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Allegany County, Maryland facts for kids

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Allegany County
County
Allegany County Courthouse
Allegany County Courthouse
Flag of Allegany County
Flag
 Official seal of Allegany County
Seal
Map of Maryland highlighting Allegany County
Location within the U.S. state of Maryland
Map of the United States highlighting Maryland
Maryland's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Maryland
Founded December 25, 1789
Named for Allegheny Mountains
Seat Cumberland
Largest city Cumberland
Area
 • Total 430 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land 424 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water 5.8 sq mi (15 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 68,106
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 67,273 Decrease
 • Density 158.4/sq mi (61.2/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 6th

Allegany County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Maryland. In 2020, about 68,106 people lived there. Its main city and government center is Cumberland.

The name Allegany might come from a local Lenape word. It could mean 'best flowing river of the hills' or 'beautiful stream'. Many places in the Appalachian region share similar names. Allegany County is part of the Western Maryland area. It is also part of the Cumberland metropolitan area.

History of Allegany County

The western part of Maryland, including what is now Allegany County, was first part of Prince George's County. This was back in 1696 when Maryland was created. Over time, this large county was split into smaller ones.

Allegany County was officially formed in 1789. It was created by splitting off a part of Washington County. At that time, it was the westernmost county in Maryland. Later, in 1872, Allegany County was split again. This created Garrett County, which is now the westernmost county in Maryland.

Before 1789, the state of Virginia also claimed this area. Old maps show that Hampshire County, Virginia, once included parts of what is now Maryland. This can sometimes make historical research tricky.

Geography of Allegany County

Allegany County covers about 430 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

The county is mostly in the Ridge-and-Valley Country. This is a part of the Appalachian Mountains. To the north, it borders Pennsylvania along the Mason–Dixon line. To the south, it borders the Potomac River and West Virginia. Washington County is to its east. Garrett County is to its west.

The western part of the county has the steep Allegheny Front. This area leads to higher lands like the Appalachian Plateau. For example, Frostburg is nearly 2,100 feet high. But Cumberland, just eight miles away, is only 627 feet high.

Mountains in Allegany County

Neighboring Counties

Protected Natural Areas

Population Facts

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 4,809 —
1800 6,303 31.1%
1810 6,909 9.6%
1820 8,654 25.3%
1830 10,609 22.6%
1840 15,690 47.9%
1850 22,769 45.1%
1860 28,348 24.5%
1870 38,536 35.9%
1880 38,012 −1.4%
1890 41,571 9.4%
1900 53,694 29.2%
1910 62,411 16.2%
1920 69,938 12.1%
1930 79,098 13.1%
1940 86,973 10.0%
1950 89,556 3.0%
1960 84,169 −6.0%
1970 84,044 −0.1%
1980 80,548 −4.2%
1990 74,946 −7.0%
2000 74,930 0.0%
2010 75,087 0.2%
2020 68,106 −9.3%
2023 (est.) 67,273 −10.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010 2020

In 2020, Allegany County had a population of 68,106 people. Most residents were White (about 85%). About 7.76% were Black or African American. Other groups included Asian, Native American, and people of mixed races. About 1.69% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In 2010, the average household had 2.30 people. The average family had 2.86 people. The median age was 40.9 years old. The median income for a household was $37,747. About 14.5% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Economy and Jobs

Allegany County has several important employers. These companies and organizations provide many jobs for the people living in the county.

Employer Employees
(2021)		 Employees
(2012)
UPMC Western Maryland 2,200 2,290
Allegany County Board of Education 1,350 1,346
Northrop Grumman 1,050 1,396
Frostburg State University 1,003 922
Hunter Douglas 900 580
New Page Corporation NR 870
CSX Transportation 635 900
Western Correctional Institution 588 552
North Branch Correctional Institution 574 557
American Woodmark 572 NR
Allegany College 509 559

Communities in Allegany County

Allegany County Urban Areas
Map showing urban areas in Allegany County.

Allegany County has different types of communities. These include cities, towns, and other areas.

Cities

Towns

Census-Designated Places (CDPs)

Some areas are called Special Tax Districts. These are like small towns but don't have full local government power. They need the state's approval for changes.

Other census-designated places include:

Unincorporated Communities

Transportation in Allegany County

2019-07-14 12 10 53 View west along Interstate 68 and U.S. Route 40 (National Freeway) from the overpass for Maryland State Route 948 (Mountain Road Northeast) in Pratt, Allegany County, Maryland
Interstate 68 and US 40 in Allegany County.

Allegany County has always been important for travel and trade. It's a key spot for moving goods and people between the East Coast and the Midwest. The Cumberland Narrows is a natural gap in the mountains. It makes it easier to pass through this steep region. Because of this, Cumberland has been a center for many transportation projects.

During the French and Indian War, General Edward Braddock built a road here. This road followed an old Native American path. It went from Fort Cumberland to what is now Pittsburgh. This road later became part of the National Road. A monument in Cumberland marks the start of this historic road.

Today, Allegany County is still a major crossroads. Interstate 68 and US Route 40 cross the county from east to west. US Route 220 runs north to south.

Major Highways

  • I-68.svg Interstate 68
  • US 40.svg U.S. Route 40
  • Alt plate.svg
    US 40.svg US 40 Alt.
  • Scenic plate.svg
    US 40.svg U.S. Route 40 Scenic
  • US 220.svg U.S. Route 220
  • MD Route 35.svg Maryland Route 35
  • MD Route 36.svg Maryland Route 36
  • MD Route 47.svg Maryland Route 47
  • MD Route 49.svg Maryland Route 49
  • MD Route 51.svg Maryland Route 51
  • MD Route 53.svg Maryland Route 53
  • MD Route 55.svg Maryland Route 55
  • MD Route 135.svg Maryland Route 135
  • MD Route 144.svg Maryland Route 144
  • MD Route 638.svg Maryland Route 638
  • MD Route 657.svg Maryland Route 657
  • MD Route 658.svg Maryland Route 658
  • MD Route 935.svg Maryland Route 935
  • MD Route 936.svg Maryland Route 936
  • MD Route 956.svg Maryland Route 956

Rail Travel

Public Transportation

  • Allegany County Transit

Education in Allegany County

Allegany Museum, Cumberland, Maryland, USA
Allegany Museum in Cumberland, Maryland.

Public schools in Allegany County are managed by Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS). A Board of Education, with five elected members, oversees the schools. ACPS has three high schools, three middle schools, and 13 elementary schools. There is also one K-8 school. The county also has a Center for Career and Technical Education.

Allegany County is also home to three private Christian schools. These include Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland.

For higher education, there is Frostburg State University. It is one of Maryland's public universities. Founded in 1898, it offers over 40 different majors. More than 5,000 students attend each year.

Allegany College of Maryland is also located in Cumberland. It offers over 50 associate degree programs. It also has more than 20 certificate programs. Over 3,500 students are enrolled here.

Natural Resources

Allegany County has important natural resources. These include coal, iron, sandstone, and limestone. Coal is mostly found in the Georges Creek Basin. This area is in the western part of the county.

Notable People from Allegany County

  • Thomas Cresap (c. 1702 – c. 1790), a frontiersman who founded Oldtown.
  • Michael Cresap (1742–1775), an officer in the American Revolutionary War.
  • Patrick Hamill (1817–1895), a United States Congressman from Maryland.
  • Lloyd Lowndes Jr. (1845–1905), a former Governor of Maryland.
  • Lefty Grove (1900–1975), a Hall of Fame baseball pitcher. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox.
  • William H. Macy (born 1950), a famous American actor.
  • Sam Perlozzo, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.
  • Leo Mazzone, a former pitching coach for baseball teams.
  • Casper R. Taylor Jr., a former Speaker of the House in Maryland.
  • Eddie Deezen, (born 1957), an American actor.
  • Ty Johnson (born 1997), a running back for the Detroit Lions.
  • Drew Hankinson, also known as "Luke Gallows" (born 1983), a professional wrestler.
  • Bob Robertson (Born 1946), played in Major League Baseball. He was a first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Images for kids

  • Recto Allegany County Bank 10 dollars 1860 urn-3 HBS.Baker.AC 1141921

    A 10-dollar note from the Allegany County Bank from 1860.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Allegany (Maryland) para niños

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