MDMap-doton-Smithburg, 2004
Smithsburg’s story
214 years in pictures
Census counts: 366 in 1850, 2,977 in 2020. The archive holds 1 old photo or paper going back to 2004 and 6 maps from 1912 on.
- 1812Smithsburg is founded
SmithsburgMD
Trash day: Tuesday1 bordering townMap →
Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
3,212
2025 Census estimate · +7.3% since 2020
Typical home
$366K
+1.3% in a year
Household income
$101K
median
Median age
33.6
years
Jobs based here
427
A commuter town
TownGrade
A−
#85 of 259 in MD
Is Smithsburg a good place to live?
Smithsburg gives you more for your money than most places: homes are within reach, about $366K for a typical one, or 4.6 years of the Hagerstown metro’s $79K median household income. It grades A− overall, ranked 85th of 259 in Maryland. On the plus side, it reports less crime per resident than 76% of U.S. towns. Only 1 of the 55 Maryland towns we compare have a lower violent crime rate than Smithsburg. Smithsburg's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) is stronger than in 81% of U.S. towns. Only 1 of the 261 Maryland towns we compare have a lower July high than Smithsburg.
What makes Smithsburg stand out
Where Smithsburg beats most towns.
Natural hazardsA
Very low risk of storm and flood damage
FEMA National Risk Index.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Smithsburg0.3
Maryland3.7
U.S.3.3
SafetyA−
92% less violent crime than MD
FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.
0historic places
History
Founded in 1812
A long history
A history going back 214 years.
A commuter town
98% of working residents leave Smithsburg for work
Where Smithsburg’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
427jobs based in Smithsburg
2%of working residents work in town
17 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How Smithsburg grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Maryland), ordered by how far Smithsburg is from typical.
Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 9% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listAOpen →SafetyA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8 of 20; 1.2% of households have no car; 2.5% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB+Open →SchoolsBOpen →Cost of livingBOpen →Jobs & income$101K median household income; 427 jobs based hereBOpen →HealthLess healthy than 51% of U.S. towns; Meritus Medical Center 5.9 miles awayB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsConserved land, trails and parksB−Open →History2 notable people born hereB−Open →Civic life3.6 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsA−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateCold winters, 84° summer afternoons, 28″ of snow–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 33.6; 27% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 204 attractions →Raven Rock Mountain Complex and 25 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Smithsburg. Close and well known come first.
Big draw10 mi LandmarkRaven Rock Mountain Complex
14 mi National BattlefieldAntietam National Battlefield161K visitors a year
4 mi National park siteCatoctin Mountain Park461K visitors a year
22 mi Ancient siteGettysburg Battlefield
22 mi LandmarkGettysburg National Cemetery
19 mi National Military ParkGettysburg National Military Park730K visitors a yearSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Raven Rock Mountain Complex: US Government, Public domain · Antietam National Battlefield: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Catoctin Mountain Park: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gettysburg Battlefield: Veggies, Public domain · Gettysburg National Cemetery: Photo: Henryhartley at en.wikipedia Statue: Randolph Rogers (1825-1892), Public domain · Gettysburg National Military Park: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Smithsburg: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Smithsburg, and how to reach them.
PowerPotomac Edison15.4¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterTown of Smithsburg Distribution SystemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpTuesdayTown pickupTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn Maryland you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 21 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereWashington County Board of ElectionsWashington County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2025
ZIP code2178321783 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Mar 11, 2026.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Smithsburg.
Smithsburg pairs an A− overall with homes cheaper than the Maryland norm and fares better on crime within Maryland than nationally, but it trails even towns with similar incomes on health.
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A
Inland flooding leads a very low hazard risk in Smithsburg
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 91% of U.S. communities.
9risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingHurricanesTornadoes
4
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SchoolsB
On state tests, Smithsburg’s schools beat 64% of Maryland districts
Its public schools are run by the Washington County Public Schools. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Smithsburg High, with 733 students.
64%of MD districts it outscoresBSchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithsburg MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 554 | B |
| Smithsburg HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 733 | A+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MD on state tests and graduation
SafetyA−
Smithsburg earns an A− for safety
At 9.6 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports less crime than 88% of Maryland’s graded towns. Reported crimes fell from 30 to 13 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Smithsburg’s property crime rate is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, where Maryland’s towns sit at 14.4 and U.S. towns at 9.9.
76%of U.S. towns report more crimeA−Safety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Smithsburg0.3
Maryland3.7
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Smithsburg3.7
Maryland18.5
U.S.15.5
76th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
88th
percentile among MD towns
1
violent crimes reported in 2025
12
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
Smithsburg has 0.3 jobs for every working resident, so most commute out
Most working residents leave Smithsburg for work: only 2% work in town. Smithsburg’s average trip to work is 36 minutes, above both Maryland’s towns (32 minutes) and U.S. towns (25 minutes). 16% of residents live below the poverty line in Smithsburg.
2%work in town
| Smithsburg | Maryland towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 36 minutes | 32 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 16% | 7% | 9.6% |
| Work from home | 11% | 18% | 11% |
| Median household income | $101,000 | $113,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Smithsburg2%
Hagerstown13%
Frederick11%
Robinwood4%
Ballenger Creek4%
17 mi
median commute distance
427
jobs based in Smithsburg
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 66% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
In Smithsburg, expect four seasons and pleasant summers
Smithsburg has chilly winters and warm summers. Only 2 of the 261 Maryland towns we compare have a lower January low than Smithsburg.
28″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter24–41°
Spring41–62°
Summer62–82°
Fall45–64°
Oct 19
typical first frost
Apr 25
typical last frost
+1.6°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HousingCost of living grade B
Smithsburg earns a B for cost of living
Smithsburg grades A− overall with a typical home of about $366K, below the Maryland typical value; only 13 of the 54 Maryland towns graded A− or better can say that.
The median rent in Smithsburg is $931 a month. The typical Smithsburg home is worth about $366,000, up 1.3% in a year, 14% below the Maryland typical home.
$366KZillow home value
| Smithsburg | Maryland towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $931 a month | $1,810 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 69% | 74% | 73% |
Typical home value
Smithsburg$366K
Maryland$425K
+1.3%
value change, 1 year
2
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
HealthB−
More of Smithsburg’s adults have been diagnosed with depression than in the typical Maryland or U.S. town
Against the 8,492 U.S. towns with household incomes like Smithsburg’s, it is less healthy than 76%, so it trails even them.
25% of Smithsburg adults have been diagnosed with depression. Smithsburg beats the Maryland average on 1 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 8. 38% of Smithsburg adults have obesity.
49%healthier than U.S. townsB−Health Grade
| Smithsburg | Maryland towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 25% | 20% | 23% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 15% | 17% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 38% | 36% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 11% | 14% |
32 measures vs. Maryland
1 better23 too close to call8 worse
| What stands out | Smithsburg | MD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults with high cholesterol | 33.5% | 38.1% |
| More smokers | 15.1% | 10.9% |
Meritus Medical Center
5.9 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
23rd
percentile among MD towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Smithsburg
19pages on Smithsburg
The big questions
SchoolsBBeat 64% of MD districts · 3 schoolsSafetyA−0.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB−Better than MD on 1 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingB$366K typical home · up 1.3% in a yearWork & commuteB$101K median household income · 427 jobs hereNatural hazardsAFEMA risk higher than 9% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
3 within 15 miles of the center of Smithsburg
Hagerstown Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Hagerstown4.9 mi$4,320 in-state tuitionMount St. Mary's UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Emmitsburg12.3 mi$48,630 tuitionPennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont AltoUniversity or college · Public · Mont Alto, PA13.1 mi$14,408 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Smithsburg residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across Maryland.
About Smithsburg
Town in Maryland, United States
Smithsburg is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,977 at the 2020 census. Smithsburg is close to the former Fort Ritchie army base and just west of the presidential retreat Camp David.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1813
- Area
- 1.1 sq mi
- Elevation
- 771 ft
- ZIP code
- 21783
- Area code
- 301
Smithsburg’s neighbors
One town shares a border with Smithsburg.
CavetownSmithsburg
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MD rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithsburg | #85 | A− | B | A− | B | B− |
| Cavetown | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Cavetown isn’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Smithsburg with a neighbor →
Questions about Smithsburg
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Smithsburg, MD a good place to live?
By most measures, yes. Smithsburg grades A− overall, better than 81% of U.S. towns and #85 of 259 in Maryland. It grades B− for health, A− for safety and B for schools.
Is Smithsburg, MD expensive?
Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B.
What is Smithsburg, MD known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Jessica Fitzwater and John L. McAtee.