Population 287,048 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Frederick County
Household size in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.73 | 2.73 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.73 | 2.82 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.70 | 2.86 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.78 | 2.77 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.05 | +0.04 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Frederick County holds 2.78 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.73, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the southeast and smallest in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.6 | 37.0 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.8 | 37.6 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.6 | 38.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.9 | 39.2 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.3 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
At 39.9, the median age in Frederick County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.6, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the south and oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 11.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 11.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.2% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Frederick County (10.2%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. The Washington area as a whole looks much the same.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Frederick County
Renters in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.2% | 34.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.6% | 36.6% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.8% | 36.8% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.0% | 36.3% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 23.0% of households in Frederick County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 23.3% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southeast.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 8.7% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.0% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 6.6% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 5.9% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 5.4% of homes in Frederick County are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. The Washington area as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy is down 1.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1977 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1978 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1979 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1982 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Frederick County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1991, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,211 | $1,470 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,390 | $1,583 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,537 | $1,907 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,932 | $2,236 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$722 | +$766 | +$620 | +$606 |
The median renter in Frederick County pays $1,932 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Locally, though, rents here are lower than in the wider Washington area ($2,236). Rent has climbed $722 a month since 2006–10, up 60%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.3% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Frederick County
Bachelor's degrees in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.6% | 46.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 39.8% | 48.2% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.1% | 51.0% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 47.0% | 53.9% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.4 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Frederick County is highly educated: nearly half of adults 25 and older (47.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Locally, though, the share is lower than in the Washington area overall (53.9%). The share with a degree is up 10.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Maryland's 24 counties, only two have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.6% | 89.4% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.9% | 90.2% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.4% | 90.8% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.5% | 91.2% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +1.7 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Frederick County is above the national rate: 93.5% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 1.9 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Frederick County
| Period | Frederick County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 6.9% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 4.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.2% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Frederick County has been strong: just 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only two of Maryland's 24 counties have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 1.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Frederick County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick County | 2.78 | 39.9 | 10.2% | 23.0% | 5.4% | 1991 | $1,932 | 47.0% | 93.5% | 3.2% |
| Carroll County | 2.71 | 42.3 | 8.1% | 15.7% | 4.8% | 1982 | $1,567 | 40.9% | 95.3% | 3.6% |
| Jefferson County | 2.59 | 41.7 | 11.0% | 19.7% | 8.4% | 1991 | $1,157 | 34.3% | 89.8% | 3.8% |
| Berkeley County | 2.58 | 39.9 | 14.1% | 24.0% | 6.5% | 1994 | $1,304 | 25.5% | 90.7% | 4.7% |
| Baltimore County | 2.59 | 40.9 | 11.9% | 33.6% | 6.4% | 1973 | $1,680 | 42.2% | 91.6% | 4.9% |
| Baltimore City | 2.29 | 37.6 | 15.8% | 52.5% | 13.4% | 1953 | $1,395 | 36.4% | 87.1% | 7.3% |
| Morgan County | 2.36 | 49.3 | 9.8% | 15.9% | 18.8% | 1986 | $876 | 18.2% | 88.9% | 3.7% |
| Harford County | 2.65 | 41.7 | 9.6% | 20.3% | 4.6% | 1986 | $1,682 | 40.4% | 95.2% | 3.9% |
| Hampshire County | 2.80 | 45.8 | 11.9% | 17.3% | 31.8% | 1986 | $816 | 19.6% | 88.9% | 8.6% |
| Mineral County | 2.38 | 44.2 | 10.1% | 19.0% | 11.8% | 1978 | $817 | 23.4% | 94.1% | 6.0% |
| Garrett County | 2.27 | 46.3 | 8.7% | 20.3% | 20.7% | 1980 | $827 | 24.9% | 90.1% | 4.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Onslow County, NC · Kalamazoo County, MI · Lancaster County, NE · Mahoning County, OH · Marin County, CA · Marion County, OR · McHenry County, IL · Mohave County, AZ · Montgomery County, TN · Johnston County, NC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Frederick County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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