable base for daily life. Residents enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including local parks and community events, which foster a connected and engaged populace.

Transportation

La Plata is accessible via major highways, including U.S. Route 301, which facilitates travel to nearby cities and regions. The nearest airport is the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the northwest. Public transportation options, such as bus services, also connect the town with surrounding areas, allowing residents to commute conveniently.

History

La Plata was founded in the late 19th century and has since evolved from a small settlement into a significant local hub. Historically, the town has played a role in agriculture and commerce, with some notable events including the establishment of the town as the county seat in 1895. This designation has made La Plata a focal point for local governance and community activities.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about La Plata is that it is home to the annual La Plata Bluegrass Festival, which draws music lovers from all around. Additionally, the town features several historical landmarks, adding to its unique character and charm.

ZIP codes for La Plata, MD (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
20646	La Plata	Charles	View map

Demographics & statistics

21,248

Population

43.1

Median age

$130,168

Median household income

$50,238

Per capita income

$431,900

Median home value

$1,590

Median monthly rent

84.7%

Home ownership

4.1%

Poverty rate

3.5%

Unemployment

6,798

Housing units

33.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

515

Under 5

494

568

5–9

546

815

10–14

783

754

15–19

725

595

20–24

572

1,034

25–34

994

1,387

35–44

1,333

1,680

45–54

1,613

972

55–59

934

748

60–64

718

961

65–74

924

576

75–84

553

232

85+

222

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	4,673	22.0%
18 and over	16,575	78.0%
65 and over	3,468	16.3%
Median age	43.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 65.8%

Black or African American 23.9%

Two or more races 4.5%

Asian 2.6%

Hispanic or Latino 1.6%

Other race 1.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	14,213	65.8%
Black or African American	5,152	23.9%
Two or more races	979	4.5%
Asian	564	2.6%
Hispanic or Latino	344	1.6%
Other race	238	1.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	102	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 3.2%

$10k–$15k 0.8%

$15k–$25k 3.1%

$25k–$35k 2.1%

$35k–$50k 5.4%

$50k–$75k 14.3%

$75k–$100k 8.5%

$100k–$150k 19.9%

$150k–$200k 19.2%

$200k+ 23.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.2%
$10k–$15k	0.8%
$15k–$25k	3.1%
$25k–$35k	2.1%
$35k–$50k	5.4%
$50k–$75k	14.3%
$75k–$100k	8.5%
$100k–$150k	19.9%
$150k–$200k	19.2%
$200k+	23.4%
Median income	$130,168

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.9%

$100k–$150k 0.6%

$150k–$200k 2.1%

$200k–$300k 15.7%

$300k–$500k 47.8%

$500k–$1M 31.0%

$1M+ 0.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$431,900
Median rent / month	$1,590
Owner occupied	84.7%
Renter occupied	15.3%
Vacant	6.7%
Single-family detached	74.2%
Large apartment buildings	4.5%
Mobile homes	0.6%
Median rooms	7.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.83

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.2%
2010–2019	10.4%
2000–2009	19.7%
1990–1999	19.0%
1980–1989	21.0%
1970–1979	11.1%
1960–1969	5.6%
1950–1959	4.7%
1940–1949	3.7%
1939 or earlier	3.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.3%
1 bedroom	3.0%
2 bedrooms	12.5%
3 bedrooms	38.3%
4 bedrooms	33.3%
5+ bedrooms	10.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.8%
1 vehicle	23.1%
2 vehicles	37.8%
3 or more	34.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.8%
Electricity	67.9%
Propane / LP gas	5.6%
Fuel oil	17.8%
Wood	2.6%
Solar	0.5%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,308	58.2%
Cohabiting couple	192	2.6%
Male householder, no spouse	1,125	15.2%
Female householder, no spouse	1,774	24.0%
Households with children under 18	2,489	33.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,454	33.2%
Average household size	2.77

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.1%	25.4%
Married	53.6%	52.5%
Separated	0.7%	1.2%
Widowed	4.2%	10.7%
Divorced	8.4%	10.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.2%

Some HS, no diploma 2.9%

HS graduate 28.2%

Some college, no degree 24.7%

Associate's degree 8.8%

Bachelor's degree 20.3%

Graduate / professional 13.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.9%
Bachelor's or higher	33.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	359	6.5%
Kindergarten	200	3.6%
Elementary school	2,265	40.9%
High school	1,268	22.9%
College / grad school	1,440	26.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.7%

Public administration 17.4%

Professional & management 13.8%

Retail trade 10.4%

Construction 9.1%

Transportation & utilities 6.5%

Finance & real estate 6.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.4%

Other services 5.0%

Manufacturing 3.4%

Wholesale trade 1.4%

Information 1.2%

Agriculture & mining 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	47.4%
Service	13.5%
Sales & office	22.4%
Natural resources & construction	7.5%
Production & transportation	9.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	65.8%
Government	30.6%
Self-employed	3.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.1%
Carpool	4.4%
Public transit	2.0%
Walk	0.5%
Other means	0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	38.5

Poverty

All people 4.1%

Under 18 years 3.5%

18 and over 4.2%

Married-couple families 0.1%

Female-led households 5.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	30.5%
Retirement income	32.6%
Supplemental Security	4.4%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.6%
High cholesterol	35.1%
Heart disease	5.5%
Stroke	2.8%
Asthma	9.7%
Arthritis	25.0%
Kidney disease	2.6%
Pulmonary disease	5.8%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.3%
No physical activity	22.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.7%
Fair or poor health	11.4%
Poor mental health	13.5%
Poor physical health	8.1%
No health insurance	9.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.9%
Visited dentist	66.9%
Cholesterol screening	92.6%
Teeth loss	10.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,106	12.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.9%
Under 18	3.8%
18–64 years	9.9%
65 and over	31.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	86.9%
Public insurance	28.8%
Uninsured under 19	1.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	20,239	95.3%
Spanish	275	1.4%
Other Indo-European	35	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	94	0.5%
Other languages	108	0.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	19,887	93.6%
Born in same state	19,301	90.8%
Born in different state	9,772	46.0%
Foreign born	586	2.8%
Naturalized citizen	1,361	6.4%
Not a US citizen	784	57.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	2,817	13.3%
Italian	2,739	12.9%
Arab	1,052	5%
English	279	1.3%
Polish	222	1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	86	0.4%
Dutch	37	0.2%
German	36	0.2%
Norwegian	5	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	34.8%
Internet access	95.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does La Plata, MD have?

La Plata, MD has one ZIP code: 20646. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.