Signals
Westminster
Ellicott City
Climate
64 · Bottom 31%
vs73 · Top 36%
Physical resilience
88 · Top 14%
vs95 · Top 3%
Housing affordability
84 · Top 45%
vs86 · Top 40%
Schools
77 · Top 17%
vs91 · Top 3%
Access
83 · Bottom 27%
vs97 · Top 22%
Economic stability
62 · Top 47%
vs76 · Top 15%
Measured values
| Metric | Westminster | Ellicott City | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,445 | 75,257 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $86,219 | $156,964 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $44,953 | $67,822 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,023/sq mi | 2,508/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $337,600 | $661,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,476 | $2,061 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 56.5% | 72.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.3% | 68.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.0% | 3.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 85°F | 89°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 21°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 42.1" | 45.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 33 mi | 11 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 32.0 min | 30.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.5 | 43.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 18 | 22 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 14.37 | 14.07 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 25.7% | 38.5% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 32.3% | 48.3% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 35.2% | 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.
Physical risk tradeoff
Westminster
Elevated or high exposure: drought, cold wave.
Ellicott City
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
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Westminster
77
Your Score
—
Area Score
Ellicott City
87
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Westminster, MD · Ellicott City, MD · How this is calculated: methodology