Essex, MD 21221 - Home Prices, Rental Trends, Listings & Demographics | Prop:Metrics

Essex, MD—21221

Real Estate Data & Market Trends

Key Metrics at a Glance

Median Home Value

$297,000

0.9% YoY Growth

Household Income

$67,400

22.2% YoY Growth

Days on Market

15.0% Longer YoY

Home Price Forecast

-1.2%

Median Rent

$1,880

15.0% YoY Growth

1-Bed Rent

$999

1.0% YoY Growth

2-Bed Rent

$1,450

33.6% YoY Growth

3-Bed Rent

$1,980

3.7% YoY Growth

Home Price Trends — Essex, MD

As of May '26, the median home price in Essex, MD is $297,000, with a year-over-year change of 0.9%. This indicates that home prices in Essex, MD are flat. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is -1.2%, suggesting a decrease housing market in the next year.

Cost per Home Type

Home Type	Median Home Value	YoY % Change
All Homes	$297,000	0.9%
Single Family	$301,000	1.0%
Condos	$193,000	-1.5%

Cost per Home Size

Home Size	Median Home Value	YoY % Change
1 Bed

Rental Trends — Essex, MD

As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Essex, MD is $1,990, with a year-over-year rent change of 15.0%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Essex, MD is studios: $935, 1-bedrooms: $1,020, 2-bedrooms: $1,590, 3-bedrooms: $2,240, 4-bedrooms: $2,530. The most common rental property sizes in Essex, MD are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 45.5% and 26.7% of the rental stock.

Type	Median Rent	Average Rent
Average Rent	$1,880	$1,990
Studio Rent	$940	$935
1 Bed Rent	$999	$1,020
2 Bed Rent	$1,450	$1,590
3 Bed Rent	$1,980	$2,240
4 Bed Rent	$2,350	$2,530

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% of Rental Stock

Studio

7.4%

1 Bedroom

26.7%

2 Bedrooms

45.5%

3 Bedrooms

13.7%

4 Bedrooms

5.3%

5+ Bedrooms

1.3%

Property Listings — Essex, MD

As of May '26, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Essex, MD is 37. This is a increase of 15.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 41.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.

Metric	Zip Code Average	Year over Year % Change
Median Listing Price	$350,000	2.0%
Listing Count	118	12.0%
Listings as % of Homes	0.6%	12.0%
Days on Market	37	15.0%

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Demographics — Essex, MD

As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Essex, MD has a population of 43,500, which has remained stable by 1.0% over the past 5 years. Essex, MD is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 22.0% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 19.8% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 7.1% reporting working from home.

Metric	Latest Census	YoY % Change
Population	43,500	1.0%
% Under 18	22.0%	-6.0%
% Seniors	17.0%	4.9%
% WFH	7.1%	144.8%
% w/ College Degree	19.8%	31.1%

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As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Essex, MD is a predominantly white area, with 54.2% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 12.4% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Essex, MD is black, making up 32.1% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 8.3% of the population in Essex, MD, and this percentage has increased by 5.1% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.

Race and Ethnicity

Metric	Latest Census	5-Year % Change
% White	54.2%	-12.4%
% Black	32.1%	9.9%
% Hispanic	7.0%	48.9%
% Asian	1.5%	-11.8%
% Foreign Born	8.3%	5.1%

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Mortgage and Risk — Essex, MD

According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 640 mortgage originations in Essex, MD, of which 61.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 74.0%, with 50.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Essex, MD. Investor activity is low, as 2.0% of loans were by investors. 15.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.

Mortgages

Metric	Zip Code Average
Total Loan Originations	640
% Conventional Loans	61.0%
% Government Loans	39.0%
% Investor Loans	2.0%
% Second Loans	1.0%
% Cash Out Refinance	15.0%

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Rentals and Section 8 — Essex, MD

As of 2024, the percent of homes in Essex, MD under the Section 8 program is 13.9%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. In Essex, MD, all tracked home sizes have HUD payment amounts above market rent, suggesting strong Section 8 opportunity across the board.

Section 8 Market Size

Total Units under HUD	960
Total Units Section 8	960
% Rentals under Section 8	13.9%
% Occupied Section 8	88.5%

Section 8 Opportunity

Home Size	HUD Premium	Market Rent	Max HUD Rent
1 Bedroom	$431	$999	$1,430
2 Bedroom	$300	$1,450	$1,750
3 Bedroom	$290	$1,980	$2,270
4 Bedroom	$220	$2,350	$2,570

Essex, MD—21221

Key Metrics at a Glance

Home Price Trends — Essex, MD

Cost per Home Type

Cost per Home Size

% of Housing Stock

Rental Trends — Essex, MD

% of Rental Stock

Property Listings — Essex, MD

Demographics — Essex, MD

Race and Ethnicity

Mortgage and Risk — Essex, MD

Mortgages

Rentals and Section 8 — Essex, MD

Section 8 Market Size

Section 8 Opportunity

Affordability — Essex, MD

Home Price to Income Ratio

Essex, MD — ZIP Code Boundary Map

Nearby ZIP Codes

Dundalk, MD

Middle River, MD

Edgemere, MD

Rosedale, Rossville, MD

Fort Howard, MD

Frequently Asked Questions

Metric	Zip Code Average
Home Price to Income Ratio	4.1
Median Home Price	$297,000
Median Household Income	$67,400

Essex, MD—21221

Key Metrics at a Glance

Home Price Trends — Essex, MD

Cost per Home Type

Cost per Home Size

% of Housing Stock

Rental Trends — Essex, MD

% of Rental Stock

Property Listings — Essex, MD

Demographics — Essex, MD

Race and Ethnicity

Mortgage and Risk — Essex, MD

Mortgages

Rentals and Section 8 — Essex, MD

Section 8 Market Size

Section 8 Opportunity

Affordability — Essex, MD

Home Price to Income Ratio

Essex, MD — ZIP Code Boundary Map

Nearby ZIP Codes

Dundalk, MD

Middle River, MD

Edgemere, MD

Rosedale, Rossville, MD

Fort Howard, MD

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home price in Essex, MD 21221?

How have home prices in Essex, MD 21221 changed over the past year?

What is the home price projection for Essex, MD 21221?

What are the demographics of Essex, MD 21221?

How long does it take homes to sell in Essex, MD 21221?

What is the average rent price in Essex, MD 21221?