Editing Washington County, Maryland

{{short description|County in Maryland, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Washington County
 | state              = Maryland
 | type                 = [[County (United States)|County]]
 | official_name        = 
 | seal                 = Washington County md seal.png
 | flag                 = Washington County, Maryland.webp
 | founded date    = September 6
 | founded year         = 1776
 | seat wl          = Hagerstown
 | largest city wl      = Hagerstown
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 467
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 458
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 9.6
 | area percentage      = 2.0
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 154705 
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 155813 {{gain}} 
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web                  = http://www.washco-md.net/
 | ex image             = Burnsidebridge.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Burnside's Bridge]] in Washington County, site of heavy combat during the [[Battle of Antietam]]
 | district             = 6th
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | named for            = [[George Washington]] }}

'''Washington County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Maryland]]. The population was 154,705 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Washington County, Maryland |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/washingtoncountymaryland |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Hagerstown, Maryland|Hagerstown]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county is part of the [[Western Maryland]] region of the state.

Washington County was the first county in the United States to be named for the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] general (and later [[President of the United States of America|President]]) [[George Washington]]. Washington County is one of three Maryland counties recognized by the [[Appalachian Regional Commission]] as being part of [[Appalachia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Counties in Appalachia - Appalachian Regional Commission|url=http://www.arc.gov/counties|website=www.arc.gov|access-date=October 11, 2015}}</ref> The county borders southern [[Pennsylvania]] to the north, [[Northern Virginia]] to the south, and the [[Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia|Martinsburg Panhandle of West Virginia]] to the south and west. Washington County is included in the Hagerstown-[[Martinsburg, West Virginia|Martinsburg]], MD-[[West Virginia|WV]] [[Hagerstown metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]], which is also included in the [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]-[[Baltimore]]-[[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington]], DC-MD-[[Virginia|VA]]-WV-[[Pennsylvania|PA]] [[Washington metropolitan area|Combined Statistical Area]].

==History==
[[File:Seal of Washington County, Maryland (1950–1988).png|thumb|upright|left|The Washington County seal from 1950 to 1988; ''de facto'' as it was never officially adopted.]]
The western portions of the [[Province of Maryland]] (including present Washington County) were incorporated into [[Prince George's County, Maryland|Prince George's County]] in 1696. This original county included six current counties. The first to be created was [[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick]], separated from Prince George's County in 1748.

Following [[United States Declaration of Independence|independence]], the sovereign [[State of Maryland]] formed Washington County on September 6, 1776, by the division of [[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick County]]. At the same time, a portion of Frederick County became part of the newly created [[Montgomery County, Maryland|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, Maryland|Allegany County]] (created in 1789) and [[Garrett County, Maryland|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.<ref>[http://genealogytrails.com/mary/washington/], Washington County, Maryland History and Genealogy, 2006. Retrieved 2008.</ref>

A number of properties in the county are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Maryland|National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008b}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|467|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|458|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|9.6|sqmi}} (2.0%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_24.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 14, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913171515/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_24.txt|archive-date=September 13, 2014}}</ref>

Washington County is located in the [[Appalachian Mountains]], stretching from the [[Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians|Ridge-and-Valley Country]] in the west to [[South Mountain (Maryland and Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] in the east, which is an extension of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains|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 (Potomac River)|Sideling Hill Creek]] and [[Allegany County, Maryland]], and to the east by [[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick County]] and [[South Mountain (Maryland and Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]].

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Fulton County, Pennsylvania|Fulton County]], [[Pennsylvania]] (northwest)
*[[Franklin County, Pennsylvania|Franklin County]], [[Pennsylvania]] (north)
*[[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick County]] (east)
*[[Loudoun County, Virginia|Loudoun County]], [[Virginia]] (southeast)
*[[Jefferson County, West Virginia|Jefferson County]], [[West Virginia]] (south)
*[[Berkeley County, West Virginia|Berkeley County]], [[West Virginia]] (south)
*[[Morgan County, West Virginia|Morgan County]], [[West Virginia]] (southwest)
*[[Allegany County, Maryland|Allegany County]] (west)

===Major highways===
[[File:2019-07-10 11 52 50 View south along Interstate 81 from the overpass for Interstate 70 in Halfway, Washington County, Maryland.jpg|thumb|right|View south along I-81 from I-70 in Washington County]]
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
*[[File:I-68 (MD).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 68 (Maryland)|Interstate 68]]
*[[File:I-70 (MD).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 70 (Maryland)|Interstate 70]]
*[[File:I-81 (MD).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 81 (Maryland)|Interstate 81]]
*[[File:US 11.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 11 (Maryland)|U.S. Route 11]]
*[[File:US 40.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 40 (Maryland)|U.S. Route 40]]
*[[File:Alternate plate.svg|20px]]<br />[[File:US 40.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 40 Alternate]]
*{{jct|state=MD|US-Scenic|40}}
*[[File:US 340.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 340 in Maryland|U.S. Route 340]]
*[[File:US 522.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 522 (Maryland)|U.S. Route 522]]
*[[File:MD Route 34.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 34]]
*[[File:MD Route 56.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 56]]
*[[File:MD Route 57.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 57]]
*[[File:MD Route 58.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 58]]
*[[File:MD Route 60.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 60]]
*[[File:MD Route 62.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 62]]
*[[File:MD Route 63.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 63]]
*[[File:MD Route 64.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 64]]
*[[File:MD Route 65.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 65]]
*[[File:MD Route 66.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 66]]
*[[File:MD Route 67.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 67]]
*[[File:MD Route 68.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 68]]
*[[File:MD Route 77.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 77]]
*[[File:MD Route 144.svg|25px]] [[Maryland Route 144]]
*[[File:MD Route 180.svg|25px]] [[Maryland Route 180]]
*[[File:MD Route 418.svg|25px]] [[Maryland Route 418]]
*[[File:MD Route 491.svg|25px]] [[Maryland Route 491]]
*[[File:MD Route 494.svg|25px]] [[Maryland Route 494]]
*[[File:MD Route 550.svg|25px]] [[Maryland Route 550]]
*[[File:MD Route 615.svg|25px]] [[Maryland Route 615]]
*[[File:MD Route 632.svg|25px]] [[Maryland Route 632]]
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 15822
|1800= 18650
|1810= 18730
|1820= 23075
|1830= 25268
|1840= 28850
|1850= 30848
|1860= 31417
|1870= 34712
|1880= 38561
|1890= 39782
|1900= 45133
|1910= 49617
|1920= 59694
|1930= 65882
|1940= 68838
|1950= 78886
|1960= 91219
|1970= 103829
|1980= 113086
|1990= 121393
|2000= 131923
|2010= 147430
|2020= 154705
|estyear=2023
|estimate=155813
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 3, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/md190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref> 2010–2018<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24043.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 24, 2013}}</ref>
}}

===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 {{convert|315|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 52,972 housing units at an average density of {{convert|116|/mi2|/km2|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 89.71% [[Race (United States Census)|White or Caucasian]], 7.77% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.80% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.46% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|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&nbsp;people, 55,687&nbsp;households, and 37,506&nbsp;families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US24043
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=January 22, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213035041/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US24043
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|322.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 60,814 housing units at an average density of {{convert|132.8|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US24043
  |access-date=January 22, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213184131/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US24043
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> 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.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 31.7% were [[Germans|German]], 14.1% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.8% were [[English people|English]], 8.5% were [[Americans|American]], and 5.1% were [[Italians|Italian]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US24043
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 22, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014204/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US24043
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 55,687&nbsp;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.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

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.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US24043
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 22, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213011450/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US24043
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Communities==
[[File:Hagerstown Downtown Potomac St.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Hagerstown]]
[[File:Williamsport Maryland.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Williamsport]]

===City===

*[[Hagerstown, Maryland|Hagerstown]] (county seat)

===Towns===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Boonsboro, Maryland|Boonsboro]]
*[[Clear Spring, Maryland|Clear Spring]]
*[[Funkstown, Maryland|Funkstown]]
*[[Hancock, Maryland|Hancock]]
*[[Keedysville, Maryland|Keedysville]]
*[[Sharpsburg, Maryland|Sharpsburg]]
*[[Smithsburg, Maryland|Smithsburg]]
*[[Williamsport, Maryland|Williamsport]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
The Census Bureau recognizes the following [[census-designated place]]s in the county:
{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}
*[[Antietam, Maryland|Antietam]]
*[[Bagtown, Maryland|Bagtown]]
*[[Bakersville, Maryland|Bakersville]]
*[[Beaver Creek, Maryland|Beaver Creek]]
*[[Big Pool, Maryland|Big Pool]]
*[[Big Spring, Maryland|Big Spring]]
*[[Breathedsville, Maryland|Breathedsville]]
*[[Brownsville, Maryland|Brownsville]]
*[[Cavetown, Maryland|Cavetown]]
*[[Cearfoss, Maryland|Cearfoss]]
*[[Charlton, Maryland|Charlton]]
*[[Chewsville, Maryland|Chewsville]]
*[[Dargan, Maryland|Dargan]]
*[[Downsville, Maryland|Downsville]]
*[[Eakles Mills, Maryland|Eakles Mill]]
*[[Edgemont, Maryland|Edgemont]]
*[[Ernstville, Maryland|Ernstville]]
*[[Fairplay, Maryland|Fairplay]]
*[[Fairview, Washington County, Maryland|Fairview]]
*[[Fort Ritchie, Maryland|Fort Ritchie]]
*[[Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, Maryland|Fountainhead-Orchard Hills]]
*[[Gapland, Maryland|Gapland]]
*[[Garretts Mill, Maryland|Garretts Mill]]
*[[Greensburg, Maryland|Greensburg]]
*[[Halfway, Maryland|Halfway]]
*[[Highfield-Cascade, Maryland|Highfield-Cascade]]
*[[Indian Springs, Maryland|Indian Springs]]
*[[Jugtown, Maryland|Jugtown]]
*[[Kemps Mill, Maryland|Kemps Mill]]
*[[Leitersburg, Maryland|Leitersburg]]
*[[Mapleville, Maryland|Mapleville]]
*[[Maugansville, Maryland|Maugansville]]
*[[Mercersville, Maryland|Mercersville]]
*[[Middleburg, Washington County, Maryland|Middleburg]]
*[[Mount Aetna, Maryland|Mount Aetna]]
*[[Mount Briar, Maryland|Mount Briar]]
*[[Mount Lena, Maryland|Mount Lena]]
*[[Paramount-Long Meadow, Maryland|Paramount-Long Meadow]]
*[[Pecktonville, Maryland|Pecktonville]]
*[[Pinesburg, Maryland|Pinesburg]]
*[[Pondsville, Maryland|Pondsville]]
*[[Reid, Maryland|Reid]]
*[[Ringgold, Maryland|Ringgold]]
*[[Robinwood, Maryland|Robinwood]]
*[[Rohrersville, Maryland|Rohrersville]]
*[[St. James, Maryland|Saint James]]
*[[San Mar, Maryland|San Mar]]
*[[Sandy Hook, Maryland|Sandy Hook]]
*[[Tilghmanton, Maryland|Tilghmanton]]
*[[Trego-Rohrersville Station, Maryland|Trego-Rohrersville Station]]
*[[Wilson-Conococheague, Maryland|Wilson-Conococheague]]
*[[Yarrowsburg, Maryland|Yarrowsburg]]
{{div col end}}[[File:Hancock main street.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Hancock]]

===Unincorporated communities===
[[File:Bloodylane.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Sharpsburg]]
{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}
*[[Appletown, Maryland|Appletown]]
*[[Benevola, Maryland|Benevola]]
*[[Broadfording, Maryland|Broadfording]]
*[[Burtner, Maryland|Burtner]]
*[[Huyett, Maryland|Huyett]]
*[[Pen Mar, Maryland|Pen Mar]]
*[[Samples Manor, Maryland|Samples Manor]]
*[[Spielman, Maryland|Spielman]]
*[[Trego, Maryland|Trego]]
*[[Van Lear, Maryland|Van Lear]]
*[[Weverton, Maryland|Weverton]]
*[[Woodmont, Washington County, Maryland|Woodmont]]
*[[Zittlestown, Maryland|Zittlestown]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics and government==
===Federal representation===
The county is located within [[Maryland's 6th congressional district]]. The representative of the district currently is [[April McClain Delaney]] (D).

Like most of [[Appalachia]], [[German Americans|German]]-influenced and [[Union (American Civil War)|Unionist]] [[Western Maryland]],<ref>Levine, Mark V.; ‘Standing Political Decisions and Critical Realignment: The Pattern of Maryland Politics, 1872-1948’; ''[[The Journal of Politics]]'', volume 38, no. 2 (May 1976), pp. 292-325</ref> 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.

===Voter registration===
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024<ref name="MDBOE">{{cite web |title=Maryland Board of Elections Voter Registration Activity Report March 2024 |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/pdf/vrar/2024_03.pdf |website=Maryland Board of Elections |access-date=April 9, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 44200}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |44200 |100,675 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 30839}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |30839 |100,675 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Unaffiliated
| align = center | {{formatnum: 23794}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |23794 |100,675 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 655}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |655 |100,675 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|None}}
| [[Third party (U.S. politics)|Other parties]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 1187}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |1187 |100,675 |2}}
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | {{formatnum: 100,675}}
! align = center | {{Percentage |100}}
|}

{{PresHead|place=Washington County, Maryland|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref>|source2=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geoelections.free.fr/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051118120032/http://geoelections.free.fr/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 18, 2005|access-date=March 11, 2023 |title=Géographie électorale |trans-title=Electoral geography |language=fr}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|44,054|27,260|2,018|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|40,224|26,044|1,511|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|40,998|21,129|3,864|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|36,074|25,042|1,639|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|34,169|26,245|1,186|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|36,917|20,387|600|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|27,948|18,221|1,301|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|21,434|16,481|4,227|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|21,977|16,495|7,736|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|25,912|14,408|318|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|27,118|13,329|219|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|22,901|14,118|2,064|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|20,194|15,902|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|24,234|10,039|712|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|16,050|11,266|6,737|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|12,756|19,858|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|17,828|15,632|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|19,455|11,562|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|17,653|12,657|84|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|11,887|10,588|155|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|12,227|11,365|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|11,054|14,125|83|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|10,619|14,050|49|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|8,929|11,370|228|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|12,404|5,816|81|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|7,460|4,620|1,682|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|8,757|6,852|386|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|5,093|5,642|365|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,907|4,589|3,044|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|4,650|4,518|209|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|4,581|4,064|188|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|5,475|4,862|182|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|5,428|4,382|323|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|4,373|4,667|233|Maryland}}
|}

===State representation===
Washington County is represented by two senators in the [[Maryland State Senate]]. Member [[Mike McKay (politician)|Mike McKay]] (R), serves the 1st district in Maryland and [[Paul D. Corderman]] (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: [[Terry Baker (politician)|Terry Baker]] (R) for District 1C, [[William Valentine (politician)|William Valentine]] (R) and [[William J. Wivell]] (R) for District 2A and [[Brooke Grossman]] (D) for District 2B.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maryland General Assembly - Washington County Members |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/html/gacowa.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=September 15, 2024}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washco-md.net/index.php/county-commissioners/|title=County Commissioners}}</ref>[[File:Downtown Boonsboro, Maryland.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Boonsboro]]

==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 [[United States Postal Service|post offices]], state government, and local governments, but including public institutions of [[higher education]]):<ref name="Employer">[http://business.maryland.gov/Documents/ResearchDocument/MajorEmployersInWashingtonCounty.pdf Major Employers in Washington County, Maryland], [[Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development]] (Nov. 2014 data).</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Employer
! Employees<br />(Nov. 2014)<ref name="Employer"/>
|-
| Meritus Health
| 2,730
|-
| [[Citi]]
| 2,700
|-
| [[First Data]]
| 2,322
|-
| [[Volvo Group]]
| 1,350
|-
| The Bowman Group
| 718
|-
| [[FedEx Ground]]
| 648
|-
| [[Staples Inc.]]
| 597
|-
| [[Hagerstown Community College]]
| 594
|-
| Merkle Response Management Group
| 545
|-
| Arc of Washington County
| 500
|-
| Direct Mail Processors
| 500
|-
| [[Walmart]]/[[Sam's Club]]
| 500
|-
| [[Sierra Nevada Corporation|Sierra Nevada Corp.]]
| 486
|-
| [[Giant Food Stores]]/<br />Martin's Food Markets
| 420
|-
| [[Weis Markets]]
| 400
|-
| Brook Lane Health Services
| 395
|-
| Lehigh Phoenix
| 360
|-
| A.C.&T
| 350
|-
| [[Susquehanna Bancshares]]
| 345
|-
| [[Dot Foods]]
| 312
|-
| [[JLG Industries]]
| 300
|-
| [[Home Depot]]
| 296
|-
| [[Lowe's]]
| 276
|-
| Thompson's Gas & Electric Service
| 275
|-
| [[United Parcel Service]] (UPS)
| 274
|-
| [[CertainTeed]]
| 250
|-
| [[Darden Restaurants]]
| 250
|-
| [[Sheetz]]
| 250
|-
| Tractor Supply 
| 250
|-
| Homewood Retirement Centers
| 249
|-
| NMS Healthcare of Hagerstown
| 240
|-
| Horizon [[Goodwill Industries]]
| 229
|-
| C. William Hetzer
| 225
|-
| [[FedEx Freight]]
| 225
|}

Washington County is top in the state for [[commercial grower|commercial production]] of [[fruit]]s, [[tree nut]]s, and [[berries]].<ref name="2017-census-county">{{cite web | access-date=July 29, 2022 | date=2017 | title=Census of Agriculture - State and County Profiles - Maryland | website=USDA, [[National Agricultural Statistics Service]] | url=https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/Maryland/}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:2019-07-14 13 12 11 View west along Interstate 68 and U.S. Route 40 (National Freeway) from the Victor Cushwa Memorial Bridge as it passes through the Sideling Hill Road Cut in Forest Park, Washington County, Maryland.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Sideling Hill]] man-made mountain pass on I-68/U.S. 40 near Hancock]]

===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, Maryland)|Bowman House]], Boonsboro
*[[Crystal Grottoes]], the only show caves in Maryland.
*[[Discovery Station]], Hagerstown
*[[Hager House (Hagerstown, Maryland)|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 {{convert|5|mi|km}} west of Hancock shows off 100 million years+ of rock formation with Information Center and walkways on the premises.
*[[Springfield Farm (Williamsport, Maryland)|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 [https://web.archive.org/web/20080105082522/http://www.wcboe.k12.md.us/content/ab_schdirectory.cfm ''Washington County Public Schools – School Directory''] for a detailed listing of elementary, middle, high, and other schools.

===High schools===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
'''Public high schools'''
*[[Antietam Academy]], [[Hagerstown, Maryland|Hagerstown]]
*[[Barbara Ingram School for the Arts]], Hagerstown
*[[Boonsboro High School]], [[Boonsboro, Maryland|Boonsboro]]
*Clear Spring High School, [[Clear Spring, Maryland|Clear Spring]]
*[[Evening High School]], Hagerstown
*[[Hancock Middle-Senior High School|Hancock High School]], [[Hancock, Maryland|Hancock]]
*[[North Hagerstown High School]], Hagerstown
*[[Smithsburg High School]], [[Smithsburg, Maryland|Smithsburg]]
*[[South Hagerstown High School]], Hagerstown
*[[Washington County Technical High School]], Hagerstown
*[[Williamsport High School]], [[Williamsport, Maryland|Williamsport]]
{{Col-break}}
'''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, Maryland|St. James School]], Saint James
*[[St. Maria Goretti High School]], Hagerstown
*Truth Christian Academy, Hagerstown
{{Col-end}}

===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.

==Notable residents and natives==
* See [[:Category:People from Hagerstown, Maryland|''People from Washington County'']].

==See also==
{{Portal|Maryland}}
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Maryland]]
*[[Washington County Closed-Circuit Educational Television Project]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Washington County, Maryland}}
{{wikivoyage|Washington County (Maryland)}}
*[http://www.washco-md.net/ Washington County government]
*[http://www.hagerstown.org Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.marylandmemories.org Hagerstown-Washington County Convention & Visitor's Bureau]
*[https://www.washcolibrary.org/ Washington County Free Library]
*[http://www.whilbr.org/ WHILBR – Western Maryland's Historical Library]
*[https://www.washcolibrary.org/hni Washington County Free Library – Historic Newspaper Indexing Project]
*[http://www.wcmfa.org/ Washington County Museum of Fine Arts]
*[http://www.hagerstownedc.org/ Washington County Economic Development Commission]

{{Coord|39.60|-77.81|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MD_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Washington County
|North     =
|Northeast = {{Flagdeco|Pennsylvania|size=23px}} [[Franklin County, Pennsylvania]]
|East      = {{Flagicon image|2023 flag of Frederick County, Maryland.svg|size=23px}} [[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick County]]
|Southeast = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Loudoun County, Virginia.svg|size=23px}} [[Loudoun County, Virginia]]
|South     = {{Flagdeco|West Virginia|size=23px}} [[Berkeley County, West Virginia]]<br />{{Flagdeco|West Virginia|size=23px}} [[Jefferson County, West Virginia]]
|Southwest = {{Flagdeco|West Virginia|size=23px}} [[Morgan County, West Virginia]]
|West      = [[Allegany County, Maryland|Allegany County]]
|Northwest = {{Flagdeco|Pennsylvania|size=23px}} [[Fulton County, Pennsylvania]]
}} 
{{Washington County, Maryland}}
{{Maryland}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Washington County, Maryland| ]]
[[Category:1776 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:Maryland counties]]
[[Category:Maryland counties on the Potomac River]]
[[Category:Hagerstown metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1776]]