Albemarle County, Virginia

Albemarle County is a county located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is Charlottesville, which is an independent city and enclave entirely surrounded by the county.[2] Albemarle County is part of the Charlottesville Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 112,395.[3]

"Albemarle County" redirects here. For the North Carolina county abolished in 1739, see Albemarle County, North Carolina.

Albemarle County
County
The Albemarle County Office Building
The Albemarle County Office Building
Flag of Albemarle County
Flag
Official seal of Albemarle County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Albemarle County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°02′N 78°34′W
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1744
Named forWillem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle[1]
SeatCharlottesville
Largest communityScottsville
Area
 • Total726 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Land721 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Water5 sq mi (10 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total112,395
 • Density155/sq mi (60/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts5th, 7th
Websitewww.albemarle.org

Albemarle County was created in 1744 from the western portion of Goochland County, though portions of Albemarle were later carved out to create other counties. Albemarle County was named in honor of Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle. Its most famous inhabitant was Thomas Jefferson, who built his estate home, Monticello, in the county.

History
Thomas Jefferson lived most of his life in Albemarle County

At the time of European encounter, the inhabitants of the area that became Albemarle County were a Siouan-speaking tribe called the Saponi.[4] In 1744, the Virginia General Assembly created Albemarle County from the western portion of Goochland County.[5] The county was named in honor of Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle and titular Governor of Virginia at the time.[6] The large county was partitioned in 1761, forming Buckingham and Amherst counties, at which time the county seat was moved from the formerly central Scottsville to a piece of newly central land, christened Charlottesville.[6] In 1777, Albemarle County was divided and Fluvanna County established, finalizing the boundaries of modern Albemarle County.

Albemarle County is well known for its association with President and Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, who was born in the county at Shadwell, though it was then part of Goochland County.[7] However, his home of Monticello is located in the county.[8] When the American Revolutionary War started in 1775, Jefferson was made colonel of the Albemarle Militia.

During the Civil War, the Battle of Rio Hill was a skirmish in which Union cavalry raided a Confederate camp in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Until the Civil War, the majority of Albemarle County's population consisted of enslaved African Americans.[9]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 726 square miles (1,880 km2), of which 721 square miles (1,870 km2) is land and 5 square miles (13 km2) (0.7%) is water.[10]

Waterways

The Rivanna River's south fork forms in Albemarle County and was historically important for transportation. The south fork flows in-between Darden Towe Park and Pen Park. Boat ramp access is available at Darden Towe Park. The James River acts as a natural border between Albemarle and Buckingham Counties.

Major highways
I-64 in Albemarle County

Protected areas

Albemarle's western border with Augusta and Rockingham Counties is located within the Shenandoah National Park.

Adjacent counties

Albemarle County borders 8 other counties, more than any other county in Virginia.

Parks and recreation
  • Beaver Creek Lake
  • Brook Hill Park
  • Chris Greene Lake Park
  • Darden Towe Park
  • Dorrier Park
  • Charlotte Y. Humphris Park
  • Ivy Creek Natural Area
  • Mint Springs Valley Park
  • Patricia Ann Byrom Forest Preserve Park
  • Preddy Creek Park
  • Simpson Park
  • Totier Creek Park
  • Walnut Creek Park
  • Western Park

[11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179012,585—
180016,43930.6%
181018,26811.1%
182019,7508.1%
183022,61814.5%
184022,294−1.4%
185025,80015.7%
186026,6253.2%
187027,5443.5%
188032,61818.4%
189032,379−0.7%
190028,473−12.1%
191029,8714.9%
192026,005−12.9%
193026,9813.8%
194024,652−8.6%
195026,6628.2%
196030,96916.2%
197037,78022.0%
198055,78347.7%
199068,04022.0%
200079,23616.5%
201098,97024.9%
2020112,39513.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010[16] 2020[17]

2020 census
Albemarle County, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 77,130 80,335 77.93% 71.48%
Black or African American alone (NH) 9,487 9,793 9.59% 8.71%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 150 96 0.15% 0.09%
Asian alone (NH) 4,597 8,186 4.64% 7.28%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 42 44 0.04% 0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 173 604 0.17% 0.54%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,974 4,884 1.99% 4.35%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5,417 8,453 5.47% 7.52%
Total 98,970 112,395 100.00% 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2010 Census

The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Albemarle County are English 16.3%, German 16.0%, Irish 12.7%, "American" 11.4% and Italian 5.2%.[18]

As of the census[19] of 2010, there were 98,970 people, 38,157 households, and 24,578 families residing in the county. The population density was 137 people per square mile (53 people/km2). There were 42,122 housing units at an average density of 58 units per square mile (22 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.6% White, 9.7% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 38,157 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females there were 92.69 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.59 males.

22% of Albemarle residents have a graduate or professional degree, compared with 10% nationwide.

The median income for a household in the county was $63,001, and the median income for a family was $98,934. Males had a median income of $55,530 versus $52,211 for females. The per capita income for the county was $36,718. About 3.8% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

35% of people working in Albemarle live in the county, while 65% commute in. 19% of those commuting in live in Charlottesville, while the remainder live in the surrounding counties. 26,800 people commute out of Albemarle for work. 48% of those commute to Charlottesville, making up 51% of Charlottesville's in-commuters. In 2022, Albemarle had a 2.7% unemployment rate, compared with a national rate of 3.6%.[20]

The top 10 employers as of Q4 2022 were:[20]

  1. University of Virginia
  2. Sentara Healthcare
  3. U.S. Department of Defense
  4. County of Albemarle
  5. Crutchfield Corporation
  6. Walmart
  7. Piedmont Virginia Community College
  8. Northrop Grumman Corporation
  9. Boar's Head Inn
  10. Atlantic Coast Athletic Club

Government

Albemarle is governed by an elected six-member Board of Supervisors. Management of the county is vested in a Board-appointed County Executive.[21]

Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County[22]
Name Party First election District
  Donna Price (chair) Dem 2019 Scottsville
  Diantha McKeel Dem 2013 Jack Jouett
  Jim Andrews Dem 2021 Samuel Miller
  Ned Gallaway Dem 2017 Rio
  Ann Mallek Dem 2007 White Hall
  Bea LaPisto-Kirtley Dem 2019 Rivanna

There are also several elected Constitutional Officers:

The nonpartisan School Board is also elected. Its members are:[26]

  • Kate Acuff (Jack Jouett Magisterial District)
  • Katrina Callsen (chair, Rio Magisterial District)
  • Judy Le (Rivanna Magisterial District)
  • Graham Paige (Samuel Miller Magisterial District)
  • Ellen Osborne (Scottsville Magisterial District)
  • David Oberg (White Hall Magisterial District)
  • Jonno Alcaro (at-large)

Emergency services
Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company Engine 45 at the Independence Day Parade.
Crozet Volunteer Fire Department Engine 52 truck during the same parade.

Albemarle County has two branches of law enforcement, the Albemarle County Police Department, which handles criminal matters and is directed by the appointed police chief, Colonel Sean Reeves.[27] The second branch is the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office, which handles civil service in the county and they are directed by the elected Sheriff Chan Bryant.[28]

Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) provides essential emergency services to the residents and visitors of Albemarle County including, fire suppression, emergency medical treatment, and transport, technical rescue, water rescue, and hazardous materials mitigation. In addition, the department provides a wide array of non-emergency services such as investigations, business inspections, burn permits, child safety seat inspections, smoke detector installations, public education, and emergency management

Services are provided through a combination of career staff, eight volunteer fire and rescue agencies, and regional partners. Fire and rescue stations are placed strategically throughout the county to ensure proper coverage:

Fire stations
  • Crozet Volunteer Fire Department – Station 5 – (combination career/volunteer)
  • Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company – Station 4 – (combination career/volunteer)
  • East Rivanna Volunteer Fire Company – Station 2 – (combination career/volunteer)
  • Hollymead Fire Rescue – Station 12 – (career)
  • Ivy Fire Rescue – Station 15 – (career)
  • Monticello Fire Rescue – Station 11 – (career)
  • North Garden Volunteer Fire Company – Station 3 – (combination career/volunteer)
  • Pantops Fire Rescue – Station 16 – (career)
  • Scottsville Volunteer Fire Department – Station 7 – (volunteer)
  • Seminole Trail Volunteer Fire Department – Station 8 – (combination career/volunteer)
  • Stony Point Volunteer Fire Company – Station 6 – (combination career/volunteer)

[29]

Rescue squads
  • Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad – Rescue 1 – (volunteer)
  • Berkmar Rescue – Rescue 8 – (career
  • Scottsville Rescue – Rescue 17 – (career)
  • Western Albemarle Rescue Squad – Rescue 5 – (volunteer)

[29]

  1. Combination career/volunteer – stations supplemented by career staff Monday - Friday, 6 AM - 6 PM. Volunteers operate these stations weeknights from 6 PM - 6 AM as well as weekends and holidays
  2. Volunteer – stations that operate with an all-volunteer, 24/7 team.
  3. Career – stations that operate with an all-career, 24/7 shift that work three distinct schedules

Law enforcement

The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) and the Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) provide law enforcement services in the county.

The ACSO was created in 1745 when Joseph Thompson was appointed as the first sheriff. Then in 1895, citizens started electing sheriffs for 4-year terms. Lucian Watts was the first elected sheriff.[30] As of 2022 the sheriff is Chan Bryant, the county's first woman sheriff.[31]

The ACPD was created in 1983. Prior to 1983, local county governments could create a police force by a simple vote held by their respective board of supervisors. In February 1983 the Virginia General Assembly restricted the authority of county governments to create police forces without a voter referendum. The law did not go into effect until July 1983: On May 11, 1983, before the law took effect, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance creating the Albemarle County Police Department. That original ordinance provided for a police chief and five full time officers.[32] George W. Bailey was the first chief of police.[30] As of 2022 the chief of police is Sean Reeves. The ACPD currently has 140 sworn officers, 23 civilian employees, and 3 animal control officers.[33]

Representation & elections

Albemarle is represented by Republican Bryce Reeves and Democrat Creigh Deeds in the Virginia State Senate; Republicans Chris Runion, Rob Bell, and Matt Fariss and Democrat Sally L. Hudson represent the county in the Virginia House of Delegates. Republican Bob Good represents most of the county in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrat Abigail Spanberger represents a small sliver in the most Northwest portion of Albemarle County.

For much of the second half of the 20th century, Albemarle County was heavily Republican, like most of this part of Virginia. However, the Republican edge narrowed significantly in the 1990s, in part due to the influence of the University of Virginia. In 2004, John Kerry carried it by two points, becoming the first Democrat to win the county since 1948. It swung hard to Barack Obama in 2008, and since then has become one of the few Democratic bastions in central Virginia, though it is not as overwhelmingly Democratic as Charlottesville.

United States presidential election results for Albemarle County, Virginia[34][35]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 20,804 32.18% 42,466 65.68% 1,387 2.15%
2016 19,259 33.95% 33,345 58.78% 4,122 7.27%
2012 23,297 43.22% 29,757 55.20% 853 1.58%
2008 20,576 40.36% 29,792 58.43% 616 1.21%
2004 21,189 48.46% 22,088 50.51% 449 1.03%
2000 18,291 49.64% 16,255 44.12% 2,300 6.24%
1996 15,243 48.81% 14,089 45.12% 1,896 6.07%
1992 13,894 43.69% 13,886 43.66% 4,024 12.65%
1988 15,117 58.70% 10,363 40.24% 273 1.06%
1984 14,455 64.16% 7,982 35.43% 93 0.41%
1980 10,424 53.23% 7,293 37.24% 1,865 9.52%
1976 9,084 54.62% 7,310 43.95% 238 1.43%
1972 8,447 65.22% 4,303 33.23% 201 1.55%
1968 4,512 53.45% 2,255 26.71% 1,674 19.83%
1964 3,251 51.48% 3,062 48.49% 2 0.03%
1960 3,135 59.47% 2,102 39.87% 35 0.66%
1956 2,508 57.18% 1,412 32.19% 466 10.62%
1952 2,523 60.32% 1,642 39.25% 18 0.43%
1948 984 40.28% 1,178 48.22% 281 11.50%
1944 964 35.69% 1,725 63.87% 12 0.44%
1940 804 32.71% 1,648 67.05% 6 0.24%
1936 635 25.74% 1,825 73.98% 7 0.28%
1932 508 20.39% 1,949 78.24% 34 1.36%
1928 846 35.00% 1,571 65.00% 0 0.00%
1924 366 20.31% 1,383 76.75% 53 2.94%
1920 541 25.42% 1,587 74.58% 0 0.00%
1916 223 13.95% 1,376 86.05% 0 0.00%
1912 144 9.58% 1,215 80.84% 144 9.58%
1908 380 27.03% 999 71.05% 27 1.92%
1904 309 22.18% 1,069 76.74% 15 1.08%
1900 1,674 40.78% 2,411 58.73% 20 0.49%
1896 1,918 41.50% 2,628 56.86% 76 1.64%
1892 1,795 39.18% 2,757 60.18% 29 0.63%
1888 2,166 45.58% 2,573 54.15% 13 0.27%
1884 2,587 46.80% 2,941 53.20% 0 0.00%
1880 1,644 40.31% 2,432 59.64% 2 0.05%

Education

The Albemarle County Public School System operates public education in the county. It provides education to nearly 14,000 students including preschool through high school. The Albemarle County Public School System's mission is to "establish a community of learners and learning, through relationships, relevance and rigor, one student at a time."[36] ACPS provides 25 school facilities[36] which include Community Lab School, a charter school that is located in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle High School, Western Albemarle High School, and Monticello High School.[37] The School Board and the Superintendent, Matthew Haas, work closely together in operating the Albemarle County Public School System.

Many private schools in Albemarle serve the county and students from surrounding areas. These include:

Some students attend several private schools in the City of Charlottesville.

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library is the regional library system that provides services to the citizens of Albemarle.

Communities

The city of Charlottesville is enclaved within Albemarle County. Under Virginia law in effect since 1871, all municipalities in the state incorporated as cities are legally and politically independent of any county.

(Population according to the 2020 United States Census)

Towns

  1. Scottsville, the original county seat (524)
    (also in Fluvanna County)

Census-designated places

  1. Afton (313) new in 2020
    (also in Nelson County)
  2. Crozet (9,224)
  3. Earlysville (1,153) new in 2020
  4. Esmont (491)
  5. Free Union (187)
  6. Hollymead (8,601)
  7. Ivy (917)
  8. Keswick (321) new in 2020
  9. North Garden (461) new in 2020
  10. Pantops (4,682)
  11. Piney Mountain (1,880)
  12. Rio (2.076) new in 2020
  13. Rivanna (east county) (2,174)
  14. University of Virginia (7.704)

Unincorporated Communities

Many of these unincorporated areas have Charlottesville addresses.

Notable people

Notable residents
United States President and Governor of Virginia Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, is located in Albemarle County.
United States President and Governor of Virginia James Monroe's home, Ash Lawn-Highland, is located in Albemarle County.

See also

References
  1. "County Overview". County of Albemarle. Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Albemarle County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  4. Swanton, John R. (1952), The Indian Tribes of North America, Smithsonian Institution, p. 72, ISBN 0-8063-1730-2, OCLC 52230544
  5. Pawlett, Nathaniel (1976). "An Index to Roads Shown in the Albemarle County Surveyors Books 1744-1853" (PDF). Charlottesville, Virginia: Virginia Highway & Transportation Research Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 30, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2008. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. Atkins, Ace (March 27, 2007). "A county by any other name?". C-Ville Weekly. Portico Publications. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
  7. Henry Stephens Randall, The Life of Thomas Jefferson
  8. "Albemarle County". Commonwealth of Virginia. Archived from the original on December 8, 2006. Retrieved October 11, 2008. Albemarle County is widely recognized as rich in history and beauty. Among its historic attractions are Monticello, home to President Thomas Jefferson...
  9. "Enslaved Population in Virginia". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  11. "Parks". Albemarle County, VA. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  12. "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  16. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Albemarle County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  17. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Albemarle County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  19. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  20. Local Area Profiles Archived November 27, 2020, at the Wayback Machine virginiaworks.com
  21. "County Executive". County of Albemarle, VA. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  22. "Board Members". Albemarle County, VA. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  23. "Circuit Court Clerk's Office". Albemarle County, VA.
  24. "Staff". Albemarle County, VA. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  25. "Albemarle County Sheriff's Office". Albemarle County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  26. "School Board Members". Albemarle County School District. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  27. "Albemarle County Police Department". Albemarle County, VA. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  28. "Albemarle County Sheriff's Office". Albemarle County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  29. "System & Stations". Albemarle County, VA. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  30. "Albemarle County Sheriff's Office - History". Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  31. "Bryant sworn in as Albemarle County Sheriff". CBS19 News. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  32. "Error". lfweb.albemarle.org. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  33. "Albemarle County Police Department - Who are we". Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  34. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  35. "Our Campaigns - U.S. President". Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  36. "Division Fact Sheet". Albemarle County Public Schools. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  37. "Our Schools". Albemarle County Public Schools. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  38. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  39. National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Mirador (Boundary Increase) (Report). Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Historic Resources. April 7, 2003.
  40. "Inside The New York Times Book Review: John Grisham on 'The Whistler'". The New York Times. November 4, 2016. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  41. Healy, Patrick. "Grisham's 'Time to Kill' Coming to Broadway". ArtsBeat. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  42. Obituary of Claude Hampton Hall (1922-2001), Bryan-College Station, Texas, Eagle, April 4, 2001

Further reading

38.03°N 78.56°W / 38.03; -78.56

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