Essex County, Virginia Explained

County:Essex County
State:Virginia
Flag:Flag of Essex County, Virginia.png
Seal:Essexcountyseal.png
Founded:1692
Seat Wl:Tappahannock
Largest City Wl:Tappahannock
City Type:town
Area Total Sq Mi:286
Area Land Sq Mi:257
Area Water Sq Mi:29
Area Percentage:10.1
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:10599
Population Density Km2:auto
Web:www.essex-virginia.org
Ex Image:Essex County VA courthouse2.JPG
Ex Image Cap:Essex County Courthouse in Tappahannock
Ex Image Size:225px
Time Zone:Eastern
District:1st

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]

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, of which is land and (10.1%) is water.[3] Its main town, Tappahanock, is focused at the Rappahanock River.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

2020 census

Essex County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
!Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)!Pop 2010[4] !Pop 2020[5] !% 2010!% 2020
White alone (NH)6,2395,87155.95%55.39%
Black or African American alone (NH)4,2243,74337.88%35.31%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)46610.41%0.58%
Asian alone (NH)86620.77%0.58%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)230.02%0.03%
Some Other Race alone (NH)13400.12%0.38%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)1924501.72%4.25%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)3493693.13%3.48%
Total11,15110,599100.00%100.00%

2000 Census

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 9,989 people, 3,995 households, and 2,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 39/mi2. There were 4,926 housing units at an average density of 19/mi2. 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

Board of supervisors

Constitutional officers

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.[7] The following schools make up the Essex County Public Schools system:

Tappahannock Elementary School (Grades PK - 4th)[8]
Essex Intermediate School (Grades 5th - 8th)[9]
Essex High School (Grades 9th - 12th)[10]

Other schools located in Essex County include:

St Margaret's School (Grades 8th - 12th, girls only)[11]
Tappahannock Junior Academy (Grades K - 10th)[12]
Aylett Country Day School (Grades PK - 8th) [13]

Communities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Notable people

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Essex County, Virginia. United States Census Bureau. January 30, 2022.
  2. Web site: Find a County . June 7, 2011 . National Association of Counties . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx . May 31, 2011 .
  3. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  4. Web site: 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.
  5. Web site: 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.
  6. Web site: U.S. Census website . . May 14, 2011 .
  7. http://www.essex.k12.va.us Essex
  8. Web site: Home - Tappahannock Elementary School. essextes.sharpschool.net.
  9. Web site: Home - Essex Intermediate School. eis.essex.k12.va.us.
  10. Web site: Home - Essex High School. essexehs.sharpschool.net.
  11. Web site: St. Margaret's - Girls Boarding School Near Fredericksburg & Richmond, VA. www.sms.org.
  12. Web site: Home : Tappahannock Junior Academy Tappahannock VA. tappahannock22.adventistschoolconnect.org.
  13. Web site: Aylett Country Day School~Home of the Patriots. www.acdspatriots.net.