Garrett County, Maryland
According to countryaah.com, Garrett County is located in the westernmost part of Maryland and is bordered by West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County. The county seat is Oakland and the population as of 2019 was estimated to be 30,097 people according to the US Census Bureau. Garrett County is known for its numerous outdoor recreation opportunities, making it a popular destination for visitors from across the country.
The county has a total area of 656 square miles with two-thirds of it being forest land. The county’s highest point is Hoye-Crest at 3,360 feet above sea level. Garrett County has four major rivers – the Youghiogheny River, Savage River, North Branch Potomac River and Casselman River – providing numerous opportunities for kayaking, canoeing and fishing.
The economy of Garrett County is largely based on tourism with ski resorts like Wisp Resort drawing visitors year round for skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling in winter months and mountain biking during summer months. Other popular attractions include Deep Creek Lake State Park which offers swimming, hiking trails and boating activities; Swallow Falls State Park which features a scenic waterfall; Adventure Sports Center International; Ohiopyle State Park; Great Allegheny Passage; Western Maryland Scenic Railroad; Herrington Manor State Park; New Germany State Park; Casselman River Bridge State Park and more.
The median household income in Garrett County is $51,400 which is slightly higher than the national average according to 2019 US Census data. The poverty rate in Garrett County is 9% compared to 13% nationally. The largest employers in Garrett County are healthcare providers such as Garrett Regional Medical Center that employs over 500 people combined with other small healthcare businesses throughout the county. Other major employers include schools such as Frostburg University; manufacturing companies like Bausch & Lomb Inc.; retail stores like Walmart; food service companies like McDonald’s; government agencies such as City Hall and County Courthouse; lumber mills like Allegheny Wood Products Co.; hospitality companies like Wisp Resort Hotel & Conference Center and more.
Garrett County has plenty of recreational activities available year-round including fishing on Deep Creek Lake or swimming in Youghiogheny River during summer months or hitting ski slopes during winter months at Wisp Resort or Seven Springs Mountain Resort located nearby in Pennsylvania. There are also plenty of hiking trails throughout much of Garrett’s rural landscape for those looking for outdoor adventure or attending festivals such as Autumn Glory Festival held every October that includes live music performances, parades, arts & crafts vendors and more throughout downtown Oakland each day during its duration.
History of Garrett County, Maryland
Garrett County, Maryland is the westernmost county in the state, bordered by Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The county was established in 1872 and is named after John Work Garrett, president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad during that time. Garrett County has a rich history that dates back to its earliest settlers who arrived in the late 1700’s.
The area was originally inhabited by Native Americans, including the Shawnee and Susquehannock tribes. In 1744, Thomas Cresap built a cabin near what is now Oakland, Maryland and later acquired much of the land from these tribes through treaties. Cresap’s son Michael Cresap became known as the “Father of Western Maryland” for his role in settling this area of Maryland.
In 1817, Garrett County was officially established as a separate county within Maryland. This new county was named after John Work Garrett who had been an influential figure in establishing transportation routes throughout this region of Maryland via railroads and canals. The first courthouse for Garrett County was built in Oakland in 1820 and remains standing today as part of the town’s historic district.
Garrett County remained largely rural throughout much of its history with agriculture being one of its primary industries until tourism began to become more popular during the late 19th century with visitors coming to experience its scenery such as Deep Creek Lake or Herrington Manor State Park or take part in activities like skiing at Wisp Resort or Seven Springs Mountain Resort located nearby in Pennsylvania.
Today, Garrett County continues to be a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to take advantage of all that it has to offer from skiing and snowboarding during winter months to mountain biking during summer months or fishing on Deep Creek Lake year-round. It also remains an important agricultural center with apple orchards being one of its most prominent crops along with cattle ranching operations throughout much of its rural landscape.
Major cities and towns in Garrett County, Maryland
Garrett County, Maryland is home to several cities and towns of varying sizes. The largest city in the county is Oakland, which serves as the county seat and has a population of 1,831 people. This picturesque town was first settled in 1744 and is known for its historic district which includes the original 1820 courthouse and several other 19th century buildings. It’s also home to Garrett College, a community college that serves the county’s students.
The second largest town in Garrett County is McHenry with a population of 732 people. It’s located on the eastern shore of Deep Creek Lake and is popular with tourists for its many attractions including Herrington Manor State Park and Wisp Resort which offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing, mountain biking and more. Also located nearby are several golf courses including Lodestone Golf Club, Fantasy Valley Golf Course & Country Club and Lodestone National Golf Course.
The third largest city in Garrett County is Friendsville with a population of 527 people. This small town was founded in 1786 by Quakers from Pennsylvania who were looking for religious freedom away from their old homes. It’s known for its tight-knit community atmosphere as well as its annual Apple Festival which celebrates the area’s apple orchards that have been an important part of Garrett County since colonial times.
Other towns in Garrett County include Grantsville (population 464), Accident (population 348) and Mount Lake Park (population 327). Grantsville was founded in 1791 by German settlers who came to this area seeking religious freedom while Accident was established in 1820 as an industrial center due to its proximity to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad line that ran through it at that time. Mount Lake Park was originally developed as a resort community before becoming an incorporated town in 1922.
Garrett County also includes several unincorporated areas such as Kitzmiller (population 645), Swanton (population 578) and New Germany (population 333). All three areas are located within close proximity to Deep Creek Lake which makes them popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts looking to take advantage of all that it has to offer from fishing during summer months or skiing at Wisp Resort during winter months.
Population in Garrett County, Maryland
According to Act-Test-Centers, Garrett County, Maryland is located in the westernmost part of the state and has a population of just over 30,000 people. It is the second least populated county in the state, however it is one of the fastest growing counties with a population growth rate of 8.7% between 2010 and 2019. The largest town in Garrett County is Oakland which has a population of 1,919 people. Oakland was founded in 1874 and is known for its historical 19th-c
The population demographics of Garrett County are fairly diverse with the majority (82.1%) being white non-Hispanic followed by Hispanic (6%) and African American (5%). The median age in Garrett County is 42 years old with 22% being under 18 years old and 15% being over 65 years old. The median household income is $50,000 while the per capita income is $25,000.
In terms of education, Garrett County has an overall graduation rate of 83%, slightly higher than the national average of 79%. There are seven public school districts in Garrett County as well as several private schools and charter schools that serve students from kindergarten to high school level. Additionally, there are two post-secondary institutions located within Garrett County – Garrett College and Frostburg State University – that offer degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
The economy in Garrett County relies heavily on agriculture with 48% of total employment coming from this sector. Other major industries include manufacturing (17%), retail trade (14%), hospitality & leisure (8%), construction (4%) and government services (3%). The unemployment rate in Garrett County stands at 5%, lower than both state’s average unemployment rate which stands at 6%.
Garrett County offers its residents a unique mix of rural living combined with modern amenities like healthcare facilities, educational institutions and recreational activities that make it an attractive place to live for families looking for a small-town atmosphere close to larger cities like Baltimore or Washington DC.
