Charlotte County, Virginia

Charlotte County is a United States county located in the south central part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is the town of Charlotte Court House.[1] As of the 2010 census, the county population was 12,586.[2] Charlotte County is predominately rural with a population density of only 26.5 persons per square mile.

Charlotte County
U.S. county
Charlotte County Courthouse in September 2014
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°01′N 78°40′W
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1764
Named forQueen Charlotte
SeatCharlotte Court House
Largest townKeysville
Area
 • Total478 sq mi (1,240 km2)
 • Land475 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Water2.2 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total12,586
 • Estimate 
(2018)
11,938
 • Density26/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.charlotteva.com

History
Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial in Charlotte County, the final resting place of Patrick Henry

European settlement of the future county began in the early 18th century,[3] and early settlers included mostly English people, with some French Hugenots and Scotch-Irish.[4] After approximately fifty years of European settlement, the House of Burgesses established and incorporated Charlotte County in 1764 from part of Lunenburg County. The new county was named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Queen and wife of King George III of Great Britain.[5] The county residents later became staunch supporters of independence and the American Revolution, and Founding Father Patrick Henry was one of its most famous residents. His grave and the national memorial dedicated to him are located in Charlotte County. Residents of Charlotte County were heavily involved in the American Revolution. County delegates supported resolutions against the Stamp Act of 1765,[4] and the county government was the second governing body to declare independence from English rule.[3] In addition, Charlotte militia units fought under General Robert Lawson during the Yorktown campaign, which effectively led to the end of the American War of Independence.[4] Finally, the final resting place and national memorial to revolutionary hero Patrick Henry is at Red Hill Plantation.[6]

Charlotte County has also played a role in other wars on American soil. An artillery company from Charlotte played a key role in the Battle of Craney Island during the War of 1812.[4] Also, a significant battle in the American Civil War occurred in Charlotte and Halifax counties during the Battle of Staunton River Bridge, which resulted in a victory for the Confederacy.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 478 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 475 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) is water.[7] The county is bounded on the southwest by the Roanoke River, locally known as the "Staunton River". The terrain is hilly.[8]

Adjacent counties

Major highways
  • US 15 (Farmville Rd on the extreme northside of the county; joins US 360 in Keysville and separates in Wylliesburg
  • US 360 (Kings Hwy)
  • SR 40 (Lunenburg County Rd on the extreme eastside; Front St & Church St in Keysville; George Washington Hwy; joins SR 47 in Charlotte Court House and becomes David Bruce Ave; Patrick Henry Hwy)
  • SR 47 (Thomas Jefferson Hwy; forks from SR 40 and becomes LeGrande Ave; Tollhouse Hwy; Drakes Main St in Drakes Branch; Craftons Gate Hwy
  • SR 59 (Highway Fifty-Nine)
  • SR 92 (Jeb Stuart Hwy)

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
179010,078—
180011,91218.2%
181013,16110.5%
182013,2901.0%
183015,25214.8%
184014,595−4.3%
185013,955−4.4%
186014,4713.7%
187014,5130.3%
188016,65314.7%
189015,077−9.5%
190015,3431.8%
191015,7852.9%
192017,54011.1%
193016,061−8.4%
194015,861−1.2%
195014,057−11.4%
196013,368−4.9%
197011,551−13.6%
198012,2666.2%
199011,688−4.7%
200012,4726.7%
201012,5860.9%
2018 (est.)11,938[9]−5.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2013[2]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 12,472 people, 4,951 households, and 3,435 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10/km2). There were 5,734 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 65.51% White, 32.89% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.70% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,951 households, out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 24.30% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,929, and the median income for a family was $34,830. Males had a median income of $26,918 versus $20,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,717. About 12.70% of families and 18.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.10% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of those age 65 or over.

Elected officials

Board of Supervisors
  • Royal S. Freeman (I), District G – Bacon/Saxe, Chairman — Term expires 12-31-19
  • Gary D. Walker (R), District A – Charlotte Court House — Term expires 12-31-19
  • Warren E. Weston (I), District B – Wylliesburg/Red Oak — Term expires 12-31-17
  • Garland H. "Butch" Hamlett, Jr. (I), District C – Drakes Branch, Vice-Chairman — Term expires 12-31-19
  • Robert L. "Butch" Shook, Jr. (I), District D – Keysville — Term expires 12-31-17
  • Nancy R. Carwile (I), District E – Cullen/Red House, Vice-Chairman — Term expires 12-31-19
  • Haywood J. Hamlett (I), District F – Aspen/Phenix — Term expires 12-31-17

The Board of Supervisors is the legislative policy making body for the county. It considers and adopts policies regarding administration, budget, finance, economic development, health, planning, public safety, childcare, recreation, sanitation and waste removal. The Board appropriates funds for all functions, including the schools, Social Services, Law Enforcement and operation of courts. The Board's regularly scheduled meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm in the Board of Supervisors Room of the County Administration Building, 250 LeGrande Avenue, Suite A, (PO Box 608) Charlotte Court House, Virginia, 23923.[15]

Sheriff

Royal S Freeman (I) is the sheriff. The Sheriff is responsible for overseeing criminal investigations, calls for service, court room security, service of civil process and the operation of the Charlotte County jail.

Clerk of Court

The clerk is Nan R. Colley(I). The Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court manages the records for the Judicial Circuit. In addition, Colley manages the records for the Judicial Circuit and serves as general record keeper for the county, recording all documents relating to land transfers, deeds, mortgages, wills, divorces and other statistics that date back to 1765.[16]

Commissioner of the Revenue

Naisha P. Carter (I) is the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Commonwealth's Attorney

William E. Green, Jr. (I) is the Commonwealth's Attorney, a position similar to that of District's Attorney in many other states.

Treasurer

Patricia P. Berkeley (I) is the Treasurer.

County Administrator

Charlotte County's administrator is Russell B. Clark. Clark's duties include and are not limited to: general administration, personnel management and supervision of all county departments, budget preparation, funds management, purchasing, property management, compliance with laws, regulations and ordinances, coordination with independent agencies and the community, representing the Board at meetings and functions, and any and all other duties imposed by the Board and by law to facilitate the accomplishment of the work of county government.

Members of the School Board
  • Larry Fannon, District A (Charlotte Court House)
  • William "Bill" Devin, District B (Wylliesburg/Red Oak)
  • Gloria Talbott, District C (Drakes Branch)
  • R.B. "Jay" George, District D (Keysville)
  • Henry Carwile, District E (Cullen/Red House)
  • Kenny Redmond, District F (Phenix/Aspen)
  • JonPaul Berkley, District B (Bacon/Saxe)
  • Dana Ramsey, Clerk of the Board

Voter Registrar

Nan Lambert

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 61.6% 3,815 37.4% 2,317 0.9% 59
2016 59.9% 3,479 37.1% 2,155 3.0% 173
2012 56.1% 3,311 42.4% 2,503 1.4% 84
2008 54.8% 3,372 43.9% 2,705 1.3% 80
2004 58.2% 3,166 40.9% 2,223 0.9% 49
2000 57.2% 2,855 40.4% 2,017 2.4% 122
1996 45.6% 2,103 43.5% 2,007 10.9% 504
1992 44.9% 2,293 41.1% 2,098 14.1% 720
1988 57.4% 2,699 40.9% 1,923 1.6% 77
1984 61.8% 2,999 37.3% 1,811 1.0% 46
1980 51.3% 2,322 46.5% 2,108 2.2% 100
1976 46.0% 2,023 52.6% 2,312 1.3% 59
1972 66.2% 2,501 31.3% 1,182 2.5% 94
1968 24.4% 1,042 24.5% 1,045 51.1% 2,178
1964 62.1% 1,974 37.5% 1,191 0.4% 13
1960 32.9% 867 65.8% 1,735 1.3% 33
1956 27.9% 791 50.4% 1,431 21.7% 617
1952 36.6% 949 62.8% 1,630 0.7% 17
1948 17.1% 285 57.8% 964 25.1% 418
1944 19.5% 356 80.5% 1,473 0.1% 1
1940 14.6% 251 85.2% 1,467 0.2% 3
1936 9.9% 190 89.9% 1,727 0.3% 5
1932 11.4% 169 88.0% 1,300 0.5% 8
1928 26.6% 403 73.4% 1,112
1924 12.4% 154 80.9% 1,006 6.8% 84
1920 22.3% 364 77.5% 1,266 0.2% 4
1916 20.8% 227 78.4% 856 0.8% 9
1912 19.1% 175 66.3% 609 14.6% 134

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated

Notable residents

See also

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 8, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  3. "Charlotte County: History". Charlotte County. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  4. Bailey, Annie Lou D. "History of Charlotte County; Sketch No.1". The Charlotte Gazette, Drakes Branch (April 30, 1964). Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  5. Salmon, edited by Emily J.; Jr, Edward D.C. Campbell (1994). The Hornbook of Virginia History : a ready-reference guide to the Old Dominion's people, places, and past (4th ed.). Richmond: Library of Virginia. ISBN 0884901777.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  6. "Biography of Patrick Henry". Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Charlotte, a S. county of Virginia" . The American Cyclopædia.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  15. "Charlotte County - BOS Meetings, Minutes, & Public Hearings". www.charlotteva.com. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  16. "Charlotte County Circuit Court Clerk". www.charlotteva.com. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2020-12-09.

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