ZIP Code 21231
standardSource:
Baltimore · Baltimore County · Maryland
- Population
- 15,748
- Median income
- $85,254
- Median home value
- $350,100
- Bachelor's or higher
- 64.3%
- Land area
- 2.3 sq mi
6,980/sq mi
▲ 12% vs US
higher than 68% of US ZIPs
▲ 26% vs US
higher than 74% of US ZIPs
Median age 32.7
New York
ZIP code 21231 in Baltimore, Maryland has a population of 15,748. The median household income is $85,254, which is 12% above the national average. Median home value is $350,100, 26% above the US average. 64.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
ZIP code 21231 is classified by USPS as a standard delivery area and covers roughly 2.3 square miles in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. The area is home to 15,748 residents, producing a population density of 6,980 people per square mile, and falls within the New York time zone. These USPS and Census boundary values drive every downstream statistic on this page, including the benchmarks that compare 21231 against Maryland and the nation.
On the economic side, the median household income for ZIP 21231 sits at $85,254 (25% below the Maryland average), while per-capita income is $64,422. The poverty rate stands at 20.6% and the unemployment rate at 4.2%. On housing, the median home value is $350,100 (22% below the state average) with median rent at $1,796 per month, and 34.2% of occupied units are owner-occupied, a direct signal of whether 21231 behaves more like a homeowner neighborhood or a renter-heavy ZIP.
Education and household profile round out the picture: 64.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the median age is 32.7, and the average commute is 24 minutes. We also surface 10 nearby ZIP codes within roughly 10 miles and 6 additional ZIPs sharing Baltimore County, so you can benchmark 21231 against its immediate geography rather than a national average alone. Every figure is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, HUD Fair Market Rents, and FHFA Home Price Index data, no estimates, no proprietary scoring. Verify with HUD →
Top industries in ZIP 21231
Top 5 sectors by establishment count
Which industries have the most business establishments in ZIP 21231.
- Accommodation and food services
Accommodation and food services
112 establishments
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
Professional, scientific, and technical services
75 establishments
- Retail trade
Retail trade
65 establishments
- Other services (except public administration)
Other services (except public administration)
56 establishments
- Real estate and rental and leasing 38
Real estate and rental and leasing
38 establishments
What this shows Establishment counts come from the Census ZIP Code Business Patterns program, which counts physical business locations rather than employees or revenue.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates + ZIP Code Business Patterns + HUD FMR + FHFA HPI ACS demographics, ZBP business establishments, HUD Fair Market Rents, FHFA HPI for ZIP 21231, Baltimore, MD · 2023 Census ACS 5-Year Estimates use a rolling 60-month sample for stable small-geography estimates; ZBP updated annually; HUD FMR + FHFA HPI updated quarterly/annually.
Quick Facts
15,748
Population
2.3
Area (sq mi)
6,980
People / sq mi
New York
Time Zone
standard
ZIP Type
Who lives in ZIP 21231?
32.7
Median Age
48.5%
Male
51.5%
Female
9.5%
Foreign-Born
Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity category from the Census Bureau and may overlap with other categories above.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How much do residents earn?
$85,254
Median Household Income
-25% vs state
$64,422
Per Capita Income
20.6%
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Unemployment Rate
24.1 min
Mean Commute Time
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What is the education profile here?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What does housing look like?
9,514
Total Housing Units
8,136
Occupied Units
1,378
Vacant Units
1.83
Avg Household Size
Occupancy Type
$350,100
Median Home Value
-22% vs state
$1,796
Median Rent
1938
Median Year Built
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How have home values changed over time?
FHFA House Price Index, annual appreciation data based on repeat sales and appraisals
-0.7%
YoY Change (2024)
267
HPI Index (2000 = 100)
+167%
Total Change Since 2000
Home values in ZIP 21231 have decreased 0.7% over the past year (2024). Since 2000, this ZIP has seen +167% cumulative appreciation.
| Year | Annual Change | HPI Index |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +3.9% | 231 |
| 2021 | +5.7% | 244 |
| 2022 | +5.0% | 256 |
| 2023 | +4.8% | 269 |
| 2024 | -0.7% | 267 |
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index, All-Transactions, Five-Digit ZIP Codes (Developmental Index). Index base = 100 in year 2000. Data through 2024. ZIP codes with few transactions may show missing values.
What businesses operate in this ZIP?
Census Bureau data shows 509 business establishments in ZIP 21231, employing approximately 9,784 people with a combined annual payroll of $981,825,000.
509
Businesses
9,784
Employees
$981.8M
Annual Payroll
17
Industry Sectors
| Industry | Establishments | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and food services | 112 | 22.0% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 75 | 14.7% |
| Retail trade | 65 | 12.8% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 56 | 11.0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 38 | 7.5% |
| Health care and social assistance | 37 | 7.3% |
| Finance and insurance | 26 | 5.1% |
| Construction | 17 | 3.3% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 17 | 3.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 11 | 2.2% |
| Manufacturing | 10 | 2.0% |
| Wholesale trade | 10 | 2.0% |
| Information | 9 | 1.8% |
| Utilities | 8 | 1.6% |
| Educational services | 8 | 1.6% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 6 | 1.2% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 3 | 0.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP), 2023. Employment figures may include noise for disclosure avoidance.
Nearby ZIP Codes
Want a side-by-side? Compare 21231 vs 21202 →
| ZIP Code | City | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21202 | Baltimore, MD | 22,832 | 1.0 mi |
| 21201 | Baltimore, MD | 16,972 | 1.7 mi |
| 21205 | Baltimore, MD | 16,146 | 1.8 mi |
| 21213 | Baltimore, MD | 32,733 | 2.1 mi |
| 21230 | Baltimore, MD | 33,568 | 2.2 mi |
| 21218 | Baltimore, MD | 49,796 | 3.0 mi |
| 21224 | Baltimore, MD | 49,134 | 2.8 mi |
| 21223 | Baltimore, MD | 26,366 | 3.3 mi |
| 21217 | Baltimore, MD | 37,111 | 2.9 mi |
| 21251 | Baltimore, MD | 934 | 4.2 mi |
More ZIP Codes in Baltimore County
Related Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is ZIP code 21231 in? ▼
What is the population of ZIP code 21231? ▼
What is the median household income in ZIP 21231? ▼
What is the average home value in ZIP 21231? ▼
What is the demographic makeup of ZIP 21231? ▼
How many businesses are in ZIP code 21231? ▼
What are the main industries in ZIP code 21231? ▼
How have home values changed in ZIP code 21231? ▼
What is the education level in ZIP code 21231? ▼
What is the average commute time in ZIP 21231? ▼
What percentage of residents own vs. rent in ZIP 21231? ▼
What is the poverty rate in ZIP code 21231? ▼
ZIP Code Research Guides
Official Data Resources for Baltimore, MD
Verify and explore additional data for this area using these official government sources.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023). Business data: Source: Census ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP) 2023. Home value trends: Source: FHFA House Price Index (HPI), Five-Digit ZIP Codes.
PlainZIP is not affiliated with the U.S. Census Bureau or any government agency.
Read our methodology , how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.