Facts & Figures
Washington County Profile • Washington County Statistics • Climate • Economic Overview
Source: 2002 Census of Agriculture, 2002 U.S. Census Bureau
Washington County Profile
Number of Farms: 775 farms
Land in Farms: 125,159 acres
Average Size of Farm: 161 acres
Total Land Area: 458.14 square miles
Washington County is ranked in the State of Maryland
First for sales of fruits, tree nuts and berries
First in inventory of hogs and pigs
First in colonies of bees
Second for sales of cattle and calves
Second for milk and other dairy products from cows
Second for sales of hogs and pigs
Second for forage as the top crop for Maryland
Second in corn for silage as the top crop for Maryland
View more details from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Back to Top
Source: MDFarmBureau.com/CountySites/Washington County/Statistics.htm
Washington County Statistics
Washington County ranks ninth in size among the 23 counties, with 293,223 acres in land area, and is the heart of the fruit industry in Maryland. Apple and peach growers harvest over 190,000 trees annually. Dairying is the principle livestock enterprise. Milk cows number 16,000 head, ranking second in the state. Cereal grains are also important to the county. There are 768 farms with an average size of 164 acres. The total number of farmland acres in Washington County is 126,292.
Top Five Commodities by Value (1997):
1. Dairy - $35,937,000
2. Cattle - $5,283,000
3. Poultry - $4,621,000
4. Fruit - $4,113,000
5. Soybean - $2,747,000
Total Value of Commodities: $60,604,000
County Ranking by Value of Commodities: 10
Agricultural Land Preservation Programs:
County Districts: 210 properties covering 28,688 acres
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easements: 46 properties covering 8,135 acres
2002 Easements Purchases: 5 on 803 acres, $1.7 million
Equine Industry:
4,460 horses valued at $12,295,000 are at 1,560 locations on 10,200 acres with 4,090 people involved, excluding hired labor
Farmers' Markets:
In 2002, one market reported a total of 33 market days accounting for $87,200 in sales from 10,900 customer visits. Seniors and WIC clients redeemed $13,907 in
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons.
Certified Organic Producers/Handlers: 3
Weights & Measures Devices Inspected: 1,816
Nutrient Management: Plan Compliance on 1/31/03 was 465 forms covering 83,572 acres
2002 Ag Cost Share to Farmers: $530,071 for 98 projects
State Funds to Soil Conservation District 1994-2003: $604,233
Nurseries Inspected: 40
Agribusiness/Tourism Sampler:
Cool's Fishing Pond
Lewis Orchards
Bee Tree Farms Honey
Back to Top
Source: Maryland State Office of Climatology. Numbers are based on the most recent 30 year average.
Climate
Yearly Precipitation |
37.96 inches |
Yearly Snowfall |
29.7 inches |
Summer Temperature |
73°F |
Winter Temperature |
32.1°F |
Back to Top
Economic Overview
Population |
Households |
Average Household Size |
Median Age |
Per Capita Personal Income |
Median Household Income |
145,113 |
56,797 |
2.55 |
37.6 |
$31,527 |
$52,150 |
* SOURCE: Population: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Population Estimates. Households: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey. Median Household Income & MD Department of Planning (2008). Per Capita Income & U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis (2006).
Employment History
Employment |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
Civilian Labor Force |
70,396 |
70,138 |
68,454 |
66,744 |
Employment |
67,169 |
67,044 |
65,511 |
63,747 |
Unemployment |
3,227 |
3,094 |
2,943 |
2,997 |
Unemployment Rate |
4.6% |
4.6% |
4.3% |
4.5% |
*Annual averages. Data are not seasonally adjusted. Figures represent the number of county residents employed, including those working outside of the community. SOURCE: MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation, Office of Labor Market Analysis & Information (2007).
Employment by Industry
Industry |
Employment |
Percent |
Weekly Wage |
Total Employment |
66,817 |
100 |
$673 |
Federal Government |
640 |
1 |
$805 |
State Government |
2,566 |
3.8 |
$778 |
Local Government |
5,272 |
7.9 |
$711 |
Private Employment |
58,339 |
87.3 |
$663 |
Natural Resources & Mining |
157 |
0.2 |
$730 |
Construction |
4,419 |
6.6 |
$729 |
Manufacturing |
8,334 |
12.5 |
$914 |
Trade, Transportation & Utilities |
16,443 |
24.6 |
$565 |
Information |
1,499 |
2.2 |
$554 |
Financial Activities |
6,509 |
9.7 |
$848 |
Professional & Business Services |
4,275 |
6.4 |
$799 |
Education & Health Services |
9,114 |
13.6 |
$708 |
Leisure & Hospitality |
5,803 |
8.7 |
$249 |
Other Services |
1,756 |
2.6 |
$432 |
Unclassified |
26 |
0 |
$386 |
* Figures represent the number of employees in the County from any origin. NOTE: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. SOURCE: MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation, Division of Labor Market Analysis & Information. (2007)
More Washington County, MD economic details can be found on the following pages...
Washington County, Maryland Brief Economic Facts
Washington County Economic Development Commission
Back to Top