Essex County, Virginia


Essex County is a United States county located in the Middle Peninsula of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is bordered by the Rappahannock River on the north and King and Queen County on the south. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 10,599. The county seat is the historic town of Tappahannock.
The county was created in 1692, when the old Rappahannock County was dissolved to form the new Essex and Richmond counties, and was named to honor Essex in England. Due to the region's location on the Rappahannock River, it was one of the early areas visited by English explorer John Smith. Smith's three trips led to him being captured, attacked and finally making peace with the resident indigenous Powhatan people.
WWW essex-virginia.org𝕏 essexcountygov

History

Essex County was established in 1692 from the old 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 is water. Its main town, Tappahanock, is focused at the Rappahanock River.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

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National protected area

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,599. The median age was 48.6 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.8 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 56.2% White, 35.6% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.7% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.5% of the population.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 4,572 households in the county, of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 31.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 5,742 housing units, of which 20.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.8% were owner-occupied and 29.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.7%.

2000 Census

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

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

Constitutional officers

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Christina A. Ambrose
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Kristen Andrews Foster
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Vince S. Donoghue
  • Sheriff: Walter "Arnie" Holmes
  • Treasurer: B. A. "Penny" Davis
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 is the public schools system for Essex County, Virginia, United States. The following schools make up the Essex County Public Schools system:
Tappahannock Elementary School

Essex Intermediate School

Essex High School
Other schools located in Essex County include:
St Margaret's School

Tappahannock Junior Academy

Aylett Country Day School

Communities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Notable people