Frederick County has had a higher job growth rate and business growth rate compared to the state of Maryland 
JOB GROWTH
Frederick County added 1,506 jobs from 4Q-2016 to 4Q-2017, representing an increase of 1.5%. During the same time frame, the state of Maryland had a job growth rate of 0.8%, adding 2,580,100 jobs.
Frederick County ended 2017 with 102,604 jobs, representing 7,178 additional jobs since 2013 and an overall increase of 7.5% over the past five years. Maryland’s five year job growth rate was 5.5% during the same time frame.
Fig.1 Job Growth Comparisons
| Year | # of Frederick County Jobs | Annual % Increase in Frederick County Jobs | # of Maryland Jobs | Annual % Increase in Maryland Jobs |
| 4Q-2017 | 102,604 | 1.5% | 2,682,704 | 0.8% |
| 4Q-2016 | 101,098 | 0.7% | 2,661,935 | 1.1% |
| 4Q-2015 | 100,399 | 2.8% | 2,632,168 | 1.7% |
| 4Q-2014 | 97,691 | 2.4% | 2,588,039 | 1.3% |
| 4Q-2013 | 95,426 | 1.2% | 2,554,977 | 0.6% |
Source: Maryland Dept of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
BUSINESS GROWTH
Frederick County also had a net of 56 new businesses from 2016 to 2017 for an annual increase of 0.9%. The state of Maryland had a 0.5% increase during the same time frame, or 926 businesses.
As of 4th quarter 2017, there were 6,487 businesses in Frederick County, representing 216 net new businesses since 2013 and an overall increase of 3.4% over the past five years. The state of Maryland’s business growth rate was 2.8% during the same time frame.
Fig 2. Business Growth Comparisons
| Year | Number of Businesses | Annual % Increase in Business | # of Maryland Businesses | Annual % Increase in Maryland Businesses |
| 4Q-2017 | 6,487 | 0.9% | 172,461 | 0.5% |
| 4Q-2016 | 6,431 | 0.6% | 171,535 | 1.2% |
| 4Q-2015 | 6,393 | 0.6% | 169,459 | 1.3% |
| 4Q-2014 | 6,355 | 1.3% | 167,328 | 0.2% |
| 4Q-2013 | 6,271 | -0.01% | 167,057 | -0.4% |
Source: Maryland Dept of Labor, Licensing and Regulation