Frederick County is a county located in the western part of the state of Maryland, bordering the southern border of Pennsylvania.

It was named for Frederick Calvert, the sixth and last Lord Baltimore. The county seat is Frederick.

This county is a part of the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area.

History

A farm in Frederick County, Maryland

Frederick County was created in 1748 from parts of Prince George's County and Baltimore County.

In 1776, Frederick County was divided into three parts. The westernmost portion became Washington County, named after George Washington, the easternmost portion became Montgomery County, named after another Revolutionary War general, Richard Montgomery. The central portion remained Frederick County.

In 1837 a part of Frederick County was combined with a part of Baltimore County to form Carroll County.

Law/Government

Frederick County is governed by county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland.

County Executive

The county commissioners exercise such executive powers as exist in the government of the county.

Geography

Map of urban areas in Frederick County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,728 km² (667 mi²). 1,717 km² (663 mi²) of it is land and 12 km² (4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.67% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 195,277 people, 70,060 households, and 51,914 families residing in the county. The population density is 114/km² (295/mi²). There are 73,017 housing units at an average density of 43/km² (110/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 89.33% White, 6.36% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.67% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 2.39% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 70,060 households out of which 38.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.10% are married couples living together, 9.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% are non-families. 20.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.72 and the average family size is 3.16.

In the county the population is spread out with 27.60% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 32.70% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $60,276, and the median income for a family is $67,879. Males have a median income of $42,378 versus $30,564 for females. The per capita income for the county is $25,404. 4.50% of the population and 2.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.90% of those under the age of 18 and 6.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• 2 Cities:
  1. Brunswick (incorporated 1890)
  2. Frederick (incorporated 1816)
• 9 Towns:
  1. Burkittsville (incorporated 1894)
  2. Emmitsburg (incorporated 1824)
  3. Middletown (incorporated 1833)
  4. Mount Airy (This town is partly in Frederick County and partly in Carroll County.) (incorporated 1894)
  5. Myersville (incorporated 1904)
  6. New Market (incorporated 1878)
  7. Thurmont (incorporated 1831)
  8. Walkersville (incorporated 1892)
  9. Woodsboro (incorporated 1836)
• 1 Village:
  1. Rosemont (incorporated 1953)

1. Ballenger Creek
2. Braddock Heights
3. Clover Hill
4. Discovery-Spring Garden (a combination of the communities of Discovery and Spring Garden recognized as a unit by the Census Bureau)
5. Green Valley
6. Linganore-Bartonsville (a combination of the communities of Linganore and Bartonsville recognized as a unit by the Census Bureau)