Median Income
$35,131
53% lower than US avg
Home Value
$141,500
50% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
10.2%
70% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$919
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
44.7%
39% higher than US avg
Unemployment
3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
21.1%
70% higher than US avg
How Fort Meade Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population5,172
Median Age43.8 yrs
Density632/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 59%
Economy
C+
Median Income$35,131
Per Capita$25,351
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty21.1%
County GDP$44,304M
Commute38 min
Housing
A
Home Value$141,500
Rent$919
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$224,046
Health
Obesity44.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease7.8%
Climate
Avg Temp73°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain50.9 in/yr
Elevation145 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+10.2%
High School+76.5%
School Score5.60
Community
2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute38 min
Libraries19
Is Fort Meade a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Fort Meade receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Fort Meade offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Fort Meade is $35,131, 53% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 21.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Fort Meade is $141,500, 50% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $919 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Education
10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.
Climate & Weather
Fort Meade has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F. Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
Fort Meade has a population of 5,172 with a density of 632 people per square mile. The median age is 43.8 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (59.2%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 13.6% Black.
Population
43.8yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
Race & Ethnicity
Fort Meade vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 76.5% |
| 3% below US avg |
| Spanish | 23.5% |
| 75% above US avg |
Social Characteristics
Fort Meade vs U.S. Average
The median household income in Fort Meade is $35,131, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 21.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.
Income: Fort Meade vs U.S.
Income
| Median HH Income | $35,131 |
| 53% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $25,351 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,071 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $63,553 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 3.0% |
| 17% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% |
| 70% above US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 17,281 |
| County GDP | $44,304M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 1,064 |
| Healthcare | 1,371 |
| Retail | 1,926 |
| Manufacturing | 425 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,985 |
| 42% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.52% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 37.8 min |
| Work from Home | 8.2% |
The median home value in Fort Meade is $141,500, 50% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $919 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $224,046.
Home Values
| Census Median | $141,500 |
| 50% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $224,046 |
| Median List Price | $154,900 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| Median List Price | $154,900 |
| $/Sq Ft | $178 |
| Homes Sold | 4 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 100.0% |
| Price Drops | 26.5% |
| Inventory | 34 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $919 |
| 21% below US avg |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $1,212 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,296 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,526 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,971 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,261 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,985 |
| 42% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 3.52% |
In Fort Meade, 44.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 35.5% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Fort Meade vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 44.7% |
| 39% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 14.5% |
| Heart Disease | 7.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 36.3% |
| Asthma | 11.1% |
| COPD | 10.1% |
| Stroke | 4.4% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 15.3% |
| Physical Inactivity | 35.5% |
| Depression | 21.6% |
| Mental Distress | 21.9% |
| Physical Distress | 18.9% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 85.7% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 74.5% |
| Premature Death | 9,798/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.1/10 |
| Exercise Access | 69.9% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,371 |
Crime Rates: Fort Meade vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 121 |
| FEMA Disasters | 91 |
Safety Score
Fort Meade has an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
Temperature
61°F Jan (16°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 73.1°F |
| 35% above US avg |
| January Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 50.9 inches |
| 34% above US avg |
| Snowfall | 0.0 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 145 ft (44 m) |
| Area | 8.2 sq mi (21.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 632/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 27.7659°N, 81.8055°W |
| County FIPS | 12105 |