Essex County, Virginia

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




map size = 225
founded = 1692
seat = Tappahannock | area_total_sq_mi =286
area_water_sq_mi =28
area percentage = 9.84%
census yr = 2000
pop = 9989
density_km2 =15
web = www.essex-virginia.org
|

Essex County is a county located in the Middle Peninsula in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of 2000, the population was 9,989. Its county seat is TappahannockGR|6.

History

Essex County was established in 1692 from Rappahannock County. The county is named for either the shire or county in England, or for the Earl of Essex.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 286 square miles (740 km²), of which, 258 square miles (668 km²) of it is land and 28 square miles (73 km²) of it (9.84%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,989 people, 3,995 households, and 2,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 4,926 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 57.96% White, 39.04% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,995 households out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.70% were married couples living together, 14.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,395, and the median income for a family was $43,588. Males had a median income of $29,736 versus $22,253 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,994. About 7.70% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.

Incorporated Communities

*Tappahannock

Unincorporated Communities

*Brays Fork
*Bowler's Wharf
*Butylo
*Caret
*Center Cross
*ChamplianDunbrooke
*Dunnsville
*Hustle
*Laneview ("shares with Middlesex County")
*Loretto
*Miller's Tavern
*Passing ("shares with Caroline County")
*Supply
*Wares Wharf

Noted Residents

*David George (Baptist)- African American ex-slave founder of Silver Bluff Baptist Church
*Former NBA player Xavier McDaniel once lived in this county.
*U.S. Senator Paul S. Trible, Jr. was Commonwealth's Attorney of Essex County.
*Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter, 1809-1887. Speaker of the House and Confederate States Secretary of State.
*Grammy award-nominated R&B singer Chris Brown was born and raised in this county.

References

External links

* [http://essexmuseum.org/ Essex County Museum]