Westmoreland County, Virginia

Infobox U.S. County
county = Westmoreland County
state = Virginia




map size = 225
founded =
seat = Montross | area_total_sq_mi =253
area_water_sq_mi =23
area percentage = 9.29%
census yr = 2000
pop = 16718
density_km2 =28
web = www.co.westmoreland.va.us
|

Westmoreland County is a county located in the Northern Neck of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 16,718. Its county seat is MontrossGR|6. The county is located on the Northern Neck peninsula and is part of the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA winemaking appellation.

History

Westmoreland County was the birthplace of George Washington, the first President of the United States (at former "Bridges Creek, VA") [Marquis, A.N. Company. "Who's Who In America", vol. 1:Historical Volume (1607-1896), revised ed., Marquis, A.N. Company., 1967.] ; James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States; and General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate armies. It was the residence of Col. Nicholas Spencer, who patented the land at Mount Vernon in 1674 with his friend Lt. Col. John Washington, ancestor of George Washington. Spencer, who served as President of the Council and acting Governor of Virginia, was the cousin of and agent for the Barons Colepeper, proprietors of the Northern Neck.

As originally established by the British colonial government of Virginia, the territory of Westmoreland County encompassed much of what later become the various counties and cities of Northern Virginia (once including, for example, the areas which later became Arlington, the city of Alexandria, Fairfax County and Prince William County, among other places).

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 253 square miles (654 km²), of which, 229 square miles (594 km²) of it is land and 23 square miles (61 km²) of it (9.29%) is water.

Adjacent counties

* Charles County, Maryland - north
* St. Mary's County, Maryland - northeast
* Northumberland County, Virginia - southeast
* Richmond County, Virginia - south
* Essex County, Virginia - southwest
* King George County, Virginia - northwest

National protected area

* George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 16,718 people, 6,846 households, and 4,689 families residing in the county. The population density was 73 people per square mile (28/km²). There were 9,286 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile (16/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.41% White, 30.89% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.75% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 3.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,846 households out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.70% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 23.90% from 25 to 44, 27.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,797, and the median income for a family was $41,357. Males had a median income of $31,333 versus $22,221 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,473. About 11.20% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

Business and economy

The county's economy is primarily based on agriculture, primarily dairy [http://www.inwestmoreland.com/GREATPLACES/04-04/04-04-FutureAgriculture.htm] . Tourism is another significant economic driver, related to historical sites such as George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Robert E. Lee's birthplace, Stratford Hall Plantation, as well as gambling activities available in Colonial Beach. The county is also an extended exurb of Washington, D.C.

Montross is home to Northern Neck Coca-Cola Bottling Inc. (makers of Northern Neck Ginger Ale) and the Westmoreland News, a weekly newspaper.

Distinguished residents

*George Washington 1st President of the United States
*James Monroe 5th President of the United States
*Robert E. Lee Commander of the Confederate armies.
*Thomas Brown 2nd Governor of Florida
*Thomas Lee Acting Governor of Virginia
*Richard Henry Lee Signer of United States Declaration of Independence, United States Senator and Sixth President of the United States in Congress Assembled (under the Articles of Confederation)
*Francis Lightfoot Lee Signer of United States Declaration of Independence
*John dos Passos Author of the U.S.A. trilogy, among others (retired/died)
*Sloan Wilson Author of "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" (retired/died)

Towns

*Colonial Beach
*Montross

ee also

* George Washington Birthplace National Monument
* Stratford Hall Plantation

References

External links

* [http://www.wcchamber.com/ Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.westmoreland-county.org/ Westmoreland County Government]