Residential delivery area · Maryland
ZIP Code 21655: Preston, MD
ZIP code 21655 uses the postal name Preston, Maryland and lies entirely in Caroline County (Census 2020 ZIP-county file). About 5,100 people live there (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024). Median household income is $90,385 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024). By Census place, its land lies in Preston (1%) and Choptank (under 1%); 99% is outside any Census place.
- ACS2020-24
- Census2020
- FHFA2025
- ZBP2023
- IRS2022
- Town
- Preston · its only residential ZIP
- County
- Caroline County
- Census places
- Preston (1%); Choptank (under 1%) census-designated place
- House district
- MD-1 119th Congress
- State
- Maryland
- Time zone
- Eastern
- Land area
- 52.7 sq mi · 96 people per sq mi
Where is ZIP code 21655?
21655 centers on 38.745°, -75.913° and covers 52.7 square miles of land plus 3.3 of water. It borders 5 ZIP codes: 21643, 21632, 21629, 21601, 21673.
The map draws ZIP code areas only. For the streets inside 21655, 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 21655 compare with the rest of Caroline County?
| Measure | 21655 | In Caroline County | In MD |
|---|---|---|---|
| People (ACS 2020-2024) | 5,053 | 3rd of 10 | 239th of 477 |
| Median household income | $90k | 2nd of 6 | 194th of 293 |
| Median home value | $289k | 5th of 7 | 266th of 320 |
Its median household income is higher than in 73% of U.S. residential ZIP codes, and it is denser than 53% 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 21655?
The 2020 Census counted 4,798 people in 21655; the ACS, which samples households over 2020-2024, estimates 5,053. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population fell 4.2% (its boundary stayed at least 90% the same).
- People, ACS 2020-2024
- 5,053
- 2020 Census count
- 4,798−4.2% since 2010 (5,009)
- Households
- 1,862
- Median age
- 42.2
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 21655?
Of the 5,053 people the ACS estimates in 21655, 21.6% are under 18 and 18.7% are 65 or older. The largest group by race and Hispanic origin is White (not Hispanic) (80.6%).
- Under 1821.6%
- 18 to 6459.7%
- 65 and older18.7%
- White, not Hispanic80.6%
- Black, not Hispanic10.0%
- Other or two or more7.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Asian, not Hispanic0.0%
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 21655 earn?
Median household income is $90,385 (ACS 2020-2024), the 2nd highest of the 6 ranked ZIP codes in Caroline County. It is not measurably different from 2015-2019 ($80,787 in 2024 dollars): the change is within the surveys' margins of error.
- Median household income
- $90,385±$18,180
- Income per person
- $42,506
- Below the poverty line
- 4.3%
- Unemployed (of the labor force)
- 3.1%
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree
- 24.0%
- Adjusted gross income per tax return, 2022
- $69,1442,370 returns; wages 71% 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 21655?
FHFA's house price index for 21655, built from repeat sales and appraisals of the same homes, rose 89% from 2015 to 2025 and rose 51% from 2020 to 2025, and moved +3.7% in 2025.
- Median home value (owners' estimate)
- $289,200
- Median gross rent
- $1,380
- Homes owned by their occupants
- 84.0%
- Housing units
- 1,989
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 21655?
91 business establishments had a location in this ZIP code in 2023, 12 more than in 2018; the most are in construction (ZIP Code Business Patterns).
- Construction21
- Professional, scientific, and technical services12
- Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services12
- Other services (except public administration)12
- Retail trade10
- Transportation and warehousing6
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 21655?
| ZIP | Town | People | Household income | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21643 | Hurlock | 5,392 | $67k | 7.2 mi |
| 21632 | Federalsburg | 6,436 | $61k | 7.6 mi |
| 21629 | Denton | 10,252 | $74k | 9.2 mi |
| 21601 | Easton | 24,671 | $84k | 10.0 mi |
| 21673 | Trappe | 2,843 | $68k | 10.0 mi |
| 21625 | Cordova | 1,766 | $83k | 9.0 mi (near) |
| 21664 | Secretary | 635 | $83k | 9.7 mi (near) |
| 21631 | East New Market | 2,429 | $74k | 11.3 mi (near) |
Source: PlainZIP from the Census 2020 ZCTA boundaries (shared edges) and internal points; figures ACS 2020-2024.