Amelia County, Virginia

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Amelia County, Virginia
Amelia VA - county courthouse.jpg
Amelia County Courthouse
Seal of Amelia County, Virginia
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Amelia County
Location in the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded 1735
Named for Princess Amelia
Seat Amelia
Area
 • Total 359 sq mi (930 km2)
 • Land 355 sq mi (919 km2)
 • Water 3.3 sq mi (9 km2), 0.9%
Population
 • (2010) 12,690
 • Density 35/sq mi (13.7/km²)
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.ameliacova.com

Amelia County is a United States county located just west of Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is included in the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area, and its county seat is Amelia Courthouse.[1]

Amelia County was created in 1735 from parts of Prince George and Brunswick counties, and it was named in honor of Princess Amelia of Great Britain. Parts of the county were later carved out to create Prince Edward and Nottoway counties.

As of the 2010 census, the county population was 12,690, which is an increase of over 44 percent from the 1990 census.[2] The largest individual ancestry group in Amelia is African Americans at 28% of the total population.

History

File:Princess Amellia of Great Britain (1711-1786) by Jean=Baptiste van Loo.jpg
Princess Amellia of Great Britain, for whom the County is named

Amelia County was created by a legislative act in 1734 and 1735[3] from parts of Prince George and Brunswick counties. The County is named for Princess Amelia of Great Britain, daughter of King George II. Twice Amelia County was reduced in size to form newer counties; in 1754, Prince Edward County was formed from parts of Amelia County, and in 1789, Nottoway County was formed.

During the Civil War General Robert E. Lee and his Army spent April 4 and 5, 1865 at Amelia Courthouse before his surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. The last major battle of the war was fought at Sayler’s Creek on April 6.

Amelia is known for its minerals, including the nation's best supply of Amazonite found at the Morefield mine. In addition, the Amelia County Fair was home to the world's largest potato pancake (with apple sauce) which was built to raise money for the German American National Scholarship Fund in 1986. It weighed over two and one quarter tons and used four truck loads of potatoes.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 359 square miles (930 km2), of which 355 square miles (920 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 18,097 —
1800 9,432 −47.9%
1810 10,594 12.3%
1820 11,104 4.8%
1830 11,036 −0.6%
1840 10,320 −6.5%
1850 9,770 −5.3%
1860 10,741 9.9%
1870 9,878 −8.0%
1880 10,377 5.1%
1890 9,068 −12.6%
1900 9,037 −0.3%
1910 8,720 −3.5%
1920 9,800 12.4%
1930 8,799 −10.2%
1940 8,495 −3.5%
1950 7,908 −6.9%
1960 7,815 −1.2%
1970 7,592 −2.9%
1980 8,405 10.7%
1990 8,787 4.5%
2000 11,400 29.7%
2010 12,690 11.3%
Est. 2014 12,855 [5] 1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[2]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 11,400 people, 4,240 households, and 3,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 4,609 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 70.57% White, 28.05% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The two largest ancestry groups in Amelia County are African American (28%) and English American (11%).[11]

There were 4,240 households out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,252, and the median income for a family was $47,157. Males had a median income of $32,315 versus $23,102 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,858. 8.40% of the population and 6.70% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.10% are under the age of 18 and 11.70% are 65 or older.

Government

Board of Supervisors

  • District 1: Ellsworth J. Bennett, Vice Chairman (I)
  • District 2: Judy Jones (I)
  • District 3: Ralph A. Whitaker, Jr. (R)
  • District 4: Carroll E. Barnard (R)
  • District 5: Franklin D. Harris, Chairman (D)

Constitutional Officers

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Marilyn L. Wilson (D)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Joyce P. Morris (I)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Lee R. Harrison (I)
  • Sheriff: Rick Walker (I)
  • Treasurer: Pam Conyers (D)

Amelia County is represented by Republican Stephen H. Martin in the Virginia Senate, Republican Thomas C. Wright, Jr. in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican J. Randy Forbes in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Media

The Amelia Bulletin Monitor, a weekly newspaper, has covered the county since 1973.

Communities

There are no incorporated communities in Amelia County.

Notable residents

See also

References

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  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ History of Amelia County
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Amelia County, VA - Amelia County, Virginia - Ancestry & family history - ePodunk
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

 Powhatan County Chesterfield County
Cumberland County
  Amelia County, Virginia  
Prince Edward County Nottoway County Dinwiddie County

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