Signals
Essex
Ellicott City
Climate
71 · Top 44%
vs73 · Top 36%
Physical resilience
94 · Top 6%
vs95 · Top 3%
Housing affordability
78 · Bottom 45%
vs86 · Top 40%
Schools
28 · Bottom 20%
vs91 · Top 3%
Access
95 · Top 35%
vs97 · Top 22%
Economic stability
57 · Bottom 44%
vs76 · Top 15%
Measured values
| Metric | Essex | Ellicott City | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,580 | 75,257 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $67,168 | $156,964 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $35,849 | $67,822 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 4,382/sq mi | 2,508/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $258,900 | $661,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,319 | $2,061 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 61.3% | 72.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 68.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 3.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 90°F | 89°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 30°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 43.7" | 45.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 15 mi | 11 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 31.7 min | 30.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.8 | 43.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 13 | 22 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 15.56 | 14.07 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 6.6% | 38.5% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 15.4% | 48.3% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 64.0% | 18.9% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
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Essex
71
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Area Score
Ellicott City
87
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Essex, MD · Ellicott City, MD · How this is calculated: methodology