Published county profile · Official data · FIPS 24021

Frederick County, Maryland

County-level income, housing, jobs, education, health, and population with transparent statewide comparisons and source periods.

Population287,048
Household income$122,002
Unemployment2.6%
Life expectancy80 years

County overview

Living metrics at a glance

Frederick County has 287,048 residents and ranks #7 by population among Maryland county equivalents. Median household income is $122,002. The annual-average unemployment rate is 2.6%. Its clearest relative strength is unemployment rate. Its county population is above the state county median. Every figure below stays at county scope.

Within Maryland

County population range

The marker places this county between the smallest and largest county populations in the state.

State rank#7 of 24
Smallest county287,048 residentsMontgomery County

Relocation guide

Moving to Frederick County: what to check

Data narrows the search; municipality, neighborhood, commute, schools, and current listings complete the decision.

Before moving

Before moving, compare municipalities inside Frederick County, because county averages do not describe every neighborhood. Review current housing inventory, commute destinations, school districts, healthcare access, and job locations. Its clearest relative strength is unemployment rate.

Cost and housing

Housing benchmarks are $464,600 median home value and $1,774/mo median gross rent. Set those costs against a median household income of $122,002, while remembering that household circumstances and municipalities vary.

Who it may suit

Frederick County may be worth a closer look for movers prioritizing unemployment rate, bachelor’s degree or higher, and life expectancy. College attainment is 45.8% and life expectancy is 80 years.

Potential advantages

  • Unemployment rate: 2.6%, rank #3 of 24 available Maryland counties.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 45.8%, rank #3 of 24 available Maryland counties.
  • Life expectancy: 80 years, rank #3 of 24 available Maryland counties.

Trade-offs to check

  • Median home value: $464,600, rank #21 of 24; investigate local variation before moving.
  • Median gross rent: $1,774/mo, rank #19 of 24; investigate local variation before moving.
  • Mental health access: 1 per 320 residents, rank #11 of 24; investigate local variation before moving.

Income, housing, jobs, education & health

County metrics within Maryland

Rank and range use only counties in Maryland with that field available. A lower rank number is stronger when the metric has a clear direction.

Median household income $122,002

$122,002; above the state county median of $91,888.

State rank #6 of 24 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Median home value $464,600

$464,600; above the state county median of $380,550.

State rank #21 of 24 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Median gross rent $1,774/mo

$1,774/mo; above the state county median of $1,402/mo.

State rank #19 of 24 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Unemployment rate 2.6%

2.6%; below the state county median of 3.2%.

State rank #3 of 24 · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Bachelor’s degree or higher 45.8%

45.8%; above the state county median of 36.6%.

State rank #3 of 24 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Life expectancy 80 years

80 years; above the state county median of 76.9 years.

State rank #3 of 24 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Poor or fair health 14.8%

14.8%; below the state county median of 15.6%.

State rank #10 of 24 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Uninsured 5.2%

5.2%; below the state county median of 6.1%.

State rank #6 of 24 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Primary care access 1 per 1,782 residents

1 per 1,782 residents; below the state county median of 1 per 1,867 residents.

State rank #10 of 24 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Mental health access 1 per 320 residents

1 per 320 residents; below the state county median of 1 per 356 residents.

State rank #11 of 24 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

Common questions

Frederick County FAQ

Is Frederick County a good place to live?

Frederick County may be worth a closer look for movers prioritizing unemployment rate, bachelor’s degree or higher, and life expectancy. College attainment is 45.8% and life expectancy is 80 years.

What should I know before moving to Frederick County?

Start with housing, employment, commute, schools, healthcare access, and the specific municipality. Housing benchmarks are $464,600 median home value and $1,774/mo median gross rent. Set those costs against a median household income of $122,002, while remembering that household circumstances and municipalities vary.

What is the population of Frederick County?

Frederick County has 287,048 residents in the 2020–2024 ACS 5-year dataset.

What is the FIPS code for Frederick County?

The five-digit county FIPS code is 24021; the parent state FIPS is 24.

What is the median household income in Frederick County?

The ACS median household income is $122,002.

How much does housing cost in Frederick County?

Housing benchmarks are $464,600 median home value and $1,774/mo median gross rent. Set those costs against a median household income of $122,002, while remembering that household circumstances and municipalities vary.

What is the unemployment rate in Frederick County?

The BLS LAUS annual-average unemployment rate is 2.6%.

Similar population

Nearby counties in the state ranking

Source and gate

Methodology and source periods

All records join by five-digit FIPS. Profiles publish when ACS county population is at least 100,000 or the county is the state’s largest. Missing source values remain unavailable and are excluded from ranks. Runtime data was generated 2026-07-26.

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