WASHINGTON COUNTY APPROVED BUDGET
FY 2026
Community Profile
Location
Washington County is situated in northwestern Maryland, bordered by Pennsylvania to the north and West Virginia to the south. It is bordered on the east by Frederick County, Maryland and on the west by Allegany County, Maryland. Washington County is approximately 467 square miles in area. The County Seat, Hagerstown, is 70 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. and 72 miles
west of Baltimore. Two major highways, Interstate 81 – running north and south, and Interstate 70 – running east and west, cross within the County’s borders.
The majority of Washington County is fertile valley with rolling terrain. The lowland belt known as the Hagerstown Valley, which lies between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the Appalachian ridges to the east, is an extension of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Washington County is a great place, not only for locating a business, but also for living and raising a family. The rural, friendly, community environment offers a taste of traditional values – and the proximity to Baltimore and Washington D.C. offers access to a metropolitan culture and lifestyle. It is the best of both worlds.
Culture and Recreation
Founded in 1776, Washington County was the first county in the United States to be named for then General George Washington. The history of Washington County is exhibited at 5 national parks, 8 state parks, 14 county parks, numerous monuments and more than 35 museums that tell America’s story spanning three centuries. Hagerstown was founded by German immigrant Jonathan Hager who was a volunteer Captain of Scouts during the French and Indian War. Located in the center of the Great Valley in Western Central Maryland, Hagerstown was at the crossroads of the Civil War. The Valley provided a natural corridor for refugees and troop movements between Virginia and Pennsylvania. As a regional crossroads town, just north of the Potomac River, Hagerstown was a favorite staging area for military leaders traversing the region.
A revitalized Arts & Entertainment District in downtown Hagerstown complements shopping, historical sites, and museums in Washington County. Residents and visitors discover a wonderful collection of beautifully renovated retail shops, restaurants, and condominiums all within walking distance of cultural
2026 Budget Document
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