Taneytown, Maryland | |
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_at_Maryland_State_Route_140_(Baltimore_Street)_in_Taneytown%2c_Carroll_County%2c_Maryland.jpg) Central Taneytown | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Taneytown, Maryland | |
| Coordinates:39°39′26″N77°10′14″W / 39.65722°N 77.17056°W /39.65722; -77.17056 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Carroll |
| Incorporated | 1836[1] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Strong Mayor-Council |
| • Mayor | Christopher G. Miller |
| • Mayor Pro Tem | Rachael R. Miller |
| • Councilman | James McCarron |
| • Councilman | Stephen "Nick" Kalinock |
| • Councilman | Harry Meade |
| • Commissioner (Carroll County D1) | Joe Vigliotti |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.16 sq mi (8.19 km2) |
| • Land | 3.16 sq mi (8.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0077 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 505 ft (154 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,234 |
| • Density | 2,291.8/sq mi (884.88/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 21787 |
| Area code | 410 |
| FIPS code | 24-76725 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0587687 |
| Website | www |
Taneytown (/ˈtɔːnitaʊn/TAW-nee-town, locally also/ˈtænitaʊn/)[3] is a city inCarroll County,Maryland, United States. The population was 7,234 at the 2020 census.[4] Taneytown was founded in 1754. Of the city,George Washington once wrote, "Tan-nee town is but a small place with only the Street through wch.(sic) the road passes, built on. The buildings are principally of wood." Taneytown has a history museum that displays the history of the city for visitors and citizens to see. TheBullfrog Road Bridge was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1978.[5]
Taneytown is located at39°39′26″N77°10′14″W / 39.65722°N 77.17056°W /39.65722; -77.17056 (39.657099, -77.170627).[6]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.05 square miles (7.90 km2), of which 3.04 square miles (7.87 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[7]
_just_west_of_Maryland_State_Route_194_(Frederick_Street-York_Street)_in_Taneytown%2c_Carroll_County%2c_Maryland.jpg)
The primary means of travel to and from Taneytown is by road. Two primary highways serve the city,Maryland Route 140 andMaryland Route 194. MD 140 follows Baltimore Street through central Taneytown. From the city, MD 140 continues eastward toWestminster andBaltimore, while to the west it traversesEmmitsburg before enteringPennsylvania. MD 194 follows Frederick Street and York Street through the city. From Taneytown, MD 194 continues north to Pennsylvania, while heading south, it proceeds into theFrederick area.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 285 | — | |
| 1860 | 365 | 28.1% | |
| 1870 | 413 | 13.2% | |
| 1880 | 519 | 25.7% | |
| 1890 | 566 | 9.1% | |
| 1900 | 665 | 17.5% | |
| 1910 | 824 | 23.9% | |
| 1920 | 800 | −2.9% | |
| 1930 | 938 | 17.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,208 | 28.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,420 | 17.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,519 | 7.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,731 | 14.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,618 | 51.2% | |
| 1990 | 3,695 | 41.1% | |
| 2000 | 5,128 | 38.8% | |
| 2010 | 6,728 | 31.2% | |
| 2020 | 7,234 | 7.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
As of thecensus[9] of 2010, there were 6,728 people, 2,434 households, and 1,813 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 2,213.2 inhabitants per square mile (854.5/km2). There were 2,554 housing units at an average density of 840.1 units per square mile (324.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.3%White, 4.5% Black , 0.1%Native American, 0.7%Asian, 0.5% fromother races, and 2.7% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 2.7% of the population.
There were 2,434 households, of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% weremarried couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.5% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.14.
The median age in the city was 37 years. 27.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
As of thecensus[10] of 2000, there were 5,128 people, 1,786 households, and 1,387 families living in the city. The population density was 1,781.1 inhabitants per square mile (687.7/km2). There were 1,848 housing units at an average density of 641.9 units per square mile (247.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.00%White, 1.74% Black, 0.16%Native American, 0.47%Asian, 0.62% fromother races, and 1.01% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.50% of the population. 26% of Taneytown's residents wereGerman, 14%Irish, 10%English, 5%Italian, 3%French, 2%Polish, 2%Dutch, and 2%Scottish. People ofScotch-Irish,Lithuanian,Russian,Mexican andNorwegian descent each comprised 1% of the population.[11]
There were 1,786 households, out of which 47.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% weremarried couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,820, and the median income for a family was $49,615. Males had a median income of $31,862 versus $24,261 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $16,258. About 9.0% of families and 11.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
Taneytown was founded in 1754 and became the seat ofTaneytown Hundred in colonialFrederick County. Taneytown takes its name from Raphael Taney, a recipient of one of the first land grants in the area, though Taney likely never lived in the city that bears his name. U.S. Supreme Court JusticeRoger Brooke Taney, author of theDred Scott decision, born in 1777, shares a common ancestor with him, but likely never visited the town or had any connection.[12] When Carroll County was formed on 19 January 1837, Taneytown Hundred and Taneytown were included.
The community's proximity toGettysburg, Pennsylvania, and its location on the principal road from Gettysburg to Washington, D.C., led to its figuring in theBattle of Gettysburg, although no combat occurred there.
Much of the city was added to theNational Register of Historic Places as theTaneytown Historic District in 1986.[5]
There is aSteve Earle song called "Taneytown" on his albumEl Corazon.
In 2023, Christopher G. Miller won a three-way race for mayor against incumbent Bradley Wantz and Councilmember Daniel Haines. Miller was sworn in on May 8, 2023.[13]
In the May 5, 2025 municipal election for three at-large council seats, newcomers Stephen “Nick” Kalinock, Harry Meade, and Rachael R. Miller were elected, replacing prior members and bringing several first-time officeholders to the council.[14] Later in May 2025, the council selected Rachael R. Miller as Mayor Pro Tem.[15]
As of 2025, Taneytown’s mayor, Christopher G. Miller, and Councilmember Rachael R. Miller served concurrently, a rare occurrence in Maryland municipal government. According to available records, this appears to be the first documented instance in the state of a married couple holding those offices simultaneously. Rachael Miller was also selected asMayor Pro Tem beginning in May 2025—a further distinction, as this may likewise be a first in Maryland for spouses to serve in both the mayor and mayor pro tem roles.[16][17]
Taneytown was home to Fr.Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, Catholic priest, missionary, and Russian prince during the late 18th century.
Taneytown was the headquarters ofUnion Army GeneralGeorge Meade for a period during theAmerican Civil War. Fellow Civil War generalJacob G. Lauman was born in Taneytown.
CongressmanJoseph A. Goulden ofNew York was from a family with a house in Taneytown, where he usually stayed during the summer. Goulden was present in Gettysburg whenAbraham Lincoln delivered theGettysburg Address, and Goulden heard the speech in person.[18][19]
ActorFred Gwynne, star of TV'sThe Munsters, died in Taneytown on July 2, 1993, after he was diagnosed withpancreatic cancer.
ExplorerRogers Birnie was born in Taneytown in 1851. Shortly after his birth, his family moved toGettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Municipalities and communities ofCarroll County, Maryland,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county | |
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