Population 30,919 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 21217
Household size in ZIP 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.59 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.61 | 2.65 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.46 | 2.65 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.98 | 2.59 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.60 | −0.02 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
ZIP 21217 is a place of small households, averaging 1.98 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.59, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 240 Maryland ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only four have smaller households.
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 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.4 | 38.7 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.9 | 39.5 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.8 | 40.2 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.7 | 40.3 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.2 | +1.6 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
At 39.7, the median age in ZIP 21217 is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 34.4 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the northwest, 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 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.8% | 12.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.1% | 12.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 23.8% | 11.6% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.6% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −12.2 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in ZIP 21217 (14.6%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 12.2 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. ZIP 21217 has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of 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 21217
Renters in ZIP 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 68.1% | 32.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 69.5% | 33.5% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 67.5% | 33.5% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 69.3% | 33.1% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +1.1 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in ZIP 21217: 69.3% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 36.4% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.2 points, mirroring the country. Only six of the 240 Maryland ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
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 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.9% | 9.3% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.6% | 9.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 33.5% | 9.4% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.8% | 7.2% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −11.1 pts | −2.1 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in ZIP 21217: 20.8% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 11.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1943 | 1971 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1941 | 1972 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1942 | 1973 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1947 | 1975 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in ZIP 21217 is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1947, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1943 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the north. Only six of the 240 Maryland ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have older homes.
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 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $688 | $1,179 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $806 | $1,293 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $935 | $1,477 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,136 | $1,778 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$448 | +$599 | +$620 | +$606 |
The median renter in ZIP 21217 pays $1,136 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $448 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 34.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Of the 240 Maryland ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only ten have lower rents.
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 21217
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 35.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.3% | 37.3% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.0% | 40.8% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.5% | 44.1% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.2 pts | +8.5 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in ZIP 21217: 24.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.2 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the southwest.
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 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.2% | 87.8% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 76.0% | 89.5% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.4% | 91.1% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.0% | 92.1% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.8 pts | +4.3 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in six adults in ZIP 21217 never finished high school, well above the national share: only 84.0% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 11.8 points, as it has nationally. ZIP 21217 has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of 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 21217
| Period | ZIP 21217 | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.5% | 6.6% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 19.7% | 8.3% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.5% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.9% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.6 pts | −1.8 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in ZIP 21217 runs well above the national rate: 11.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only two of the 240 Maryland ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 5.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 21217 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 21217 | 1.98 | 39.7 | 14.6% | 69.3% | 20.8% | 1947 | $1,136 | 24.5% | 84.0% | 11.9% |
| ZIP 21201 | 1.64 | 34.6 | 13.0% | 90.2% | 9.5% | 1970 | $1,247 | 46.1% | 91.4% | 7.4% |
| ZIP 21223 | 2.33 | 38.6 | 23.6% | 68.5% | 30.4% | 1943 | $1,244 | 17.0% | 78.9% | 11.3% |
| ZIP 21202 | 1.62 | 36.6 | 10.9% | 77.7% | 13.9% | 1967 | $1,416 | 42.6% | 84.7% | 8.2% |
| ZIP 21211 | 1.81 | 39.5 | 3.9% | 40.4% | 9.1% | 1947 | $1,687 | 63.2% | 92.6% | 3.4% |
| ZIP 21216 | 2.46 | 37.0 | 20.3% | 49.1% | 19.8% | 1943 | $1,250 | 18.5% | 86.9% | 13.7% |
| ZIP 21218 | 2.11 | 37.7 | 14.2% | 52.3% | 14.6% | 1946 | $1,344 | 46.4% | 90.0% | 7.5% |
| ZIP 21287 | 2.41 | 31.9 | 13.0% | 35.3% | 6.7% | 1977 | $1,065 | 57.1% | 97.5% | 1.9% |
| ZIP 21230 | 2.24 | 34.7 | 9.7% | 48.4% | 10.7% | 1960 | $1,847 | 53.0% | 82.2% | 4.7% |
| ZIP 21231 | 1.84 | 33.4 | 7.1% | 65.9% | 15.0% | 1968 | $1,767 | 62.8% | 94.1% | 5.1% |
| ZIP 21210 | 2.15 | 34.3 | 2.6% | 36.1% | 8.9% | 1955 | $1,419 | 82.1% | 98.6% | 7.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 01821, MA · 11731, NY · 12303, NY · 12309, NY · 15213, PA · 15401, PA · 94610, CA · 27534, NC · 32043, FL · 32221, FL
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 21217. 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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