The Hagerstown–Martinsburg metropolitan area, officially designated by the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as Hagerstown–Martinsburg, Maryland–West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), constitutes the primary cities of Hagerstown, Maryland; Martinsburg, West Virginia; and surrounding areas in three counties: Washington County, Maryland; Berkeley County, West Virginia; and Morgan County, West Virginia. The metro area lies mainly within the rich, fertile Cumberland and Shenandoah valleys, and is approximately a 60–90 minute drive from Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Hagerstown is approximately 75 mi driving distance from all three cities. The population of the metropolitan area as of 2008 is 263,753.

Counties

Communities

Washington County (2008 population estimate 145,384) City: Towns: Census Designated Places (CDPs): Other unincorporated communities: Berkeley County (2008 population estimate 102,044) City: Town: Unincorporated communities: Morgan County (2008 population estimate 16,325) Towns: Unincorporated communities:

Urban areas

The metropolitan area contains parts of or all of the following Urbanized Areas and Urban Clusters (that are likewise designated by the OMB) within its boundaries:

Geography

Hagerstown–Martinsburg, MD–WV Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) covers an area of 1019 sqmi. The MSA is roughly bordered to the east by South Mountain, to the west by Sideling Hill, to the north by the Mason–Dixon line, and to the south by Northern Virginia. Elevations run from about 250 ft above sea level in low-lying valleys to approximately 1250 ft above sea level at Sideling Hill. The Potomac River runs from west to east through the heart of the metro area with tributaries including Sideling Hill Creek, Conococheague Creek, and Antietam Creek. Terrain in the region is very well-suited and used for dairy farming, cornfields, and fruit orchards. Some undeveloped deciduous forestry also exists, especially in the mountainous portions of the area. However, much of the region's land is becoming increasingly threatened by urban sprawl. Hagerstown and Martinsburg are situated in the transition between the humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa) and the humid continental climate zone (Köppen Dfa), with hot, humid summers and cool to moderately cold winters where average annual snowfall is around 20 inches and temperatures below 15 °F are annual occurrences.

Demographics

The metropolitan area's population in 2000 was 222,771. The 2008 estimate is 263,753, making Greater Hagerstown-Martinsburg the 169th largest metropolitan area in the United States. The growth rate from 2000 to 2008 is +18.4%, meaning that the metro area is the 48th fastest growing MSA (out of 363 total MSAs) in the entire country and the most rapidly growing in Maryland and West Virginia from 2000 to 2008. Metropolitan Hagerstown-Martinsburg also registered a higher net numerical population gain from 2006 to 2007 than Baltimore-Towson, MD MSA during the same time period. Much of the growth is due to the influx of people from Washington, D.C. and, to a lesser extent, Baltimore.

Transportation

Major highways

Airports

Hagerstown Regional Airport, also known as Richard A. Henson Field provides passenger service for the Hagerstown Metro Area residents The Martinsburg Regional Airport, just south of Martinsburg is a designated general aviation reliever facility and also home to the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing flying the C-17 Globemaster III.

Mass transit

Education and healthcare

Colleges and universities

Hospitals

Media

Radio

Television

Major newspapers