Hagerstown, MD

Hagerstown, Maryland

Introduction to Hagerstown, Maryland

Hagerstown is situated next to the Potomac River near the edge of the Appalachian Mountains in Washington County. It's the industrial and commercial center for the region. The city is known as the "Hub City" due to the substantial number of railroads as well as roads that serve the city. Based on the census from 2006 the city is one of the fastest growing in the country. Visitors will notice a big city type of nightlife. The Western Maryland Blues Fest is a significant event for the city, attracting thousands of people annually.

History

The town was established in 1762 by Jonathan Hager, a volunteer Captain of Scouts in the French and Indian War. Due to being strategically located on the border area of the North and the South during the Civil War, it was a primary staging location and supply base. Doctors and citizens of the town provided health care for Confederate and Union soldiers at a variety of locations in the city during the war. Smallpox was a major problem due to soldiers returning from the war and spreading the disease. Beginning in 1931 and until 1984 Fairchild Aircraft was the major employer. The city was known as the "Home of the Flying Box Car" due to the significance of the company for the town as well as the nation.

Transportation

Transportation is provided by County Commuter buses. The city is served by the Hagerstown Regional Airport. The major airports that provide transportation include the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Harrisburg International Airport and the Washington Dulles International Airport.

Historic Sites

Hagerstown is located in the Historic Highlands. The area offers numerous noteworthy sites from the Civil War.

• Antietam National Battlefield is the location of one of the bloodiest days in the history of the country.
• South Mountain State Battlefield is located in Washington County.
• Gettysburg Battlefield.
• Monocacy Battlefield.
• Harpers Ferry Battlefield.
• Fort Frederick State Park is home to a restored fort that was utilized during the French and Indian War.
• Washington Monument State Park is nearby and was made in tribute to President George Washington.

Attractions

• The Washington Museum of Fine Arts.
• Hager House and Museum.
• Western Maryland 202 Locomotive Display and Museum.
• Mansion House Art Gallery.
• Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum.
• Discovery Museum.
• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Headquarters.
• Maryland Theatre.
• Augustoberfest.
• Alsatia Mummers' Parade is a prominent nighttime Halloween parade.
• Hagerstown City Park.

Activities

The area is popular for mountain biking, fishing, canoeing and other outdoor activities. The Appalachian Trail as well as the C&O Canal Towpath are located close to the town. The Hagerstown Suns participate in minor league baseball games. The well known Hagerstown Speedway is a popular dirt-track racing site.

Higher Education

The city is home to The University System of Maryland at Hagerstown, Kaplan College and Hagerstown Community College. Mount Saint Mary's University has a campus in the town.

High Points

Hagerstown strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Maryland):

Category	Trophy
Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers)	Top 8%
Short Commute Times (vs. State)	Top 11%

Comparative Profile of Hagerstown, MD

Comparing Hagerstown to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Maryland (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Female Share of the Population
Children Under 5 Years Old
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Racial Diversity
Well-Paid Single Men
Male Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Affordability of Rents
People Living Alone
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Affordability of Property Taxes
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Hagerstown Almanac

Hagerstown Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Hagerstown Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Hagerstown, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Hagerstown Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Hagerstown Hospitals

WASHINGTON COUNTY HOSPITAL
(Voluntary non-profit - Private)
251 EAST ANTIETAM ST
(301) 790-8000
Emergency Service: Yes

Wal-Mart in Hagerstown

Hagerstown High Schools (2004)

NORTH HAGERSTOWN HIGH
1200 PENNSYLVANIA AVE
301-766-8238
Serves 1,229 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 17.3

SOUTH HAGERSTOWN SR HIGH
1101 S POTOMAC ST
301-766-8369
Serves 1,067 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16.9

WASHINGTON COUNTY TECHNICAL HIGH
50 W OAK RIDGE DR
301-766-8050
A Vocational School
Serves 405 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.7

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
50 WEST OAK RIDGE DR
301-766-8460
A Non-traditional School
Serves 89 students.

ANTIETEM ACADEMY
1151 S POTOMAC ST
301-766-8447
A Non-traditional School

Hagerstown Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Award Beauty School

Hagerstown Community College

Kaplan College

(List of All Maryland Colleges)

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