🇺🇸 United States ZIP Code

STANDARD

21046

Columbia

ZIP Code 21046 is a standard zip code serving Columbia, Columbia, Maryland (MD), in Howard County, United States. It has an estimated population of 15,080 with a median household income of $104,535. The area falls within the America/New_York timezone.

Median Household Income vs. National Average

Location

Country: 🇺🇸 United States
State / Province: Maryland (MD)
County: Howard
City: Columbia
Timezone: America/New_York

Coordinates

Latitude: 39.170200
Longitude: -76.853800

Geographic Details

Land Area: 7.79 mi²
Water Area: 0.06 mi²
Population Density: 1935.0 people per mi² (85th percentile)
Bounding Box: 39.200429°N, 39.147649°S, -76.790486°E, -76.884461°W

With 15,080 residents spread across 7.79 square miles, this area has a population density of 1935.0 people per square mile.

Demographics

15,080

Population

75th percentile

$104,535

Median Income

95th percentile

$372,700

Median Home Value

90th percentile

7.79 mi²

Land Area

The median household income in 21046 is $104,535, and the median home value is $372,700. This places the area in the top 25% nationally for household income.

Housing

6,262

Total Units

6,034

Occupied Units

96.4%

Occupancy Rate

Nearby ZIP Codes

Other zip codes in Columbia, MD.

21044

Columbia

21045

Columbia

Similar ZIP Codes in Maryland

ZIP codes with similar median household income in Maryland.

21013

Baldwin

$104,089

21710

Adamstown

$102,167

20832

Olney

$119,743

21057

Glen Arm

$103,448

21113

Odenton

$95,919

20852

Rockville

$97,600

20878

Gaithersburg

$116,347

20774

Upper Marlboro

$91,855

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is available for each ZIP code?

Each ZIP code page shows city, state, county, geographic coordinates, timezone, population, median household income, median home value, housing units, land area, population density, commute time, educational attainment, area codes, and ZIP code type (Standard, PO Box, or Unique).

What are the different types of ZIP codes?

There are three types of ZIP codes: Standard (residential and commercial delivery areas), PO Box (assigned to post office box sections), and Unique (assigned to a single high-volume address like a government agency or large company). Standard ZIP codes are the most common.

How often is ZIP code data updated?

ZIP code assignments are updated quarterly by the USPS. Demographic data comes from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), which releases new 5-year estimates annually. ZipFYI updates its data to reflect the latest available information.

What is population density and why does it matter?

Population density measures the number of people per square mile in a ZIP code area. It helps identify urban vs. rural areas, affects real estate values, impacts service availability, and is used in market analysis. Dense urban ZIP codes may have 50,000+ people per square mile.

How are ZIP code boundaries determined?

ZIP code boundaries are determined by the USPS based on mail delivery routes, not political or geographic boundaries. They follow carrier routes and may cross city, county, or even state lines. Boundaries can change when the USPS reorganizes delivery operations.

What does median household income tell me about a ZIP code?

Median household income is the middle value when all household incomes in a ZIP code are sorted. Half of households earn more and half earn less. It is a better indicator of typical earnings than average income, which can be skewed by very high or very low outliers.