Frederick, Maryland, located 50 miles west of Baltimore, is an idyllic small town with a thriving community. Locally owned businesses line main street, many creative ventures, and extensive parkland make for an inviting atmosphere, while the amount of things to do in the area make it a great place for families, young professionals, and retirees alike.
Frederick is home to 68,400 residents, growing 4.8 percent since the last census. The area has a mix of renters and homeowners, with 53.6 percent of the 27,559 housing units being registered as owner occupied. The area has a median monthly mortgage cost of $1,879 and average rent of $1,236. The family size is 2.48 with 26,157 households in Frederick. Residents have a 87.3 percent high school graduation rate, and many have pursued higher education at a 37.6 percent degree holder rate. The local job market and access to mass transit options such as a connector to the MARC commuter train provides an average commute of 32.9 minutes, which is average for this area. The median household income is $65,967. Many of the residents work for the U.S. military, federal government, and the biotech industry. For residents who don't work in Frederick, many commute south to the DC area and surrounding cities.
Frederick is a diverse and rapidly changing area, as it's grown from a small rural town on the outskirts of the central Maryland region to a larger small town that's getting a lot of attention from people who want a more urban feel compared to the many suburbs in the region. Frederick has a strong focus on locally owned businesses, with more than 600 scattered throughout the downtown and surrounding areas. While larger companies also have a presence in the area, particularly as you get outside of the city center, you can see the pride found in the creative and eclectic main street area.
The city provides many opportunities for the arts, with artist studios, performing arts shows, and numerous other events throughout the year. The historic downtown area speaks to the area's past without becoming completely locked in to it, creating a vibrant energy that drives the area's personality. Art exhibits, concerts, musicals, plays, and many other opportunities for experiencing the diverse culture of the area are available. There's a lot of calm and scenic areas that help to promote the nature loving side of things. National and state parkland offer excellent options for checking out Maryland's flora and fauna, getting excellent photographs of the area, and taking a step away from the lively urban center of Frederick to enjoy a slower pace.
Frederick has a strong community pride, even as the community changes every day from transplants coming into the region from DC, Baltimore, and NoVA. A diverse community, easy access to major cities, local events, and many restaurants and stores help to keep Frederick's quality of life high. The downtown area is quite walkable, although a car is necessary for getting around the far reaches of the area, or hopping on one of the area's local buses. Tree lined streets and single family homes in planned and unplanned neighborhoods can provide a quiet suburban feel, but there's plenty of charming historic townhouses in the most energetic part of town for people who prefer to be in the middle of things. Traffic can get somewhat jammed during rush hours, but otherwise it's not too hard to get around the city and the surrounding areas. Outdoor recreation and other fitness opportunities are popular in this area, with bike lanes, hiking trails, parks, and fields available for everyone to enjoy.
Grocery stores, department stores, and similar essential stores are available throughout town. While most of the downtown area is centered around small local business, you also have big box stores in several shopping centers along the commercial corridor. Commercial and industrial areas are mostly contained away from residential areas, with the exception of the downtown area apartments and townhouses. Quiet and serene is an excellent description of what the outlier laying residential streets experience in Frederick. New construction and older buildings are available throughout the area, offering a wide variety of options for residents moving into the area and looking for something special.
Frederick is best known for its lovely historic downtown area, from the many tea rooms to the co-op grocery stores. You truly depart from the typical shopping and dining experience once you start walking around downtown Frederick. Many of these shops and restaurants have been around for many years, so they're community institutions. It's also known for its art scene, which encompasses everything from artist studios to Shakespeare plays. Many classes for art, crafts, and even cooking are available on a frequent basis. The area is also known for its natural beauty, with countless acres of forest and parkland throughout and surrounding Frederick.
Many family-friendly activities are available throughout the area, from playgrounds to summer camps. For the adults, Frederick is part of the Maryland wine trail, so there are many wineries and breweries offering tastings and events that are useful for relaxing on days off. The area has plenty of historical interest that is attractive to all ages, from the ghost tours to going through the many museums in the area. It might be a small town, but Frederick has a lot to offer its residents.
