District 10
RANK #575 / 996 NAT · #4 / 18 MD · POP 154,645
1YR FORECAST: +0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Washington County, Maryland, distinguishes itself as the first county in the United States named after George Washington. Located in Western Maryland, it offers a blend of small-city life in Hagerstown and surrounding rural areas. Commutes from Hagerstown to Baltimore typically range from 60 to 75 minutes, and to Washington, D.C., from 75 to over 90 minutes, depending on traffic. The county is rich in natural scenery and outdoor recreation, featuring five National Parks, eight State Parks, and fourteen County Parks, including portions of the Appalachian Trail and the C&O Canal National Historical Park.
Life in Washington County often appeals to families and young professionals, with public schools in the Washington County Public Schools district generally receiving high ratings. The economy is experiencing growth, particularly in industrial, logistics, and manufacturing sectors. Washington County also sees ongoing development in its tourism industry, drawing visitors to its historical sites and outdoor amenities.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.3x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Johnson Development Logistics Center
Johnson Development
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Trammell Crow Distribution Center
Trammell Crow
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Hitachi Rail Manufacturing Facility
Hitachi Rail
|
$80M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Washington County scores 42/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#575). Median household income is $73,017 and job growth is running at +2.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Washington County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $262,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,049/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Washington County are hiring — job growth of +2.3% — but the population is close to flat (+0.5% YoY). Home values moved +1.4% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.74% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Washington County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.