Residential delivery area · Maryland
ZIP Code 21045: Columbia, MD
ZIP code 21045 is in Columbia, Maryland, entirely in Howard County (Census 2020 ZIP-county file). About 40,000 people live there (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024), the 2nd most populous of Columbia's 3 residential ZIP codes. Median household income is $118,563 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024).
- ACS2020-24
- Census2020
- FHFA2025
- ZBP2023
- IRS2022
- Town
- Columbia · 3 residential ZIPs
- County
- Howard County
- Census places
- Columbia census-designated place
- Metro area
- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
- House district
- MD-3 119th Congress
- State
- Maryland
- Time zone
- Eastern
- Land area
- 9.7 sq mi · 4,128 people per sq mi
Where is ZIP code 21045?
21045 centers on 39.206°, -76.828° and covers 9.7 square miles of land plus 0.1 of water. It borders 4 ZIP codes: 21046, 21044, 21043, 21075.
The map draws ZIP code areas only. For the streets inside 21045, open its center on OpenStreetMap.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA cartographic boundaries and the 2023 Gazetteer (2020 ZCTAs); ZIP-to-county shares, Census places and House districts (119th Congress) from the Census 2020 relationship files (shares of land); metro area from the OMB delineation (July 2023); town name and time zone from simplemaps US ZIP Codes (CC BY 4.0).
How does 21045 compare with the rest of Columbia?
| Measure | 21045 | In Columbia | In Howard County | In MD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People (ACS 2020-2024) | 40,034 | 2nd of 3 | 4th of 25 | 42nd of 477 |
| Median household income | $119k | 3rd of 3 | 20th of 21 | 127th of 293 |
| Median home value | $454k | 3rd of 3 | 21st of 23 | 133rd of 320 |
Its median household income is higher than in 90% of U.S. residential ZIP codes, and it is denser than 92% of all U.S. residential ZIP codes. ZIP codes at the ACS caps ($250,000 or more for household income, $2,000,000 or more for home value) share the top rank.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01003, B19013, B25077); ranks by PlainZIP over residential ZIP codes (ZCTAs).
How many people live in 21045?
The 2020 Census counted 39,321 people in 21045; the ACS, which samples households over 2020-2024, estimates 40,034. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population grew 2.7% (its boundary stayed at least 90% the same).
- People, ACS 2020-2024
- 40,034
- 2020 Census count
- 39,321+2.7% since 2010 (38,288)
- Households
- 15,414
- Median age
- 39.6
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01003, B01002, B11001); 2020 Census (DHC P1); 2010 Census (SF1 P1).
Who lives in 21045?
Of the 40,034 people the ACS estimates in 21045, 22.7% are under 18 and 18.3% are 65 or older. The largest group by race and Hispanic origin is White (not Hispanic) (39.6%), then Black (not Hispanic) (31.0%).
- Under 1822.7%
- 18 to 6458.9%
- 65 and older18.3%
- White, not Hispanic39.6%
- Black, not Hispanic31.0%
- Hispanic or Latino12.8%
- Asian, not Hispanic9.5%
- Other or two or more7.2%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01001 age by sex, B03002 Hispanic or Latino origin by race); shares of the estimated population, small ZIP codes carry wide margins.
What do households in 21045 earn?
Median household income is $118,563 (ACS 2020-2024), the 20th highest of the 21 ranked ZIP codes in Howard County. It fell from $127,524 in 2015-2019 (in 2024 dollars), a change larger than the surveys' margins of error.
- Median household income
- $118,563
- Income per person
- $56,185
- Below the poverty line
- 8.6%
- Unemployed (of the labor force)
- 5.4%
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree
- 56.6%
- Adjusted gross income per tax return, 2022
- $92,29719,900 returns; wages 75% of AGI (IRS)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 and 2015-2019 5-year estimates (B19013, B19301, B17001, B23025, B15003; 2015-2019 dollars converted with the BLS CPI-U, 1.22699); IRS Statistics of Income, ZIP code data, tax year 2022 (adjusted gross income per return, filed under the address on the return).
What are homes worth in 21045?
FHFA's house price index for 21045, built from repeat sales and appraisals of the same homes, rose 59% from 2015 to 2025 and rose 40% from 2020 to 2025, and moved +1.1% in 2025.
- Median home value (owners' estimate)
- $453,700
- Median gross rent
- $1,777
- Homes owned by their occupants
- 68.3%
- Housing units
- 15,780
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B25077, B25064, B25003, B25001); FHFA House Price Index, annual five-digit ZIP, updated 2026-03-31.
What businesses are in 21045?
1,410 business establishments had a location in this ZIP code in 2023, 30 more than in 2018; the most are in professional, scientific, and technical services (ZIP Code Business Patterns).
- Professional, scientific, and technical services293
- Health care and social assistance248
- Retail trade136
- Accommodation and food services130
- Other services (except public administration)114
- Finance and insurance94
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023 and 2018 (establishments with paid employees, by the business's ZIP code).
Which ZIP codes are next to 21045?
| ZIP | Town | People | Household income | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21046 | Columbia | 15,608 | $128k | 2.2 mi |
| 21044 | Columbia | 44,114 | $135k | 2.7 mi |
| 21043 | Ellicott City | 48,525 | $148k | 3.7 mi |
| 21075 | Elkridge | 37,363 | $135k | 4.2 mi |
| 20794 | Jessup | 16,814 | $116k | 4.2 mi (near) |
| 20763 | Savage | 2,601 | $77k | 4.8 mi (near) |
| 20723 | Laurel | 36,866 | $138k | 5.2 mi (near) |
| 20701 | Annapolis Junction | 513 | $86k | 5.5 mi (near) |
Source: PlainZIP from the Census 2020 ZCTA boundaries (shared edges) and internal points; figures ACS 2020-2024.