RANK #872 / 1001 NAT · #14 / 18 MD · POP 67,452
1YR FORECAST: +3.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: -10%
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, departing from Cumberland, offers a distinctive experience, traversing valleys and historic towns with views of the Allegheny Mountains. Allegany County, often called "Mountain Maryland," is located in the western part of the state, approximately two hours from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.. This makes it an option for those seeking a quieter lifestyle within reach of major metropolitan areas, with easy commuter traffic. The community offers a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere with a strong appreciation for its natural beauty and heritage. The county boasts over 70,000 acres of public land, including five state parks and forests, and the C&O Canal National Historical Park, providing extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, and water sports.
Life in Allegany County is characterized by a lower cost of living and a focus on outdoor recreation. The area attracts a mix of residents, including families and retirees, drawn to its walkable urban cores like Cumberland and Frostburg, and its rural properties. Allegany County Public Schools serve the area, and Frostburg State University provides higher education opportunities. The economy is diverse, with healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing as key sectors. Recent economic developments include investments in technology-based business parks and initiatives to support environmentally focused innovation.
Allegany County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.2% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Dan's Mountain Wind Project
Clearway Energy Group
|
$180M | Completed |
|
FedEx Ground Distribution Center
FedEx Ground
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Kingspan Roofing + Waterproofing Manufacturing Facility
Kingspan Group
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Allegany County Housing Development (D.R. Horton)
D.R. Horton
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Allegany County scores just 12/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #872 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -0.7% and median household income of $59,603 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
By national standards, Allegany County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $154,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $805/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Allegany County are both close to flat — population -0.5% YoY and jobs -0.7%. Home values shifted +4.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.3% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Allegany County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.