Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Spotsylvania County is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2019 estimate, the population was 136,215.[6] Spotsylvania is a part of Northern Virginia and the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. Its county seat is Spotsylvania Courthouse.[7]

Spotsylvania County
County
County of Spotsylvania
Historic home listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Spotsylvania County
Flag
Seal
Logo
Motto(s): 
Patior Ut Potiar[1]
(Latin for '"Suffer to obtain"')[2][3][4]
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°11′N 77°39′W
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1721
Named forAlexander Spotswood
SeatSpotsylvania Courthouse
Largest communitySpotsylvania Courthouse
Area
 • Total414 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Land401 sq mi (1,040 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  3.1%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total122,397
 • Estimate 
(2019)[5]
136,215
 • Density300/sq mi (110/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 7th
Websitewww.spotsylvania.va.us

History

At the time of European encounter, the inhabitants of the area that became Spotsylvania County were a Siouan-speaking tribe called the Manahoac.[8]

As the colonial population increased, Spotsylvania County was established in 1721 from parts of Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties. The county was named in Latin for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Alexander Spotswood.

Many major battles were fought in this county during the Civil War, including the Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Fredericksburg, and Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. The war resulted in widespread disruption and opportunity: some 10,000 African-American slaves left area plantations and city households to cross the Rappahannock River, reaching the Union lines and gaining freedom. This exodus is commemorated by historical markers on both sides of the river.[9]

General Stonewall Jackson was shot and mortally wounded by friendly fire in Spotsylvania County during the Battle of Chancellorsville. A group of Confederate soldiers from North Carolina were in the woods and heard General Jackson's party returning from reconnoitering the Union lines. They mistook them for a Federal patrol and fired on them, wounding Jackson in both arms. His left arm was amputated. General Jackson died a few days later from pneumonia at nearby Guinea Station. He and other Confederate wounded were being gathered there for evacuation to hospitals to the south and further away from enemy lines.

Geography

It is bounded on the north by the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers, the independent city of Fredericksburg (all of which were part of the area's early history), and the counties of Stafford and Culpeper; on the south by the North Anna River and its impoundment, Lake Anna, and by the counties of Hanover and Louisa; on the west by Orange County and Culpeper County; and on the east by Caroline County.

Adjacent counties and independent city

National protected area

Points of interest

Communities

There are no incorporated towns or cities in Spotsylvania County. Unincorporated communities in the county include:

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Many areas of the county have Fredericksburg addresses.

Major highways
I-95 northbound in Spotsylvania County

Governance

County government

Spotsylvania County's highest level of management is that of County Administrator. This post oversees all county departments and agencies and serves as the Spotsylvania County's Board of Supervisors' liaison to state and regional agencies.

Board of Supervisors

Spotsylvania is governed by a Board of Supervisors. The board consists of seven members (one from each district within the county). The Board of Supervisors sets county policies, adopts ordinances, appropriates funds, approves land rezoning and special exceptions to the zoning ordinance, and carries out other responsibilities set forth by the county code.[10]

The following is the current list of supervisors and districts which they represent:[11]

Position Name Affiliation District
  Chairman Kevin Marshall Independent Berkeley
  Vice Chairman Barry K. Jett Republican Livingston
  Member David Ross Republican Courtland
  Member Gary F. Skinner Independent Lee Hill
  Member Timothy J. McLaughlin Independent Chancellor
  Member Chris Yakabouski Republican Battlefield
  Member Dr. Deborah H. Frazier Independent Salem

State representation
Virginia House of Delegates
Office Name Party District
Delegate Robert D. "Bobby" Orrock Republican Party 54
Delegate Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler Jr. Republican Party 55
Delegate John McGuire Republican Party 56
Delegate Mark Cole Republican Party 88
Virginia State Senate
Office Name Party District
Senator Ryan McDougle Republican Party 4
Senator Bryce Reeves Republican Party 17
Senator Richard Stuart Republican Party 28

Federal representation

Spotsylvania residents are represented by either Abigail Spanberger (D-7th District) or Rob Wittman (R-1st District) in the House of Representatives. The current U.S. Senators from the Commonwealth of Virginia are Mark Warner (D) and Tim Kaine (D).

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[12][13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 52.3% 39,411 45.6% 34,307 2.1% 1,599
2016 55.4% 34,623 38.7% 24,207 6.0% 3,719
2012 54.9% 31,844 43.4% 25,165 1.7% 965
2008 52.9% 28,610 46.1% 24,897 1.0% 562
2004 62.8% 28,527 36.6% 16,623 0.7% 295
2000 59.2% 20,739 38.4% 13,455 2.4% 827
1996 52.6% 13,786 39.5% 10,342 7.9% 2,069
1992 49.3% 11,829 33.9% 8,133 16.9% 4,052
1988 66.2% 10,978 33.1% 5,486 0.8% 129
1984 66.7% 8,207 32.6% 4,012 0.6% 78
1980 53.8% 5,385 40.4% 4,039 5.8% 581
1976 42.5% 3,210 55.7% 4,210 1.9% 140
1972 65.7% 3,577 32.6% 1,775 1.7% 90
1968 34.0% 1,675 33.4% 1,647 32.6% 1,604
1964 37.5% 1,261 62.3% 2,097 0.3% 9
1960 46.0% 1,288 53.0% 1,482 1.0% 29
1956 51.9% 1,244 41.5% 993 6.6% 158
1952 49.0% 1,174 49.8% 1,194 1.2% 29
1948 34.2% 517 54.2% 818 11.6% 175
1944 40.3% 504 59.5% 744 0.2% 3
1940 31.6% 365 68.0% 785 0.4% 4
1936 35.0% 453 64.6% 836 0.4% 5
1932 30.2% 346 68.4% 784 1.5% 17
1928 59.8% 654 40.2% 439
1924 34.7% 255 60.9% 448 4.5% 33
1920 45.6% 380 52.8% 440 1.7% 14
1916 38.4% 249 61.3% 398 0.3% 2
1912 9.4% 58 63.2% 390 27.4% 169
1908 43.9% 282 53.9% 346 2.2% 14
1904 40.8% 237 56.8% 330 2.4% 14
1900 51.2% 817 48.5% 774 0.3% 5
1896 50.5% 903 49.1% 877 0.5% 8
1892 42.6% 679 53.3% 849 4.1% 65
1888 51.2% 922 48.7% 876 0.1% 2
1884 49.3% 820 50.7% 844
1880 42.8% 576 57.2% 771

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
179011,252—
180013,00215.6%
181013,2962.3%
182014,2547.2%
183015,1346.2%
184015,1610.2%
185014,911−1.6%
186016,0767.8%
187011,728−27.0%
188014,82826.4%
189014,233−4.0%
19009,239−35.1%
19109,9357.5%
192010,5716.4%
193010,056−4.9%
19409,905−1.5%
195011,92020.3%
196013,81915.9%
197016,42418.9%
198034,435109.7%
199057,40366.7%
200090,39557.5%
2010122,39735.4%
2019 (est.)136,215[5]11.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17]

As of the census[18] of 2010, there were 122,397 people, 31,308 households, and 24,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 226 people per square mile (87/km2). There were 33,329 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile (32/km2). The racial makeup of the county was:

7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 31,308 households, out of which 42.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.30% were non-families. 16.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 30.00% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 8.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The 2019 median income for a household in the county was $88,628 compared to $58,100 for the United States; the median income for a family was $87,922. Males had a median income of $49,166 versus $38,076 for females. The per capita income for the county was $37,212. 6.6% of the population lives below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 5.20% of those age 65 or over.[19]

Infrastructure

Emergency services

Fire and rescue services in Spotsylvania County are provided by a combination of career and volunteer organizations. The career staff of the Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management provide fire and rescue services 24/7/365 at all 11 stations, 1 (Courthouse), 2 (Brokenburg), 3 (Partlow), 4 (Four Mile Fork), 5 (Chancellor), 6 (Salem Church), 7 (Wilderness), 8 (Thornburg), 9 (Belmont), 10 (Salem Fields), 11 (Crossroads). Volunteers provide additional staffing nights and weekends at Stations 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8. The volunteer organizations include: Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue, The Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department, and The Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad.[20]

Education

Public schools
Main article: Spotsylvania County Public Schools

Spotsylvania County Public Schools is a public school district serving Spotsylvania County, Virginia. It consists of 17 Elementary, 7 Middle, and 5 High Schools and has a total enrollment of over 24,000 students.[21] The Spotsylvania County School division also has a Career and Technical Center and participates with other local school systems to offer the Commonwealth Governor's School. The district partners with area businesses to develop learning opportunities for the students.[22] Spotsylvania County Public Schools works with the area Parks and Recreation Department to help maintain the area around the Schools (athletic facilities, etc.).

Private schools

Colleges and universities

Germanna Community College is part of the Virginia Community College System and serves the City of Fredericksburg, and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Orange, Culpeper, and King George.

The University of Mary Washington located in neighboring Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a four-year university and graduate school that also serves the area.

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Latin Lovers". The Washington Times. November 4, 2002. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. "motto". www.jsasoc.com.
  3. "Clan Spottiswood - ScotClans - Scottish Clans".
  4. "Surname Database: Spens Last Name Origin". The Internet Surname Database.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  6. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. Swanton, John R. (1952). The Indian Tribes of North America. Smithsonian Institution. pp. 61–62. ISBN 0-8063-1730-2. OCLC 52230544.
  9. "Trail of Freedom", Rappahannock River Heritage Trail, University of Mary Washington blog
  10. "Spotsylvania County Home : Departments : Board of Supervisors". Spotsylvania.va.us. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  11. "Members of the Board of Supervisors". Spotsylvania.ua.us. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  12. David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  13. http://geoelections.free.fr/. Retrieved January 13, 2021. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  17. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  19. Census Bureau Median Income Figures Archived 2020-02-10 at Archive.today, census.gov.
  20. Spotsylvania County Fire;Rescue and Emergency Services Volunteer Agencies Archived 2007-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
  21. "VDOE :: Fall Membership". Doe.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  22. Annette Jones (2005-09-13). "Incentives for Education Businesses Encourage Learning". The Free Lance-Star. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
  23. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  24. now the United Methodist Church in the United States
  25. Gross, Edie. "Covering Caressa Cameron". www.fredericksburg.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23.
  26. "Fredericksburg Baptist Church" Archived February 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Nomination for National Register of Historic Places, State of Virginia; cf. "The First Hundred Years Were The Hardest". The Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. November 18, 1967. p. 8.
  27. Willard, Frances Elizabeth; Livermore, Mary Ashton Rice (1893). A Woman of the Century: Fourteen Hundred-seventy Biographical Sketches Accompanied by Portraits of Leading American Women in All Walks of Life (Public domain ed.). Moulton. pp. 237–.
  28. Frost, May (Miller) (1954). De Jarnette and Allied Families in America (1699-1954).
  29. Couloumbis, Angela E. (1996-03-02). "Fawn Lake: On The Water In Spotsylvania". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  30. Black, Jane (2008-12-26). ""Hell's Kitchen" winner Rahman "Rock" Harper Readying Menu for New D.C. Eatery". ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  31. "Movie, TV projects fall in line for local native". Fredericksburg.com. 2008-01-24. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  32. "A Virginian in Short". enlou.com. Retrieved November 3, 2009.
  33. Birth: Stevens, J. A., DeCosta, B. F., Johnston, H. P., Lamb, M. J., & Pond, N. G. (1887). The Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries. A. S. Barnes.
  34. Father of modern oceanography: Hager, W. H. (2015). Hydraulicians in the USA 1800-2000: A biographical dictionary of leaders in hydraulic engineering and fluid mechanics. CRC Press.

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