The story
History
For thousands of years, Native Americans inhabited the lands that would later form Washington County. Archaeological evidence suggests that an Iroquoian people known as the Susquehannock occupied this region around 1600. In the early 17th century, England began to settle lands on the Chesapeake Bay to the east of present-day Washington County. Contact between the Susquehannock and these English settlers was limited until English merchant William Claiborne from Virginia began trading with the Susquehannock in the 1630s.
In 1634, England established the Province of Maryland as an English colony with their founding of St. Mary's City to the southeast of present-day Washington County. English-Susquehannock relations then began to deteriorate, as Maryland formed an alliance with the Piscataway people, who were the frequent target of Susquehannock raids. The founding of the province also disrupted their trade alliance with Claiborne as he refused to acknowledge Maryland's authority. In 1641, the Governor of Maryland declared the Susquehannock "enemies of the province", and Susquehannock raids on Maryland and the Piscataway continued intermittently until 1652.
Acquisition by Maryland
In the winter of 1652, the Susquehannock were attacked by the Mohawk, and although the attack was repulsed, it led to the Susquehannock negotiating the Articles of Peace and Friendship with Maryland. The Susquehannock relinquished their claim to territory on either side of the Chesapeake Bay and reestablished their earlier trading relationship with the English. In 1696, the province incorporated its western portions (including its claims to present-day Washington County) into Prince George's County. In 1707, Maryland became a British colony as the result of the union of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland.
In the 1730s, European settlers arrived in present-day Washington County, and in 1748, Frederick County, which then included Washington County, separated from Prince George's County. During the French and Indian War, Marylanders constructed Fort Frederick in 1756. Later, Maryland was one of the colonies that revolted to form the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolutionary War in 1775. On September 6, 1776, Maryland formed Washington County from a part of Frederick County. It was the first county in the United States named after George Washington. The State of Maryland ratified the United States Constitution and officially joined the United States in 1788. In 1789, part of Washington County was divided to form Allegany County, which itself was later divided in 1872 to form Garrett County.
Washington County has over 30 historical sites and is home to 3 National Parks, 7 State Parks, 14 County Parks, and numerous City and Town Parks. A number of properties in the county are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The county's history includes riots during the Whiskey Rebellion, several Civil War battles including the Battle of Antietam, the site where the abolitionist John Brown planned his raid on Harpers Ferry, and the location of railroads that facilitated westward expansion of the United States.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 154,705. The median age was 41.0 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.4 males age 18 and over. 67.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 32.2% lived in rural areas.
The racial makeup of the county was 75.9% White, 11.4% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.0% from some other race, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.7% of the population.
There were 58,640 households in the county, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
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There were 63,790 housing units, of which 8.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.3% were owner-occupied and 35.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%.
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 322.1 inhabitants per square mile (124.4/km2). There were 60,814 housing units at an average density of 132.8 per square mile (51.3/km2). 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.
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 inhabitants per square mile (122/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.
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 5 miles (8.0 km) 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
From Wikipedia’s article on Washington County, Maryland, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4