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Allegany County, Maryland

Allegany County is a county located in the western portion of the U.S. State of Maryland. As of 2000, the population is 74,930. Its county seat is Cumberland. The name Allegany comes from a local Indian word, oolikhanna, and means "beautiful stream." It should be noted that the spelling Allegany County is used in New York as well as in Maryland; Pennsylvania spells a similarly-named county Allegheny County, while Virginia and North Carolina spell theirs Alleghany County.

Table of contents
1 History
2 Law and government
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 Cities and towns
6 Colleges and universities

History

The western part of Maryland (including the present Allegany County) was incorporated into Prince George's County in 1696. This county included six current counties, and by repeated splitting, new ones were generated: Frederick from Prince George's in 1748; and Montgomery and Washington from Frederick in 1776.

Allegany County was formed in 1789 by the splitting of Washington County. At the time it was the westernmost county in Maryland, but a later (1872) split produced Garrett County, the current westernmost county.

Law and government

Allegany County was granted a home rule form of government in 1974.

Geography

Allegany County includes seven municipalities: Cumberland (incorporated 1815)
  • Frostburg (incorporated 1839)
    • Barton (incorporated 1900)
  • Lonaconing (incorporated 1890)
  • Luke (incorporated 1922)
  • Midland (incorporated 1900)
  • Westernport (incorporated 1858)
    • Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people, but they lack local government. The United States Census Bureau recognizes the following Census-Designated Places in Allegany County:
    1. Cresaptown-Bel Air
    2. La Vale

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,113 km² (430 mi²). 1,102 km² (425 mi²) of it is land and 11 km² (4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.02% water.

    Demographics

    As of the census2 of 2000, there are 74,930 people, 29,322 households, and 18,883 families residing in the county. The population density is 68/km² (176/mi²). There are 32,984 housing units at an average density of 30/km² (78/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 93.02% White, 5.35% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

    There are 29,322 households out of which 26.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.60% are married couples living together, 10.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.60% are non-families. 30.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.20% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.35 and the average family size is 2.90.

    In the county the population is spread out with 20.60% under the age of 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.90 males.

    The median income for a household in the county is $30,821, and the median income for a family is $39,886. Males have a median income of $31,316 versus $21,334 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,780. 14.80% of the population and 9.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.70% are under the age of 18 and 9.50% are 65 or older.

    Cities and towns

    Colleges and universities