Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Spotsylvania County is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the July 2021 estimate, the population was 145,300.[5] Its county seat is Spotsylvania Courthouse.[6]

Spotsylvania County
County
Historic home listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Spotsylvania County
Historic home listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Spotsylvania County
Flag of Spotsylvania County
Flag
Official seal of Spotsylvania County
Seal
Official logo of Spotsylvania County
Logo
Motto(s): 
Patior Ut Potiar
(Latin for 'I suffer to obtain')[1][2][3][4]
Map of Virginia highlighting Spotsylvania 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°11′N 77°39′W
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1721
Named forAlexander Spotswood
SeatSpotsylvania Courthouse
Largest communitySpotsylvania Courthouse
Area
 • Total414 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Land401 sq mi (1,040 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  3.1%
Population
 (2023)[5]
 • Total145,324
 • Density350/sq mi (140/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.spotsylvania.va.us

History

At the time of European encounter, the inhabitants of the area that became Spotsylvania County were a Siouan-speaking tribe called the Manahoac.[7]

As the colonial population increased, Spotsylvania County was established in 1721 from parts of Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties. The county was named in Latin for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Alexander Spotswood who incidentally was also the second great-grandfather of Robert E Lee.[8]

Many major battles were fought in this county during the Civil War, including the Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Fredericksburg, and Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. The war resulted in widespread disruption and opportunity: some 10,000 African-American slaves left area plantations and city households to cross the Rappahannock River, reaching the Union lines and gaining freedom. This exodus is commemorated by historical markers on both sides of the river.[9]

General Stonewall Jackson was shot and seriously wounded by friendly fire in Spotsylvania County during the Battle of Chancellorsville. A group of Confederate soldiers from North Carolina were in the woods and heard General Jackson's party returning from reconnoitering the Union lines. They mistook them for a Federal patrol and fired on them, wounding Jackson in both arms. His left arm was amputated. General Jackson died a few days later from pneumonia at nearby Guinea Station. He and other Confederate wounded were being gathered there for evacuation to hospitals to the south and further away from enemy lines.

Geography

It is bounded on the north by the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers, the independent city of Fredericksburg (all of which were part of the area's early history), and the counties of Stafford and Culpeper; on the south by the North Anna River and its impoundment, Lake Anna, and by the counties of Hanover and Louisa; on the west by Orange County and Culpeper County; and on the east by Caroline County.

Adjacent counties and independent city

National protected area

Points of interest

Communities

There are no incorporated towns or cities in Spotsylvania County. Unincorporated communities in the county include:

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities
Spotsylvania Towne Centre

Many areas of the county have Fredericksburg addresses.

Major highways
I-95 northbound in Spotsylvania County

Governance

County government

Spotsylvania County's highest level of management is that of County Administrator. This post oversees all county departments and agencies and serves as the Spotsylvania County's Board of Supervisors' liaison to state and regional agencies.

Board of Supervisors

Spotsylvania is governed by a Board of Supervisors. The board consists of seven members (one from each district within the county). The Board of Supervisors sets county policies, adopts ordinances, appropriates funds, approves land rezoning and special exceptions to the zoning ordinance, and carries out other responsibilities set forth by the county code.[10]

The following is the current list of supervisors and districts which they represent:[11]

Position Name Affiliation District
  Chairman David Ross Republican Courtland
  Vice Chairman Jacob Lane Republican Livingston
  Member Chris Yakabouski Republican Battlefield
  Member Kevin Marshall Independent Berkely
  Member Timothy J. McLaughlin Independent Chancellor
  Member Lori Hayes Independent Lee Hill
  Member Deborah H. Frazier Independent Salem

County wide offices
Office Name Affiliation
  Commonwealth's Attorney Travis Duane Bird Republican
  Commissioner of the Revenue Deborah Fisher Williams Independent
  Sheriff Roger Lee Harris Independent
  Treasurer Larry Keith Pritchett, Sr. Independent
  Clerk of Circuit Court Christalyn Mitchell Jett Republican

State representation
Virginia House of Delegates
Office Name Party District
Delegate Robert D. "Bobby" Orrock Republican Party 54
Delegate Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler Jr. Republican Party 55
Delegate John McGuire Republican Party 56
Delegate Phillip Scott Republican Party 88
Virginia State Senate
Office Name Party District
Senator Ryan McDougle Republican Party 4
Senator Bryce Reeves Republican Party 17
Senator Richard Stuart Republican Party 28

Federal representation

Spotsylvania residents are represented by Abigail Spanberger (D-7th District) in the House of Representatives. The current U.S. senators from the Commonwealth of Virginia are Mark Warner (D) and Tim Kaine (D).

United States presidential election results for Spotsylvania County, Virginia[12][13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 39,411 52.33% 34,307 45.55% 1,599 2.12%
2016 34,623 55.35% 24,207 38.70% 3,719 5.95%
2012 31,844 54.93% 25,165 43.41% 965 1.66%
2008 28,610 52.91% 24,897 46.05% 562 1.04%
2004 28,527 62.77% 16,623 36.58% 295 0.65%
2000 20,739 59.22% 13,455 38.42% 827 2.36%
1996 13,786 52.62% 10,342 39.48% 2,069 7.90%
1992 11,829 49.26% 8,133 33.87% 4,052 16.87%
1988 10,978 66.16% 5,486 33.06% 129 0.78%
1984 8,207 66.74% 4,012 32.63% 78 0.63%
1980 5,385 53.82% 4,039 40.37% 581 5.81%
1976 3,210 42.46% 4,210 55.69% 140 1.85%
1972 3,577 65.73% 1,775 32.62% 90 1.65%
1968 1,675 34.00% 1,647 33.43% 1,604 32.56%
1964 1,261 37.45% 2,097 62.28% 9 0.27%
1960 1,288 46.02% 1,482 52.95% 29 1.04%
1956 1,244 51.94% 993 41.46% 158 6.60%
1952 1,174 48.98% 1,194 49.81% 29 1.21%
1948 517 34.24% 818 54.17% 175 11.59%
1944 504 40.29% 744 59.47% 3 0.24%
1940 365 31.63% 785 68.02% 4 0.35%
1936 453 35.01% 836 64.61% 5 0.39%
1932 346 30.17% 784 68.35% 17 1.48%
1928 654 59.84% 439 40.16% 0 0.00%
1924 255 34.65% 448 60.87% 33 4.48%
1920 380 45.56% 440 52.76% 14 1.68%
1916 249 38.37% 398 61.33% 2 0.31%
1912 58 9.40% 390 63.21% 169 27.39%
1908 282 43.93% 346 53.89% 14 2.18%
1904 237 40.79% 330 56.80% 14 2.41%
1900 817 51.19% 774 48.50% 5 0.31%
1896 903 50.50% 877 49.05% 8 0.45%
1892 679 42.62% 849 53.30% 65 4.08%
1888 922 51.22% 876 48.67% 2 0.11%
1884 820 49.28% 844 50.72% 0 0.00%
1880 576 42.76% 771 57.24% 0 0.00%

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179011,252—
180013,00215.6%
181013,2962.3%
182014,2547.2%
183015,1346.2%
184015,1610.2%
185014,911−1.6%
186016,0767.8%
187011,728−27.0%
188014,82826.4%
189014,233−4.0%
19009,239−35.1%
19109,9357.5%
192010,5716.4%
193010,056−4.9%
19409,905−1.5%
195011,92020.3%
196013,81915.9%
197016,42418.9%
198034,435109.7%
199057,40366.7%
200090,39557.5%
2010122,39735.4%
2020140,03214.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010[18] 2020[19]

2020 census
Spotsylvania County, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[18] Pop 2020[19] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 88,077 87,278 71.96% 62.33%
Black or African American alone (NH) 18,298 22,436 14.95% 16.02%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 323 375 0.26% 0.27%
Asian alone (NH) 2,768 3,933 2.26% 2.81%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 135 122 0.11% 0.09%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 272 845 0.22% 0.60%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 3,246 8,389 2.65% 5.99%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9,278 16,654 7.58% 11.89%
Total 122,397 140,032 100.00% 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

As of the census[20] of 2010, there were 122,397 people, 31,308 households, and 24,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 226 inhabitants per square mile (87/km2). There were 33,329 housing units at an average density of 83 units per square mile (32 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was:

7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 31,308 households, out of which 42.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.30% were non-families. 16.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 30.00% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 8.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The 2021 median income for a household in the county was $98,973 compared to $69,021 for the United States; the median income for a family was $87,922. Males had a median income of $49,166 versus $38,076 for females. The per capita income for the county was $37,212. 6.6% of the population lives below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 5.20% of those age 65 or over.[21]

Infrastructure

Emergency services

Fire and rescue services in Spotsylvania County are provided by a combination of career and volunteer organizations. The career staff of the Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management provide fire and rescue services 24/7/365 at all 11 stations, 1 (Courthouse), 2 (Brokenburg), 3 (Partlow), 4 (Four Mile Fork), 5 (Chancellor), 6 (Salem Church), 7 (Wilderness), 8 (Thornburg), 9 (Belmont), 10 (Salem Fields), 11 (Crossroads). Volunteers provide additional staffing nights and weekends at Stations 1, 2, 4, and 8. The volunteer organizations include The Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department, and The Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad.[22]

Education

Public schools
Main article: Spotsylvania County Public Schools

Spotsylvania County Public Schools is a public school district serving Spotsylvania County, Virginia. It consists of 17 Elementary, 7 Middle, and 5 High Schools and has a total enrollment of nearly 24,000 students.[23] The Spotsylvania County School division also has a Career and Technical Center and participates with other local school systems to offer the Commonwealth Governor's School. The district partners with area businesses to develop learning opportunities for the students.[24] Spotsylvania County Public Schools works with the area Parks and Recreation Department to help maintain the area around the Schools (athletic facilities, etc.).

Private schools

Colleges and universities

Germanna Community College is part of the Virginia Community College System and serves the City of Fredericksburg, and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Orange, Culpeper, and King George.

The University of Mary Washington located in neighboring Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a four-year university and graduate school that also serves the area.

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Latin Lovers". The Washington Times. November 4, 2002. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. "motto". www.jsasoc.com.
  3. "Clan Spottiswood - ScotClans - Scottish Clans".
  4. "Surname Database: Spens Last Name Origin". The Internet Surname Database.
  5. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. Swanton, John R. (1952). The Indian Tribes of North America. Smithsonian Institution. pp. 61–62. ISBN 0-8063-1730-2. OCLC 52230544.
  8. "Family relationship of General Robert e. Lee and Alexander Spotswood via Alexander Spotswood".
  9. "Trail of Freedom", Rappahannock River Heritage Trail, University of Mary Washington blog
  10. "Spotsylvania County Home : Departments: Board of Supervisors". Spotsylvania.va.us. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  11. "Members of the Board of Supervisors". Spotsylvania.ua.us. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  12. David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  13. "Élections présidentielles aux États-Unis 1788-2004" [United States presidential elections 1788-2004] (in French). Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  14. "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  17. "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 January 5, 2014.
  18. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Spotsylvania County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  19. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Spotsylvania County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  21. Census Bureau Median Income Figures Archived 2020-02-10 at archive.today, census.gov.
  22. Spotsylvania County Fire;Rescue and Emergency Services Volunteer Agencies Archived 2007-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
  23. "VDOE :: Fall Membership". Doe.virginia.gov. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  24. Annette Jones (September 13, 2005). "Incentives for Education Businesses Encourage Learning". The Free Lance-Star. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
  25. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  26. now the United Methodist Church in the United States
  27. Gross, Edie. "Covering Caressa Cameron". www.fredericksburg.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013.
  28. "Fredericksburg Baptist Church" Archived February 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Nomination for National Register of Historic Places, State of Virginia; cf. "The First Hundred Years Were The Hardest". The Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. November 18, 1967. p. 8.
  29. Willard, Frances Elizabeth; Livermore, Mary Ashton Rice (1893). A Woman of the Century: Fourteen Hundred-seventy Biographical Sketches Accompanied by Portraits of Leading American Women in All Walks of Life (Public domain ed.). Moulton. pp. 237–.
  30. Frost, May (Miller) (1954). De Jarnette and Allied Families in America (1699-1954). San Bernardino, Calif. [1954].
  31. Couloumbis, Angela E. (March 2, 1996). "Fawn Lake: On The Water In Spotsylvania". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  32. Black, Jane (December 26, 2008). ""Hell's Kitchen" winner Rahman "Rock" Harper Readying Menu for New D.C. Eatery". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  33. "Movie, TV projects fall in line for local native". Fredericksburg.com. January 24, 2008. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  34. "A Virginian in Short". enlou.com. Retrieved November 3, 2009.
  35. Birth: Stevens, J. A., DeCosta, B. F., Johnston, H. P., Lamb, M. J., & Pond, N. G. (1887). The Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries. A. S. Barnes.
  36. Father of modern oceanography: Hager, W. H. (2015). Hydraulicians in the USA 1800-2000: A biographical dictionary of leaders in hydraulic engineering and fluid mechanics. CRC Press.
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