Washington County is located in the western part of the U.S. state of Maryland. As of the 2020 census, the population was 154,705. Its county seat is Hagerstown. Washington County was the first county in the United States to be named for the Revolutionary War general (and later President) George Washington. Washington County is one of three Maryland counties recognized by the Appalachian Regional Commission as being part of Appalachia. The county borders southern Pennsylvania to the north, Northern Virginia to the south, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia to the south and west. Washington County is included in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA Combined Statistical Area.

History

The western portions of the Province of Maryland (including present Washington County) were incorporated into Prince George's County in 1696. This original county included six current counties. The first to be created was Frederick, separated from Prince George's County in 1748.

Following independence, the sovereign State of Maryland formed Washington County on September 6, 1776, by the division of Frederick County. At the same time, a portion of Frederick County became part of the newly created Montgomery County along with portions from Prince George's County and Charles' County, and was named for General Richard Montgomery. Washington County as created included land later to become Allegany County (created in 1789) and Garrett County (included in Allegany County when it was created in 1789, but separated from Allegany County in 1872). Washington County thus originally included the entire western part of the state.

A number of properties in the county are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.0%) is water.

Washington County is located in the Appalachian Mountains, stretching from the Ridge-and-Valley Country in the west to South Mountain in the east, which is an extension of the Blue Ridge. Much of the county lies in the broad Hagerstown Valley between these two zones; the valley is part of the Great Appalachian Valley that continues southward into Virginia and West Virginia as the Shenandoah Valley and northward into Pennsylvania as the Cumberland Valley.

The county is bordered to the north by the Mason–Dixon line with Pennsylvania, to the south by the Potomac River and the states of Virginia and West Virginia, to the west by Sideling Hill Creek and Allegany County, Maryland, and to the east by Frederick County and South Mountain.

Adjacent counties

Fulton County, Pennsylvania (northwest)

Allegany County (west)

Morgan County, West Virginia (southwest)

Berkeley County, West Virginia (south)

Jefferson County, West Virginia (south)

Loudoun County, Virginia (southeast)

Frederick County (east)

Franklin County, Pennsylvania (northeast)

Major highways

Interstate 68

Interstate 70

Interstate 81

U.S. Route 11

U.S. Route 40

U.S. Route 40 Alternate

U.S. Route 340

U.S. Route 522

Maryland Route 34

Maryland Route 56

Maryland Route 57

Maryland Route 58

Maryland Route 60

Maryland Route 62

Maryland Route 63

Maryland Route 64

Maryland Route 65

Maryland Route 66

Maryland Route 67

Maryland Route 68

Maryland Route 77

Maryland Route 144

Maryland Route 180

Maryland Route 418

Maryland Route 491

Maryland Route 494

Maryland Route 550

Maryland Route 615

Maryland Route 632

Demographics

2000 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 147,430 people, 49,726 households, and 34,112 families residing in the county. The population density was 315 people per square mile (111/km²). There were 52,972 housing units at an average density of 116 per square mile (45/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.71% White or Caucasian, 7.77% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race, 32.1% identified as being of German ancestry, 21.4% American, 8.8% Irish, and 8.4% English ancestry.

There were 49,726 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.00 males.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 147,430 people, 55,687 households, and 37,506 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 60,814 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 85.1% white, 9.6% black or African American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 31.7% were German, 14.1% were Irish, 9.8% were English, 8.5% were American, and 5.1% were Italian.

Of the 55,687 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.6% were non-families, and 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $52,994 and the median income for a family was $65,811. Males had a median income of $47,622 versus $34,225 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,588. About 7.7% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Hagerstown (county seat)

Towns

Boonsboro

Clear Spring

Funkstown

Hancock

Keedysville

Sharpsburg

Smithsburg

Williamsport

Census-designated places

The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county:

Antietam

Bagtown

Bakersville

Beaver Creek

Big Pool

Big Spring

Breathedsville

Brownsville

Cavetown

Cearfoss

Charlton

Chewsville

Dargan

Downsville

Eakles Mill

Edgemont

Ernstville

Fairplay

Fairview

Fort Ritchie

Fountainhead-Orchard Hills

Gapland

Garretts Mill

Greensburg

Halfway

Highfield-Cascade

Indian Springs

Jugtown

Kemps Mill

Leitersburg

Mapleville

Maugansville

Mercersville

Middleburg

Mount Aetna

Mount Briar

Mount Lena

Paramount-Long Meadow

Pecktonville

Pinesburg

Pondsville

Reid

Ringgold

Robinwood

Rohrersville

Saint James

San Mar

Sandy Hook

Tilghmanton

Trego-Rohrersville Station

Wilson-Conococheague

Yarrowsburg

Unincorporated communities

Appletown

Benevola

Broadfording

Burtner

Cedar Grove

Huyett

Pen Mar

Samples Manor

Spielman

Trego

Van Lear

Weverton

Woodmont

Zittlestown

Politics and government

Federal representation

The county is located within Maryland's 6th congressional district. The representative of the district currently is David Trone (D).

Like most of Appalachia, German-influenced and Unionist Western Maryland, Washington County is solidly Republican. The last Democrat to carry Washington County at a Presidential level was Lyndon Johnson during his 1964 landslide win over Barry Goldwater, although between 1888 and 1940 the county was a consistent bellwether for all Presidential elections.

State representation

Washington County is represented by two senators in the Maryland State Senate. Member George C. Edwards (R), serves the 1st district in Maryland and Andrew A. Serafini (R), serves in the 2nd district. The county also is represented in Maryland General Assembly’s other primary division, the Maryland House of Delegates. Delegates who stand for Washington County include: Mike McKay (R) for District 1C, Neil Parrot (R) and William Wivell (R) for District 2A and Paul Cordermen (R) for District 2B.

County government

Washington County’s “leader” is known as the County Administrator. Currently, Kirk C. Downey serves as the Interim Administrator. However, Washington County's County Commissioners exercise executive powers as they exist in the government of the county.

The County Commissioners in Washington County comprise the traditional form of county government in Maryland. Current members include: Terry Baker (Vice President), Randall Wagner, Cort Meinelschmidt, Jeffrey A. Cline (President), and Wayne K. Keefer.

Economy

In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $40,617, and the median income for a family was $48,962. Males had a median income of $34,917 versus $24,524 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,062. About 7.00% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

According to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the following were the major employers in the county (excluding post offices, state government, and local governments, but including public institutions of higher education):

Parks and recreation

National parks

Antietam National Battlefield

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

State parks

Fort Frederick State Park

Fort Tonoloway State Park

Gathland State Park

Greenbrier State Park

South Mountain State Park

Washington Monument State Park

Museums, historic sites, and other points of interest

Bowman House, Boonsboro

Crystal Grottoes, the only show caves in Maryland.

Discovery Station, Hagerstown

Hager House, Hagerstown

Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, Hagerstown

Price-Miller House, Hagerstown

Sideling Hill, man-made mountain pass on Interstate 68/U.S. Route 40 roughly west of Hancock shows off 100 million years+ of rock formation with Information Center and walkways on the premises.

Springfield Farm, Williamsport

Stoney Creek Farm, Boonsboro

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown

Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, Boonsboro

Education

Washington County Public Schools administers public schools in the county. See Washington County Public Schools – School Directory for a detailed listing of elementary, middle, high, and other schools.

High schools

Public high schools

Antietam Academy, Hagerstown

Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, Hagerstown

Boonsboro High School, Boonsboro

Clear Spring High School, Clear Spring

Evening High School, Hagerstown

Hancock High School, Hancock

North Hagerstown High School, Hagerstown

Smithsburg High School, Smithsburg

South Hagerstown High School, Hagerstown

Washington County Technical High School, Hagerstown

Williamsport High School, Williamsport

Private high schools

Broadfording Academy, Hagerstown

Emmanuel Christian School, Hagerstown

Gateway Academy, Williamsport

Grace Academy, Hagerstown

Heritage Academy, Hagerstown

Highland View Academy, Hagerstown

St. James School, Saint James

St. Maria Goretti High School, Hagerstown

Truth Christian Academy, Hagerstown

Colleges and universities

Antietam Bible College, Biblical Seminary, and Graduate School

Hagerstown Community College, two-year public community college

Kaplan College (formerly Hagerstown Business College)

Mount Saint Mary's University, Hagerstown Campus, offers Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

University System of Maryland at Hagerstown, branch of the University System of Maryland; offers various associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree programs in connection with other state colleges and universities in Maryland.