For thousands of years,Native Americans inhabited the lands that would later form Washington County.[4] Archaeological evidence suggests that anIroquoian people known as theSusquehannock occupied this region around 1600.[5][6] In the early 17th century,England began to settle lands on theChesapeake Bay to the east of present-day Washington County. Contact between the Susquehannock and these English settlers was limited until English merchantWilliam Claiborne fromVirginia began trading with the Susquehannock in the 1630s.[7]
In 1634, England established theProvince of Maryland as an English colony with their founding ofSt. Mary's City to the southeast of present-day Washington County.[8] English-Susquehannock relations then began to deteriorate, as Maryland formed an alliance with thePiscataway people, who were the frequent target of Susquehannock raids. The founding of the province also disrupted their trade alliance with Claiborne as he refused to acknowledge Maryland's authority.[9] In 1641, the Governor of Maryland declared the Susquehannock "enemies of the province", and Susquehannock raids on Maryland and the Piscataway continued intermittently until 1652.[10]
In the winter of 1652, the Susquehannock were attacked by theMohawk, and although the attack was repulsed, it led to the Susquehannock negotiating theArticles of Peace and Friendship with Maryland.[10] The Susquehannock relinquished their claim to territory on either side of the Chesapeake Bay and reestablished their earlier trading relationship with the English.[11][12] In 1696, the province incorporated its western portions (including its claims to present-day Washington County) intoPrince George's County.[13] In 1707, Maryland became aBritish colony as the result of the union of the Kingdoms of England andScotland.[14]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 467 square miles (1,210 km2), of which 458 square miles (1,190 km2) is land and 9.6 square miles (25 km2) (2.0%) is water.[16]
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 154,705. The median age was 41.0 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.4 males age 18 and over. 67.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 32.2% lived in rural areas.[23][24][25]
There were 58,640 households in the county, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[24]
There were 63,790 housing units, of which 8.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.3% were owner-occupied and 35.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%.[24]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 147,430 people, 55,687 households, and 37,506 families residing in the county.[26] The population density was 322.1 inhabitants per square mile (124.4/km2). There were 60,814 housing units at an average density of 132.8 per square mile (51.3/km2).[27] The racial makeup of the county was 85.1% white, 9.6% black or African American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.5% of the population.[26] In terms of ancestry, 31.7% wereGerman, 14.1% wereIrish, 9.8% wereEnglish, 8.5% wereAmerican, and 5.1% wereItalian.[28]
Of the 55,687 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.6% were non-families, and 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.7 years.[26]
The median income for a household in the county was $52,994 and the median income for a family was $65,811. Males had a median income of $47,622 versus $34,225 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,588. About 7.7% of families and 10.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.[29]
As of the census of 2010, there were 147,430 people, 49,726 households, and 34,112 families residing in the county. The population density was 315 inhabitants per square mile (122/km2). There were 52,972 housing units at an average density of 116 per square mile (45/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.71%White or Caucasian, 7.77%Black orAfrican American, 0.18%Native American, 0.80%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.46% fromother races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race, 32.1% identified as being of German ancestry, 21.4% American, 8.8% Irish, and 8.4% English ancestry.
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.
Like most ofAppalachia,German-influenced andUnionistWestern Maryland,[30] Washington County is solidly Republican. The last Democrat to carry Washington County at a Presidential level wasLyndon Johnson during his 1964 landslide win overBarry Goldwater, although between 1888 and 1940 the county was a consistentbellwether for all Presidential elections.
Washington County’s “leader” is known as the County Administrator. Currently, Michelle Gordon serves as the County Administrator. However, Washington County's County Commissioners exercise executive powers as they exist in the government of the county.
The County Commissioners in Washington County comprise the traditional form of county government in Maryland. Current members include: John Barr (President) (R), Jeffrey A. Cline (Vice President) (R), Randall Wagner (R),Derek Harvey (R), and Randy Leatherman (R).[35]
In 2000, 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.
Sideling Hill, man-made mountain pass on Interstate 68/U.S. Route 40 roughly 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Hancock shows off 100 million years+ of rock formation with Information Center and walkways on the premises.
^Fausz, J. Frederick (2005). "Present at the Creation:The Chesapeake World That Greeted the Maryland Colonists".Maryland Historical Magazine.100 (1):29–47.
^abcd[1], Washington County, Maryland History and Genealogy, 2006. Retrieved 2008.
^Parliament of the Kingdom of England,"Union with Scotland Act 1706 Article I",legislation.gov.uk,That the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland shall upon the First day of May which shall be in the year One thousand seven hundred and seven and forever after be united into one Kingdom by the name of Great Britain..."
^Levine, Mark V.; ‘Standing Political Decisions and Critical Realignment: The Pattern of Maryland Politics, 1872-1948’;The Journal of Politics, volume 38, no. 2 (May 1976), pp. 292-325
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