Frederick County History & Locality
Convenient to Washington, DC & Baltimore, MD city centers

Frederick City and County are at a major crossroads between Washington, DC, Baltimore, and central Pennsylvania.  The area has witnessed the earliest days of the country's westward expansion, through the formative years of our nation including key Civil War battles, up to today's rapidly growing urban corridor extending from Washington, DC.  The nearby capital city has a wealth of historical information, sites, and musuems where you and your family can have firsthand experiences about each chapter of the United States' story.

Frederick County Landmarks Foundation Smithsonian Institution
City of Frederick, MD
Cosmopolitan Character with Small Town Charm

The city of Frederick supports a thriving central historic and commercial district comprised of many restaurants, stores, and small businesses, most of which are locally owned.  A stroll through the popular Carroll Creek Park is a great way to access and experience the city's vibrant core! 

Frederick Visitors Center Caroll Creek Park
Arts & Entertainment

Frederick is also home to a variety of art galleries, performing arts centers and public art installations.  Most notable is the Weinberg Center, which hosts regionally- and nationally-known artists and features in film, music, dance, theatre, and family programming.

Weinberg Center Delaplaine Arts Center

Geography

Frederick County is in close proximity to both Washington, DC (~45 miles) and Baltimore (~50 miles).  Regional transportation options include:

  • Marc train to Union Station in Washington, DC (~1 hour)
  • Interstate highways to Washington, DC (I-270 to I-495) and to Baltimore, MD (I-70 to I-695)
  • Three major airports—Dulles International (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), and Ronald Reagan National (DCA)

Demographics

Recent statistics regarding population and income in Frederick County and City reflect its repuation as a region of steady growth and stability:

  • The population increase for the county, including the city of Frederick, was 2.64% from years 2010-2020, and increased another 4.97% from 2020-2022 to roughly 82,300 residents.
  • The median income for Frederick County, per the Federal Reserve Board, was $83,466 in 2012 and rose nearly 50% by 2022, to $122,977.
  • The Frederick County unemployement rate, per the Maryland Department of Labor, averaged 3.1% as of July 2024, notably lower than the national average of 4.2%.

Education

Frederick City and County offer a wide range of educational opportunities for young and old alike.  From primary elementary through middle and high school, public and private, the Frederick County school system ranks very well both state-wide and nation-wide.  For advanced learning, there are five colleges and universities in the immediate area.  A sample list is below, with detailed information available on each respective school's website.

Local K-12 Education 

  • Middletown Primary School, Grades K-2
  • Middletown Elementary School, Grades 3-5
  • Middletown Middle School, Grades 6-8
  • Middletown High School, Grades 9-12

Regional Advanced Education 

  • Frederick Community College  |  Frederick, MD
  • Hood College  |  Frederick, MD
  • Mount Saint Mary's University  |  Emmitsburg, MD
  • University of Maryland  |  College Park and Baltimore, MD
  • Johns Hopkins University  |  Baltimore, MD
Frederick County Public Schools Frederick County Census

Washington-Baltimore Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area

Includes portions of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, & Pennsylvania, and is considered the most educated, highest-income, and third-most populous combined statistical area (CSA) in the United States. (source: Wikipedia)

View CSAs Visit Baltimore
Agricultural Roots
Balancing Urban Growth with Agricultural History

Working farms dot the valley landscape, many within 5-10 miles of city centers.

  • An abundance of locally grown and sourced produce, dairy products, and meats are readily available through the year in grocery stores, at individual farm stands, and numerous area farmer's markets.
  • Many farms host seasonal celebrations for visitors including: pick-your-own produce, flower festivals, garden tours, historic barn tours, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, Christmas tree farms, and venue space for private events.
  • There are also numerous regional wineries and breweries scattered throughout the region.

Homegrown Frederick
Outdoor Experiences
Adventure Among God's Creation

If you are interested in hiking, biking, running, kayaking, hunting and fishing, Frederick County is loaded with nearby locations for you and your family to explore.  Even a simple weekend picnic can be enjoyed at most of these places.  Following are just a few of the incredible parks and recreation areas closest to Braddock Heights (10-15 miles).

HISTORIC

  • Gettysburg National Military Park
  • Antietam National Battlefield
  • Monocacy National Battlefield
  • South Mountain State Battlefield

NATIONAL

  • Catoctin Mountain Park
  • Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal
  • Appalachian National Scenic Trail

STATE

  • Cunningham Falls State Park
  • Gathland State Park
  • Greenbrier State Park
  • Gambrill State Park

LOCAL

  • Catoctin Nature Center
  • Frederick Municipal Forest
  • Othello Regional Park
  • Devil's Backbone County Park
National Park Service Maryland DNR