Overview
Frederick County is Maryland's largest county by area. The City of Frederick is the county seat, with a walkable historic downtown along Carroll Creek. Other communities include Urbana, Middletown, Walkersville, Brunswick and Thurmont.
Getting around
I-270 connects Frederick to Montgomery County and Washington, D.C., and I-70 runs east to Baltimore and west to Hagerstown. MARC trains serve Frederick and Brunswick.
Types of homes
Rowhouses and historic homes downtown, newer planned communities in Urbana and around the city, and farms and acreage in the north and west of the county.
What to know before you buy here
- Planned communities in Urbana and around the city often have HOAs. Ask about dues, amenities and any upcoming assessments.
- Check whether an address is inside the City of Frederick or in the county, since some taxes and services differ.
- Farms and land in the north and west of the county usually have wells and septic. Plan for water and septic testing.
- I-270 traffic toward Montgomery County is heavy at rush hour. Try the commute, or the MARC train, before you buy.
Things to do nearby
- Downtown Frederick and Carroll Creek Linear Park
- Monocacy National Battlefield
- Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park
- The C&O Canal towpath along the Potomac
Dan's take
I really fell in love with Frederick County when I started taking my kids up there for jiu-jitsu. It has really built out, with lots of great restaurants and amenities, and your money goes a good bit further here than in the more eastern parts of Maryland, like Montgomery County. You're right off I-70, US 340 and US 15, which runs down into Virginia, so you can get to pretty much everything west of Washington, D.C. with relative ease, while still enjoying a little country living close to everyday conveniences. It may not be quite as convenient as Loudoun, Fairfax or Montgomery, but you'll still have what you need, and your money stretches further.
Common questions
Is Frederick County, MD cheaper than Montgomery County?
In Dan's experience, your money goes a good bit further in Frederick County than in Montgomery County, while you still have the restaurants, stores and amenities you need.
How do you commute from Frederick County to Washington, D.C.?
I-270 runs from Frederick through Montgomery County toward Washington, D.C. MARC trains also serve Frederick and Monocacy, plus Brunswick and Point of Rocks on the Brunswick Line.
How do you get from Frederick, MD to Virginia?
US 15 runs south from Frederick into Virginia toward Leesburg, and US 340 heads southwest toward Harpers Ferry and Charles Town, West Virginia.
Helpful links
- Frederick County, MD government (official site)
Tax rates, school assignments and HOA rules change. Confirm the details for a specific address with the county, the school system or the association before you buy.