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Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. As of 2000, the population was 131,923. It was the first county in the United States to be named for the Revolutionary War general (and later President of the United States) George Washington. Its county seat is Hagerstown. This county is a part of the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area.
History The western part of Maryland (including the present Washington County) was incorporated into Prince George's County in 1696. This county included six current counties, and by repeated splitting, new ones were generated. The first was Frederick from Prince George's in 1748. Washington County was formed in 1776 by the splitting of Frederick County. At the same time, another county, Montgomery County, was also split off from Frederick County and named for another general, Richard Montgomery. Washington County as created included the areas later to become Allegany County (split off in 1789) and Garrett County (included in Allegany County when it was split off in 1789, later split from Allegany County), so included the entire westernmost part of the state of Maryland.* Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,211 km² (468 mi²). 1,187 km² (458 mi²) of it is land and 24 km² (9 mi²) of it (2.01%) is water. Adjacent Counties Law and government Washington County is governed by county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland. County Executive The county commissioners exercise such executive powers as exist in the government of the county. Demographics As of the census² of 2000, there were 131,923 people, 49,726 households, and 34,112 families residing in the county. The population density was 111/km² (288/mi²). There were 52,972 housing units at an average density of 45/km² (116/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.71% White or Caucasian, 7.77% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 49,726 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.96. In the county the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.00 males. The median income for a household in the county was $40,617, and the median income for a family was $48,962. Males had a median income of $34,917 versus $24,524 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,062. About 7.00% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over. Cities and towns Other unincorperated areas not listed as CDP's include: Fairplay Bibliography | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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