Frostburg, Maryland

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Frostburg, Maryland
Official seal of Frostburg, Maryland
Seal
Location in Maryland
Location in Maryland
Coordinates: 33°39′17″N 78°55′40″W / 33.65472, -78.92778
Country United States
State Maryland
County Allegany
Incorporated 1816
Government
 - Mayor Arthur T. Bond
Area
 - Total 3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²)
 - Land 3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation 2,070 ft (631 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 7,873
 - Density 2,576.5/sq mi (994.8/km²)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 21532
Area code(s) 301
FIPS code 24-30900
GNIS feature ID 0584526
Website: www.ci.frostburg.md.us
For the NSA computer, see FROSTBURG.

Frostburg is a city in Allegany County, Maryland, United States located at the head of the Georges Creek Valley. It is part of the 'Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 7,873 at the 2000 census. Located eight miles west of Cumberland, Maryland, the town is one of the first cities on the "National Road", US 40, and the western terminus of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Since 1991, the city has been served by Interstate 68.

Frostburg is the home of Frostburg State University, an institution within the University System of Maryland.

The City of Frostburg is a community with a population of approximately 8,075 year round residents. In addition, 5,400 students attend Frostburg State University, which is the only four year state higher education institution west of the University of Maryland College Park.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Frostburg is located at 39°39′17″N, 78°55′40″W (39.654687, -78.927773)[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (7.9 km²), all of it land.

Frostburg is located in the Allegheny Mountains on the eastern slope of Big Savage Mountain. The closest cities to Frostburg are Cumberland, Maryland, 8 miles to the east, and Morgantown, West Virginia, 62 miles to the west.

[edit] Schools and universities

[edit] Weather

Frostburg is located in the Allegheny Mountains and has an average elevation of 2000 feet above sea level. Because of the elevation and location near the Allegheny Front, about 2900+ feet, Frostburg has a colder, wetter climate than the rest of Allegany County. Average summer temperatures peak at only 79°F in July. In December, January, and February, average monthly temperatures range from 32-37°F, which combined with moderate precipitation can leave large portions of the town and surrounding landscape to be snow and ice-covered for weeks or even months straight. Driving conditions on I-68 and US 40 can be very hazardous despite timely state and local road maintenance services. Frostburg averages over 100 inches of snowfall a year and significant amounts can fall as early as October and as late as May.

On June 2, 1998, an F4 tornado struck Frostburg, damaging 125 homes and Frost Elementary School.[3] This tornado is a counterexample for the myth that tornadoes do not occur in rough terrain.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 7,873 people, 2,840 households, and 1,252 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,576.5 people per square mile (993.4/km²). There were 3,123 housing units at an average density of 1,022.0/sq mi (394.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.42% White, 6.40% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

There were 2,840 households out of which 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.9% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city the population was spread out with 12.4% under the age of 18, 41.0% from 18 to 24, 17.2% from 25 to 44, 14.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,215, and the median income for a family was $53,234. Males had a median income of $35,417 versus $26,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,821. About 6.1% of families and 30.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Notable Residents

[edit] Notable Landmarks

  • Frostburg is home to the God's Ark of Safety ministry and its associated roadside landmark, a skeletal steel structure representing the biblical Noah's Ark being built on the I-68 highway hillside since 1976.[6]

[edit] Nearby Places

[edit] Cities

[edit] Smaller communities

[edit] Local Art & Culture

  • Frostburg Palace Theatre Mission
  • Arion Band is a community band based in Frostburg. Established in 1877, the band has now been performing for 129 years. The band gives five to ten performances in the Frostburg and Cumberland areas during the summer.

[edit] References

  1. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ History of Frostburg State University
  3. ^ June 2, 1998 PA-MD-WV Tornado Outbreak
  4. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ Strauss, Robert. "Ode to Joi(sey)", The New York Times, April 27, 2003. Accessed October 9, 2007. "Mr. Dunn, who used to live in Port Republic, a remote town in the interior of South Jersey, now divides his time between Ocean City and his wife's hometown, Frostburg, Md."
  6. ^ Cleary, Caitlin. "If the flood comes too soon, this ark won't be quite ready". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 16, 2006. Accessed April 16, 2006.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links