The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 21541 sells for about $812,450, or $313 per square foot.
Homes take about 72 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,010 a month.
ZIP 21541
The McHenry housing market is currently characterized by high-end luxury demand driven by the Deep Creek Lake resort economy. While median listing prices have reached $812,450, the market remains stable with low inventory and consistent interest in vacation properties. Note that some specific metrics like median rent are not published at the ZIP level and are estimated based on regional fair market rent data.
This ZIP is ideal for vacation-home buyers, investors in the short-term rental market, and outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize proximity to year-round resort amenities over urban convenience.
Median prices moved sideways 0.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 72 days on market with 10.0 months of supply — a slower-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 4.2% · poverty 8.0% — 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 12.0%/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 12.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 21541, Garrett County MD
Crime rates in the McHenry area are generally low, consistent with the rural nature of Garrett County and significantly lower than the national average.
Schools serving the area are part of the Garrett County Public Schools system, which is characterized by small class sizes and a focus on community-integrated education.
The area is subject to seasonal weather risks including heavy winter snowfall and potential flooding near Deep Creek Lake, with property insurance premiums reflecting these regional climate factors.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by the tourism and recreation sector centered around Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Resort, with ongoing development of luxury vacation properties.
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 traveling to Oakland or nearby regional hubs via US-219; public transit options are not available.
The area is a premier destination for outdoor recreation, featuring immediate access to Deep Creek Lake, Wisp Ski Resort, and numerous state parks for hiking, boating, and skiing.
The rental market is heavily skewed toward short-term vacation rentals due to the proximity to Deep Creek Lake, with limited long-term housing inventory available for residents.
The local economy is dominated by tourism, hospitality, and seasonal recreation services, with major employers including Wisp Resort and various property management firms.
Transportation is limited to private vehicle travel along US-219 and local mountain roads; there is no public transit infrastructure.
Development is primarily focused on high-end residential subdivisions and resort-related infrastructure improvements near the lakefront.
Garrett County utilizes a triennial assessment cycle for property tax purposes, managed by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Parcels are subject to Garrett County property taxes and the Garrett County Public Schools district levy.
Property insurance markets are stable but sensitive to wildfire and winter-weather risks associated with the mountainous terrain.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA 21541 profile.
No public schools report a street address in this area. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.
Maryland's largest freshwater lake, offering boating, fishing, and swimming.
Year-round destination for skiing, mountain biking, and adventure sports.
Features beach access, hiking trails, and picnic areas.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.