Smithsburg, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Smithsburg is a town in Washington County
, Maryland
, United States
. Its population was 2,146 at the 2000 census and latest 2008 estimates are at 2,908. Smithsburg is close to Fort Ritchie
army base and just west of the presidential retreat Camp David
.
Smithsburg acted as a hospital town during the American Civil War
in 1862, treating wounded soldiers from nearby battles at South Mountain
and Antietam. On July 5, 1863, Confederate General James Stuart and Union General Kilpatrick exchanged artillery fire over Smithsburg. Kilpatrick continued the advance to Boonsboro, Maryland
after the engagement on July 6.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
The only body of water that is within the limits of Smithsburg is the now inactive Smithsburg reservoir.
Smithsburg is characterized by rolling hills and open space. The town is well-known for its farming community, including apple orchards and dairy farms.
of 2000, there were 2,146 people, 728 households, and 561 families residing in the town. The population density
was 2,352.5 people per square mile (910.5/km²). There were 763 housing units at an average density of 836.4 per square mile (323.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.25% White, 2.33% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races
, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.28% of the population.
There were 728 households out of which 52.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples
living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.40.
In the town the population was spread out with 35.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $50,795, and the median income for a family was $58,958. Males had a median income of $41,700 versus $26,207 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,373. About 6.8% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.
(one of the 7 in Washington County), Smithsburg Middle School, and Smithsburg Elementary School. Smithsburg High School
currently enrolls 902 students. The 116260 square feet (10,800.9 m²) school was built in 1965.
Washington County, Maryland
Washington County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Maryland, bordering southern Pennsylvania to the north, northern Virginia to the south, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia to the south and west. As of the 2010 Census, its population is 147,430...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its population was 2,146 at the 2000 census and latest 2008 estimates are at 2,908. Smithsburg is close to Fort Ritchie
Fort Ritchie
Fort Ritchie was a military installation south of Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania in the area of South Mountain . The installations's closure under the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure was nearly complete by 1998: "Out the Gate, by 98" .-History:In 1815, the Buena Vista Ice Company constructed two...
army base and just west of the presidential retreat Camp David
Camp David
Camp David is the country retreat of the President of the United States and his guests. It is located in low wooded hills about 60 mi north-northwest of Washington, D.C., on the property of Catoctin Mountain Park in unincorporated Frederick County, Maryland, near Thurmont, at an elevation of...
.
History
Smithsburg, MD was founded in 1813 by Christopher "Stuffle" Smith. Mr. Smith purchased a plot of land formerly known as "part of Shadrack's Lot." The community's development was directly influenced by factors such as migration paths, the arrival of the railroad, and advances in agricultural technology. By 1923, much of the existing village had been erected. Smithsburg was incorporated in 1846.Smithsburg acted as a hospital town during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in 1862, treating wounded soldiers from nearby battles at South Mountain
Battle of South Mountain
The Battle of South Mountain was fought September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. Three pitched battles were fought for possession of three South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. Maj. Gen. George B...
and Antietam. On July 5, 1863, Confederate General James Stuart and Union General Kilpatrick exchanged artillery fire over Smithsburg. Kilpatrick continued the advance to Boonsboro, Maryland
Boonsboro, Maryland
Boonsboro is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States, located at the foot of South Mountain. It nearly borders Frederick County and is proximate to the Antietam National Battlefield...
after the engagement on July 6.
Geography
Smithsburg is located at 39°39′17"N 77°34′25"W (39.654846, -77.573643).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
The only body of water that is within the limits of Smithsburg is the now inactive Smithsburg reservoir.
Smithsburg is characterized by rolling hills and open space. The town is well-known for its farming community, including apple orchards and dairy farms.
Climate
Due to Smithsburg's location between the Appalachian Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, its climate is considered mild to moderate. The area has warm, humid summers and winters with temperatures hovering around freezing point.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,146 people, 728 households, and 561 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,352.5 people per square mile (910.5/km²). There were 763 housing units at an average density of 836.4 per square mile (323.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.25% White, 2.33% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.28% of the population.
There were 728 households out of which 52.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.40.
In the town the population was spread out with 35.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $50,795, and the median income for a family was $58,958. Males had a median income of $41,700 versus $26,207 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $18,373. About 6.8% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Smithsburg has three schools: Smithsburg High SchoolSmithsburg High School
Smithsburg High School was constructed in 1965 on 66 North Main Street in the town of Smithsburg, Maryland, United States. The school is part of the Washington County Public Schools system. Its current principal is Karim Shortridge. The School Day is 8:45 a.m...
(one of the 7 in Washington County), Smithsburg Middle School, and Smithsburg Elementary School. Smithsburg High School
Smithsburg High School
Smithsburg High School was constructed in 1965 on 66 North Main Street in the town of Smithsburg, Maryland, United States. The school is part of the Washington County Public Schools system. Its current principal is Karim Shortridge. The School Day is 8:45 a.m...
currently enrolls 902 students. The 116260 square feet (10,800.9 m²) school was built in 1965.