The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 21502 sells for about $151,400, or $105 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 45 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $773 a month.
ZIP 21502 — Cumberland
The housing market in 21502 remains stable with affordable pricing and moderate inventory levels. Demand is driven by local employment in healthcare and education, though the area faces economic headwinds typical of older, industrial-adjacent regions. Sales activity is consistent, reflecting a steady, non-speculative market environment.
This area is well-suited for budget-conscious family buyers, retirees, and local workers seeking an affordable cost of living in an established, historic community.
Median prices moved up 2.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 45 days on market with 4.7 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.4% · poverty 16.2% — 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 3.1%/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 2.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 21502, Allegany County MD
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Cumberland are generally higher than the national average, with property crime being the most frequently reported issue in the area.
Public schools in the area are managed by the Allegany County Public Schools system, which generally receives mixed ratings for academic performance and student outcomes.
The region faces moderate risks from flooding near the Potomac River and surrounding creeks, with standard insurance requirements for properties in designated flood zones.
Economic momentum is driven by healthcare, education, and government sectors, with limited large-scale industrial development currently underway.
Property taxes are assessed at the county level by Allegany County, with additional municipal taxes for properties located within the city limits of Cumberland.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with most residents working within Allegany County; the average commute time is approximately 20 minutes.
The area features access to the Great Allegheny Passage trail, various local parks, and proximity to the Potomac River for outdoor activities.
The rental market is characterized by steady demand from students and local workers, with a significant portion of the housing stock consisting of older, multi-family units.
The local economy is anchored by healthcare providers, Allegany College of Maryland, and various government and public service institutions.
The area is served by regional highway corridors including I-68, with limited public transit options primarily focused on local bus routes.
Development is largely focused on the revitalization of historic downtown Cumberland and small-scale residential infill projects.
The Allegany County Department of Assessments and Taxation conducts periodic reassessments of all real property to determine taxable value.
Properties are subject to county and municipal tax levies, with additional assessments for specific utility and fire protection districts.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by the area's topography and proximity to flood-prone zones along the river.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau 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.
A major rail-trail connecting Cumberland to Pittsburgh.
Historic site offering hiking and biking trails along the Potomac River.
Deterministic aggregate of 1 researched property in this ZIP (latest reading each) — each property weighs one; per point, properties lacking the value are excluded. Property-level records (taxes, scores, permits) never roll individually.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.