Since the 1800s, Hagerstown has been known as Hub City in Western Maryland, a nickname that denotes the significance of the town’s location at the convergence of Maryland’s railways. Although this has since faded with the decline of American rail travel, the city is currently going through what could be called a renaissance. Central, the city’s downtown neighborhood, has recently experienced a boost of activity that has locals comparing to Hagerstown its more famous neighbor, Frederick. “I don’t like to think of Hagerstown as following in Frederick’s footsteps. Even though they’re in neighboring counties, they’re very different,” says Bethany Gosnell, Realtor with The Agency who has lived in Maryland since 2006. “Hagerstown has half of Frederick’s inhabitants, so it’s going to take more than 10-15 years for it to be comparable in terms of traffic congestion and overpopulation and to lose that small town feeling that people are attached to.” While new developments have sprung up around the outskirts, Central itself is full of renovated 19th-century row houses that line the narrow streets. An influx of funding and an uptick in business interest has culminated in the construction of Meritus Park, a state-of-the-art baseball stadium. Residents can be found having lunch at the pubs in the center of town, strolling along the shady trails of Hagerstown City Park or catching up in line for donuts that have been a community tradition for over 80 years.. “Hagerstown sometimes feels like the middle child that is constantly compared to the younger and older siblings who are just bigger and taller,” Gosnell adds. “But then you have a conversation with the middle child, and you find out they’re the coolest one of the bunch.”
Major railways pass through Hagerstown, giving it's nickname Hub City.
“Hub City” comes from the railroad lines running into Hagerstown resembled the spokes of a wheel
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Calling Central home
Much of the housing stock in Central Hagerstown consists of Federal-style brick townhouses with neat rows of windows looking out over the sidewalk-lined streets. There are also several Victorian duplexes scattered about, which feature narrow alleyways leading to small backyards on either side. Most residential buildings were constructed between 1880 and 1920 and have undergone extensive interior renovations. Prices range from $125,000 to over $300,000, depending on the condition of the property and the number of bedrooms. In this mixed-use neighborhood, buyers should be wary of rising commercial real estate prices being used as comparables. Prospective owners can also take advantage of services like Homestore, a nonprofit that supports first-time buyers in Washington County. “They’ll help you fill out applications, they’ll go over a budget with you, they’ll help you plan for a real estate goal for a year down the road,” Gosnell says. “It’s similar to what a real estate agent and a lender would do, but this is a storefront for that purpose. It’s part of a goal to increase homeownership here.”
A large crowd enjoys music on a summer evening in University Plaza, Hagerstown.
Simple but quaint brick town homes are common in Hagerstown.
Downtown Hagerstown is highly walkable with sidewalks and walkways throughout town.
Hagerstown is home to some of the areas most interesting architecture.
The beautiful Hagerstown skyline and view of Meritus Stadium.
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The trailheads and parks of Hagerstown
Hagerstown is recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as Tree City USA, and residents of Central are uniquely poised to take advantage of the surrounding natural landscape. “There’s a lot of outdoors activities. I mean, we’re right at the Appalachian Trail, right in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There’s camping, hiking, whatever you want to do,” Gosnell says. “Marty Snook Park has a section where they have animated characters carved into trees. It has a few different playgrounds, fields and walking paths. It’s kind of like City Park, but it’s a little more wooded. If you have kids, it’s a big highlight.” Hagerstown City Park is also home to the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, where locals can peruse the permanent collection, enjoy classical concerts by local musicians or participate in art education programs.
A large crowd enjoys music on a summer evening in University Plaza park in Hagerstown.
Kids enjoy a game of kickball at Marty Snook Park in Hagerstown.
Hagerstown City park has an outdoor amphitheater hosting live events throughout the year.
Fairgrounds park sports an award winning skatepark cherished by local BMX bikers and skaters.
Meritus Park in Central Hagerstown displays a colorful mural on adjacent buildings.
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Washington County’s Public Schools
The Central neighborhood is zoned for Washington County Public Schools, such as Eastern Elementary, which earns a B-minus from Niche and which recently hosted an inaugural chess tournament for county children. Students may then proceed to Northern Middle, which is rated B and is an International Baccalaureate World School. North Hagerstown High scores an A-minus and is Niche’s No. 2 Best Public High School in Washington County. Alternative high school options are also available. “The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts is the highest-rated public high school in Washington County right now. It’s a magnet school for artistically gifted students, so it helps them hone in on their abilities while still getting a high school diploma.” Barbara Ingram is rated A and takes the top spot as Niche’s No. 1 Best Public High School in the county.
Eastern Elementary serves students in the Hagerstown area.
Northern Middle School in Hagerstown serves students in Washington County.
North Hagerstown High School sports an impressive school campus.
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The Farmers Market and the Flying Boxcars
The highlight of Central’s skyline is Meritus Park, a brand-new ballpark that hosts Atlantic Baseball’s Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. The Boxcars are the city’s first venture into professional baseball since the departure of the Hagerstown Suns franchise in 2020, and their arrival has given locals much to talk about. “There’s just a sense of pride for people from Hagerstown in being able to say that they have their own baseball team,” Gosnell says. “And it’s a beautiful ballpark. The team has had a bit of a rough start, but as more people continue to move here and Central gets built up, the team will get more attention.” Just down Baltimore Street, Maryland’s largest record store, Hub City Vinyl, hosts live concerts by area musicians in their historic venue. Every third Thursday, residents can head to the City Farmers Market to sample local whiskeys, indulge in food truck offerings, grab fresh produce or simply catch up with neighbors.
Shop for locally made unique merchandise at the City Farmers Market in Hagerstown.
Flying Boxcars play ball in the Meritus Stadium in Central Hagerstown.
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Between Interstates 81 and 70
Hagerstown is known as Hub City, a nickname that is reminiscent of its position at the center of Maryland’s railroad system in the 19th century. Today, the city’s position at the conflux of two interstate highways keeps that moniker relevant. “Wherever you are in Hagerstown, you can get onto Interstate 70 or 81 in just a couple of minutes, so the commute is all highway,” Gosnell says. “And that is a huge benefit because the surrounding counties are not like that.” Interstate 81 connects Central directly to Hagerstown Regional Airport 6 miles north, which offers flights directly to vacation destinations like Orlando, Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Hagerstown provides a public transportation bussing system for it's residents.
I70 and I81 run through Hagerstown making it convenient for commuting and commerce.
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Bodegas, Broad Axe and Krumpe’s Do-Nuts
Whichever way they turn, locals will find places to shop for groceries. Options include La Bodega and Spickler’s Market, both in the neighborhood, which offer small selections of pantry staples and daily necessities. Broader stock is available at Aldi or Lidl just 1 mile from the center of town, and the closest Target is a short 4-mile drive south to Valley Mall. “People are trying to revitalize downtown, and walkability there is a key highlight. Last time I looked there were 18 non-chain restaurants in the area, so the food scene is pretty good,” Gosnell says. “Schmankerl Stube is a German restaurant within walking distance of the ballpark, and everybody knows it because it’s unique. And Jpmino Coffee is a frequent spot of mine. It’s kind of like you’re taking a step back in time and sitting in an old jazz club that’s now a coffee shop.” Other popular options include Broad Axe, a modern American pub where residents stop in for sandwiches at lunch or live music and cold beer late into the night, and Krumpe’s Do-Nut Shop, a community staple where tradition has dictated that fresh donuts be handmade nightly from 7 to 11 p.m. since 1934.
Many dining options such as Black Rock Grill and Primanti and many others are in Hagerstown.
Browse through thousands of albums at Hub City Vinyl for your favorite artist on vinyl.
Broad Axe is a local favorite for lunch and dinner or just socializing over drinks.
Hungry customers line up at Krumpe's for the best donuts in town.
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Washington County Goes Purple
Like many small towns across America, Hagerstown has witnessed firsthand the fallout of the opioid crisis. “I think that the apparent drug use is something any city probably has to deal with, and I know Hagerstown is trying,” Gosnell says. “Washington County has an initiative called Washington County Goes Purple, which is for opioid awareness and overdose prevention. So there are some pretty big initiatives to try and target that problem where it exists. And it’s something that the community really rallies behind, which is what you get from a small town like this.”
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
LaCrisha Butler,
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Parks in this Area
Memorial Park
Wheaton Park
Transit
Airport
Hagerstown Regional/Richard A Henson Field
9 min drive
Bus
Fairground & Potomac
Bus
Potomac & Church
Bus
Transfer Center
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Central
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central, Hagerstown sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Central, Hagerstown over the last 12 months is $160,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Great opportunity to build on an affordable lot in the City of Hagerstown! Deep lot reaches all the way back to the Alley. City confirms that the lot is buildable, but likely for single family only. City likely will also require similar construction to othe houses as far as streetscape appearance and Brick front. Buyer to confirm their intentions with the city of Hagerstown, including access to
Attention investors and savvy buyers! This 3-bedroom, 1-bath townhome in the heart of Hagerstown, MD offers strong potential for renovation and rental income or resale. Located on a quiet street with easy access to downtown, shopping, and major commuter routes, this property is ready for your vision and updates.Featuring spacious rooms and a garage, this home provides a solid layout to work with.
Best deal in Hagerstown! Recently remodled 2 bedroom 2 bath town home for the affordable price of$130,000! Granit counters, new appliances, new fixtures, new hot water heater, new carpet and waterproof vinyl floors. This house has central a/c and heat. Nice little private yard in rear. All of theneighboring houses beside and across the street are owner occupied by great people. Come see today.
The Aria boasts completely refurbished apartments located on the 2nd floor of the building. With retail stores on Washington and Jonathan Street, The Aria is also within walking distance of the city’s up and coming Arts and Entertainment District, including the Maryland Theatre, restaurants, shopping, and just a few minutes’ drive to local attractions including The Appalachian Trail, Greenbrier
Very nice condo for rent. Two reserved parking spaces, trash, water, sewer and WIFI included, New washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher. New kitchen with quartz countertops & stainless steel appliances. Luxury unit. Terrace deck with grill included. A must see!
The Updegraff Building was originally constructed for the manufacturing and sale of hats and gloves in 1882 by the Updegraff Family. The development consists of 21 apartments and ground-floor retail. The Updegraff Building is located in Hagerstown’s historic Arts & Entertainment District. The Arts & Entertainment District features numerous off-site amenities including the Maryland Theatre,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
LaCrisha Butler,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
10,162
Median Age
38
Population Density
45 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$20,992
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$32,743
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84%
College Graduates
9.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.1%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
35''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
66/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
89/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
29/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
