The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 21649 sells for about $184,100, or $185 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,105 a month.
ZIP 21649 — Marydel
The housing market in 21649 is characterized by low sales volume and a high vacancy rate, reflecting its rural nature. Prices have seen modest growth, but the market remains a local-operator environment with limited outside investment activity. Data for specific metrics like price cuts and months of supply are estimated based on regional trends as ZIP-level reporting is sparse.
This ZIP is best suited for local residents and budget-conscious buyers seeking rural living, as the market requires deep local knowledge for successful investment or homeownership.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 6.0 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.6% · poverty 14.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 21649, Caroline County MD
Schools serving the area are part of the Caroline County Public Schools system, which generally maintains moderate performance ratings consistent with rural Maryland districts.
The area is subject to standard regional flood and wind risks associated with the Eastern Shore of Maryland; property insurance availability is stable but premiums are sensitive to flood zone designations.
Economic momentum is limited, with the area primarily serving as a rural residential base for commuters to larger regional employment hubs in Delaware and Maryland.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Maryland) — Maryland Real Property Assessment and Taxation: Property is assessed at its phased-in use value. The tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable state and local tax rates.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents typically driving to employment centers in nearby Delaware or larger Maryland towns via local state routes.
Recreational opportunities are largely rural, consisting of local parks and proximity to regional outdoor spaces in Caroline County.
The rental market is characterized by a high vacancy rate of 16.6%, suggesting limited demand pressure and a reliance on local-operator management.
The economy is primarily agricultural and service-based, with many residents commuting to larger employment centers in Delaware.
Public transit is virtually non-existent; the area relies entirely on private vehicle transportation via state highways.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in this ZIP.
The Caroline County assessment office conducts periodic reassessments of property values for tax purposes.
Parcels are subject to Caroline County property taxes and standard school district levies.
Property insurance is generally available, though flood insurance may be required for properties in low-lying areas.
Maryland is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court oversight for the foreclosure process.
Maryland law requires sellers to provide a residential property disclosure statement covering the condition of the home.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Small local community park serving the immediate area.
Key-figure check: median price diverges 74.9% from the nearest retained anchor (published ten-year series (2025)) — beyond the 12.5% tolerance; an automated validation case is open and the value publishes pending its verdict. Research outlier held out — this pass returned a median of $322,000 (74.9% off the retained reading), contradicting every independent anchor; the prior reading stands pending corroboration. Validation: the flagged $322,000 (+74.9% vs the published ten-year series (2025)) could not be independently corroborated and was reverted to the prior cycle value pending review; the case is under review in the Command Center.