RANK #489 / 1001 NAT · #5 / 18 MD · POP 155,709
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
Washington County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.4% YoY, population +0.4%, wages +1.7%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.8x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
Washington County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#489). Median household income is $77,747 and job growth is running at +2.9%. 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 $296,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,147/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Washington County are hiring — job growth of +2.9% — but the population is close to flat (+0.4% 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 3.16% 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.