Essex County, Virginia

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 King and Queen County on the south. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,599.[1] Its county seat is Tappahannock.[2]

Essex County
Essex County Courthouse in Tappahannock
Essex County Courthouse in Tappahannock
Flag of Essex County
Official seal of Essex County
Map of Virginia highlighting Essex County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°56′N 76°57′W / 37.94°N 76.95°W / 37.94; -76.95
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1692
SeatTappahannock
Largest townTappahannock
Area
 • Total
286 sq mi (740 km2)
 • Land257 sq mi (670 km2)
 • Water29 sq mi (80 km2)  10.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
10,599
 • Density37/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.essex-virginia.org

History

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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

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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

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Major highways

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
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%
202010,599−5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6]
1990-2000[7] 2010[8] 2020[9]

2020 census

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Essex County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010[8] Pop 2020[9] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 6,239 5,871 55.95% 55.39%
Black or African American alone (NH) 4,224 3,743 37.88% 35.31%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 46 61 0.41% 0.58%
Asian alone (NH) 86 62 0.77% 0.58%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 2 3 0.02% 0.03%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 13 40 0.12% 0.38%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 192 450 1.72% 4.25%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 349 369 3.13% 3.48%
Total 11,151 10,599 100.00% 100.00%

2000 Census

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As of the census[10] 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 people/km2). There were 4,926 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/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

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Board of supervisors

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  • Central District: John Magruder (I)
  • Greater Tappahannock District: Robert Akers (I)
  • North District: Sidney N. Johnson (I)
  • South District: Ronnie Gill
  • At Large: Bud Smith

Constitutional officers

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  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Christina A. Ambrose (I)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Kristen Andrews Foster (I)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Vince S. Donoghue (R)
  • Sheriff: Walter "Arnie" Holmes (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.

United States presidential election results for Essex County, Virginia[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,245 53.42% 2,775 45.69% 54 0.89%
2020 3,075 49.77% 3,038 49.17% 65 1.05%
2016 2,657 49.46% 2,542 47.32% 173 3.22%
2012 2,602 45.85% 3,016 53.15% 57 1.00%
2008 2,379 44.35% 2,934 54.70% 51 0.95%
2004 2,304 53.04% 2,007 46.20% 33 0.76%
2000 1,995 52.08% 1,750 45.68% 86 2.24%
1996 1,627 46.05% 1,668 47.21% 238 6.74%
1992 1,897 48.59% 1,583 40.55% 424 10.86%
1988 2,038 60.56% 1,294 38.45% 33 0.98%
1984 2,120 61.63% 1,300 37.79% 20 0.58%
1980 1,581 52.93% 1,280 42.85% 126 4.22%
1976 1,380 50.55% 1,306 47.84% 44 1.61%
1972 1,482 62.58% 808 34.12% 78 3.29%
1968 791 36.55% 897 41.45% 476 22.00%
1964 789 50.90% 760 49.03% 1 0.06%
1960 606 54.25% 509 45.57% 2 0.18%
1956 597 55.48% 328 30.48% 151 14.03%
1952 610 52.45% 545 46.86% 8 0.69%
1948 221 33.95% 329 50.54% 101 15.51%
1944 179 25.98% 508 73.73% 2 0.29%
1940 145 20.92% 547 78.93% 1 0.14%
1936 116 17.98% 527 81.71% 2 0.31%
1932 101 19.27% 420 80.15% 3 0.57%
1928 195 37.79% 321 62.21% 0 0.00%
1924 60 15.63% 315 82.03% 9 2.34%
1920 101 24.05% 319 75.95% 0 0.00%
1916 77 20.32% 302 79.68% 0 0.00%
1912 72 19.94% 278 77.01% 11 3.05%

Education

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Essex County Public Schools (ECPS) is the public schools system for Essex County, Virginia, United States.[12] The following schools make up the Essex County Public Schools system:

Tappahannock Elementary School (Grades PK - 4th)[13]
Essex Intermediate School (Grades 5th - 8th)[14]
Essex High School (Grades 9th - 12th)[15]

Other schools located in Essex County include:

St Margaret's School (Grades 8th - 12th, girls only)[16]
Tappahannock Junior Academy (Grades K - 10th)[17]
Aylett Country Day School (Grades PK - 8th) [18]

Communities

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Town

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Essex County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  6. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  7. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Essex County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Essex County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  11. ^ David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  12. ^ http://www.essex.k12.va.us Essex
  13. ^ "Home - Tappahannock Elementary School". essextes.sharpschool.net.
  14. ^ "Home - Essex Intermediate School". eis.essex.k12.va.us.
  15. ^ "Home - Essex High School". essexehs.sharpschool.net.
  16. ^ "St. Margaret's - Girls Boarding School Near Fredericksburg & Richmond, VA". www.sms.org.
  17. ^ "Home : Tappahannock Junior Academy Tappahannock VA". tappahannock22.adventistschoolconnect.org.
  18. ^ "Aylett Country Day School~Home of the Patriots". www.acdspatriots.net.
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37°56′N 76°57′W / 37.94°N 76.95°W / 37.94; -76.95