Set between Washington and Baltimore is the historic city of Frederick. Founded in 1745, this colonial city served as an important crossroads in the United States and was the site of a major flashpoint battle during the Civil War. The preservation of history through its architecture has become central to Frederick’s identity. Recognized as a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this city of 80,000 people retains a historic, small-town feel while coursing with the vibrant, youthful energy of a city. Frederick boasts scenic waterfront parks, a burgeoning downtown arts scene, fine dining and a spread of locally loved breweries and distilleries.
Frederick was founded in 1745 and sits equal distances from both Washington DC and Baltimore.
Frederick has a booming arts and music scene, that features many different genres and mediums.
The Wine Kitchen is one of Frederick's classiest dining options, known for their wine flights.
The city of Frederick is home to 8 breweries, most of which are walking distance to downtown.
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Exploring scenic creekside parks
Baker Park, 58 acres surrounding a lake, is a popular gathering place featuring biking paths, playgrounds and a small concert venue. There’s also the “Swinging Bridge” for folks strolling over Carroll Creek; it’s the only iron suspension bridge in Frederick County, built in 1885 and restored several times over the years. East along the waterways is Carroll Creek Park, with a red-and-white brick footpath spanning a mile through downtown along either side of the winding Carrol Creek. This park features fountains, scenic bridges and boat rides. It also offers quick access to shopping and dining and the Carroll Creek Outdoor Amphitheater, which seats 350 people and holds a variety of performances throughout the year. Golfers can book a tee time at Clustered Spires Golf Club, the first public golf course in Frederick County. "A lot of the churches in Frederick were used as hospitals during the Civil War," says Jennifer Grove, a Frederick local and broker/owner at Bach Real Estate. History lovers can travel a few miles north to Monocacy National Battlefield, where the Confederates attempted to invade Maryland through the mountains. In downtown, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine is dedicated to Frederick's historic status as a Union field hospital during the battle.
The Swinging Bridge is a common entry point for those looking to enjoy Frederick's Baker Park.
Frederick's Summer Concert Series is held at the Baker Park Bandshell.
Events like the Hispanic Heritage Festival & Pride are held at Frederick's Carroll Creek Park.
History buffs flock to Frederick for attractions like the Museum of Civil War Medicine.
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Competitive housing market with condos, townhouses and spacious single-family homes
Frederick has a competitive housing market, with homes staying on the market for around 29 days, as opposed to the national average of 41 days. The median home price is around $455,000, with the average price per square foot hovering around $236. Homebuyers can expect to pay $600,000 to $850,000 for a four-bedroom single-family home on a half-acre. Folks can find two-bedroom condos on the low end of the range in neighborhoods like Frederick Heights, while townhouses with three or more bedrooms go for $1 million or more closer to downtown Frederick.
Colonial style homes are the most common architectural styles found in Frederick.
In and around downtown Frederick you'll find modest row houses along the tree lined streets.
Homebuyers can find a handful of tudor style homes scattered throughout the city of Frederick.
On the higher end of Frederick's housing market, buyers can find opulent victorian style homes.
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A historic downtown district with arts and breweries
Though known particularly for its fresh seafood, Frederick is also home to an array of options, from fine dining to modest cafes and trendy craft breweries. Most dining can be found downtown along major roads like Market Street and Patrick Street, with several fast-casual options available throughout. Downtown features a 50-block historic district, with many restaurants, shops and boutiques housed in old warehouses, factories and historic homes. Here in the historic heart of the city, old-world charm meets a vibrant modern aesthetic. A designated arts and theater district, downtown features art galleries and several performing arts theaters like the Weinberg Center for the Arts, Maryland Ensemble Theatre and New Spire Stages. From mid to late September, the Frederick Fairgrounds hosts The Great Frederick Fair. This event features all the classic county fair mainstays, like carnival rides, live entertainment and competitive exhibits. To the west is District 40, a newer shopping center with a Home Depot and movie theater, while south of the city limit is Francis Scott Key Mall, with over 80 retailers including Barnes & Noble, Dick's Sporting Goods and Macy’s.
The Weinberg Center for the Arts is the most notable theatre in Frederick.
The Great Frederick Fair is the largest event for the county & is held just outside of the city.
Warehouse Cinemas is Frederick's newest entertainment addition located on route 40.
The Francis Scott Key Mall is Frederick's hub for all things retail.
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Frederick County Public Schools are acclaimed
Frederick County Public Schools is a highly rated school district, scoring an A-minus on Niche and ranking No. 7 in Best School Districts in Maryland. Some notable schools include Sugarloaf Elementary School, Urbana Middle School and Urbana High School. The district stands out with its exceptional athletics programs and rigorous academics, offering Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Gifted and Talented programs. There is also a range of private schools to choose from, like St. John Regional Catholic School, Frederick Christian Academy and New Life Christian School. For those pursuing higher education, Hood College is located downtown.
Sugarloaf Elementary is Urbana's newest elementary school.
United by high standards, Urbana High School empowers students to achieve their best.
Frederick High School is located in heart of the city.
Push yourself to your best at Hood College located in western Baker Park.
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Connected by major roadways and county commerce
Major thoroughfares Interstates 270 and 70 and U.S. Routes 15 and 40 run through Frederick, connecting the city to Baltimore and Washington. Though most residents rely on cars to get around, Frederick provides public transportation through 10 connector routes throughout the city and into the greater Frederick County area. For national travel, the Hagerstown Regional Airport is 36 miles northwest. For international travel, the Dulles International Airport is 40 miles south.
“It’s more affordable than Montgomery County, [while] still a D.C. suburb with a commutable distance," says Grove. "We also have Fort Detrick and a biomedical community of workers here." Frederick County is considered Maryland’s fastest-growing county. The city’s skilled workforce and relative affordability compared to other D.C. adjacent counties attract many working professionals in the region. Fort Detrick is a military installation in north Frederick that is the city’s largest employer, with over 10,000 workers commuting there daily. Other large employers include Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick Health Hospital and the county government, since the city is the county seat. Private sector employers include AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical company, and the supermarket chain Aldi, which has an office in town.
Frederick forecasts
According to Bestplaces.net, the rate of violent crime is 30.9 incidents per 1,000 residents during a standard year, compared to the national average of 22.9 incidents per 1,000 residents. Despite this, the city averages 33 incidents of property crime per 1,000 residents, close to the national average of 35.4. Violent crime has trended downward in the past 10 years in the city as well. Though the city currently offers some bike routes, there are plans to expand the current infrastructure. This will be accomplished through Frederick’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan, which strives to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, driving in the city and traffic congestion. The first step will be to improve and further develop the pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure. The city of Frederick usually gets hot, humid summers and snowy winters, as it’s settled at the base of the Catoctin Mountain Range. On average, Frederick gets 20.5 inches of snowfall, but folks residing farther north in the county can expect annual snowfall of up to 40.5 inches.
Frederick boasts a handful of bike and walking paths, with more planned in the next few years.
Frederick's Pinecliff Park is a hotspot for kayaking during the hot summer months.
As Frederick sits at the base of the Catoctin Mountains, the city gets 20 inches of snow yearly.
While Frederick is extremely walkable, traffic can be an issue from 3p to 6p each weekday.
On average, homes in Frederick, MD sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Frederick, MD over the last 12 months is $451,490, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
