Surry County, Virginia
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| Surry County, Virginia | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Virginia |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | |
|---|---|
| Seat | Surry |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
723 km² (279 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 81 km² (31 mi²), 10.06% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
6,829 9/km² |
Surry County is a county located in the south-eastern part of the U.S. state of Virginia. As of 2000 census, the population is 6,829. Its county seat is Surry6. Surry County, mainly a farming community, didn't get its first traffic light until March 2004.
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[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 804 km² (310 mi²). 723 km² (279 mi²) of it is land and 81 km² (31 mi²) of it (10.06%) is water.
[edit] History and transportation
Surry County was formed from a portion of James City County in the Royal Colony of Virginia in 1652. It was named for the English County of Surrey. It included all of James City County (itself formed in 1634) which was located south of the James River. Surry County initially consisted of Lawne's Creek Parish and Southwark Parish (of the Church of England).
Nearby, in 1665, Arthur Allen built a Jacobean brick house which later became known as Bacon's Castle because it was occupied as a fort or "castle" during Bacon's Rebellion in 1676. (Contrary to popular folklore, the rebellious Nathaniel Bacon never lived at Bacon's Castle, but rather, resided at Curles Neck Plantation in Henrico County about 30 miles upriver on the northern bank of the James River).
The first town, Cobham, was established in 1691 where Gray's Creek empties into the James River. Neighboring Sussex County was formed from the southwestern end of Surry County in 1754.
In over 350 years of existence, Surry County has carefully guarded both its heritage and rural nature. However, it is located only a short ride on the Jamestown Ferry from Virginia's Historic Triangle of the colonial era major tourist attractions of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. The county itself hosts several small towns, several of the James River plantations, and a state park.
The county is bisected by State Route 31 and State Route 40, as well as its major artery, the historic path of State Route 10 which follows the general line of the south bank of the James River between Prince George County and Isle of Wight County.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 6,829 people, 2,619 households, and 1,917 families residing in the county. The population density was 9/km² (24/mi²). There were 3,294 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 46.87% White, 51.60% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,619 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 14.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,558, and the median income for a family was $41,234. Males had a median income of $31,123 versus $21,143 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,682. About 9.70% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.40% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Points of interest
- Bacon's Castle
- Chippokes Plantation State Park
- Claremont Manor Plantation
- Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
- Surry Nuclear Power Plant
[edit] Incorporated towns
Incorporated towns in Surry County include:
[edit] Unincorporated communities
Unincorporated communities in Surry County include:
- Bacon's Castle
- Cabin Point
- Scotland
- Spring Grove
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| Middle Peninsula: | |
| Virginia Peninsula: |
Hampton | James City County | Newport News | Poquoson | Williamsburg | York County |
| South Hampton Roads: |
Chesapeake | Isle of Wight County | Norfolk | Portsmouth | Suffolk | Surry County | Virginia Beach |
| Northeast North Carolina: |
