Wakefield, Virginia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wakefield is an incorporated town in Sussex County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,038 at the 2000 census.

Popular legend has it that William Mahone (1826-1895), builder of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad (now Norfolk Southern), and his cultured wife, Otelia Butler Mahone (1837-1911), of Smithfield traveled along the newly completed railroad around 1858 naming stations. Otelia was reading Ivanhoe, a book written by Sir Walter Scott. From his historical Scottish novels, Otelia chose the place names of Wakefield, as well as Windsor and Waverley. She tapped the Scottish Clan "McIvor" for the name of Ivor, a small town in neighboring Southampton County. When they could not agree, it is said that they invented a new name, which is how the tiny community of Disputanta was created. The N&P railroad was completed in 1858.

William Mahone became a Major General in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, and later, a Senator in the United States Congress. A large portion of U.S. Highway 460 between Petersburg and Suffolk is named in his honor.

Wakefield is also famous for being the "Peanut Capital of the World" and the location of the famous Virginia Diner, as well as the site of Airfield Conference and 4-H Educational Center.

[edit] Geography

Wakefield is located at 36°58′13″N, 76°59′18″W (36.970219, -76.988461)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²). 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (3.10%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,038 people, 423 households, and 285 families residing in the town. The population density was 320.6/km² (833.2/mi²). There were 485 housing units at an average density of 149.8/km² (389.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 47.50% White, 51.25% African American, 0.19% Native American, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.39% of the population.

There were 423 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,500, and the median income for a family was $34,539. Males had a median income of $26,429 versus $21,595 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,290. About 9.9% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.1% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.