| Town of Smithsburg, Maryland | |||
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| — Town — | |||
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| Location of Smithsburg, Maryland | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | Maryland | ||
| County | Washington | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2) | ||
| • Land | 0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 771 ft (235 m) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| • Total | 2,146 | ||
| • Density | 2,352.5/sq mi (908.3/km2) | ||
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP code | 21783 | ||
| Area code(s) | 301 | ||
| FIPS code | 24-72900 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0591306 | ||
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.[1] Smithsburg is close to Fort Ritchie army base and just west of the presidential retreat Camp David.
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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 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.
Smithsburg is located at (39.654846, -77.573643)[2].
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.
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.
As of the census[3] 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.
Smithsburg has three schools: Smithsburg High School (one of the 7 in Washington County), Smithsburg Middle School, and Smithsburg Elementary School. Smithsburg High School currently enrolls 902 students. The 116,260-square-foot (10,801 m2) school was built in 1965.
Smithsburg hosts the annual Steam and Craft Show in September, Smithsburg Hometown Christmas in December, Smithsburg Pride Days in July, and the Smithsburg Carnival every final week of June.
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