Loudoun County, Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Loudoun County, Virginia | |
Map | |
Location in the state of Virginia |
|
Virginia's location in the U.S. |
|
Statistics | |
Founded | 1757 |
---|---|
Seat | Leesburg |
Area - Total - Land - Water |
521 sq mi (1,349 km²) 520 sq mi (1,347 km²) 1 sq mi (3 km²), 0.24% |
Population - (2000) - Density |
169,599 326/sq mi (126/km²) |
Website: www.loudoun.gov |
Loudoun County (pronounced /ˈlaʊdən/ "LOUD-un") is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of July 2006, the county is estimated to be home to 268,817 people, [1] a 58 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fastest growing in the United States during that period. Its county seat is Leesburg[1]. As of 2007, the town had been county seat for 249 of the last 250 years[2].
Loudoun County briefly emerged as the wealthiest jurisdiction in the nation, when in 2005 household median income surpassed $98,000, exceeding neighboring Fairfax County at $94,610.[3] Loudoun fell back to second next year when Fairfax County's household median reached $100,318 compared to Loudon's $99,371[4].
Contents[hide] |
[edit] History
Loudoun County was established in 1757 from Fairfax County. The county is named for John Campbell, Fourth Earl of Loudoun and Governor of Virginia from 1756–59. Western settlement began in the 1720s and 1730s with Quakers, Scots-Irish, Germans and others moving south from Pennsylvania and Maryland and by English and African slaves moving upriver from Tidewater.
By the time of the American Revolution, it was the most populous county in Virginia. During the War of 1812, important Federal documents and government archives were evacuated from Washington and stored at Leesburg for safe keeping. Local tradition holds that these documents were stored at Rokeby House and thus that Leesburg was briefly the capital of the United States.
Early in the American Civil War, the Battle of Balls Bluff took place near Leesburg on October 21, 1861. Future jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. was critically wounded in that battle along the Potomac River. During the Gettysburg Campaign in June 1863, Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuart and Union cavalry clashed in the battles of Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville. Confederate partisan John S. Mosby based his operations in Loudoun and adjoining Fauquier County (for a more in-depth account of the history of Loudoun County during the Civil War, see Loudoun County in the American Civil War).
[edit] Notable people from Loudoun County
James Monroe constructed and resided at Oak Hill near Aldie after his presidency. American Civil War Brigadier General Robert H. Chilton (Chief of Staff under Robert E. Lee) was a native of Loudoun County. World War II general George C. Marshall resided at Dodona Manor in Leesburg. Entertainer Arthur Godfrey lived near historic Waterford, Virginia. Loudoun County is also notable for being the birthplace of Julia Neale Jackson, mother of Stonewall Jackson, and Susan Catherine Koerner, mother of the Wright Brothers.[5][6]
[edit] Law and government
Like all counties in Virginia, Loudoun is governed by a board of supervisors. The Chairman of the Board is elected by the voters at-large while the remaining supervisors are elected from each of eight election districts in the county. All nine members serve concurrent terms of four years. While the board handles policy issues and sets the budget, day-to-day operations of the county government are handled by a County Administrator appointed by the board. As of 2006, six of the supervisors were members of the Republican Party: Vice-Chairman Bruce E. Tulloch, Lori Waters, Stephen J. Snow, Jim Clem, Eugene Delgaudio, and Mick Staton. One supervisor, Sally R. Kurtz, is of the Democratic Party, while the remaining two, Jim Burton and Chairman Scott K. York, are Independents. Due to the chairman being elected separately, Chairman York does not command a majority support. Because of this, after the 2003 election the Republican members moved to strip much of the authority and power from the chairman and give it to Vice-Chairman Tulloch.[7] The 2003 board, among other officials in Loudoun, was the subject of a federal investigation of possible corruption relating to a land deal involving the Royal Saudi Academy.[8]
[edit] 2007 Election
On November 6, 2007, voters in Loudoun County voted to remove four incumbent Republicans from the existing Board of Supervisors. Vice-Chairman Bruce E. Tulloch (Potomac) and Supervisors Stephen J. Snow (Dulles), Jim Clem (Leesburg), and Mick Staton (Sugarland Run) lost their re-election bids. Democratic challengers Andrea McGimsey, Stevens R. Miller, C. Kelly Burk, and Susan Klimek Buckley will replace them respectively, at the beginning of the new term in January 2008. Chairman Scott K. York (I-At Large) and Supervisors Lori Waters (R-Broad Run), Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling), Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin), and Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) will all retain their seats for the new term. The make-up of the 2007 Board of Supervisors is five Democrats, two Republicans, and two Independents. [9]
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Loudoun County has a total area of 521 square miles (1,350 km²), of which, 520 square miles (1,346 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (3 km²) of it (0.24%) is water. It is bounded on the North by the Potomac River; across the river are Frederick and Montgomery Counties in Maryland; it is bounded on the south by Prince William and Fauquier Counties, on the west by watershed of the Blue Ridge Mountains across which are Jefferson County, West Virginia and Clarke County, and on the east by Fairfax County. The Bull Run Mountains and Catoctin Mountain bisect the county. To the west of the range is the Loudoun Valley. Bisecting the Loudoun Valley from Hillsboro to the Potomac River is Short Hill Mountain.
[edit] Street addresses
Block numbers in the unincorporated areas of Loudoun County, with the exception of older Sterling Park and the community of CountrySide, are assigned in the following manner: on north-south streets, block numbers increase from north to south and range from 10000 to 29900; on east-west streets, block numbers increase from west to east and range from 30000 to 49900.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Fairfax County (east)
- Prince William County (southeast)
- Fauquier County (south)
- Jefferson County, West Virginia (west)
- Clarke County (west)
- Washington County, Maryland (northwest, across the Potomac River)
- Frederick County, Maryland (north, across the Potomac River)
- Montgomery County, Maryland (northeast, across the Potomac River)
[edit] Major Highways
- U.S. Route 15
- U.S. Route 50
- State Route 7
- State Route 28
- State Route 267 (Dulles Greenway)
- Loudoun County Parkway
[edit] National protected area
[edit] Economy
Traditionally a rural county, Loudoun's population has grown dramatically since the 1980s. Having undergone heavy suburbanization in the past few decades, Loudoun has a full-fledged service economy. It is home to world headquarters for several Internet-related and high tech companies, including Verizon Business, Telos, Orbital Sciences Corporation, and America Online. Like Fairfax County's Dulles Corridor, Loudoun County has economically benefited from the existence of Washington Dulles International Airport, the majority of which is located in the county along its border with Fairfax. Loudoun does retain a strong rural economy in the western part of the county. The Equine Industry has an estimated revenue of $78 Million. It is home to the Morven Park International Equestrian Center which hosts national horse trials. Loudoun has 12 wineries[10] and over 25 active farms. Loudoun has rich soil and was in the late 1800s the fourth-largest wheat producer in the U.S.[11]
[edit] Recent development
In recent years, Loudoun has become one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. The once rural county now has a mecca of industry centered around Washington Dulles International Airport. $1,000,000+ homes are springing up throughout the countryside. In light of this, the county has placed many building restrictions in an attempt to retain the rural feel.
[edit] Demographics
Historical populations | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1900 | 21,948 |
|
|
1910 | 21,167 | −3.6% | |
1920 | 20,577 | −2.8% | |
1930 | 19,852 | −3.5% | |
1940 | 20,291 | 2.2% | |
1950 | 21,147 | 4.2% | |
1960 | 24,549 | 16.1% | |
1970 | 37,150 | 51.3% | |
1980 | 57,427 | 54.6% | |
1990 | 86,129 | 50% | |
2000 | 169,599 | 96.9% | |
Est. 2006 | 268,817 | 58.5% |
As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 169,599 people, 59,900 households, and 45,044 families residing in the county. The population density was 326 people per square mile (126/km²). There were 62,160 housing units at an average density of 120 per square mile (46/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.79% White, 6.89% Black or African American, 5.35% Asian, 0.21% Native American, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.26% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. 5.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 15.0% were of German, 11.8% Irish, 10.9% English, 9.0% American and 6.6% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000.
In 2005 69.7% of Loudoun County's population was non-Hispanic whites; 7.5% of the population was African-American. 0.3% were Native Americans; the percentage of Asians in the overall population had more than doubled to 11.3%. The number of Asians in Loudoun County was increasing considerably faster than the population overall at over 150%. Loudoun County also had seen a very slight increase in the percentage of people reporting two or more races, to 2.5%. Latinos were 9.3% of the population, still a number that meant they had more than doubled in five years, but not increasing as the Asian American community.
As of 2000 there were 59,900 households out of which 43.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.30% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 18.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the county, the population was spread out with 29.80% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 38.90% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 5.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.
In August 2007, a survey concluded that Loudoun County has the second highest median income in the country at just over $99,000.[4]
[edit] Towns
[edit] Incorporated towns
[edit] Unincorporated communities
[edit] Education
The county is served by Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS). LCPS currently serves over 50,000 students from Kindergarten through 12th grade and is currently the fifth largest school system in Virginia.[13][14] While there is a growing trend towards home schooling in the county, the vast majority of school age children in Loudoun County attend LCPS schools.[citation needed] Loudoun County schools recently ranked 11th in the United States.[citation needed] Loudoun County also sends students to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a Virginia Governor's School in Alexandria, Virginia.[citation needed]
Loudoun County is home to six private schools: Loudoun Country Day School, a Pre-K–8 independent school located in Leesburg; Notre Dame Academy, a Catholic day high school in Middleburg; the Foxcroft School, a boarding school for girls located in Middleburg; Dominion Academy, a Non-denominational Christian school, K–8 located in Leesburg; Leesburg Christian School, a K–12 school located in Leesburg; and Christian Faith & Fellowship School, a PreK–12 non-denominational Christian school and Loudoun County's only private school accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International.[citation needed]
In terms of post-secondary education, Loudoun County is home to a variety of colleges and universities, including: Patrick Henry College; a branch of Northern Virginia Community College in Sterling; George Washington University (satellite campus); George Mason University (satellite campus); Marymount University (satellite campus); Old Dominion University (satellite campus); Shenandoah University (satellite campus); and Strayer University (satellite campus).[15]. Loudoun is also home to the Janelia Farm Research Campus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
On February 13, 2008, the Loudoun-Times Mirror reported that a popular children's book, And Tango Makes Three, was pulled from elementary school library shelves by the superintendent, Edgar Hatrick III. The book was based on a true story about two male penguins who cooperatively hatched and raised a penguin chick at New York's Central Park Zoo. A parent at Sugarland Elementary in Sterling filed a complaint with the principal, who reviewed the book and deemed it to be appropriate for children. The principal's decision was supported by a district-level committee made up of a parent, a teacher, a school librarian and administrators who reviewed the book and ruled it was acceptable for general circulation. Superintendent Edgar Hatrick III had final say, though, and decided to override that decision. "Every child might not be ready for that," Byard said. "They might not be mature enough to deal with that subject matter."[16]
[edit] Famous people from Loudoun County
- John L. Dagg (1794-1884) – Baptist theologian, pastor, educator, and president of Mercer University, GA (1844-54)[17][18]
- Stevens Thomson Mason (1811-1843) – First governor of Michigan (Democrat, 1837-40)[19]
- Russell Baker (1925- ) – Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Growing Up (1983, Autobiography)[20]
- Colin Dunning – Production Assistant to Christopher Nolan[21]
- Linda Tripp – One-time confidante to Monica Lewinski[citation needed]
- Lyndon LaRouche – A political candidate who has resided near Hamilton since 1983.
- Patton Oswalt – A noted comedian and actor who graduated from Broad Run High School in Loudoun Co.
[edit] References
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Loudoun Times-Mirror, "Leesburg says county should stay", September 12, 2007, Page A1
- ^ D.C. Suburbs Top List Of Richest Counties, The Washington Post, 30 August, 2006
- ^ a b Fairfax County’s median income breaks six-figure mark, tops nation, The Examiner, 29 August, 2007
- ^ Virginia Military Institute Archives, Jackson Genealogy
- ^ "Happy Mother's Day, Ms Wright", Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- ^ Influence of Developers, Allies Runs Deep, The Washington Post, 21 January, 2007
- ^ Loudoun Land Deals Subject of U.S. Probe, The Washington Post, 7 February, 2007
- ^ Slow-Growth Board Candidates Win, The Washington Post, 7 November, 2007
- ^ Wine Country, Visit Loudoun
- ^ "Early 19th-Century Milling and Wheat Farming", Loudoun History
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ About Loudoun County Public Schools, Loudoun County Public Schools
- ^ 2005 Triennial school census, Virginia Department of Education
- ^ Loudoun Guide 2006: Higher Education at Your Fingertips. The Washington Post (2006).
- ^ 2005 Schools Pull Book About Penguin With 2 Dads
- ^ "Biographical Sketch of John L. Dagg"
- ^ "John Leadley Dagg 1844-1854 Mercer University Presidents"
- ^ "Stevens Thomson Mason Biography (1811–43)"
- ^ "Pulitzer Prize Winners 1983"
- ^ IMDB profile
[edit] External links
- Loudoun County Government Site
- Loudoun County Public Schools
- Loudoun County Public Library
- Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce
- Travel Information: Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association
- Loudoun Valleys Office of Rural Economic Development
- African American Communities of Loudoun County
- Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum
- History and Comprehensive Description of Loudoun County, Virginia, by James W. Head, 1908, available at Project Gutenberg.
|