Garrett County | |
|---|---|
 Garrett County Courthouse in December 2013 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMaryland | |
 Maryland's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:39°17′N79°22′W / 39.28°N 79.37°W /39.28; -79.37 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Maryland |
| Founded | November 4, 1872 |
| Named after | John Work Garrett |
| Seat | Oakland |
| Largest town | Mountain Lake Park |
| Area | |
• Total | 656 sq mi (1,700 km2) |
| • Land | 647 sq mi (1,680 km2) |
| • Water | 8.6 sq mi (22 km2) 1.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 28,806 |
• Estimate (2023) | 28,423 |
| • Density | 44/sq mi (17/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
Garrett County (/ɡɛrɪt/) is the westernmostcounty of theU.S. state ofMaryland, completely within theAppalachian Mountains. As of the2020 United States census, the population was 28,806,[1] making it the third-least populous county in Maryland. Itscounty seat isOakland.[2] The county was named forJohn Work Garrett (1820–1884), president of theBaltimore and Ohio Railroad.[3] Created fromAllegany County in 1872, it was the last county to be formed in the state. The county is part of theWestern Maryland region of the state. Garrett County is bordered by four West Virginia counties and to the north the Maryland–Pennsylvania boundary known as theMason–Dixon line.[4] The eastern border withAllegany County was defined by the Bauer Report, submitted to GovernorLloyd Lowndes, Jr. on November 9, 1898.[5] ThePotomac River andState of West Virginia lie to the south and west.
Garrett County lies in theAllegheny Mountains, which here form the western flank of theAppalachian Mountain Range.Hoye-Crest, a summit alongBackbone Mountain, is the highest point in Maryland at an elevation of 3,360 feet (1,020 m).[6]
TheEastern Continental Divide runs along portions ofBackbone Mountain. The western part of the county, drained by theYoughiogheny River, is the only part of Maryland within theMississippi Riverdrainage basin. All other parts of the county are in theChesapeake Bay basin.
TheNational Register of Historic Places listings in Garrett County, Maryland has 20National Register of Historic Places[7] properties and districts, includingCasselman Bridge, National Road aNational Historic Landmark. Garrett County is part ofMaryland's 6th congressional district. The extreme south of the county lies within theUnited States National Radio Quiet Zone.
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In the early 20th century, the railroad and tourism started to decline. Coal mining and timber production continued at a much slower pace. Today,tourism has made a dramatic rebound in the county with logging and farming making up the greatest part of the economic base. Due to a cool climate and lack of any large city, Garrett County has remained a sparsely populated rural area.
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According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 656 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 647 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 8.6 square miles (22 km2) (1.3%) is water.[8] It is the second-largest county in Maryland by land area.
Garrett County is located entirely within the highland zone of theAppalachian Mountains known variously as theAllegheny Mountains, theAllegheny Plateau, and theAppalachian Plateau. The county's highest elevations are located along four flat-topped ridges and range to a height of 3,360 feet (1,020 m) atHoye-Crest alongBackbone Mountain, the highest point in the state of Maryland.[9] As is typical in the Allegheny region, broad flats generally lie below the ridge crests at elevations of approximately 500 feet (150 m). River valleys are generally narrow and deep, with ravines typically 1,000 to 1,800 feet (550 m) below surrounding peaks.
The county contains over 76,000 acres (310 km2) of parks, lakes, and publicly accessible forestland. It is drained by two river systems, thePotomac and theYoughiogheny. TheSavage River, a tributary of the Potomac, drains about a third of the county. TheCasselman River, a tributary of the Youghiogheny, flows north from the county's central section into Pennsylvania. The Youghiogheny itself drains the westernmost area of the county and flows north into Pennsylvania, where it empties into theMonongahela River atMcKeesport, just south ofPittsburgh.[10]
The Glades' 601 acres (2.43 km2) is of great scientific interest because it is an ombrotrophic system (fed solely by rainwater) with peat layers up to 9 feet (2.7 m) thick, and is one of the oldest examples of mountain peatland in theAppalachians.[11]
On the western edge of theSavage River State Forest alongMaryland Route 495 liesBittinger, Maryland, which is named afterHenry Bittinger, who first settled in the area and who was joined by other German settlers moving in and taking up the fertile farmland. On the eastern edge of Bittinger is one of the largestglades area of Garrett County. Geographically, this is an area that seems to have been affected by the last great ice sheet of North America. Two miles southeast of Bittinger, there is a large deposit ofpeat moss.
In theCasselman River valley, 1-mile (1.6 km) south ofGrantsville, Maryland and besideMaryland Route 495, one can see remains of geological evidence about the last great ice sheet over North America. A series of low mounds can be seen in the fields on the west side ofMaryland Route 495 that are "loess" (wind-blown) material. Apparently, these are the only ones still visible in the northern part of Garrett County.
The mounds were formed when a glacier lake existed in the Casselman valley, and the ice around the edges of the frozen lake melted. Wind blew fine grains of earth into the water around the edges where it sank to the bottom, and the mounds were the result of the deposit of this wind-blown material.
See these articles for information on the forests, rivers, and caves of Garrett County:
Garrett County contains over 76,000 acres (310 km2) of parks, lakes, and publicly accessible forestland. Popular activities in the county include camping, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, alpine and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, ice fishing, fly fishing, whitewater canoeing, kayaking, rafting, boating, swimming, sailing, horseback riding, and water skiing.[16]
There are seven state parks in Garrett County. All offer picnic and fishing areas; all but Casselman River State Park have hiking paths. Mountain bike paths, swimming areas, and boat launches and rentals are available at Deep Creek, Herrington Manor, and New Germany state parks. Rental cabins are available at Herrington Manor and New Germany state parks. Big Run, Deep Creek, Herrington Manor, and New Germany state parks all offer canoeing, while campsites may be found at Big Run, Deep Creek, New Germany, and Swallow Falls state parks.[17]
Garrett County owns four park sites and fifteen recreation facilities. The parks are maintained in cooperation with local associations and civic groups. The recreation areas are attached to public schools and colleges and maintained by the Garrett County Board of Education.[19]
The municipal parks of Garrett County provide sport facilities, hiking, bike and walk paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps, and fishing.[20]
The Ruth Enlow Library was founded in 1915 as the Oakland Free Public Library. Since then, an additional four branches have been added to the library system in Accident, Friendsville, Grantsville, and Kitzmiller. The present director of the library is Thomas Vose.[21]
The Garrett County Historical Society and Museums include a Historical Museum, a Transportation Museum, the Grantsville Museum and the Leo Beachley Photographic Archives.[22]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 12,175 | — | |
| 1890 | 14,213 | 16.7% | |
| 1900 | 17,701 | 24.5% | |
| 1910 | 20,105 | 13.6% | |
| 1920 | 19,678 | −2.1% | |
| 1930 | 19,908 | 1.2% | |
| 1940 | 21,981 | 10.4% | |
| 1950 | 21,259 | −3.3% | |
| 1960 | 20,420 | −3.9% | |
| 1970 | 21,476 | 5.2% | |
| 1980 | 26,498 | 23.4% | |
| 1990 | 28,138 | 6.2% | |
| 2000 | 29,846 | 6.1% | |
| 2010 | 30,097 | 0.8% | |
| 2020 | 28,806 | −4.3% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 28,423 | [23] | −1.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[24] 1790-1960[25] 1900-1990[26] 1990-2000[27] 2010[28] 2020[29] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[28] | Pop 2020[29] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 29,278 | 27,402 | 97.28% | 95.13% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 299 | 239 | 0.99% | 0.83% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 37 | 33 | 0.12% | 0.11% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 76 | 82 | 0.25% | 0.28% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 2 | 54 | 0.01% | 0.19% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 185 | 673 | 0.61% | 2.34% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 220 | 321 | 0.73% | 1.11% |
| Total | 30,097 | 28,806 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
As of the2010 United States Census, there were 30,097 people, 12,057 households, and 8,437 families residing in the county.[30] The population density was 46.5 inhabitants per square mile (18.0/km2). There were 18,854 housing units at an average density of 29.1 per square mile (11.2/km2).[31] The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 1.0% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population.[30] In terms of ancestry, 35.4% wereGerman, 13.6% identified asAmerican, 11.3% wereIrish, and 11.3% wereEnglish.[32]
Of the 12,057 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 42.7 years.[30]
The median income for a household in the county was $45,760 and the median income for a family was $56,545. Males had a median income of $40,035 versus $27,325 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,888. About 8.9% of families and 12.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those aged 65 or over.[33]
As of thecensus[34] of 2000, there were 29,846 people, 11,476 households, and 8,354 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 18/km2 (46/sq mi). There were 16,761 housing units at an average density of 10/km2 (26/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 98.83%White, 0.43%Black orAfrican American, 0.07%Native American, 0.19%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.09% fromother races, and 0.37% from two or more races. 0.44% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 36.1% were ofGerman, 22.9% identified asAmerican, 9.6%English and 8.8%Irish ancestry.
There were 11,476 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% weremarried couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.10% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,238, and the median income for a family was $37,811. Males had a median income of $29,469 versus $20,673 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,219. 13.30% of the population and 9.80% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 16.60% are under the age of 18 and 13.90% are 65 or older.
Garrett County is home to anAmish community in the Oakland area that consists of a church district of about 70 homes. The Amish community dates back to 1850 and became associated with theNew Order Amish, with electricity permitted inside of homes.[35]
The county is governed by an elected three-memberBoard of County Commissioners, whose members serve four-year terms and must live in the district they represent. The Board is the traditional form of county government in Maryland. It may exercise only those powers conferred by theGeneral Assembly of Maryland,[36] and even those powers are narrowly construed.
Garrett County is administered under a line organizational method, with the County Administrator responsible for the general administration of County Government. The administration of the county is centralized with the County Administrator responsible for overseeing the financial planning, annual budget process, personnel management, and direction and management of operations within the organization.[36]
On December 15, 1977, the seal[5] of Garrett County went into effect by virtue of Resolution #7. The seal is elliptical, with the name "Garrett County" inscribed above the upper fourth of the ellipse, and "Maryland 1872" inscribed below the lower fourth of the ellipse. The date "1872" depicts the year of the formation of Garrett County. The seal illustrates a large snowflake to depict winter; water to represent sailing; and oaks and conifer to represent the county's mountains. The colors are peacock blue for the sky and water. The blue and white background is divided by kelly green.
The official flag[5] for Garrett County is elliptical. The flag illustrates a large snowflake to depict winter; water to represent sailing; and oaks and conifer to represent the county's mountains. The colors are peacock blue for the sky and water. The blue and white background is divided by kelly green.
Although since the Civil War Maryland has been a Democratic-leaning state, Garrett County, owing to its history ofGerman settlement from north of theMason–Dixon line, plus strong pre-warUnionism resulting from virtual absence ofslaves,[37] has always been strongly Republican. Since it was created in 1872, Garrett is one of forty counties across the nation (chieflyUnionist strongholds inantebellum slave states) to have never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate.[38][39] Compared with neighbouring and closely alliedGrant County, West Virginia, Garrett has not shown quite the same levels of Republican support –Lyndon Johnson did get within 109 votes ofBarry Goldwater in 1964 – but as with Grant County, the only occasion Garrett County has not been carried by the official Republican nominee occurred in 1912 when a major split in the Republican Party allowed "Bull Moose Party" nominee and former PresidentTheodore Roosevelt to claim the county. Since 1996, no Democratic presidential nominee has won even 30% of the county's vote, and not since 2010 has Garrett County voted Democratic in any statewide election.
Garrett County has been the most conservative county in Maryland in the 21st century. Owing to its strong Republican lean, Garrett County sometimes votes against ballot measures that the rest of the state approves by large margins. In 2022, Garrett County was the only county in the state to vote against legalizing recreational cannabis via2022 Maryland Question 4. In 2024, Garrett County was the only county in the state to vote against enshrining a right to abortion in the state constitution via2024 Maryland Question 1.
Garrett County is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by the6th congressional district, which includes part of northwestern metro DC. The district is currently represented by DemocratDavid Trone.
| Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024[40] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 13,710 | 66.38% | |||
| Democratic | 3,536 | 17.12% | |||
| Unaffiliated | 3,090 | 14.96% | |||
| Libertarian | 110 | 0.53% | |||
| Other parties | 207 | 1% | |||
| Total | 20,653 | 100% | |||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 11,983 | 75.66% | 3,456 | 21.82% | 399 | 2.52% |
| 2020 | 12,002 | 76.88% | 3,281 | 21.02% | 328 | 2.10% |
| 2016 | 10,776 | 76.91% | 2,567 | 18.32% | 668 | 4.77% |
| 2012 | 9,743 | 74.05% | 3,124 | 23.74% | 290 | 2.20% |
| 2008 | 8,903 | 69.17% | 3,736 | 29.02% | 233 | 1.81% |
| 2004 | 9,085 | 72.77% | 3,291 | 26.36% | 108 | 0.87% |
| 2000 | 7,514 | 70.52% | 2,872 | 26.95% | 269 | 2.52% |
| 1996 | 5,400 | 55.18% | 3,121 | 31.89% | 1,265 | 12.93% |
| 1992 | 5,714 | 54.01% | 2,856 | 26.99% | 2,010 | 19.00% |
| 1988 | 6,665 | 71.81% | 2,557 | 27.55% | 60 | 0.65% |
| 1984 | 7,042 | 74.31% | 2,386 | 25.18% | 49 | 0.52% |
| 1980 | 5,475 | 64.07% | 2,708 | 31.69% | 362 | 4.24% |
| 1976 | 4,640 | 58.20% | 3,332 | 41.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1972 | 5,480 | 76.60% | 1,510 | 21.11% | 164 | 2.29% |
| 1968 | 4,021 | 59.38% | 1,933 | 28.54% | 818 | 12.08% |
| 1964 | 3,624 | 50.76% | 3,515 | 49.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 5,057 | 68.21% | 2,357 | 31.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 5,555 | 73.09% | 2,045 | 26.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 4,980 | 68.42% | 2,281 | 31.34% | 18 | 0.25% |
| 1948 | 3,536 | 64.34% | 1,909 | 34.73% | 51 | 0.93% |
| 1944 | 4,162 | 67.97% | 1,961 | 32.03% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 4,387 | 60.68% | 2,805 | 38.80% | 38 | 0.53% |
| 1936 | 4,057 | 55.03% | 3,252 | 44.11% | 64 | 0.87% |
| 1932 | 3,048 | 56.00% | 2,232 | 41.01% | 163 | 2.99% |
| 1928 | 4,371 | 78.38% | 1,168 | 20.94% | 38 | 0.68% |
| 1924 | 2,594 | 61.79% | 1,226 | 29.20% | 378 | 9.00% |
| 1920 | 2,805 | 70.25% | 1,070 | 26.80% | 118 | 2.96% |
| 1916 | 1,808 | 61.21% | 1,031 | 34.90% | 115 | 3.89% |
| 1912 | 655 | 22.43% | 1,005 | 34.42% | 1,260 | 43.15% |
| 1908 | 2,055 | 61.97% | 1,121 | 33.81% | 140 | 4.22% |
| 1904 | 2,051 | 66.96% | 947 | 30.92% | 65 | 2.12% |
| 1900 | 2,259 | 63.10% | 1,283 | 35.84% | 38 | 1.06% |
| 1896 | 2,058 | 60.67% | 1,277 | 37.65% | 57 | 1.68% |
| 1892 | 1,556 | 52.57% | 1,323 | 44.70% | 81 | 2.74% |
| 1888 | 1,533 | 54.91% | 1,239 | 44.38% | 20 | 0.72% |
| 1884 | 1,369 | 52.73% | 1,172 | 45.15% | 55 | 2.12% |
| 1880 | 1,210 | 50.59% | 1,124 | 46.99% | 58 | 2.42% |
| 1876 | 995 | 50.43% | 978 | 49.57% | 0 | 0.00% |
The county is policed by theGarrett County Sheriff's Office and theMaryland State Police.
Thestate parks are policed by theDepartment of Natural Resources Police.
The county established an Office of theFire Marshal in 2022, working in collaboration with the Maryland State Office established in 1894.[42]
Garrett County producesnatural gas, the only county in the state to do so.[16] Much of the economic activity in the area centers around tourism. In the winter, the Wisp ski resort in Oakland and New Germany State Park's cross-country skiing trail are frequent destinations, and Deep Creek Lake sees much activity in the summer. The state parks in the county are frequented year-round. During theCovid-19 Pandemic, tourism boomed as many people fromWashington, DC,Baltimore, andPittsburgh wanted to get away from the city.
_from_the_overpass_for_Maryland_State_Route_495_(Bittinger_Road)_just_southwest_of_Grantsville_in_Casselman%2c_Garrett_County%2c_Maryland.jpg)
Garrett County Airport (2G4) is a general aviation airport surrounded by the mountains ofWestern Maryland. The airport enhances the region's tourist industry and provides emergency air service evacuation and landing facilities forgeneral aviation.[43]
Garrett County is part of thePittsburgh, Pennsylvania television market.KDKA-TV andWTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, andWJAC-TV in Johnstown, Pennsylvania serves Oakland, the county seat. Oakland also has an educational television station (by way ofPBS member station WGPT, part of state-wideMaryland Public Television; it is also served by Pittsburgh-based member stationWQED).
It has a weekly newspaper, theGarrett County Republican, which was purchased by NCWV Media in 2017.[44]
Annual events include theAutumn Glory Festival, theScottish Highland Festival, and theGarrett County Agricultural Fair.
TheUnited States Census Bureau recognizes sevencensus-designated places (CDPs) in Garrett County.
The following communities are classified as populated places or locales by the Geographic Names Information System.
Garrett College is a public community college in McHenry, Maryland. The college had three outreach centers in Accident, Grantsville, and Oakland.
Garrett County Public Schools operates public schools. There are two public high schools in the county,Southern Garrett High School andNorthern Garrett High School, two public middle schools, Southern Garrett Middle School and Northern Garrett Middle School, and seven public elementary schools, Accident Elementary School, Broad Ford Elementary School, Crellin Elementary School, Friendsville Elementary School, Grantsville Elementary School, Route 40 Elementary School, and Yough Glades Elementary School. There is also one K-8 public school in the county, which is Swan Meadow School.[47]
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Places adjacent to Garrett County, Maryland | |
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Municipalities and communities ofGarrett County, Maryland,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Annapolis (capital) | |
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39°17′N79°22′W / 39.283°N 79.367°W /39.283; -79.367
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