Southampton County, Virginia

Southampton County is a county located on the southern border of the Commonwealth of Virginia. North Carolina is to the south. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,570.[2] Its county seat is Courtland.[3]

"Southampton County" redirects here. For the county in England, see Hampshire.
Southampton County
U.S. county
Southampton County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°46′15″N 77°09′38″W
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1749
Named foreither Southampton, England, or Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
SeatCourtland
Largest townCourtland
Area
 • Total602 sq mi (1,560 km2)
 • Land599 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Water3.2 sq mi (8 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total18,570
 • Estimate 
(2018)[1]
17,586
 • Density31/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.southamptoncounty.org

History

During the 17th century, shortly after establishment of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607, English settlers explored and began settling the areas adjacent to Hampton Roads. In 1634, the English colony of Virginia was divided into eight shires (or counties) with a total population of approximately 5,000 inhabitants. Most of Southampton County was originally part of Warrosquyoake Shire. The shires were soon to be called counties. In 1637 Warrosquyoake Shire was renamed Isle of Wight County.[4]

In 1749, the portion of Isle of Wight County west of the Blackwater River was organized as Southampton County. Later, part of Nansemond County, which is now the Independent City of Suffolk, was added to Southampton County. This area was cultivated for tobacco and later for mixed crops, dependent on the labor of African slaves after a relatively short period when many white indentured servants came to the colony.

Main article: Nat Turner's slave rebellion

In August 1831, a slave preacher named Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in Southampton County against local white residents, killing about 60 people (mainly women and children). The rebellion was crushed, and Turner and his rebels were tried, convicted, and executed. Meanwhile, white mobs had seized and lynched nearly 200 black residents of Southampton County, most of them slaves.[5]

Southampton County may have been named for Southampton, a major city in England. Alternatively, it may have been named for Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, one of the founders of the Virginia Company and a supporter of colonization in North America.

Geography
Southampton County from 1895 map of Virginia

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 602 square miles (1,560 km2), of which 599 square miles (1,550 km2) is land and 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) (0.5%) is water.[6]

Southampton County is bounded by the Blackwater River on the east and the Meherrin River on the west. The Nottoway River flows through the center of the county. All three rivers are tributaries of the Chowan River, which flows south into Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. The Blackwater River separates Southampton County from Isle of Wight County, and the Meherrin River separates it from Greensville County.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
179012,864—
180013,9258.2%
181013,497−3.1%
182014,1705.0%
183016,07413.4%
184014,525−9.6%
185013,521−6.9%
186012,915−4.5%
187012,285−4.9%
188018,01246.6%
189020,07811.5%
190022,84813.8%
191026,30215.1%
192027,5554.8%
193026,870−2.5%
194026,442−1.6%
195026,5220.3%
196027,1952.5%
197018,582−31.7%
198018,7310.8%
199017,550−6.3%
200017,482−0.4%
201018,5706.2%
2018 (est.)17,586[1]−5.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2013[2]

As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 18,570 people, 6,279 households, and 4,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11/km2). There were 7,058 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 60.4% White, 37.2% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. 1.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,279 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 111.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,995, and the median income for a family was $41,324. Males had a median income of $32,436 versus $20,831 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,930. About 11.70% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.90% of those under age 18 and 14.50% of those age 65 or over.

Public Service

Blackwater Regional Library is the regional library system that provides services to the citizens of Southampton.

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Politics
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 58.6% 5,730 40.6% 3,969 0.9% 87
2016 56.8% 5,035 40.5% 3,595 2.7% 242
2012 51.1% 4,733 47.9% 4,437 1.0% 94
2008 50.6% 4,583 48.6% 4,402 0.9% 82
2004 53.6% 4,018 45.8% 3,431 0.6% 43
2000 49.1% 3,293 50.0% 3,359 0.9% 62
1996 33.9% 2,275 51.4% 3,454 14.7% 986
1992 41.4% 2,844 46.5% 3,199 12.1% 831
1988 53.0% 3,439 46.2% 3,000 0.8% 54
1984 58.0% 4,669 41.0% 3,300 1.0% 82
1980 45.5% 2,997 50.8% 3,347 3.7% 243
1976 40.2% 2,366 57.7% 3,399 2.1% 124
1972 67.1% 3,225 31.2% 1,498 1.8% 84
1968 26.2% 1,376 34.3% 1,803 39.6% 2,083
1964 37.2% 1,520 62.7% 2,566 0.1% 4
1960 30.6% 1,263 68.0% 2,804 1.4% 58
1956 35.3% 1,290 55.8% 2,039 8.9% 326
1952 36.7% 1,166 63.0% 2,000 0.4% 11
1948 16.1% 339 69.6% 1,462 14.2% 299
1944 15.0% 284 84.4% 1,599 0.6% 12
1940 12.3% 213 87.0% 1,508 0.7% 12
1936 8.1% 148 91.6% 1,673 0.3% 5
1932 11.7% 182 87.2% 1,357 1.2% 18
1928 43.4% 648 56.6% 844
1924 14.5% 203 79.7% 1,119 5.8% 82
1920 15.8% 250 83.1% 1,314 1.1% 18
1916 10.9% 128 89.1% 1,045
1912 9.4% 95 85.0% 861 5.6% 57

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. "Isle of Wight County". www.lva.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  5. Oates, Stephen B. (1990) [1975]. The Fires of Jubilee: Nat Turner's Fierce Rebellion. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. p. 126. ISBN 0-06-091670-2.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 9 December 2020.

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