Northumberland County, Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Northumberland County, Virginia | |
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 Location in the state of Virginia |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | 1648 |
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| Seat | Heathsville |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
740 km² (286 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 242 km² (93 mi²), 32.68% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
12,259 25/km² |
| Website: www.co.northumberland.va.us | |
Northumberland County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 12,259. Its county seat is Heathsville6.
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[edit] History
The county was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1648 during a period of rapid population growth and geographic expansion. Settlement began in this area of the Northern Neck around 1635. Originally known as the Indian district Chickacoan, the first appearance of the name Northumberland in the colonial records was in 1644. The following year, John Mottrom served as the first burgess for the territory in Jamestown.
The size of the county was drastically reduced in 1652 and 1653 as Lancaster County and Westmoreland County, respectively, were carved out of Northumberland County.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 740 km² (286 mi²). 498 km² (192 mi²) of it is land and 242 km² (93 mi²) of it (32.68%) is water. The county is located between the Rappahannock River and Potomac River.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 12,259 people, 5,470 households, and 3,785 families residing in the county. The population density was 25/km² (64/mi²). There were 8,057 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (42/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 72.18% White, 26.58% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,470 households out of which 20.11% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the county, the population was spread out with 18.60% under the age of 18, 4.80% from 18 to 24, 20.20% from 25 to 44, 30.10% from 45 to 64, and 26.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 91.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,129, and the median income for a family was $49,047. Males had a median income of $30,151 versus $24,116 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,917. 12.30% of the population and 8.10% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.00% are under the age of 18 and 10.70% are 65 or older.
[edit] Reedville and Menhaden
Reedville, a small town in eastern Northumberland County, is home to the Atlantic menhaden fishing industry. Years ago, dozens of fish processing factories, most recently Omega Protein Corporation (successor to Zapata Haynie, Reedville Oil and Guano Company and Haynie Products Company) and Standard Products Company, dotted the Northumberland coastline near Reedville and adjacent fishing communities. Today, Omega Protein remains as the largest industrial organization in the area. Omega, with a fleet of large ocean-going fish harvesting vessels, supported by a number of spotter aircraft, is a major industry in the area and on the eastern seaboard. Menhaden, once caught, are cooked in large mass and processed for further use in various applications including as a protein additive for poultry feed. Menhaden have brought tremendous wealth to Reedville and to Northumberland County. Reedville, a town of approximately 500, was once known as the wealthiest town in the United States due to the large sums of money produced by the menhaden industry.
[edit] Towns
- Kilmarnock in Lancaster County extends into southeastern Northumberland County.
There are no incorporated towns in the county. Significant unincorporated villages include:
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