The Frederick area includes the city of Frederick, Maryland's second largest city, and the surrounding area. It is located in Frederick County in west-central Maryland. The formal beginnings of the city are traced to the laying out of Frederick Town and its settlement in 1745, and it was incorporated as a Maryland municipality in 1816. Its population according to the 2000 census is 52,767. Frederick prides itself on being a diverse community with an expanding economy, rich cultural heritage and stable quality of life.