RANK #800 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 18 MD · POP 287,048
1YR FORECAST: -0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Frederick County, Maryland, is often recognized for its historic downtown Frederick, a 40-block area with 18th and 19th-century architecture, shops, and restaurants. Located in western Maryland, the county sits about an hour's drive from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., making it a commuter-friendly area. The community offers a blend of small-town charm and urban amenities, with views of the Appalachian Mountains providing a scenic backdrop. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Catoctin Mountain Park, the Appalachian Trail, and various local parks for hiking and other activities.
Life in Frederick County balances suburban and rural living, attracting families and professionals. The public school system is highly rated, and the county offers diverse housing options. Commute options include MARC train service and MTA commuter buses to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The economy is driven by expanding life science, technology, and manufacturing sectors, with major employers in these fields. Additionally, there is investment in data center development and a growing e-commerce presence.
Frederick County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +0.0% YoY, population +2.4%, wages +1.2%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 17.6x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Aligned Data Centers Campus Expansion
Aligned Data Centers
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Quantum Frederick Data Center Development
Quantum Maryland, LLC
|
$500M | 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 — Frederick County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #800 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -1.3% and median household income of $122,002 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Frederick County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $464,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,774/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Frederick County is attracting residents (population +2.4% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -1.3%. Housing values changed +0.0% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.12% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Frederick County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.