Hanover County, Virginia

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




map size = 250
founded = 1720
seat = Hanover | area_total_sq_mi =474
area_land_sq_mi =473
area_water_sq_mi =1
area percentage = 0.30%
census yr = 2007
pop = 100720
web = www.co.hanover.va.us
|

Hanover County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 86,320. A 2007 estimate shows the county's population has grown to 100,721 [ [http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-10-16-0126.html Hanover: 100,000 and growing - News - inRich.com ] ] . Its county seat is Hanover CourthouseGR|6. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

History

Hanover County was created on November 26, 1720, from the area of New Kent County called St. Paul's Parish. It was named for the Electorate of Hanover in Germany, because King George I of Great Britain was Elector of Hanover at the time.

Hanover County was the birthplace and home of noted American statesman Patrick Henry and is the home of the Hanover Courthouse, which was the site of the Parson's Cause case in the Virginia Colony, in which attorney Henry argued against taxes levied on preachers by the King. The historic Hanover Courthouse is pictured in the county seal. Hanover County was also the birthplace of politician Henry Clay, author of the Missouri Compromise.

Hanover County at its closest point is only 5 miles from the current city limits of Richmond. However, the Chickahominy River is located at this closest point, which is in the Mechanicsville area. Although the Union Army came within earshot of the bells from Richmond's churches along this river during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War, no one learned more what an obstacle that river can be than Union General George B. McClellan. He failed in the attempt to get all of his troops across it and overwhelm the smaller-sized Confederate forces defending Richmond, effectively prolonging the War almost 3 more years. Hanover County was the site of a number of Civil War battles, including the Seven Days Battles of the Peninsula Campaign and Battle of Cold Harbor in 1864. [http://www.co.hanover.va.us/history.htm]

King's Dominion amusement park opened in 1975 in Doswell and impacted the county's economy.

In January 2007, America's Promise named Hanover County as one of the top 100 communities for youth.

The incorporated town of Ashland is located within Hanover County. Ashland is the site of Randolph-Macon College.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 474 square miles (1,228 km²), of which, 473 square miles (1,224 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (4 km²) of it (0.30%) is water.

It is bounded on the north by Spotsylvania, Caroline and King William counties; on the south by Goochland and Henrico counties; on the east by New Kent County; and on the west by Louisa County.

Hanover County is about 90 miles south of Washington, D.C., and about 12 miles north of Richmond. [http://www.co.hanover.va.us/around.htm]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile (71/km²). There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile (26/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.32% White, 9.34% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 31,121 households out of which 39.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.40% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.40% were non-families. 17.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out with 27.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $59,223, and the median income for a family was $65,809. Males had a median income of $42,523 versus $30,689 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,120. About 2.50% of families and 3.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.90% of those under age 18 and 5.80% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Hanover County has fifteen elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools, one alternative school, and one technology school. The four high schools are Atlee High School, Hanover High School, Lee-Davis High School, and Patrick Henry High School. Forbes magazine named Hanover County as one of the top fifty counties in the United States for student achievement vc. cost per student.

Towns

* Ashland

Unincorporated communities

* Atlee
* Beaverdam
* Doswell
* Elmont
* Hanover Courthouse
* Mechanicsville
* Montpelier
* Old Church
* Rockville

References

4. [http://hcps2.hanover.k12.va.us/human_resource/district.htm Hanover County District Information]

External links

* [http://www.hanovercounty.biz/ Hanover County Economic Development]
* [http://www.herald-progress.com/ Hanover Herald-Progress newspaper]
* [http://www.mechlocal.com/ Mechanicsville Local newspaper]