Essex County, Virginia

Essex County, Virginia
County
Essex County Courthouse in Tappahannock
Flag
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Coordinates: 37°56′N 76°57′W / 37.94°N 76.95°W / 37.94; -76.95
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1692
SeatTappahannock
Largest townTappahannock
Area
 • Total
286 sq mi (740 km2)
 • Land257 sq mi (670 km2)
 • Water29 sq mi (75 km2)  10.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
10,599
 • Density41.2/sq mi (15.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.essexva.gov

Essex County is a United States county located in the Middle Peninsula of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is bordered by the Rappahannock River on the north and King and Queen County on the south. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 10,599.[1] The county seat is the historic town of Tappahannock.[2]

The county was created in 1692, when the old Rappahannock County was dissolved to form the new Essex and Richmond counties, and was named to honor Essex in England. Due to the region's location on the Rappahannock River, it was one of the early areas visited by English explorer John Smith. Smith's three trips led to him being captured, attacked and finally making peace with the resident indigenous Powhatan people.[3]

History

Essex County was established in 1692 from the old Rappahannock County, Virginia (not to be confused with the present-day Rappahannock County, Virginia). The county is named for either the shire or county in England, or for the Earl of Essex.[3][4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 286 square miles (740 km2), of which 257 square miles (670 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (10.1%) is water.[5] Its main town, Tappahanock, is focused at the Rappahanock River.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17909,122—
18009,5084.2%
18109,376−1.4%
18209,9095.7%
183010,5216.2%
184011,3097.5%
185010,206−9.8%
186010,4692.6%
18709,927−5.2%
188011,03211.1%
189010,047−8.9%
19009,701−3.4%
19109,105−6.1%
19208,542−6.2%
19306,976−18.3%
19407,0060.4%
19506,530−6.8%
19606,6902.5%
19707,0996.1%
19808,86424.9%
19908,689−2.0%
20009,98915.0%
201011,15111.6%
202010,599−5.0%
2023 (est.)10,598[6]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[12]

Racial and ethnic composition

Essex County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
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 may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010[11] Pop 2020[12] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 6,239 5,871 55.95% 55.39%
Black or African American alone (NH) 4,224 3,743 37.88% 35.31%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 46 61 0.41% 0.58%
Asian alone (NH) 86 62 0.77% 0.58%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 2 3 0.02% 0.03%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 13 40 0.12% 0.38%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 192 450 1.72% 4.25%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 349 369 3.13% 3.48%
Total 11,151 10,599 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,599. The median age was 48.6 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.8 males age 18 and over.[13][14]

The racial makeup of the county was 56.2% White, 35.6% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.7% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.5% of the population.[14]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[15]

There were 4,572 households in the county, of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 31.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]

There were 5,742 housing units, of which 20.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.8% were owner-occupied and 29.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.7%.[13]

2000 Census

As of the census[16] 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 people/km2). There were 4,926 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/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.

Government

Board of supervisors

  • Central District: John Magruder (I)
  • Greater Tappahannock District: Robert Akers (I)
  • North District: Joseph "Joe" A. Henry
  • South District: Ronnie Gill
  • At Large: J. Calvin Haile Jr.

Constitutional officers

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Christina A. Ambrose (I)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Kristen Andrews Foster (I)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: James M. Sitton, II
  • Sheriff: Walter "Arnie" Holmes (I)
  • Treasurer: B. A. "Penny" Davis (I)

Essex is represented by Republican Ryan T. McDougle in the Virginia Senate, Republican M. Keith Hodges in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Robert J. "Rob" Wittman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

United States presidential election results for Essex County, Virginia[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1912 72 19.94% 278 77.01% 11 3.05%
1916 77 20.32% 302 79.68% 0 0.00%
1920 101 24.05% 319 75.95% 0 0.00%
1924 60 15.63% 315 82.03% 9 2.34%
1928 195 37.79% 321 62.21% 0 0.00%
1932 101 19.27% 420 80.15% 3 0.57%
1936 116 17.98% 527 81.71% 2 0.31%
1940 145 20.92% 547 78.93% 1 0.14%
1944 179 25.98% 508 73.73% 2 0.29%
1948 221 33.95% 329 50.54% 101 15.51%
1952 610 52.45% 545 46.86% 8 0.69%
1956 597 55.48% 328 30.48% 151 14.03%
1960 606 54.25% 509 45.57% 2 0.18%
1964 789 50.90% 760 49.03% 1 0.06%
1968 791 36.55% 897 41.45% 476 22.00%
1972 1,482 62.58% 808 34.12% 78 3.29%
1976 1,380 50.55% 1,306 47.84% 44 1.61%
1980 1,581 52.93% 1,280 42.85% 126 4.22%
1984 2,120 61.63% 1,300 37.79% 20 0.58%
1988 2,038 60.56% 1,294 38.45% 33 0.98%
1992 1,897 48.59% 1,583 40.55% 424 10.86%
1996 1,627 46.05% 1,668 47.21% 238 6.74%
2000 1,995 52.08% 1,750 45.68% 86 2.24%
2004 2,304 53.04% 2,007 46.20% 33 0.76%
2008 2,379 44.35% 2,934 54.70% 51 0.95%
2012 2,602 45.85% 3,016 53.15% 57 1.00%
2016 2,657 49.46% 2,542 47.32% 173 3.22%
2020 3,075 49.77% 3,038 49.17% 65 1.05%
2024 3,245 53.42% 2,775 45.69% 54 0.89%

Education

Essex County Public Schools (ECPS) is the public schools system for Essex County, Virginia, United States.[18] The following schools make up the Essex County Public Schools system:

Tappahannock Elementary School (Grades PK - 4th)[19]
James H. Cary intermediate school (Grades 5th - 8th)[20]
Essex High School (Grades 9th - 12th)[21]

Other schools located in Essex County include:

St Margaret's School (Grades 8th - 12th, girls only)[22]
Tappahannock Junior Academy (Grades K - 10th)[23]
Aylett Country Day School (Grades PK - 8th) [24]

Communities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "Essex County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "History". Essex County Museum & Historical Society. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  4. ^ "A Guide to the Old Rappahannock County and Essex County (Va.) Wills, 1652-1806 (bulk 1677-1806)". Archival Resources of the Virginias. Library of Virginia. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "2023 Population Estimates (PEP)". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  10. ^ "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 2, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Essex County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Essex County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. ^ David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  18. ^ http://www.essex.k12.va.us Essex
  19. ^ "Home - Tappahannock Elementary School". essextes.sharpschool.net.
  20. ^ "Home - Essex Intermediate School". eis.essex.k12.va.us. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  21. ^ "Home - Essex High School". essexehs.sharpschool.net.
  22. ^ "St. Margaret's - Girls Boarding School Near Fredericksburg & Richmond, VA". www.sms.org.
  23. ^ "Home : Tappahannock Junior Academy Tappahannock VA". tappahannock22.adventistschoolconnect.org.
  24. ^ "Aylett Country Day School~Home of the Patriots". www.acdspatriots.net.

37°56′N 76°57′W / 37.94°N 76.95°W / 37.94; -76.95

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