View source for Frederick, Maryland

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Frederick, Maryland
| settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in Maryland|City]]
| image_skyline            = Frederick City Hall Aerial.jpg
| image_caption            = Downtown Frederick's City Hall in 2022
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = Seal of Frederick, Maryland.png
| motto                    = "Join the Story!"<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/residents-weigh-in-after-frederick-rolls-out-new-city-logo/article_126cdf0d-1a7e-57b7-a6a6-394bdbd7eaab.html |title=Residents weigh in after Frederick rolls out new city logo |first=Jeremy |last=Arias |date=July 17, 2019 |newspaper=[[The Frederick News-Post]] |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220211526/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/residents-weigh-in-after-frederick-rolls-out-new-city-logo/article_126cdf0d-1a7e-57b7-a6a6-394bdbd7eaab.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| nickname                 = "The City of Clustered Spires"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122200554/https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 22, 2019|title=City of Frederick|publisher=City of Frederick|access-date=August 25, 2012}}</ref>
| image_map                = Frederick County Maryland Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Frederick Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250x200px
| map_caption              = Location of Frederick in [[Frederick County, Maryland]] (left) and of Frederick County in [[Maryland]] (right)
| pushpin_map              = Maryland#USA
| pushpin_label            = Frederick
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location of Frederick in [[Maryland]]
| pushpin_relief           = yes
| coordinates              = {{coord|39|25|52|N|77|23|50|W|region:US-MD_city(78,000)|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         =  {{nowrap|{{flag|United States of America|size=23px}}}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Maryland|size=23px}}
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Maryland|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick]]
| established_title        = Founded
| established_date         = 1745
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = 
| leader_title1            = Board of Aldermen
| leader_name1             = 
| area_footnotes           = <ref>{{cite web|title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_24.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 12, 2022|archive-date=February 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213100642/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_24.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 62.02
| area_total_sq_mi         = 23.95
| area_land_km2            = 61.76
| area_land_sq_mi          = 23.85
| area_water_km2           = 0.26
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.10
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="gnis" />
| elevation_ft             = 341
| unit_pref                = Imperial
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est           = 79588
| pop_est_as_of            = 2021
| pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|date=May 29, 2022|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 30, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040810/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)" />
| population_total         = 78171
| population_rank          = US: 452nd<br>MD: [[List of municipalities in Maryland|2nd]]
| population_density_km2   = 1260.35
| population_density_sq_mi = 3264.33
| population_urban         = 141576 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|230th]])
| population_demonym       = Fredericktonian<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--staff writer--> |date=June 12, 2023 |title=Fredericktonian Lands TV Appearance for Viral Bar Exam Video |url=https://out40.com/fredericktonian-lands-tv-appearance-for-viral-bar-exam-video/ |website=Out40 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-date=May 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250505150443/https://out40.com/fredericktonian-lands-tv-appearance-for-viral-bar-exam-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <br />Fredneck (colloquial)<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Baird |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archive/you-might-be-a-fredneck/article_f71824ff-9e43-5071-865b-cb4f67f2a425.html |title=You might be a Fredneck |newspaper=[[Frederick News-Post]] |orig-date=May 30, 2007 |date=March 11, 2016 |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202175201/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archive/you-might-be-a-fredneck/article_f71824ff-9e43-5071-865b-cb4f67f2a425.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Levey |first=Bob |date=July 28, 2000 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/07/28/is-frederick-really-full-of-frednecks/8574acd0-cef8-488a-8caa-ab27a3c5c90f/ |title=Is Frederick Really Full of 'Frednecks'? |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=December 20, 2022}}</ref>
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset               = −5
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = −4
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = 21701–21709
| area_codes               = [[Area codes 301 and 240|301, 240]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 24-30325
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2390588<ref name="gnis">{{GNIS|2390588}}</ref>
| blank2_name              = [[Maryland highway system|Highways]]
| blank2_info              = [[Interstate 70 in Maryland|I-70]], [[Interstate 270 (Maryland)|I-270]], [[U.S. Route 15 in Maryland|US 15]], [[U.S. Route 40 in Maryland|US 40]], [[U.S. Route 340 in Maryland|US 340]], [[Maryland Route 80|MD 80]], [[Maryland Route 144|MD 144]], [[Maryland Route 355|MD 355]]
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/|www.cityoffrederickmd.gov}}
| footnotes                = <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=140386 |title=City grows by 552 acres |last1=Borda |first1=Patti S. |last2=Rodgers |first2=Bethany |date=September 7, 2012 |newspaper=[[Frederick News-Post]] |access-date=September 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120125654/http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=140386 |archive-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref>
}}
[[File:The Flag of Frederick, Maryland.gif|thumb|The Flag of Frederick, Maryland]]
'''Frederick''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Frederick County, Maryland]], United States. Frederick's population was 78,171 people as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], making it the [[List of municipalities in Maryland|second-largest incorporated city]] in Maryland behind [[Baltimore]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2430325 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119015038/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2430325 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is a part of the [[Washington metropolitan area]] and the greater [[Washington–Baltimore combined statistical area]].

The city is located at an important crossroads at the intersection of a major north–south [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] trail and east–west routes to the [[Chesapeake Bay]], both at [[Baltimore]] and what became [[Washington, D.C.]], and across the [[Appalachian Mountains]] to the [[Ohio River]] watershed.

Frederick is home to [[Frederick Municipal Airport (Maryland)|Frederick Municipal Airport]] ([[International Air Transport Association airport code|IATA]]: FDK), which accommodates [[general aviation]], and [[Fort Detrick]], a [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] bioscience and communications research installation and Frederick County's largest employer.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=939|title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report|author=Department of Finance|publisher=City of Frederick, Maryland|page=87|access-date=September 24, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

==History==
===Pre-colonization===
[[File:Catoctin Mountain view near Frederick, MD IMG 4656.JPG|thumb|left|[[Catoctin Mountain]], located north of Frederick]]
Located where [[Catoctin Mountain]] (the easternmost ridge of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]]) meets the rolling hills of the Piedmont region, the Frederick area became a crossroads long before European explorers and traders arrived. Native American hunters (possibly including the [[Susquehannock]]s, the Algonquian-speaking [[Shawnee]], or the [[Seneca people|Seneca]] or [[Tuscarora people|Tuscarora]] or other members of the [[Iroquois Confederation]]) followed the [[Monocacy River]] from the [[Susquehanna River]] watershed in Pennsylvania to the [[Potomac River]] watershed and the lands of the more agrarian and maritime [[Algonquian peoples]], particularly the [[Lenape]] of the Delaware valley or the [[Piscataway tribe|Piscataway]] and [[Powhatan]] of the lower Potomac watershed and Chesapeake Bay. This became known as the Monocacy Trail or even the [[Great Indian Warpath]], with some travelers continuing southward through the "[[Great Appalachian Valley]]" ([[Shenandoah Valley]], etc.) to the western [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] in [[North Carolina]], or traveling down other watersheds in Virginia toward the [[Chesapeake Bay]], such as those of the [[Rappahannock River|Rappahannock]], [[James River|James]], and [[York River (Virginia)|York River]]s.

===Colonial era===
[[File:Evangelical Lutheran on East Church Street - panoramio.jpg|thumb|upright|Evangelical Lutheran church in Frederick, built in 1752]]
The earliest European settlement was slightly north of Frederick in [[Monocacy, Maryland]]. Monocacy was founded before 1730 (when the Indian trail became a wagon road) and was abandoned before the [[American Revolutionary War]], likely due to the river's periodic flooding, hostilities predating the [[French and Indian War]], or simply Frederick's better location with easier access to the Potomac River near its confluence with the Monocacy.

[[Daniel Dulany the Elder|Daniel Dulany]], a land speculator, laid out what was initially called Frederick Town by 1745.<ref>See for example the ''Overall history of Frederick'', pp. 2–6</ref><ref>NRIS F-03-039 at section 8 p.2 available at http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagsere/se1/se5/010000/010400/010482/pdf/msa_se5_10482.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223022653/http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagsere/se1/se5/010000/010400/010482/pdf/msa_se5_10482.pdf |date=February 23, 2017 }}</ref> Three years earlier, [[All Saints Church (Frederick, Maryland)|All Saints Church]] had been founded on a hilltop near a warehouse/trading post.<ref>Herb Wolf III, Houses of Worship in Frederick, Maryland: a 250 Year History 1745-1995 (Baltimore: Gateway Press, Inc., 1995) p. 3</ref> Sources disagree as to which Frederick the town was named for, but the likeliest candidates are [[Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore]] (one of the proprietors of Maryland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ftfrederickhistory.html|title=Fort Frederick State Park History|publisher=[[Maryland Department of Natural Resources]]|access-date=October 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005164303/http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ftfrederickhistory.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=October 5, 2007}}</ref>), [[Frederick, Prince of Wales|Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mdmunicipal.org/cities/index.cfm?townname=Frederick&page=home|title=Frederick, Maryland|publisher=Maryland Municipal League|access-date=October 9, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021105716/http://mdmunicipal.org/cities/index.cfm?townname=Frederick&page=home|archive-date=October 21, 2007}}</ref> and [[Frederick the Great]], King of Prussia.

In 1748, Frederick County was formed by carving a section off of [[Prince George's County, Maryland|Prince George's County]]. Frederick Town (now Frederick) was made the county seat of [[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick County]].<ref>Louis B. O'Donoghue, Gazetter of Old, Odd & Obscure Place Names of Frederick County, Maryland (Historical Society of Frederick County, Inc., 2008) p. 85</ref> The county originally extended to the Appalachian mountains (areas further west being disputed between the colonies of [[Colony of Virginia|Virginia]] and [[Colony of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] until 1789). The current town's first house was built by a young [[Calvinist|German Reformed]] schoolmaster from the [[Palatinate (region)|Rhineland Palatinate]] named Johann Thomas Schley (died 1790), who led a party of immigrants (including his wife, Maria Von Winz) to the Maryland colony. The Palatinate settlers bought land from Dulany on the banks of [[Carroll Creek (Maryland)|Carroll Creek]], and Schley's house stood at the northwest corner of Middle Alley and East Patrick Street into the 20th century. Schley's settlers also founded a German [[Reformed Church]] (today known as Evangelical Reformed Church, and part of the [[United Church of Christ|UCC]]). Probably the oldest house still standing in Frederick today is [[Schifferstadt (Frederick, Maryland)|Schifferstadt]], built in 1756 by German settler Joseph Brunner and now the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum.  The spire of the church and its clock tower were completed in 1763 and will undergo a restoration project in 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=<!-- no byline --> |date=19 Jul 2025 |title=Tour Frederick's oldest spire and clock tower |url=<!-- from paper, not from online --> |work=[[The Frederick News-Post]] |pages=D5}}</ref>

Schley's group was among the many [[Pennsylvania Dutch]] (ethnic Germans) (as well as [[Scotch-Irish Americans|Scots-Irish]] and [[French people|French]] and later [[Irish people|Irish]]) who migrated south and westward in the late-18th century. Frederick was an important stop along the migration route that became known as the [[Great Wagon Road]], which came down from [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania]] and [[Emmitsburg, Maryland]] and continued south following the [[Great Appalachian Valley]] through [[Winchester, Virginia|Winchester]] and [[Roanoke, Virginia]]. Another important route continued along the Potomac River from near Frederick, to [[Hagerstown, Maryland|Hagerstown]], where it split. One branch crossed the Potomac River near [[Martinsburg, West Virginia]] and continued down into the Shenandoah valley. The other continued west to [[Cumberland, Maryland]], and ultimately crossed the [[Appalachian Mountains]] into the watershed of the [[Ohio River]]. Thus, British [[Edward Braddock|General Edward Braddock]] marched his troops (including the youthful [[George Washington]]) west in 1755 through Frederick on the way to their fateful ambush near [[Fort Duquesne]] (later [[Fort Pitt (Pennsylvania)|Fort Pitt]], then [[Pittsburgh]]) during the [[French and Indian War]]. However, the British after the [[Proclamation of 1763]] restricted that westward migration route until after the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Other westward migrants continued south from Frederick to Roanoke along the Great Wagon Road, crossing the Appalachians into [[Kentucky]] and [[Tennessee]] at the [[Cumberland Gap]] near the Virginia/North Carolina border.

Other German settlers in Frederick were [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|Evangelical Lutherans]], led by Rev. [[Henry Muhlenberg]]. They moved their mission church from Monocacy to what became a large complex a few blocks further down Church Street from the Anglicans and the German Reformed Church. Methodist missionary [[Robert Strawbridge]], who accepted an invitation to preach at Frederick town in 1770, and [[Francis Asbury]], who arrived two years later, both helped found a congregation which became Calvary Methodist Church, worshipping in a log building from 1792 (although superseded by larger buildings in 1841, 1865, 1910 and 1930).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calvaryumc.org/about-us/our-building |title=Calvary United Methodist Church › Our Building |access-date=June 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715074906/http://www.calvaryumc.org/about-us/our-building/ |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> Frederick also had a [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] mission, to which Rev. [[John Dubois|Jean DuBois]] was assigned in 1792, which became [[St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (Frederick, Maryland)|St. John the Evangelist Church]] (built in 1800).

To control this crossroads during the [[American Revolution]], the British garrisoned a German [[Hessian (soldiers)|Hessian]] regiment in the town; {{as of |2011 |alt=the war (the stone, L-shaped "[[Hessian Barracks]]" still stand).}}

===Early 19th century===
As the county seat for Western Maryland, Frederick not only was an important market town but also the seat of justice. Although [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]] and [[Washington County, Maryland|Washington County]] were split off from Frederick County in 1776, Frederick remained the seat of the smaller (though still large) county. Important lawyers who practiced in Frederick included [[John Hanson]], [[Francis Scott Key]] and [[Roger B. Taney]].

Frederick was also known during the nineteenth century for its religious pluralism, with one of its main thoroughfares, Church Street, hosting about a half dozen major churches. In 1793, All Saints Church hosted the first confirmation of an American citizen, by the newly consecrated Episcopal Bishop [[Thomas Claggett]]. That original colonial building was replaced in 1814 by a brick classical revival structure. It still stands today, although the principal worship space has become an even larger brick gothic church joining it at the back and facing Frederick's City Hall (so the parish remains the oldest Episcopal Church in western Maryland).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://allsaintsmd.org/history/|title=History of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Frederick, Maryland|first=Lee|last=Emmons|website=All Saints' Episcopal Church|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124182233/https://allsaintsmd.org/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The main Catholic church, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, was built in 1800, then rebuilt in 1837 (across the street) one block north of Church Street on East Second Street, where it still stands along with a school and convent established by the [[Visitation Sisters]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stjohn-frederick.org/aboutus.asp|title=St. John the Evangelist, Roman Catholic Church – Frederick, Maryland|access-date=December 16, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212013640/http://www.stjohn-frederick.org/aboutus.asp|archive-date=December 12, 2007}}</ref> The stone Evangelical Lutheran Church of 1752 was also rebuilt and enlarged in 1825, then replaced by the current twin-spired structure in 1852.<ref>tablet inscription on wall</ref>

The oldest [[African Americans|African-American]] church in the town is Asbury United Methodist Church, founded as the Old Hill Church, a mixed congregation in 1818. It became an African-American congregation in 1864, renamed Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church in 1870, and built its current building on All Saints Street in 1921.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asburyumcfmd.org/about-us/who-we-are/|title=Asbury United Methodist Church » Who We Are|access-date=June 15, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153642/http://www.asburyumcfmd.org/about-us/who-we-are/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Together, these churches dominated the town, set against the backdrop of the first ridge of the [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachians]] at [[Catoctin Mountain]]. The abolitionist poet [[John Greenleaf Whittier]] later immortalized this view of Frederick in his poem to "[[Barbara Fritchie]]": "The clustered spires of Frederick stand/Green-walled by the hills of Maryland."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/householdbookpo00unkngoog|quote=the clustered spires of frederick stand.|title=The Household Book of Poetry|editor-last=Dana|editor-first=Charles Anderson|publisher=D. Appleton|year=1879|pages=[https://archive.org/details/householdbookpo00unkngoog/page/n424 381]–382}}</ref>

When [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Thomas Jefferson]] commissioned [[National Road]] from [[Baltimore]] toward [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]], eventually built to [[Vandalia, Illinois|Vandalia]], then the state capital of Illinois, National Pike ran through Frederick along Patrick Street; it later became [[U.S. Route 40 in Maryland|U.S. Route 40]]. Frederick's Jacob Engelbrecht corresponded with Jefferson in 1824 and received a transcribed psalm from Jefferson in return. Engelbrecht kept a diary from 1819 through 1878, which remains an important first-hand account of 19th century life on National Road.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/default.xqy?keys=FOEA-print-04-02-02-4075 |title=From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Engelbrecht, 25 February 1824 |website=Founders Early Access |publisher=The University of Virginia Press |access-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124182234/https://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/default.xqy?keys=FOEA-print-04-02-02-4075 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bookstore : Frederick County History & Folklore |url=http://www.hsfcinfo.org/bookstore/frederick.htm |website=Historical Society of Frederick County |access-date=February 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414152719/http://www.hsfcinfo.org/bookstore/frederick.htm |archive-date=April 14, 2015 |url-status=unfit}}</ref> An important house remaining from this era is the [[spite house|Tyler Spite House]], built in 1814 at 112 W. Church Street by a [[John Tyler (doctor)|local doctor]] to prevent the city from extending Record Street south through his land to meet West Patrick Street.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Lynn |date=April 29, 1990 |title=This Maryland House Was Built Just for Spite |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-29-tr-41-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=February 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119103348/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-29-tr-41-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Waters |first1=Ed Jr. |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/archives/display_detail.htm?StoryID=85652 |title=A Matter of Spite |date=August 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522175541/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/archives/display_detail.htm?StoryID=85652 |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |newspaper=[[The Frederick News-Post]]}}</ref>

Frederick also became one of the new nation's leading mining counties in the early 19th century. It exported gold, copper, limestone, marble, iron, and other minerals. As early as the [[American Revolution]], [[Catoctin Furnace]] near [[Thurmont, Maryland|Thurmont]] became an important source of iron production.<ref>[[John Thomas Scharf|J. Thomas Scharf]], ''History of Western Maryland'', Vol. I. Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts. 1882. p. 629.</ref> Other mining areas split off into [[Washington County, Maryland]] and [[Allegheny County, Maryland]] but continued to ship their ore through Frederick to Eastern cities and ports.

Frederick had easy access to the [[Chesapeake and Ohio Canal]], which began operations in 1831 and continued hauling freight until 1924. Also in 1831, the [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad]] (B&O) completed its [[Frederick Branch (Baltimore and Ohio Railroad)|Frederick Branch]] line from the Frederick (or Monocacy) Junction off the main Western Line from Baltimore to [[Harpers Ferry, West Virginia|Harpers Ferry]], [[Cumberland, Maryland|Cumberland]], and the [[Ohio River]]. The railroad reached [[Chicago]] and [[St. Louis]] by the 1850s.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Great Road: The Building of the Baltimore and Ohio, The Nation's First Railroad, 1828-1853 |last=Dilts |first=James D. |year=1996 |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |location=Palo Alto, California |isbn=978-0-8047-2629-0 |page=146 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JjrCWPwvHzIC&q=frederick+branch&pg=PA146}}</ref>

===Civil War===
[[File:Confederates marching through Frederick, MD in 1862.jpg|thumb|[[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] troops marching south on North Market Street in Frederick during the [[American Civil War]]]]
Frederick became Maryland's capital city briefly in 1861, as the legislature moved from Annapolis to vote on the secession question. President Lincoln arrested several members, and the assembly was unable to convene a quorum to vote on secession.

As a major crossroads, Frederick, like [[Winchester, Virginia]], and [[Martinsburg, West Virginia]], saw considerable action during the [[American Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.civilwartrails.org/|title=Civil War Trails: Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia|website=www.civilwartrails.org|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-date=February 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226034443/https://www.civilwartrails.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Slaves]] also escaped from or through Frederick (since Maryland was still a "slave state" although it had not seceded) to join the Union forces, work against the Confederacy and seek freedom. During the [[Maryland Campaign|Maryland campaigns]], both [[Union Army|Union]] and [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] troops marched through the city. Frederick also hosted several hospitals to nurse the wounded from those battles, as is related in the [[National Museum of Civil War Medicine]] on East Patrick Street.

A legend related by [[John Greenleaf Whittier]] claimed that Frederick's Pennsylvania Dutch women (including [[Barbara Fritchie]] who reportedly waved a flag) booed the Confederates in September 1862, as General [[Stonewall Jackson]] led his light infantry division through Frederick on his way to the battles of [[Battle of South Mountain|Crampton's, Fox's and Turner's Gaps]] on [[South Mountain (Maryland and Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] and [[Battle of Antietam|Antietam]] near [[Sharpsburg, Maryland|Sharpsburg]]. Union Major General [[Jesse L. Reno]]'s IX Corps followed Jackson's men through the city a few days later on the way to the [[Battle of South Mountain]], where Reno died. The sites of the battles are due west of the city along the [[National Road]], west of [[Burkittsville, Maryland|Burkittsville]]. Confederate troops under Jackson and Walker unsuccessfully attempted to halt the Federal army's westward advance into the [[Cumberland Valley]] and towards [[Sharpsburg, Maryland|Sharpsburg]]. [[Gathland State Park]] has the War Correspondents' Memorial stone arch erected by reporter/editor [[George Alfred Townsend]] (1841–1914). The 1889 memorial commemorating Major General Reno and the Union soldiers of his IX Corps is on Reno Monument Road west of [[Middletown, Maryland|Middletown]], just below the summit of [[Fox's Gap]], as is a 1993 memorial to slain Confederate Brig. Gen. [[Samuel Garland Jr.]], and the [[North Carolina]] troops who held the line.
[[File:Frederick MD B&O Station Lincoln Visit Oct 4 1862.jpg|thumb|President [[Abraham Lincoln]] giving a speech in Frederick on October 4, 1862]]
President [[Abraham Lincoln]], on his way to visit Gen. [[George McClellan]] after the [[Battle of South Mountain]] and the [[Battle of Antietam]], delivered a short speech at what was then the [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad|B&O Railroad]] depot at the current intersection of East All Saints and South Market Streets. A plaque commemorates the speech (at what is today the Frederick Community Action Agency, a Social Services office).

At the [[Prospect Hall (Frederick, Maryland)|Prospect Hall]] mansion off Jefferson Street to Buckeystown Pike near what is now Butterfly Lane, in the early morning hours of June 28, 1863, a messenger arrived from President [[Abraham Lincoln]] and General-in-Chief [[Henry Halleck]], informing General [[George Meade]] that he would be replacing General [[Joseph Hooker]] after the latter's disastrous performance at [[Battle of Chancellorsville|Chancellorsville]] in May. The [[Army of the Potomac]] camped around the Prospect Hall property for the several days as skirmishers pursued [[Robert E. Lee|Lee's]] Confederate [[Army of Northern Virginia]] before [[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]]. A large granite rectangular monument made from one of the boulders at the "Devil's Den" in Gettysburg to the east along the driveway commemorates the midnight change-of-command.

In July 1864, in the third Southern invasion, Confederate troops led by Lieutenant General Jubal Early occupied Frederick and extorted $200,000 (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|200000|1864}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) from citizens in exchange for not razing the city on their way to Washington, D.C.<ref>Frederic Historic District inventory, NRIS F-3-039, section 8 p. 2 available at http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagsere/se1/se5/010000/010400/010482/pdf/msa_se5_10482.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223022653/http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagsere/se1/se5/010000/010400/010482/pdf/msa_se5_10482.pdf |date=February 23, 2017 }}</ref> Union troops under Major General [[Lew Wallace]] fought a successful delaying action, in what became the last significant Confederate advance at the [[Battle of Monocacy]], also known as the "Battle that Saved Washington." The [[Monocacy National Battlefield]] lies just southeast of the city limits, along the [[Monocacy River]] at the B&O Railroad junction where two bridges cross the stream: an iron-truss bridge for the railroad and a covered wooden bridge for the Frederick-Urbana-Georgetown Pike, which was the site of the main battle of July 1864. Some skirmishing occurred further northeast of town at the stone-arched "Jug Bridge" where the [[National Road]] crossed the Monocacy; and an artillery bombardment occurred along the National Road west of town near Red Man's Hill and [[Prospect Hall (Frederick, Maryland)|Prospect Hall]] mansion as the Union troops retreated eastward. [[Antietam National Battlefield]] and [[South Mountain State Park|South Mountain State Battlefield Park]] which commemorates the 1862 battles are located 23 miles and 35 miles respectively to the west-northwest, while [[Gettysburg National Battlefield]] of 1863 lies approximately {{convert|35|mi}} to the north-northeast.
[[File:Barbara Frietchie (poem).jpg|thumb|An 1896 print illustrating [[Barbara Fritchie]]]]
The reconstructed home of [[Barbara Fritchie]] stands on West Patrick Street, just past Carroll Creek linear park. Fritchie, a significant figure in Maryland history in her own right, is buried in Frederick's [[Mount Olivet Cemetery (Frederick)|Mount Olivet Cemetery]]. British Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] quoted Whittier's poem to President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] when they stopped here in 1941 on a car trip to the presidential retreat, then called "Shangra-La" (now "[[Camp David]]") within the [[Catoctin Mountains]] near Thurmont.

===Late 19th century===
[[File:Frederick MD May 7 1912 Marken & Bielfeld.jpg|thumb|West Patrick Street in Frederick, May 1912]]
[[File:Maryland - Frederick - NARA - 23941071 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view, 1930]]
Admiral [[Winfield Scott Schley]] (1839–1911) was born at "Richfields", the mansion home of his father. He became an important naval commander of the American fleet on board his flagship and heavy cruiser [[USS Brooklyn|USS ''Brooklyn'']] along with Admiral [[William T. Sampson]] in the [[Battle of Santiago de Cuba]] off the shores of the Spanish island colony of [[Cuba]] in the [[Spanish–American War]] in 1898. Major Henry Schley's son, Dr. Fairfax Schley, was instrumental in setting up the Frederick County Agricultural Society and the Great Frederick Fair.<ref>[[J. Thomas Scharf|Scharf, J. Thomas]]. ''History of Western Maryland'', Vol. I. Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts. 1882. pp. 418–419.</ref> Gilmer Schley served as Mayor from 1919 to 1922, and the Schleys remained one of the town's leading families into the late-20th century.

Nathaniel Wilson Schley, a prominent banker, and his wife Mary Margaret Schley helped organize and raise funds for the annual Great Frederick Fair, one of the two largest agricultural fairs in the State. Since the 1960s, the fair has featured many outstanding country-western singers and become a major music festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thegreatfrederickfair.com/1997/events.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106192303/http://www.thegreatfrederickfair.com/1997/events.htm|url-status=dead|title=The Great Frederick Fair Official Website|archivedate=January 6, 2009}}</ref> Schley Avenue commemorates the family's role in the city's heritage.

The [[Frederick and Pennsylvania Line Railroad Company|Frederick and Pennsylvania Line railroad]] ran from Frederick to the Pennsylvania–Maryland State line, a/k/a [[Mason–Dixon line]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps?q=Kingsdale+PA&ll=39.728841,-77.112694&spn=0.064162,0.110378&client=firefox-beta&channel=np&hnear=Kingsdale,+Germany,+Adams,+Pennsylvania&gl=us&t=m&z=13|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124182233/https://www.google.com/maps?q=Kingsdale+PA&ll=39.728841,-77.112694&spn=0.064162,0.110378&client=firefox-beta&channel=np&hnear=Kingsdale,+Germany,+Adams,+Pennsylvania&gl=us&t=m&z=13|url-status=live}}</ref> Chartered in 1867, construction began in 1869 and the line opened October 8, 1872. However, it defaulted on its interest payments in 1874 and was acquired by the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] in 1875, which formed a new division to operate the rail line. In the spring of 1896, the Frederick and Pennsylvania Line railroad was liquidated in a judicial sale to the Pennsylvania Railroad for $150,000. The railroad survived through mergers and the Penn-Central bankruptcy. However, the State of Maryland acquired the Frederick and Pennsylvania Line in 1982. As of 2013, all but two miles ({{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on|disp=output only|1}}) at the southern terminus at Frederick still exist, operated by either the [[Walkersville Southern Railroad|Walkersville Southern]], or the [[Maryland Midland Railway|Maryland Midland Railway (MMID)]] railroads.

[[Jewish]] pioneers Henry Lazarus and Levy Cohan settled in Frederick in the 1740s as merchants. Mostly German Jewish immigrants organized a community in the mid-19th century, creating the Frederick Hebrew Congregation in 1858. Later the congregation lapsed, but was reorganized in 1917 as a cooperative effort between the older settlers and more recently arrived Eastern European Jews under the name [[Beth Sholom Congregation (Frederick, Maryland)|Beth Sholom Congregation]].

In 1905, Rev. E. B. Hatcher started the First [[Baptist]] Church of Frederick.

After the Civil War, the Maryland legislature established racially segregated public facilities by the end of the 19th century, re-imposing white supremacy. Black institutions were typically underfunded in the state, and it was not until 1921 that Frederick established a public high school for [[African Americans]]. First located at 170 West All Saints Street, it moved to 250 Madison Street, where it eventually was adapted as South Frederick Elementary. The building presently houses the Lincoln Elementary School. The [[Laboring Sons Memorial Grounds]], a cemetery for [[free negro|free blacks]], was founded in 1851.

=== Early 20th century ===
Frederick county began a shift away from Agriculture and towards manufacturing over the post-Civil War era, like most of the country.  In 1914, more Marylanders worked in industry than in Agriculture, and more lived in urban areas than rural.  In Frederick, many farms converted to dairy and orchards, with a decrease in milling.  The shift away from rural life dawned a rise of subdivisions surrounding the urban center, with the creation of West Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh streets, as well as the Frederick City Hospital (now Frederick Health Hospital).<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2025 |title=Overview History of Frederick |url=https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/509/Overview-History-of-Frederick?bidId= |access-date=September 13, 2025 |website=cityoffrederick.md.gov}}</ref>

=== Late 20th Century and Early 21st Century ===
In the past few decades, the greatest theme and challenge of the city has been rapid expansion, per census data.  The primary cause of this has been the expansion of the federal government and corresponding sprawl of the Metro DC area.

This rapid expansion has created a rise of Traffic as a key political issue in the city.

==Geography==
[[File:Carroll Creek bridge - panoramio.jpg|thumb|A bridge crossing over [[Carroll Creek (Maryland)|Carroll Creek]] in Carroll Creek Park]]
Frederick is located in [[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick County]] in the northern part of the state of Maryland. The city has served as a major crossroads since colonial times. Today it is located at the junction of [[Interstate 70 in Maryland|Interstate 70]], [[Interstate 270 (Maryland)|Interstate 270]], [[U.S. Route 340 (Maryland)|U.S. Route 340]], [[U.S. Route 40 in Maryland|U.S. Route 40]], [[U.S. Route 40 Alternate (Hagerstown – Frederick, Maryland)|U.S. Route 40 Alternate]] and [[U.S. Route 15 in Maryland|U.S. Route 15]] (which runs north–south). In relation to nearby cities, Frederick lies {{convert|46|mi|km}} west of [[Baltimore]], {{convert|50|mi|km}} north and slightly west of [[Washington, D.C.]], {{convert|24|mi|km}} southeast of [[Hagerstown, Maryland|Hagerstown]] and {{convert|71|mi|km}} southwest of [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|23.96|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|23.79|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.18|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2017 |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2017_Gazetteer/2017_gaz_place_24.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 29, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref> The city's area is predominantly land, with small areas of water being the [[Monocacy River]], which runs to the east of the city, Carroll Creek (which runs through the city and causes periodic floods, such as that during the summer of 1972 and fall of 1976), as well as several neighborhood ponds and small city owned lakes, such as Culler Lake, a man-made small body of water in the downtown area.<ref name="man_made">{{cite web|url=http://www.historysharkproductions.com/living-united-for-80-years-part-i-a-community-chest/a-waterless-culler-lake|access-date=January 4, 2019|date=April 7, 2016|title=A "waterless" Culler Lake|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205011115/http://www.historysharkproductions.com/living-united-for-80-years-part-i-a-community-chest/a-waterless-culler-lake|archive-date=February 5, 2019}}</ref>

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool winters. It lies to the west of the [[fall line]], which gives the city slightly lower temperatures compared to locales further east. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Frederick has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated ''Cfa'' on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=6337&cityname=Frederick%2C+Maryland%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Frederick, Maryland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712150545/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=6337&cityname=Frederick%2C+Maryland%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |date=July 12, 2014 }}.</ref> Frederick is also the site of the highest temperature recorded in Maryland at {{convert|109|F|C|1}} on July 10, 1936.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/scec/records/all/tmax |title = State Climate Extremes Committee |access-date = April 8, 2023 |archive-date = March 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230316145703/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/scec/records/all/tmax |url-status = live }}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location = Frederick Police Barracks, Maryland ({{coord|39.4161|-77.4389|type:landmark_region:US-MD|format=dms}}), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–2002
| single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 76
| Feb record high F = 80
| Mar record high F = 90
| Apr record high F = 98
| May record high F = 100
| Jun record high F = 104
| Jul record high F = 109
| Aug record high F = 107
| Sep record high F = 102
| Oct record high F = 99
| Nov record high F = 84
| Dec record high F = 77
| year record high F = 109
| Jan high F = 43.1
| Feb high F = 47.8
| Mar high F = 55.3
| Apr high F = 68.6
| May high F = 77.4
| Jun high F = 85.2
| Jul high F = 88.6
| Aug high F = 86.7
| Sep high F = 80.0
| Oct high F = 68.8
| Nov high F = 56.3
| Dec high F = 47.1
| year high F = 67.1
| Jan mean F = 34.8
| Feb mean F = 38.2
| Mar mean F = 45.5
| Apr mean F = 56.7
| May mean F = 66.2
| Jun mean F = 74.2
| Jul mean F = 78.5
| Aug mean F = 76.5
| Sep mean F = 69.7
| Oct mean F = 58.0
| Nov mean F = 47.1
| Dec mean F = 38.9
| year mean F = 57.0
| Jan low F = 26.5
| Feb low F = 28.5
| Mar low F = 35.6
| Apr low F = 44.7
| May low F = 55.0
| Jun low F = 63.3
| Jul low F = 68.4
| Aug low F = 66.4
| Sep low F = 59.3
| Oct low F = 47.2
| Nov low F = 37.8
| Dec low F = 30.7
| year low F = 46.9
| Jan record low F = -21
| Feb record low F = -12
| Mar record low F = 0
| Apr record low F = 13
| May record low F = 24
| Jun record low F = 38
| Jul record low F = 42
| Aug record low F = 39
| Sep record low F = 28
| Oct record low F = 22
| Nov record low F = 4
| Dec record low F = -19
| year record low F = -21
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 2.58
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.95
| Mar precipitation inch = 3.71
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.55
| May precipitation inch = 3.99
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.26
| Jul precipitation inch = 3.90
| Aug precipitation inch = 2.89
| Sep precipitation inch = 5.80
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.26
| Nov precipitation inch = 2.66
| Dec precipitation inch = 3.97
| year precipitation inch = 43.52
| Jan snow inch = 7.2
| Feb snow inch = 4.8
| Mar snow inch = 2.5
| Apr snow inch = 0.0
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.3
| Dec snow inch = 1.7
| year snow inch = 16.5
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 7.6
| Feb precipitation days = 6.5
| Mar precipitation days = 11.2
| Apr precipitation days = 9.8
| May precipitation days = 10.2
| Jun precipitation days = 9.7
| Jul precipitation days = 9.4
| Aug precipitation days = 8.1
| Sep precipitation days = 9.8
| Oct precipitation days = 5.6
| Nov precipitation days = 8.2
| Dec precipitation days = 9.1
| year precipitation days = 105.2
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 2.2
| Feb snow days = 1.5
| Mar snow days = 0.7
| Apr snow days = 0.0
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.1
| Dec snow days = 0.5
| year snow days = 5.0
|source 1 = [[NOAA]] (snow 1981–2010)<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lwx
| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 16, 2021
| archive-date = July 24, 2015
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150724075300/http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lwx
| url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00183348&format=pdf
| title = Station: Frederick Police BRKS, MD
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 16, 2021
| archive-date = June 24, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195303/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00183348&format=pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00183348&format=pdf
| title = Station: Frederick Police Bar, MD
| work = U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981-2010)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 16, 2021
| archive-date = June 24, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195835/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00183348&format=pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
| publisher = Applied Climate Information System
| title = Monthly Highest Max Temperature and Monthly Lowest Min Temperature for Frederick Police BRKS, MD
| access-date = June 16, 2021
| archive-date = August 15, 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190815183401/http://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 3640
|1830= 4427
|1840= 5182
|1850= 6028
|1860= 8143
|1870= 8526
|1880= 8659
|1890= 8193
|1900= 9296
|1910= 10411
|1920= 11066
|1930= 14434
|1940= 15802
|1950= 18142
|1960= 21744
|1970= 23641
|1980= 28086
|1990= 40148
|2000= 52767
|2010= 65239
|2020= 78171
|estyear=2024
|estimate=89537
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=September 18, 2013|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108185756/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br>2024 estimate<ref>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Frederick city, Maryland |url= https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/frederickcitymaryland/PST045224 |website=Census QuickFacts |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Frederick city, Maryland – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Frederick city, Maryland |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US2430325&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Frederick city, Maryland |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2430325&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= |archive-date=May 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506155538/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2430325&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Frederick city, Maryland |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2430325&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= |archive-date=May 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506070147/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2430325&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|39,568
|37,933
|style='background: #ffffe6; |38,221
|74.99%
|58.14%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |48.89%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|7,641
|11,825
|style='background: #ffffe6; |14,526
|14.48%
|18.13%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |18.58%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|142
|185
|style='background: #ffffe6; |131
|0.27%
|0.28%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.17%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|1,651
|3,775
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,425
|3.13%
|5.79%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.66%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|29
|45
|style='background: #ffffe6; |67
|0.05%
|0.07%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.09%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|123
|145
|style='background: #ffffe6; |508
|0.23%
|0.22%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.65%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|1,080
|1,929
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,925
|2.05%
|2.96%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.02%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|2,533
|9,402
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16,368
|4.80%
|14.41%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |20.94%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''52,767'''
|'''65,239'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''78,171'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 78,171 people residing in Frederick city.<ref name="P2">{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Frederick+city;+Maryland+ethnicity |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 16, 2023 |title=2020: DEC Redistricting Data |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516230719/https://data.census.gov/table?q=Frederick+city;+Maryland+ethnicity |url-status=live }}</ref>

2020 census data put the racial makeup of the city at 48.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 18.6% [[African American (U.S. census)|Black]] or [[Race (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 5.7% [[Asian American]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], and 20.9% [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race. Roughly 5% of the city's population was of two or more races, with 0.6% categorized as "Some Other Race".<ref name="P2" />

In regard to minority group growth, the 2020 census data show the city's Hispanic population at 16,368, a 74 percent increase compared with 9,402 in 2010,<ref name="P2" /> making Hispanics/Latinos the fastest growing race group in the city and in Frederick county (87 percent increase<ref name="MDCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/maryland-population-change-between-census-decade.html |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 16, 2023 |title=Maryland: 2020 Census |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516230719/https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/maryland-population-change-between-census-decade.html |url-status=live }}</ref>). Frederick city had 4,425 Asian residents in 2020, a 16 percent increase from the city's 3,800 Asian residents in 2010. The city's Black or African-American population increased roughly 20 percent, from 12,144 in 2010 to 14,526 in 2020.<ref name="P2" />

According to [[American Community Survey]] estimates in 2021, for the roughly 33,907 households in the city, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 30.4% had a female householder with no spouse/partner present, and 20.3% male householders with no spouse/partner present. Approximately 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals living alone and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.97.<ref name="DP02">{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Frederick+city;+Maryland+household |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 16, 2023 |title=2021: ACS 1-Year Estimates Data Profiles |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516230719/https://data.census.gov/table?q=Frederick+city;+Maryland+household |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:FNCLR 2020-05-30.jpg|thumb|[[Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research]]]]
Frederick's relative proximity to [[Washington, D.C.]], has always been an important factor in the development of its local economy, along with the presence of [[Fort Detrick]], its largest employer.

Frederick is the home of [[Riverside Research Park]], a large research park located on Frederick's east side. Tenants include the relocated main offices of the [[National Cancer Institute]]'s [[Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research]] as well as [[Charles River Labs]]; [[JLG Industries]] intends to establish a {{Convert|113000|sqft|m2}} facility here in 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marshall |first=Ryan |date=February 14, 2025 |title=Equipment manufacturer JLG to move to Frederick |work=[[The Frederick News-Post]] |page=A3 |type=Print newspaper. |volume=142 |issue=101}}</ref> As a result of continued and enhanced [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] investment, the Frederick area will likely maintain a continued growth pattern over the next decade.<ref name="rrp">{{cite web |url=https://www.riversideresearchpark.com/ |title=Riverside Research Park/National Cancer Institute |access-date=September 7, 2011 |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903131646/http://www.riversideresearchpark.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Frederick has also been impacted by recent national trends centered on the gentrification of the downtown areas of cities across the nation (particularly in the northeast and mid-Atlantic), and to re-brand them as sites for cultural consumption.

The [[Frederick Historic District]] in the city's downtown houses more than 200 retailers, restaurants and antique shops along Market, Patrick and East Streets.<ref name="ccp">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinfrederick.com/economic_development/carroll_creek_park.htm|title=Economic Development: Carroll Creek Park|access-date=March 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220172945/http://www.businessinfrederick.com/economic_development/carroll_creek_park.htm|archive-date=February 20, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Restaurants feature a diverse array of cuisines, including Italian American, Thai, Vietnamese, and Cuban, as well as a number of regionally recognized dining establishments.

In addition to retail and dining, downtown Frederick is home to 600 businesses and organizations totaling nearly 5,000 employees. A growing technology sector can be found in downtown's historic renovated spaces, as well as in new office buildings located along Carroll Creek Park.

Carroll Creek Park began as a flood control project in the late 1970s.<ref name="ccp" /> It was an effort to reduce the risk to downtown Frederick from the 100-year floodplain and restore economic vitality to the historic commercial district. Today, more than $150 million in private investing is underway or planned in new construction, infill development or historic renovation in the park area.<ref name="ccp" />

The first phase of the park improvements, totaling nearly $11 million in construction, run from Court Street to just past Carroll Street.<ref name="ccp" /> New elements to the park include brick pedestrian paths, water features, planters with shade trees and plantings, pedestrian bridges and a 350-seat amphitheater for outdoor performances.

A recreational and cultural resource, the park also serves as an economic development catalyst, with private investment along the creek functioning as a key component to the park's success. More than 400,000 sf of office space; 150,000 sf of commercial/retail space; nearly 300 residential units; and more than 2,000 parking spaces are planned or under construction.

On the first Saturday of every month, Frederick hosts an evening event in the downtown area called "First Saturday". Each Saturday has a theme, and activities are planned according to those themes in the downtown area (particularly around the Carroll Creek Promenade). The event spans a ten-block area of Frederick and takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. During the late spring, summer, and early fall months, this event draws particularly large crowds from neighboring cities and towns in Maryland, and nearby locations in the tri-state area (Virginia and Pennsylvania). The average number of attendees visiting downtown Frederick during first Saturday events is around 11,000, with higher numbers from May to October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.downtownfrederick.org/downloads/FirstSaturdayAttendeeProfileFinalReport.pdf|title=First Saturday Attendee Profile Study|access-date=March 27, 2011}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

===Top employers===
According to the county's [[comprehensive annual financial report]]s, the top employers by number of employees in the county are the following. ("NR" indicates the employer was not ranked among the top ten employers that year.)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Employer
! Employees<ref name="cafr-2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19977/ACFR---FY-2021-Electronic |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report |work=Department of Finance |publisher=City of Frederick, Maryland |date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=July 24, 2022 |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717221730/https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19977/ACFR---FY-2021-Electronic |url-status=live }}</ref><br/> (2021)
! Employees<ref name="cafr-2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.cityoffrederick.com/DocumentCenter/View/9305/CAFR-FY-2017?bidId=|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20181002012349/http://www.cityoffrederick.com/DocumentCenter/View/9305/CAFR%2DFY%2D2017?bidId%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report |work=Department of Finance |publisher=City of Frederick, Maryland |access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref><br/> (2017)
! Employees<ref name="cafr-2021" /><br/> (2012)
! Employees<ref name="cafr-2017" /><br/> (2008)
|-
|[[Fort Detrick]]
| align=right |8,776
| align=right |5,600
| align=right |9,200
| align=right |7,900
|-
|[[Frederick County Public Schools (Maryland)|Frederick County Board of Education]]
| align=right |6,088
| align=right |5,650
| align=right |5,538
| align=right |5,685
|-
|Frederick Health Healthcare System
| align=right |3,300
| align=right |2,328
| align=right |2,300
| align=right |2,569
|-
|[[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick County Government]]
| align=right | 2,342
| align=right | 2,030
| align=right | 2,130
| align=right | 3,170
|-
|[[Leidos|Leidos Biomedical Research]]
| align=right |2,334
| align=right |2,050
| align=right |1,965
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
|-
|[[Frederick Community College]]
| align=right | 1,286
| align=right | 1,080
| align=right | 899
| align=right | 899
|-
|[[Wells Fargo Home Mortgage]]
| align=right | 1,175
| align=right | 1,700
| align=right | 1,881
| align=right | 1,500
|-
|Frederick City Government
| align=right | 880
| align=right | 870
| align=right | 852
| align=right | 877
|-
|[[AstraZeneca]]
| align=right | 700
| align=right | 700
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
|-
| Stulz Air Technology Systems
| align=right | 520
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
|-
|[[UnitedHealthcare]]
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
| align=right | 128
| align=right | 832
| align=right | 1,100
|-
|[[State Farm Insurance]]
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
| align=right | 793
| align=right | 758
|-
|[[BP Solar]]
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
| align=right | {{abbr|NR|not ranked among the top ten employers this year}}
| align=right | 550
|}

==Culture==
===Cityscape===
[[File:2008 03 28 - Frederick - City Hall 4.jpg|thumb|center|750px|{{center|A panorama of downtown Frederick along North Court Street.}}]]
Frederick is well known for the "clustered spires" skyline of its historic downtown churches. These spires are depicted on the city's seal and many other city-affiliated logos and insignia. The phrase "clustered spires" is used as the name of several city locations such as Clustered Spires Cemetery and the city-operated Clustered Spires Golf Course.

The scale of the older part of the city is dense, with streets and sidewalks suitable for pedestrians, and a variety of shops and restaurants, comprising what ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine in 2010 called one of the United States' "Greatest Neighborhoods".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/11/03/americas-best-neighborhoods-2010-business-beltway-best-neighborhoods.html |work=Forbes |first=Brian |last=Wingfield |title=America's Best Neighborhoods 2010 |orig-date=November 3, 2010 |date=June 19, 2013 |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |access-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729090558/https://www.forbes.com/2010/11/03/americas-best-neighborhoods-2010-business-beltway-best-neighborhoods.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Downtown frederick maryland bridge.jpg|thumb|The Community Bridge mural in Frederick]]
Frederick has a bridge painted with a mural titled ''Community Bridge''. The artist William Cochran has been acclaimed for the ''[[trompe-l'œil]]'' realism of the mural. Thousands of people sent ideas representing "community", which he painted on the stonework of the bridge. The residents of Frederick call it "the mural", "painted bridge", or more commonly, the "mural bridge".<ref>{{cite web |title=Community Bridge Mural Review - Frederick and Western Maryland Maryland - Sights |url=http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/maryland/frederick-and-western-maryland/review-453201.html |website=[[Fodor's Travel]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120125615/http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/maryland/frederick-and-western-maryland/review-453201.html |archive-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref>

===Theatre and arts===
[[File:Barbara Fritchie House MD2.jpg|thumb|[[Barbara Fritchie]] house]]
The Frederick Arts Council is the designated arts organization for Frederick County. The organization is charged with promoting, supporting, and advocating the arts. There are over ten art galleries in downtown Frederick, and three theaters are located within 50 feet of each other (Cultural Arts Center, [[Weinberg Center for the Arts]], and the Maryland Ensemble Theatre). Frederick is the home of The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, a leading non-profit in the region,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.delaplaine.org/Center/ |title=The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center |access-date=June 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524084209/http://www.delaplaine.org/Center/ |archive-date=May 24, 2010}}</ref> as well as the Maryland Shakespeare Festival.

In August 2007, the streets of Frederick were adorned with 30 life-size fiberglass keys as part of a major public art project entitled "The Keys to Frederick". In October 2007, artist William Cochran created a large-scale glass project titled ''[[The Dreaming (Frederick, Maryland)|The Dreaming]]''. The project is in the historic theater district, across from the Wienberg Center for the Arts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.williamcochran.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=3731&tid=0&pid=0apid=1&gpid=1&ipid=1&AKey=YX679BSX|title=William Cochran|website=www.williamcochran.com}}</ref>

The Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET), a professional theater company, is housed on the lower level of the Francis Scott Key Hotel. The MET first produced mainstage theater in 1997, but the group began performing together with its creation of The Comedy Pigs sketch comedy/improv troupe in April 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=About MET |url=https://marylandensemble.org/about-met |access-date=July 26, 2010 |publisher=Maryland Ensemble Theatre |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111194120/http://marylandensemble.org/about-met |url-status=live }}</ref> The students at Hood College also have a theatre club and put on shows at least once during the school year, sometimes two shows are presented during the school year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/HCSMT/posts/|title=Hood College Student Musical Theatre Facebook Page|website=Facebook|access-date=October 22, 2019}}</ref>

The film ''[[Blair Witch Project]]'' (1999) was set in the woods west of [[Burkittsville, Maryland|Burkittsville]], Maryland, in western Frederick County, but it was not filmed there.

===Music===
Frederick has a community orchestra, the Frederick Symphony Orchestra, that performs five concerts per year consisting of classical masterpieces. Other musical organizations in Frederick include the Frederick Chorale, the Choral Arts Society of Frederick, the Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra, and the Frederick Symphonic Band. The Frederick Children's Chorus has performed since 1985. It is a five-tier chorus, with approximately 150 members ranging in age from 5 to 18. A weekly recital is played on the Joseph Dill Baker Carillon every Sunday, year 'round, at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. for half an hour. The [[carillon]] can be heard from anywhere in Baker Park, and the city [[carillonneur]] can be seen playing in the tower once a year as part of the Candlelight tour of Historic Houses of Worship, on the first weekday after Christmas.

Frederick is home to the Frederick School of Classical Ballet, the official school for Maryland Regional Ballet. Approximately 30 dance studios are located around the city. Each year, these studios perform at the annual DanceFest event.
Frederick also has a large amphitheater in Baker Park, which features regular music performances of local and national acts, particularly in the summer months.

[[Clutch (band)|Clutch]], a successful rock band formed in 1990, calls Frederick their home. The band rehearses for each album and tour in Frederick while drummer [[Jean-Paul Gaster]] has been a resident of Frederick since 2001. One of the band's biggest hits, "50,000 Unstoppable Watts", was written about Fort Detrick and Frederick.<ref>[http://www.fredericknewspost.com/arts_and_entertainment/arts_and_entertainment_topics/music/article_8db45ae3-1e55-50f4-9b4c-b8c68b21f8a5.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603230239/http://www.fredericknewspost.com/arts_and_entertainment/arts_and_entertainment_topics/music/article_8db45ae3-1e55-50f4-9b4c-b8c68b21f8a5.html|date=June 3, 2019}}. ''[[Frederick News-Post]]''.</ref>

Frederick is also home to [[indie-rock]] band [[Silent Old Mtns]]. The music video for their 2012 single [[Velvet Raccoon|''Dead All The Time'']] was shot entirely in Historic Downtown Frederick.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dead All The Time|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70xj3lAQHw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/w70xj3lAQHw| archive-date=December 11, 2021 | url-status=live|website=youtube| date=March 22, 2012 |access-date=October 13, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Library===
The main library for Frederick County is located in downtown Frederick, with several branches across the county.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcpl.org/|title=Frederick County Public Libraries|website=Frederick County Public Libraries|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124182234/https://www.fcpl.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Retail===
The city's main mall is the [[Francis Scott Key Mall]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shopfskmall.com/|title=Francis Scott Key Mall {{!}} Shopping Mall {{!}} Frederick, MD {{!}} Washington DC|website=shopfskmall.com|access-date=October 11, 2016|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011011902/http://shopfskmall.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> An abandoned retail center, the [[Frederick Towne Mall]] existed previously, and closed in 2013. There are plans for the Frederick Towne Mall, now known as District 40<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/district-40-mall-fesco-energy-120000062.html|title=The District 40 mall and FESCO Energy enter into an exclusive agreement to develop a microgrid using resilient and sustainable energy systems|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en-US|access-date=February 21, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221212531/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/district-40-mall-fesco-energy-120000062.html|url-status=live}}</ref> to include new shopping options as construction which began in 2020.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} The movie theater Warehouse Cinemas opened here in September 2020.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===Religion===
There are numerous religious denominations in Frederick: the first churches were established by early Protestant settlers, followed by Irish Catholics and other European Catholics.

St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Della (now [[Urbana, Maryland|Urbana]]) is one of the oldest active African-American churches in Frederick County, Maryland, according to a testimonial placed in its cornerstone which stated that it was the first [[African Methodist Episcopal Church|A.M.E.]] church built in the southern part of Frederick County. It was built in 1916 on a foundation first laid in 1908.<ref name="mht">{{cite web |title=State Historic Sites Inventory Form for St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church |url=https://apps.mht.maryland.gov/medusa/PDF/Frederick/F-7-28.pdf |publisher=Maryland Historical Trust |access-date=February 1, 2019}}</ref>

Other denominations represented in Frederick City and in the surrounding county include large numbers of [[Schwarzenau Brethren|Brethren]], as well as some [[Pentecostal]] churches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frederick.com/frederick/maryland/Churches_Pentecostal|title=Frederick, MD - Churches Pentecostal|access-date=April 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222212020/http://www.frederick.com/frederick/maryland/Churches_Pentecostal|archive-date=February 22, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Quinn Chapel, of the [[African Methodist Episcopal]] (A.M.E.) Church, is located on East Third Street. The AME Church, founded in Philadelphia in the early 19th century by free blacks, is the first black independent denomination in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Churches+of+Frederick,+Maryland&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Churches+of&hnear=Frederick,+MD&view=text&ei=JN0JTMCBHI72Mqn1-bUE&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQtQMwAA | title=Churches near frederick maryland}}</ref> [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) has had a presence in Frederick since the 1970s when the first congregation was organized and now includes four congregations in two buildings within the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frederick.com/frederick/maryland/Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_LDS|title=Frederick, MD - Church of Jesus Christ of LDS|access-date=September 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230183736/http://www.frederick.com/frederick/maryland/Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_LDS|archive-date=December 30, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Beth Sholom Congregation (Frederick, Maryland)|Beth Sholom Congregation]], a conservative [[synagogue]], has been in Frederick since 1917. Congregation Kol Ami, a [[Reform Judaism|Reform synagogue]], was founded in 2003. [http://www.jewishfrederick.org/ Chabad Lubavitch of Fredrick] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529223211/http://www.jewishfrederick.org/ |date=May 29, 2014}}, a [[Chabad]], was founded in 2009.

Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple, located in Urbana, serves Frederick's [[Hindu]] community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sbat.org/sri-bhaktha-anjaneya-temple|title=SBAT – Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple|access-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006125338/http://sbat.org/sri-bhaktha-anjaneya-temple/|archive-date=October 6, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Islam]]ic Society of Frederick, founded in the early 1990s, serves Frederick's [[Muslim]] community.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.isfmd.org/home |title=ISF - Islamic Society of Frederick, MD |access-date=April 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510212825/http://www.isfmd.org/home |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Sports==

=== Baseball ===
The [[Frederick Keys]] are a [[collegiate summer baseball]] team in the [[MLB Draft League]] that was formerly a [[minor league baseball]] team associated with the [[Baltimore Orioles]] (1989–2020). The Keys are named after [[Francis Scott Key]], who was a resident of Frederick. They play at [[Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reichard |first1=Kevin |date=December 9, 2020 |title=Orioles raise Aberdeen, drop Frederick in 2021 affiliate moves |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2020/12/09/orioles-raise-aberdeen-drop-frederick-in-2021-affiliate-moves/ |access-date=February 8, 2023 |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |location=Madison, Wisconsin, United States}}</ref>

The [[Spire City Ghost Hounds]] are an [[Independent baseball league|independent baseball team]] in the [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball]] that began playing at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium in April 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dacy |first1=Alexander |title=Still nameless, winless: Amid fanfare, Frederick's new Atlantic League team falls in home debut |url=https://news.yahoo.com/still-nameless-winless-amid-fanfare-035900094.html |access-date=May 3, 2023 |work=[[Frederick News-Post]] |via=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=May 2, 2023 |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503155332/https://news.yahoo.com/still-nameless-winless-amid-fanfare-035900094.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The team went on hiatus for the 2024 season, planning to return in 2025 when the Atlantic League expands to 12 teams.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://goghosthounds.com/spire-city-ghost-hounds-to-take-hiatus-for-2024-season/ |title=Spire City Ghost Hounds to Take Hiatus for 2024 Season |first=Kayla |last=Shaw |date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=April 21, 2024 |website=Spire City GhostHounds}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=July 2025}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reichard |first1=Kevin |date=September 23, 2023 |title=Ghost Hounds to sit out 2024 season |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2023/09/23/ghost-hounds-to-sit-out-2024-season/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |location=Madison, Wisconsin, United States |archive-date=June 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614193424/https://ballparkdigest.com/2023/09/23/ghost-hounds-to-sit-out-2024-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Basketball ===
The Flying Cows are a professional basketball team competing in [[The Basketball League]] that started playing in [[Woodsboro Bank Arena]] at [[Hood College]] in April 2024.<ref name="debut">{{cite news |last1=Cauley |first1=Bill |date=March 3, 2024 |title=Udderly amazing: Flying Cows' debut with buzzer-beating win over Reading |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sports/level/professional/udderly-amazing-flying-cows-debut-with-buzzer-beating-win-over-reading/article_b86fa3eb-b977-5ea7-a057-066d6b6464c7.html |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421161032/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sports/level/professional/udderly-amazing-flying-cows-debut-with-buzzer-beating-win-over-reading/article_b86fa3eb-b977-5ea7-a057-066d6b6464c7.html |archive-date=April 21, 2024 |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=[[Frederick News-Post]] |language=en}}</ref> In the early 1990s, the Frederick Flyers played in the Atlantic Basketball League at [[Frederick Community College]]'s arena before they relocated to Pennsylvania.<ref name="debut" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Kent |date=March 10, 1994 |title=In Frederick, it's no frills for Flyers |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1994/03/10/in-frederick-its-no-frills-for-flyers |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421163827/https://www.baltimoresun.com/1994/03/10/in-frederick-its-no-frills-for-flyers/ |archive-date=April 21, 2024 |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref>

=== Soccer ===
[[FC Frederick]] is a semi-pro team in the [[National Premier Soccer League]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cauley |first=Bill |date=May 30, 2015 |title=FC Frederick ready for home debut |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sports/level/professional/fc-frederick-ready-for-home-debut/article_5047b015-931c-5c1a-b584-c0917374eab7.html |access-date=September 21, 2021 |newspaper=[[Frederick News-Post]] |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921084111/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sports/level/professional/fc-frederick-ready-for-home-debut/article_5047b015-931c-5c1a-b584-c0917374eab7.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The club plays home games at Thomas Athletic Field at [[Hood College]].

===Rugby===

In 1990, Frederick Men's Rugby was formed. They are a D3 program in the Capital Rugby Union. They play their home matches at Tobin Triebel Pitch at Walnut Ridge Park.

In 2004, Frederick Women's Rugby was formed. They are a D3 program in the Capital Rugby Union. They play their home matches at Tobin Triebel Pitch at Walnut Ridge Park.

=== Cricket ===
A proposed [[Ground (cricket)|cricket ground]] at the junction of [[Interstate 70 in Maryland|Interstate 70]] and East Patrick Street, abutting the [[Monocacy River]] was approved by the Frederick Planning Commission in July 2025, construction of which would require local [[Rezoning|land use rezoning]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Nolan |date=July 19, 2025 |title=Grounds for Contention |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/real_estate_and_development/city-county-residents-air-objections-to-cricket-proposal/article_d1714bbc-c53f-59bf-950a-1892c68e128a.html |access-date=July 31, 2025 |work=[[The Frederick News-Post]] |pages=A1 and A12 |volume=142 |issue=231 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250719103347/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/real_estate_and_development/city-county-residents-air-objections-to-cricket-proposal/article_d1714bbc-c53f-59bf-950a-1892c68e128a.html |archive-date=July 19, 2025}}</ref> Significant public opposition emerged in advance of pending approval by the Frederick Council.<ref name=":2" />

==Government==
[[File:Frederick City Hall MD1.jpg|thumb|Frederick City Hall]]

=== Voting and voter registration ===
As of the November 4, 2025 local election, Frederick had 59,688 registered voters;<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Nolan |date=November 5, 2025 |title=Long Lines |work=[[The Frederick News-Post]] |page= |type=Paper copy |volume=143 |issue=19}}</ref>{{Reference page|page=A1}} the majority of local voting took place via [[Postal voting|mail-in]] and [[early voting]] rather than in-person on Election Day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Nolan |date=November 5, 2025 |title=Mayoral hopefuls await results |work=[[The Frederick News-Post]] |type=Print copy |volume=149 |issue=19}}</ref>{{Reference page|page=A10}}  A city-only voter registration roll came into effect in September 2024 coincident with allowing all residents, regardless of citizenship status, to vote in municipal elections.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Nolan |date=February 14, 2025 |title=Non-citizen voter rolls considered public, city emphasizes |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/non-citizen-voter-rolls-will-be-public-city-emphasizes/article_adf50d0c-2a72-5661-a14b-36386b8212f3.html |access-date=February 14, 2015 |work=[[The Frederick News-Post]] |type=Paper |archive-date=February 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214192927/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/non-citizen-voter-rolls-will-be-public-city-emphasizes/article_adf50d0c-2a72-5661-a14b-36386b8212f3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Rp|page=A1}} People who have state-level registration do not need to register at the city level.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=A1}} As of February 2025, not a single person had yet taken advantage of the city-level registration.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=A10}}

===City executive===
[[File:Frederick Mayor Michael O'Connor 54607973912 (cropped).jpg|200px|thumb|The incumbent mayor is Michael O'Connor (pictured in 2025)]]
In 2017, Democrat Michael O'Connor was elected mayor of Frederick.

Previous mayors include:
{{colbegin|colwidth=20em}}
*Lawrence Brengle (1817)
*Hy Kuhn (1818–1820)
*[[George Baer Jr.]] (1820–1823)
*[[John L. Harding]] (1823–1826)
*George Kolb (1826–1829)
*[[Thomas Carlton (mayor)|Thomas Carlton]] (1829–1835)
*Daniel Kolb (1835–1838)
*Michael Baltzell (1838–1841)
*George Hoskins (1841–1847)
*M. E. Bartgis (1847–1849)
*James Bartgis (1849–1856)
*Lewis Brunner (1856–1859)
*W. G. Cole (1859–1865)
*J. Engelbrecht (1865–1868)
*Valerius Ebert (1868–1871)
*Thomas M. Holbruner (1871–1874)
*Lewis M. Moberly (1874–1883)
*Hiram Bartgis (1883–1889)
*Lewis H. Doll (1889–1890)
*Lewis Brunner (1890–1892)
*John E. Fleming (1892–1895)
*Aquilla R. Yeakle (1895–1898)
*William F. Chilton (1898–1901)
*George Edward Smith (1901–1910)
*John Edward Schell (1910–1913)
*Lewis H. Fraley (1913–1919)
*Gilmer Schley (1919–1922)
*Lloyd C. Culler (1922–1931)
*Elmer F. Munshower (1931–1934)
*Lloyd C. Culler (1934–1943)
*Hugh V. Gittinger (1943–1946)
*Lloyd C. Culler (1946–1950)
*Elmer F. Munshower (1950–1951)
*Donald B. Rice (1951–1954)
*John A. Derr (1954–1958)
*Jacob R. Ramsburg (1958–1962)
*E. Paul Magaha (1962–1966)
*John A. Derr (1966–1970)
*E. Paul Magaha (1970–1974)
*[[Ronald N. Young]] (1974–1990)
*Paul P. Gordon (1990–1994)
*James S. Grimes (1994–2002)
*[[Jennifer Dougherty]] (2002–2005)
*W. Jeff Holtzinger (2005–2009)
*Randy McClement (2009–2017)
*Michael O'Connor (2017-)
{{colend}}

====Recent mayoral elections====
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%"
|+ Recent mayoral election results
|-
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! colspan=2| [[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
! rowspan=5|
! Turnout
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''2021'''<ref>{{cite web |title=The City of Frederick, MD 2021 General Election Official Results |url=https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/1535/2021-General-Election-Results |publisher=City of Frederick, Maryland |access-date=November 22, 2022 |date=November 10, 2021}}</ref>
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|Steven Hammrick<br>14.31% ''1,486''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''Michael O'Connor (inc.)'''<br>'''69.43% ''7,208'''''
|  colspan=2 style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|[[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]<br>16.26% ''1,688''
|  style="text-align:center | 21.79%
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''2017'''<ref>{{cite web |title=The City of Frederick, MD November 7, 2017 General Election Official Results |url=https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9260/2017-Official-General-Election-Results?bidId= |publisher=City of Frederick, Maryland |access-date=September 22, 2020 |date=November 9, 2017 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929214422/https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9260/2017-Official-General-Election-Results?bidId= |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|Randy McClement (inc.)<br>36.66% ''3,295''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''Michael O'Connor'''<br>'''58.17% ''5,229'''''
|  colspan=2 style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|[[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]<br>5.17% ''465''
|  style="text-align:center | 20.77%
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''2013'''<ref>{{cite web |title=The City of Frederick, MD November 5, 2013 General Election Official Results |url=https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3604/2013-Official-General-Election-Results?bidId= |publisher=City of Frederick, Maryland |access-date=September 22, 2020 |date=November 7, 2013 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929214605/https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3604/2013-Official-General-Election-Results?bidId= |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Randy McClement (inc.)'''<br>'''49.56% ''4,121'''''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[Karen Lewis Young]]<br>31.10% ''2,586''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|[[Jennifer P. Dougherty]] (Party: "Other")<br>19.10% ''1,588''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|Write-ins<br>0.24% ''20''
|  style="text-align:center | 23.42%
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''2009'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Summary Report Official Ballot City of Frederick, Maryland General Election November 3, 2009 Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS |url=https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/954/2009-General-Election-Final-Results?bidId= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105233213/https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/954/2009-General-Election-Final-Results?bidId= |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |publisher=City of Frederick, Maryland |access-date=September 22, 2020 |date=November 5, 2009}}</ref>
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Randy McClement'''<br>'''51.28% ''3,712'''''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jason Judd Young<br>47.40% ''3,431''
|  colspan=2 style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|Write-ins<br>1.31% ''95''
|  style="text-align:center | 23.61%
|}
[[File:Fountain, Frederick, MD IMG 4700.JPG|thumb|Fountain in Frederick]]

===Representative body===
Frederick has a board of aldermen of six members (one of whom is the mayor) that serves as its legislative body. Elections are held every four years. Following the elections on November 2, 2021, Kelly Russell, Donna Kuzemchak, Derek Shackelford, Katie Nash (City Council President),<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=A1}} and Ben MacShane, all Democrats, were elected to the board. Democrat Michael O'Connor was re-elected mayor.<ref>[https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/election_2017/democrats-get-clean-sweep-in-race-for-frederick-board-of/article_f0d9acce-3db9-522b-ac15-1cc74294c93e.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108083600/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/election_2017/democrats-get-clean-sweep-in-race-for-frederick-board-of/article_f0d9acce-3db9-522b-ac15-1cc74294c93e.html|date=November 8, 2017}}. ''[[Frederick News-Post]]''.</ref> Two additional members should be added in December 2025 following legislation passed in September 2024.<ref name=":1" />

===Police===
The city has its own [[Frederick City Police Department (Maryland)|police department]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Frederick Police Department {{!}} The City of Frederick, MD - Official Website|url=https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/99/Frederick-Police-Department|access-date=January 26, 2021|website=www.cityoffrederickmd.gov|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125103051/https://cityoffrederickmd.gov/99/Frederick-Police-Department|url-status=live}}</ref> and is also covered by the county sheriff's office.

=== Budget ===
The proposed County budget for 2026 has been reported to be {{USD|238 million|2025}}, the approved 2025 budget being about {{USD|223 million|2025}}.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Nolan |date=April 4, 2025 |title=Panel raises questions about raises for city employees, reserve fund in budget |work=[[Frederick News-Post]] |pages=A3 |type=Paper}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Alumnae Hall Hood College MD1.jpg|thumb|Alumnae Hall at [[Hood College]]]]

===Public schools===
[[Frederick County Public Schools (Maryland)|Frederick County Public Schools]] (FCPS) operates area public schools.

FCPS ranks number one in the state of [[Maryland]] in the 2012 School Progress Index accountability data, which includes overall student performance, closing achievement gaps, student growth and college and career readiness.<ref name="FCPS Fast Facts" /> FCPS holds the second-lowest dropout rate in the state of Maryland at 3.84%,<ref name="FCPS Fast Facts">{{cite web|title=Fast Facts / Fast Facts About FCPS|url=https://www.fcps.org/fastfacts|work=Frederick County Public Schools|access-date=March 26, 2014|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010134235/http://www.fcps.org/fastfacts|url-status=dead}}</ref> with a graduation rate at 93.31%.<ref name="FCPS Fast Facts" /> In 2013, FCPS's [[SAT]] average combined mean score was 1538,<ref name="FCPS Fast Facts" /> which is 55 points higher than Maryland's combined average of 1483 and 40 points higher than the nation's average of 1498.<ref name="FCPS Fast Facts" />  Academic achievement improved from 2024 to 2025 across the system, based on the Maryland School Report Card dataset.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Frances |first=Esther |date=November 5, 2025 |title=FCPS sees increase in academic achievement, third grade literacy |work=[[The Frederick News-Post]] |page=A3 |type=Paper copy}}</ref>  All of FCPS's high schools, except for Oakdale High School, which was not open to all grade levels at the time of the survey, are ranked in the top 10% of the nation for encouraging students to take [[Advanced Placement|AP]] classes.<ref name="FCPS Fast Facts" />

High schools serving Frederick students include:
<!--Just list schools serving inhabitants of the city, not all of Frederick County-->
*[[Frederick High School (Maryland)|Frederick High School]]
*[[Governor Thomas Johnson High School]]
*[[Tuscarora High School (Maryland)|Tuscarora High School]]
*[[Oakdale High School (Maryland)|Oakdale High School]]

Other high schools in Frederick County:
*[[Middletown High School (Maryland)|Middletown High School]]
*[[Catoctin High School]]
*[[Brunswick High School (Maryland)|Brunswick High School]]
*[[Linganore High School]]
*[[Urbana High School (Maryland)|Urbana High School]]
*[[Walkersville High School]]

Other public schools: Adult Education, Career and Technology Center, Heather Ridge School, Outdoor School, Rock Creek School, and The Earth and Space Science Laboratory. A public [[charter school]], Frederick Classical Charter School, also serves students. Frederick County was long-time home to a highly innovative outdoor school for all sixth graders in Frederick County.<ref name="schools.fcps.org">{{cite web |url=http://schools.fcps.org/outdoor/index.html |title=FCPS Outdoor School Home Page |access-date=January 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103173239/http://schools.fcps.org/outdoor/index.html |archive-date=January 3, 2010}}. [[Frederick County Public Schools (Maryland)|Frederick County Public Schools]].</ref> This school was located at Camp Greentop, near the presidential retreat at Camp David and Cunningham Falls State Park.<ref name="schools.fcps.org" />

===Private schools===
*The Banner School
*St. John Regional Catholic School
*Frederick Adventist Academy
*[[Saint John's Catholic Prep (Maryland)|Saint John's Catholic Prep]]
*New Life Christian School
*Frederick Christian Academy

===K–12 schools===
*Blue Heron<ref name=":4" />
*Carroll Manor<ref name=":4" />
*Centerville<ref name=":4" />
*Deer Crossing<ref name=":4" />
*[[Friends Meeting School]]
*Green Valley<ref name=":4" />
*[[Maryland School for the Deaf]]
*Middletown Middle School<ref name=":4" />
*Myersville<ref name=":4" />
*Sugarloaf<ref name=":4" />
*Tuscarora<ref name=":4" />
*[[Urbana Elementary School|Urbana]]<ref name=":4" />
*Wolfsville<ref name=":4" />

===Colleges and universities===
* [[Frederick Community College]]
* [[Hood College]]
* [[Mount St. Mary's University]], Frederick County, Maryland<ref>[https://www.msmary.edu/inside/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213102617/http://www.msmary.edu/inside/|date=February 13, 2023}}. [[Mount St. Mary's University]].</ref>

==Media==
{{see also|List of newspapers in Maryland|List of radio stations in Maryland|List of television stations in Maryland}}

===Television===
Frederick is licensed one Maryland Public Television station affiliate: [[Maryland Public Television|WFPT 62 (PBS/MPT)]].

===Radio===
The city is home to [[WSHE (AM)|WSHE]] 820 AM (the former WZYQ 1370) and 94.3 FM, relaying free-form The Gamut; [[WFMD]] 930 AM broadcasting a news/talk/sports format; [[WFRE]] 99.9 FM broadcasting country music; and [[WAFY]] 103.1 FM which plays all the latest pop songs. The following box details all of the radio stations in the local market.
{{Frederick Radio}}

===Print===
Frederick's newspaper of record is ''[[The Frederick News-Post]]''.

==Transportation==
[[File:2019-07-24 10 43 51 View west along Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 40 (Baltimore National Pike) from the overpass for New Design Road in Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland.jpg|thumb|[[Interstate 70|I-70]] and [[U.S. Route 40|US 40]] in Frederick]]
{{Main|Frederick Branch (Baltimore and Ohio Railroad)|Frederick and Pennsylvania Line Railroad Company|Hagerstown & Frederick Railway|TransIT services of Frederick, Maryland}}
Frederick's location as a crossroads has been a factor in its development as a minor distribution center both for the movement of people in Western Maryland, as well as goods. This intersection has created an efficient distribution network for commercial traffic in and out, as well as through the city.

Major roads and streets in Frederick are intersected by: 
*'''{{jct|state=MD|I|70}}''': A major east–west interstate highway connecting Frederick to [[Baltimore]] and [[Hagerstown, Maryland|Hagerstown]]
*'''{{jct|state=MD|I|270}} Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Highway''': Begins at I-70, and spurs southeastward towards [[Washington, D.C.]]
*'''{{jct|state=MD|US|15}} Frederick Freeway''': Travels north to [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania|Gettysburg, PA]] and south concurrent with U.S. 340 to [[Point of Rocks, Maryland]] and [[Leesburg, Virginia]].
*'''{{jct|state=MD|US|40}}''': Runs concurrent with I-70 and U.S. 15 North until becoming West Patrick Street and Old National Pike to [[Middletown, Maryland|Middletown]].
*'''{{jct|state=MD|US|340}}''': Runs southwestward with U.S. 15 until spurring west towards [[Harpers Ferry, West Virginia]].

From 1896 to 1961, Frederick was served by the [[Hagerstown & Frederick Railway]], an [[interurban]] [[Tram|trolley]] service that was among the last surviving systems of its kind in the United States.
[[File:Frederick MARC station, July 2015.jpg|thumb|Frederick [[MARC Train|MARC]] station]]
The city is served by [[MARC Train|MARC commuter rail]] service, which operates several trains daily on the former [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad]]'s [[Old Main Line Subdivision|Old Main Line]] and [[Metropolitan Subdivision|Metropolitan Branch]] subdivisions to [[Washington, D.C.]]; [[Route 991 (MTA Maryland)|Express bus route 991]], which operates to the [[Shady Grove (Washington Metro)|Shady Grove Metrorail Station]], and a series of buses operated by [[TransIT services of Frederick, Maryland]]. [[Greyhound Lines]] also serves the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frederick Frederick Bus Stop, Frederick, MD {{!}} Greyhound bus stop |url=https://www.greyhound.com/bus/frederick-md/frederick-frederick-bus-stop |access-date=March 2, 2024 |website=www.greyhound.com |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302210750/https://www.greyhound.com/bus/frederick-md/frederick-frederick-bus-stop |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Frederick Municipal Airport (Maryland)|Frederick Municipal Airport]] has a mile-long runway and a second 3600' runway.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airport Information|url=http://frederickairport.com/fdkinfo.htm|publisher=Frederick Airport Association|access-date=March 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714120504/http://frederickairport.com/fdkinfo.htm|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=usurped}}</ref><!-- related topic does not give a reason for this -->

Beginning in the 1990s, Frederick has invested in several urban infrastructure projects, including streetscape, new bus routes, as well as multi-use paths.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111222011530/http://www.cityoffrederick.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=798] City of Frederick.</ref> A circular road, Monocacy Boulevard, is an important component to the revitalization of its historic core.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riversidefive.com/news/72409.cfm |title=Frederick, MD Breaks Ground on Monocacy Boulevard Connection |access-date=May 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120125620/http://www.riversidefive.com/news/72409.cfm |archive-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref>

The Mayor's Ad-hoc Bicycle Committee was formed in 2010 and given the mission to achieve designation for the city as a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) by the [[League of American Bicyclists]]. The first application resulted in an Honorable Mention. Upon reapplication In 2012, Frederick achieved the bronze level BFC designation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fredericknewspost.com/blogs/blogs_collection/bicycling_in_and_around_frederick/frederick-a-bicycle-friendly-community/article_aa79e5a6-e891-11e2-84e1-001a4bcf6878.html|title=Frederick: A Bicycle-Friendly Community|date=July 9, 2013|work=Frederick News Post|access-date=July 10, 2014|archive-date=December 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218003937/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/blogs/blogs_collection/bicycling_in_and_around_frederick/frederick-a-bicycle-friendly-community/article_aa79e5a6-e891-11e2-84e1-001a4bcf6878.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The city's third application resulted in re-certification as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community. Work is ongoing to achieve an even stronger designation (Silver) at the time of the next application.

In 2013, the Mayor's Ad-hoc Bicycle Committee was expanded in scope to include pedestrian issues and was formally adopted by [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20181002064931/http://www.cityoffrederick.com/DocumentCenter/View/2965/13%2D08%2DCreating%2Da%2DBicycle%2Dand%2DPedestrian%2DAdvisory%2DCommittee?bidId%3D Resolution 13-08] as a permanent standing committee called the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). The BPAC advises City officials and staff on the sound development, management, and safe use of The City of Frederick's pedestrian and bicycle systems as they relate to infrastructure, accessibility, and promoting the benefits of these systems.

In 2024, the BPAC was renamed as the Active Mobility Advisory Committee (AMAC),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Kelly |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Ordinance Concerning the Active Mobility Advisory Committee. |url=https://cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2965/13-08-Creating-a-Bicycle-and-Pedestrian-Advisory-Committee?bidId= |access-date=September 13, 2025 |website=cityoffrederickmd.gov |archive-date=June 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610090855/https://cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2965/13-08-Creating-a-Bicycle-and-Pedestrian-Advisory-Committee?bidId= |url-status=live }}</ref> wish a larger scope targeting other forms of transportation including "walking, biking, skateboarding,... wheelchair, e-scooter, or any other form of micromobility."

==Notable people==
{{main|List of people from Frederick, Maryland}}

==See also==
{{portal|Geography|Maryland}}
* [[USS Frederick|USS ''Frederick'']], 2 ships
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Frederick, Maryland}}
{{Wikivoyage|Frederick}}
{{NIE Poster|Frederick}}
* [https://www.fcps.org/schools Frederick County Public Schools List of Schools]
* [https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/ Official city government website]

{{Geographic Location
| Center    = Frederick
| North     = [[Thurmont, Maryland|Thurmont]], [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania|Gettysburg, PA]]<br>[[File:US 15.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 15 in Maryland|US 15 North]]
| Northeast = [[Walkersville, Maryland|Walkersville]], [[Woodsboro, Maryland|Woodsboro]]<br>[[File:MD Route 194.svg|25px]] [[Maryland Route 194|MD 194 North]]
| East      = [[Linganore-Bartonsville, Maryland|Linganore-Bartonsville]], [[Baltimore]]<br>[[File:I-70.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 70 in Maryland|I-70 East]]
| Southeast = [[Urbana, Maryland|Urbana]], [[Washington, D.C.]]<br>[[File:I-270.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 270 (Maryland)|I-270 South]]
| Southwest = [[Jefferson, Maryland|Jefferson]], [[Harpers Ferry, West Virginia|Harpers Ferry, WV]]<br>[[File:US 340.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 340 in Maryland|US 340 West]]
| South     = [[Buckeystown, Maryland|Buckeystown]], [[Tuscarora, Maryland|Tuscarora]]<br>[[File:MD Route 85.svg|20px]] [[Maryland Route 85|MD 85 South]]
| West      = [[Middletown, Maryland|Middletown]], [[Boonsboro, Maryland|Boonsboro]]<br>[[File:US 40.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 40 in Maryland|US 40 West]]
| Northwest = [[Myersville, Maryland|Myersville]], [[Hagerstown, Maryland|Hagerstown]]<br>[[File:I-70.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 70 in Maryland|I-70 West]]
}}
{{Frederick, Maryland}}
{{Frederick County, Maryland}}
{{County Seats of Maryland}}
{{Largest cities of Maryland|collapsed}}
{{Maryland}}
{{DCMetroArea}}
{{Northeast Megalopolis}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Frederick, Maryland| ]]
[[Category:1745 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:Cities in Frederick County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Cities in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area]]
[[Category:County seats in Maryland]]
[[Category:Monocacy River]]
[[Category:Palatine German settlement in Maryland]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania Dutch culture in Maryland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1745]]
[[Category:Washington metropolitan area]]