Population 43,119 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 21042
Household size in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.92 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.04 | 2.65 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.94 | 2.65 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.93 | 2.59 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.02 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
ZIP 21042 is a place of big households: 2.93 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the southeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.6 | 38.7 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.9 | 39.5 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.4 | 40.2 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.6 | 40.3 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +1.6 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.6, ZIP 21042 is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 42.6, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the east, the oldest in the southwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.2% | 12.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 12.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 11.6% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.4% of households in ZIP 21042, well below the national share of 11.6%. ZIP 21042 has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Maryland ZIP codes.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 21042
Renters in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 32.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 33.5% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.7% | 33.5% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 14.9% | 33.1% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +1.1 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
ZIP 21042 is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 14.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 32.3% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 1.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 9.3% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 3.2% | 9.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 9.4% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 7.2% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −2.1 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 2.8% of homes in ZIP 21042 are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.0 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 240 Maryland ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only 19 have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1971 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1972 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1973 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1975 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in ZIP 21042 is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1983 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the east.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,584 | $1,179 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,696 | $1,293 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,864 | $1,477 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,443 | $1,778 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$860 | +$599 | +$620 | +$606 |
The median renter in ZIP 21042 pays $2,443 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $860 a month since 2006–10, up 54%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 34.9% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the south.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 21042
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 66.6% | 35.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 70.4% | 37.3% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 71.7% | 40.8% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 73.1% | 44.1% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.6 pts | +8.5 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
ZIP 21042 is highly educated: about three-quarters of adults 25 and older (73.1%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.6 points, mirroring the country. Of the 240 Maryland ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only 12 have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.1% | 87.8% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.2% | 89.5% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.1% | 91.1% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.2% | 92.1% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in ZIP 21042: 97.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. ZIP 21042 has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Maryland ZIP codes.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 21042
| Period | ZIP 21042 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.2% | 6.6% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.0% | 8.3% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.2% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.0% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in ZIP 21042 has been strong: just 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 16 of the 240 Maryland ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 21042 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 21042 | 2.93 | 45.6 | 6.4% | 14.9% | 2.8% | 1987 | $2,443 | 73.1% | 97.2% | 2.0% |
| ZIP 21163 | 2.57 | 45.8 | 4.4% | 16.8% | 5.0% | 1999 | $1,484 | 63.1% | 98.1% | 1.7% |
| ZIP 21043 | 2.86 | 41.1 | 8.1% | 33.1% | 3.8% | 1994 | $2,116 | 64.1% | 94.2% | 4.0% |
| ZIP 21044 | 2.48 | 41.6 | 10.9% | 39.7% | 10.9% | 1985 | $1,992 | 67.1% | 95.9% | 3.9% |
| ZIP 21045 | 2.61 | 40.4 | 12.3% | 32.4% | 3.3% | 1981 | $2,048 | 57.0% | 93.7% | 5.1% |
| ZIP 21104 | 2.83 | 45.0 | 6.8% | 4.9% | 5.0% | 1998 | $1,769 | 68.0% | 98.3% | 4.8% |
| ZIP 21794 | 3.03 | 45.3 | 4.4% | 12.5% | 3.0% | 1995 | $2,606 | 66.3% | 97.2% | 1.0% |
| ZIP 21029 | 3.26 | 44.7 | 5.4% | 6.6% | 1.8% | 1996 | $3,220 | 80.8% | 98.4% | 1.4% |
| ZIP 21244 | 2.65 | 37.6 | 20.9% | 51.5% | 5.3% | 1977 | $1,630 | 35.2% | 91.5% | 6.6% |
| ZIP 21228 | 2.68 | 42.7 | 9.5% | 28.7% | 5.7% | 1967 | $1,646 | 51.7% | 90.6% | 3.9% |
| ZIP 21046 | 2.60 | 37.4 | 10.9% | 34.8% | 5.2% | 1984 | $2,111 | 61.9% | 97.3% | 2.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 32526, FL · 43017, OH · 78596, TX · 40216, KY · 80126, CO · 80537, CO · 85746, AZ · 89506, NV · 90007, CA · 90024, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 21042. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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