The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 21538 sells for about $94,948, or $74 per square foot.
Homes take about 180 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $760 a month.
ZIP 21538 — Kitzmiller
The housing market in 21538 is characterized by low inventory and very limited sales activity, resulting in a balanced but stagnant market. Prices remain highly affordable compared to the state average, driven by the area's rural, isolated nature and lack of new development. Market conditions are stable with no significant upward or downward pressure on values.
This ZIP is best suited for those seeking affordable, rural living, including retirees or remote workers who prioritize outdoor access over proximity to major urban employment centers.
Median prices moved sideways 0.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 180 days on market with 2.4 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 19.0% · poverty 5.9% — a mixed stability 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 2.7%/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 2.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 21538, Garrett County MD
Public schools serving the area are part of the Garrett County Public Schools system, which generally serves a rural, low-density population.
The area is located in a mountainous region with potential for seasonal weather impacts; property insurance availability is standard for rural Western Maryland.
Economic momentum is limited, with the area characterized by a small, stable population and a reliance on regional employment centers in Garrett County.
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 by private vehicle, with residents traveling to regional employment hubs in Oakland or across the border into West Virginia.
The area offers access to outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, and proximity to the Potomac River and regional state parks.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and limited turnover, with rents significantly below the Maryland state median.
The local economy is primarily driven by small-scale services, public administration, and regional tourism within Garrett County.
Transportation is entirely dependent on personal vehicle use due to the rural, mountainous geography.
There are no major commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in this ZIP code.
Garrett County utilizes a standard assessment cycle for property tax purposes.
Parcels are served by Garrett County public services and the Garrett County Public Schools district.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by the rural, mountainous terrain and standard regional hazard profiles.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ACS 2024 estimates via incomebyzipcode.com and Maryland-demographics.com.
No public schools report a street address in this area. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.
Provides local opportunities for fishing and water-based recreation.
Local community green space serving the town residents.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.