Amelia County, Virginia

Amelia County is a United States county located just southwest of Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is included in the Greater Richmond Region, and its county seat is Amelia Courthouse.[1]

Amelia County
U.S. county
Amelia County Court House
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°20′N 77°59′W
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1735
Named forPrincess Amelia
SeatAmelia Court House
Area
 • Total359 sq mi (930 km2)
 • Land355 sq mi (920 km2)
 • Water3.3 sq mi (9 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total12,690
 • Estimate 
(2018)
13,013
 • Density35/sq mi (14/km2)
Demonym(s)Amelian, Amellianaire
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
23002, 23083, 23105
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.ameliacova.com

Amelia County was created in 1735 from parts of Prince George and Brunswick counties, and it was named in honor of Princess Amelia of Great Britain. Parts of the county were later carved out to create Prince Edward and Nottoway counties.

As of the 2010 census, the county population was 12,690, which is an increase of more than 44 percent from the 1990 census.[2]

History
Princess Amelia of Great Britain, for whom the county is named

Amelia County was created by a legislative act in 1734 and 1735[3] from parts of Prince George and Brunswick counties. The county is named for Princess Amelia of Great Britain, daughter of King George II. As was customary, as the population increased in the region, Amelia County was reduced by the division of territory to form newer counties; in 1754, Prince Edward County was formed from parts of Amelia County, and in 1789, Nottoway County was formed. It was developed for plantation agriculture dependent on slave labor.

During the Civil War General Robert E. Lee and his Army spent April 4 and 5, 1865 at Amelia Courthouse before his surrender on April 9 to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. The last major battle of his army was fought at Sayler's Creek on April 6.

Amelia is known for its minerals, including the nation's best supply of amazonite, a green feldspar found at the Morefield mine. In the 19th century, spas were developed around its mineral springs, which were destinations for travelers.

In 1986 the Amelia County Fair sponsored a competition for the world's largest potato pancake (with apple sauce). It was constructed to raise money that year for the German American National Scholarship Fund. The pancake weighed more than two and one-quarter tons and used four truckloads of potatoes.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 359 square miles (930 km2), of which 355 square miles (920 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4]

Amelia County lies in the Virginia Piedmont region of Virginia, known for rolling hills and small ridges lying between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Coastal Plains of Virginia.

Amelia County borders the Appomattox River on the northern and most of the western side of the county, along with Namozine Creek to the eastern side of the county.

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Air

US Highways

State Routes
  • SR 38 (In Amelia Courthouse: Virginia Street, Court Street, Washington Street, Church Street, Five Forks Road. In Amelia County; N. Five Forks Road, To SR 153)
  • SR 153 (Military Road. To US 460 and Blackstone)
  • SR 307 (Holly Farms Road. To US 460 and Farmville)

Secondary Roads
  • SR 604 Chula Rd and Genito Rd. After the junction with Genito Rd, it becomes Genito Rd. To Eastern Powhatan County and Chesterfield County.
  • SR 609 (Grub Hill Church Rd and Royalton Rd. To US 60 and Powhatan Courthouse)
  • SR 614 (Dennisville Rd. To Blackstone)
  • SR 616 (Genito Rd. Serves the northern and western ends of Amelia County. To SR 307 near Rice, Virginia)

Rail

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
179018,097—
18009,432−47.9%
181010,59412.3%
182011,1044.8%
183011,036−0.6%
184010,320−6.5%
18509,770−5.3%
186010,7419.9%
18709,878−8.0%
188010,3775.1%
18909,068−12.6%
19009,037−0.3%
19108,720−3.5%
19209,80012.4%
19308,799−10.2%
19408,495−3.5%
19507,908−6.9%
19607,815−1.2%
19707,592−2.9%
19808,40510.7%
19908,7874.5%
200011,40029.7%
201012,69011.3%
2018 (est.)13,013[5]2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[2]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 11,400 people, 4,240 households, and 3,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 4,609 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.57% White, 28.05% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,240 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,252, and the median income for a family was $47,157. Males had a median income of $32,315 versus $23,102 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,858. 8.40% of the population and 6.70% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.10% are under the age of 18 and 11.70% are 65 or older.

Culture

Seasonal Events
  • A countywide festival called Amelia Day is held each May on the Saturday before Mother's Day in Amelia Courthouse. The festival started in the 1980s to celebrate the town's founding. Vendors, local clubs, and citizens organize to enjoy music, dancing, and socializing. At the first Amelia Day, residents signed a long roll that, along with other items, was put in a time capsule and buried in the courthouse green near the Confederate War Memorial.
  • On every Saturday and Sunday in October, the Amelia Frightfest opens at Tom Scott Park in Amelia Courthouse.
  • Amelia Courthouse Car Show

Attractions

Government

Board of Supervisors
  • District 1: Vacant
  • District 2: Roger A. Scott (I)
  • District 3: Shaun Weyant, vice Chairman (I)
  • District 4: H. Joseph Easter, IV (I)
  • District 5: Franklin D. Harris, Chairman (D)

Constitutional officers
  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Marilyn L. Wilson (D)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Laura Walsh (I)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Lee R. Harrison (I)
  • Sheriff: Rick Walker (I)
  • Treasurer: Stephanie Coleman (I)

Amelia County is represented by Republican Amanda Chase in the Virginia Senate, Republican Thomas C. Wright, Jr. in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Democrat Abigail Spanberger in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 68.3% 5,390 30.6% 2,411 1.2% 92
2016 66.9% 4,708 30.2% 2,128 2.9% 204
2012 62.6% 4,331 36.0% 2,490 1.4% 94
2008 60.8% 3,970 38.1% 2,488 1.1% 71
2004 64.8% 3,499 34.5% 1,862 0.7% 36
2000 61.6% 2,947 36.6% 1,754 1.8% 87
1996 51.1% 2,119 39.2% 1,625 9.7% 400
1992 48.8% 2,062 36.3% 1,534 14.9% 628
1988 60.9% 2,187 37.8% 1,359 1.3% 48
1984 61.4% 2,336 37.6% 1,432 1.0% 36
1980 53.2% 1,969 44.4% 1,643 2.4% 89
1976 47.3% 1,634 49.6% 1,715 3.2% 109
1972 65.0% 1,606 31.5% 778 3.5% 87
1968 33.9% 857 32.8% 830 33.3% 841
1964 60.2% 1,348 39.5% 884 0.3% 7
1960 51.4% 784 46.5% 708 2.1% 32
1956 43.1% 745 23.3% 403 33.6% 580
1952 53.6% 832 45.3% 703 1.0% 16
1948 35.2% 372 41.9% 443 23.0% 243
1944 34.7% 295 65.0% 553 0.4% 3
1940 32.1% 267 67.6% 562 0.2% 2
1936 24.0% 239 75.5% 753 0.5% 5
1932 16.6% 142 82.1% 701 1.3% 11
1928 35.7% 277 64.3% 498
1924 28.3% 153 68.9% 372 2.8% 15
1920 31.2% 179 67.8% 389 1.1% 6
1916 16.4% 80 82.6% 403 1.0% 5
1912 7.8% 32 79.5% 325 12.7% 52

Media

The Amelia Bulletin Monitor, a weekly newspaper, has covered the county since 1973.

Education

Public Primary and secondary schools

Amelia County is served by the Amelia County School District

Private Primary and secondary Schools

Communities

There are no incorporated communities in Amelia County.

Census-designated places

Unincorporated Communities

NRHP Sites
Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Amelia County, Virginia

The following sites in Amelia County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

Notable residents

References
  1. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  3. History of Amelia County Archived 2010-12-05 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  11. David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  12. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  13. Scruggs, Lawson Andrew (1893). Women of Distinction: Remarkable in Works and Invincible in Character. Raleigh, North Carolina: L. A. Scruggs. p. 247. OCLC 4255360.

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