Essex County, Virginia

Essex County, Virginia

Essex County Courthouse in Tappahannock

Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Essex County
Location in the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded 1692
Seat Tappahannock
Largest town Tappahannock
Area
 • Total 286 sq mi (741 km2)
 • Land 257 sq mi (666 km2)
 • Water 29 sq mi (75 km2), 10.1%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 11,130
 • Density 39/sq mi (15/km²)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.essex-virginia.org

Essex County is a county located in the Middle Peninsula in the U.S. state of Virginia; the peninsula is bordered by the Rappahannock River on the north and the Dragon swamp on the south. As of the 2010 census, the population was 11,151.[1] Its county seat is Tappahannock.[2]

History

Essex County was established in 1692 from the old Rappahannock County, Virginia (not to be confused with the present-day Rappahannock County, Virginia). The county is named for either the shire or county in England, or for the Earl of Essex.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 286 square miles (740 km2), of which 257 square miles (670 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (10.1%) is water.[3] Its main town, Tappahanock, is focused at the Rappahanock River.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
17909,122—
18009,5084.2%
18109,376−1.4%
18209,9095.7%
183010,5216.2%
184011,3097.5%
185010,206−9.8%
186010,4692.6%
18709,927−5.2%
188011,03211.1%
189010,047−8.9%
19009,701−3.4%
19109,105−6.1%
19208,542−6.2%
19306,976−18.3%
19407,0060.4%
19506,530−6.8%
19606,6902.5%
19707,0996.1%
19808,86424.9%
19908,689−2.0%
20009,98915.0%
201011,15111.6%
Est. 201611,123[4]−0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 9,989 people, 3,995 households, and 2,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 4,926 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 57.96% White, 39.04% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,995 households out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.70% were married couples living together, 14.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,395, and the median income for a family was $43,588. Males had a median income of $29,736 versus $22,253 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,994. About 7.70% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential Elections Results[10]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 49.5% 2,657 47.3% 2,542 3.2% 173
2012 45.9% 2,602 53.2% 3,016 1.0% 57
2008 44.4% 2,379 54.7% 2,934 1.0% 51
2004 53.0% 2,304 46.2% 2,007 0.8% 33
2000 52.1% 1,995 45.7% 1,750 2.2% 86
1996 46.1% 1,627 47.2% 1,668 6.7% 238
1992 48.6% 1,897 40.6% 1,583 10.9% 424
1988 60.6% 2,038 38.5% 1,294 1.0% 33
1984 61.6% 2,120 37.8% 1,300 0.6% 20
1980 52.9% 1,581 42.9% 1,280 4.2% 126
1976 50.6% 1,380 47.8% 1,306 1.6% 44
1972 62.6% 1,482 34.1% 808 3.3% 78
1968 36.6% 791 41.5% 897 22.0% 476
1964 50.9% 789 49.0% 760 0.1% 1
1960 54.3% 606 45.6% 509 0.2% 2
1956 55.5% 597 30.5% 328 14.0% 151
1952 52.5% 610 46.9% 545 0.7% 8
1948 34.0% 221 50.5% 329 15.5% 101
1944 26.0% 179 73.7% 508 0.3% 2
1940 20.9% 145 78.9% 547 0.1% 1
1936 18.0% 116 81.7% 527 0.3% 2
1932 19.3% 101 80.2% 420 0.6% 3
1928 37.8% 195 62.2% 321
1924 15.6% 60 82.0% 315 2.3% 9
1920 24.1% 101 76.0% 319
1916 20.3% 77 79.7% 302
1912 19.9% 72 77.0% 278 3.1% 11

Board of supervisors

Central District: John Magruder (I)

Greater Tappahannock District: E. Stanley Langford, Jr. (I)

North District: Sidney N. Johnson (I)

South District: Margaret H. "Prue" Davis (I)

Constitutional officers

Clerk of the Circuit Court: Gayle J. Ashworth (I)

Commissioner of the Revenue: Thomas M. Blackwell (I)

Commonwealth's Attorney: Vince S. Donoghue (R)

Sheriff: Stanley S. Clarke (I)

Treasurer: B. A. "Penny" Davis (I)

Essex is represented by Republican Ryan T. McDougle in the Virginia Senate, Republican M. Keith Hodges in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Robert J. "Rob" Wittman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Education

Essex County Public Schools (ECPS) is the public schools system for Essex County, Virginia, United States.[11] The following schools make up the Essex County Public Schools system:

Tappahannock Elementary School (Grades PK - 4th)[12]
Essex Intermediate School (Grades 5th - 8th)[13]
Essex High School (Grades 9th - 12th)[14]

Other schools located in Essex County include:

St Margaret's School (Grades 8th - 12th, girls only)[15]
Tappahannock Junior Academy (Grades K - 10th)[16]
Aylett Country Day School (Grades PK - 8th) [17]

Communities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Notable residents

See also

References

Adjacent places of Essex County, Virginia
 King George County Westmoreland County Richmond County
Caroline County
  Essex County, Virginia  
King and Queen County Middlesex County

Coordinates: 37°56′N 76°57′W / 37.94°N 76.95°W / 37.94; -76.95

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