A country hamlet celebrated for peaches and quietude
Leitersburg is a small community that is hardly more than 2 blocks along a country road cutting through the center of Washington County, Maryland. Most of the town's buildings —residential, commercial and otherwise—can be seen on a brisk half-mile walk down Leiter Street. Any further and the landscape gives way to rolling expanses of farmland speckled with brush and trees. “I would describe Leitersburg as a hamlet, a town that isn’t even really a town,” says Mary Ratchford, sales associate at RE/MAX who has almost 10 years of experience in the area. “There’s not much infrastructure or industry, just pastoral hills, farmland and single-family homes on large lots.” All the same, this neighborhood has developed a distinctive culture. Country and blues music at the singular tavern and movies at the cinema are facts of daily life here, and the annual Peach Festival is so synonymous with the town that the whole county thinks of Leitersburg when they think of peach season. Outside of that summer weekend, this neighborhood represents the essentials of country living, from fishing in the creeks to cookouts at the park and everything in between.
A farmer harvests a crop in beautiful Leitersburg.
Leitersburg offers peaceful country living in a historic village outside Hagerstown.
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The Ruritan Club’s annual Peach Festival
Leitersburg’s main claim to fame is the celebration of the community’s orchard harvest. “Their main draw is the Peach Festival,” says David Pool, Realtor and associate broker, who has been with Long and Foster Realty in Hagerstown for over 30 years. This annual two-day event, free to all, has been held by the local Ruritan Center for over 40 years and includes live music, a Sunday morning fun run and over 110 local vendors. “The town has really made its name with that festival,” Pool says. “People flock there the weekend it happens to sample everything peaches, from pies to ice cream.” About 3 miles west down Leitersburg Pike is Warehouse Cinemas, a recent remodel of Leitersburg Cinema, which had been a community favorite for summer blockbusters from its opening in 1970 to its shutdown in 2020. Warehouse Cinema has quickly become a popular spot for residents to enjoy revivals of classic films and the latest movies to hit the screen.
The Leitersburg Peach Festival is a large local event drawing big crowds in August.
The Warehouse Cinema was formerly known as the Leitersburg Cinema.
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Historic farmhouses and midcentury Cape Cods
Nearly all residential property in the neighborhood is concentrated around Leiter Street. The majority were constructed between 1850 and 1950, with some dating back to the founding of the town. In the center of town, homes are clustered closer together, with short stoops leading to the sidewalks along the road. Most do have large backyards, as lots require enough space to accommodate important needs. “Most of what’s available in Leitersburg is on well and septic, so you’re looking at larger lots,” Pool says. “There are some newer builds, but I’d say most are farmhouses that have been there for almost 100 years.” Common styles include brick colonials, American Foursquares with Craftsman influence and midcentury Cape Cods. Older homes in need of renovation can come cheaply, pricing between $90,000 and $120,000; however, prospective owners should expect to pay between $250,000 and $375,000 for the majority of move-in ready homes.
A large Colonial-Style home sits on a hill in central Leitersburg.
A large Cape Cod-style home sits on a large wooded lot in central Leitersburg
The Cape Cod-style home is fairly common around the Leitersburg area.
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Old Forge Elementary’s championship archery team
Leitersburg children are zoned to attend Washington County Public Schools, such as Old Forge Elementary, which scores a B from Niche. The OFE archery team finished third in the state tournament in March 2024. Students then proceed to Smithsburg Middle, also a B, which offers an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. They complete their education at Smithsburg High School, rated B-plus, where the football stadium has recently completed renovations and the athletic director won State Athletic Director of the Year in 2024.
Smithsburg High School serves students of Washington County, Maryland.
Smithsburg Middle School earns a "B" rating from Niche.
Old Forge Elementary prepares students for bright futures.
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Leiter Street and the trip west to Hagerstown
Leiter Street serves as the main street of the neighborhood, briefly branching off from Maryland Route 60, also known as Leitersburg Pike. “The pike will take you from Hagerstown up to Waynesboro, Pennsylvania,” Pool says. Taking MD-60 to Longmeadow Road is the quickest way to make the roughly 8-mile trip west to Hagerstown Regional Airport, which offers direct flights to vacation spots like Orlando, Florida. This trip also brings residents to Interstate 81, the closest major highway.
Lovell's Nursery provides gardening essentials to Leitersburg.
Cultural amenities of Hagerstown are just a short trip from Leitersburg.
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From Antietam Creek to the Appalachian Trail
Antietam Creek, which cuts a path through the western side of the neighborhood, is regularly stocked with trophy fish such as brown and rainbow trout, though local anglers will have more luck downstream. Thirteen acres of the town’s land is devoted to the Ruritan Park, which features a playground for children, a basketball court, a picnic pavilion and a community fire pit. This park also plays host to the annual Peach Festival. Residents will need to drive to take advantage of Washington County’s other green spaces. “The town is about 13 miles from Catoctin Mountain Park, Cunningham Falls State Park and South Mountain State Park,” Ratchford says. All three of these parks make up portions of the Appalachian Trail, so hikers have multiple options should they wish to make the trek up to the Annapolis Rock or Black Rock scenic vistas.
The Ruritan Community Park in Leitersburg offers a playground and a community center.
Locals enjoy fishing along the beautiful Antietam Creek in Boonsboro.
The Antietam Creek winds through Washington County and through Devil's Backbone Park.
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Fresh produce at Rocky Hill and live music at the tavern
Rocky Hill Produce is the closest stop for locals looking for in-season fruits and vegetables, fresh milk and a variety of jams and preserves. The nearest supermarket is the Weis Markets in Hagerstown, 5 miles west. Folks can have deer and livestock processed by Levon and his staff at Leitersburg Butcher Shop. The Leitersburg Tavern is the preferred local haunt, a small bar and restaurant located in a historic building at the center of town. Live music on the back patio is a summer evening tradition, and the bands move to the indoor stage when the weather turns sour. On regular weeknights, the more tactically minded head to Fenris Gaming. This hobby shop, located on Leitersburg Pike, operates out of the owner’s garage and offers space for like-minded locals to play tabletop games together.
The Leitersburg Tavern is a local spot for social drinks with friends.
Rocky HIll Produce near Leitersburg offers fresh produce and baked goods.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rhonda Darden,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Devils Backbone Park
Ruritan Park
Transit
Airport
Hagerstown Regional/Richard A Henson Field
15 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Leitersburg
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Leitersburg, Hagerstown sell after 71 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Leitersburg, Hagerstown over the last 12 months is $299,075, up 14% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
JUST LISTED**Stunning 2.18 Acres of Land for Sale** **"Fully prepared and ready-to-build lot, ideal for constructing your dream home. The land has been cleared, leveled, and is equipped with all necessary utilities for immediate development." Discover the perfect blend of tranquility and convenience with this beautiful 2.18-acre parcel, ideally situated just outside city
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rhonda Darden,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
612
Median Age
46
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
23.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$65,000
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$109,482
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
13.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.9%
% Population in Labor Force
65.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
18/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
10/ 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.
