Halifax County, Virginia

Halifax County, Virginia
County
Halifax County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Coordinates: 36°46′N 78°56′W / 36.77°N 78.94°W / 36.77; -78.94
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1752
Named afterGeorge Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax
SeatHalifax
Largest townSouth Boston
Area
 • Total
830 sq mi (2,100 km2)
 • Land818 sq mi (2,120 km2)
 • Water12 sq mi (31 km2)  1.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
34,022
 • Density41.6/sq mi (16.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.halifaxcountyva.gov

Halifax County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,022.[1] Its county seat is Halifax.[2]

History

Occupied by varying cultures of indigenous peoples for thousands of years, in historic times English colonists encountered Siouan language-speaking Native Americans. Halifax County was established in 1752 by English colonists from Lunenburg County. The county was named for George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax.

Through the 1990 Census, South Boston was an independent city, but it became a town again and rejoined Halifax County in 1995.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 830 square miles (2,100 km2), of which 818 square miles (2,120 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (1.4%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179014,722—
180019,37731.6%
181022,13314.2%
182019,060−13.9%
183028,03447.1%
184025,936−7.5%
185025,9620.1%
186026,5202.1%
187027,8284.9%
188033,58820.7%
189034,4242.5%
190037,1978.1%
191040,0447.7%
192041,3743.3%
193041,283−0.2%
194041,2710.0%
195041,4420.4%
196033,637−18.8%
197030,076−10.6%
198030,5991.7%
199029,033−5.1%
200037,35528.7%
201036,241−3.0%
202034,022−6.1%
2023 (est.)33,432[4]−1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010[9] 2020[10]

Racial and ethnic composition

Halifax 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[9] Pop 2020[10] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 21,804 20,250 60.16% 59.52%
Black or African American alone (NH) 13,224 11,738 36.49% 34.50%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 97 77 0.27% 0.23%
Asian alone (NH) 132 218 0.36% 0.64%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 4 3 0.01% 0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 37 112 0.10% 0.33%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 356 864 0.98% 2.54%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 587 760 1.62% 2.23%
Total 36,241 34,022 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 34,022. The median age was 47.7 years. 20.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.6 males age 18 and over.[11][12]

The racial makeup of the county was 60.0% White, 34.7% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.2% of the population.[12]

21.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 78.2% lived in rural areas.[13]

There were 14,698 households in the county, of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 32.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

There were 17,275 housing units, of which 14.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.8% were owner-occupied and 29.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%.[11]

2000 census

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 37,355 people, 15,018 households, and 10,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile (18 people/km2). There were 16,953 housing units at an average density of 21 units per square mile (8.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 60.32% White, 38.02% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,018 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were married couples living together, 14.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 26.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,929, and the median income for a family was $37,845. Males had a median income of $27,498 versus $20,684 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,353. About 11.50% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 19.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Board of Supervisors

  • District 1: Maurice Riddle, Jr.
  • District 2: Larry D Roller
  • District 3: Hubert Pannell
  • District 4: Dennis Witt
  • District 5: Robbie Smart
  • District 6: Stanley Brandon
  • District 7: Keith McDowell
  • District 8: William Bryant Claiborne
  • Tie Breaker: Wayne Smith

[15]

Constitutional officers

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Cathy M. Cosby (I)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Brenda P. Powell (I)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Tracy Quackenbush Martin (I)
  • Sheriff: Fred S. Clark (I)
  • Treasurer: Shana Lynn Hetzell (I)

Halifax is represented by Republicans Tammy Brankley Mulchi in the Virginia Senate, Republicans Danny Marshall and Thomas C. Wright in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican John McGuire in the U.S. House of Representatives. Halifax is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

United States presidential election results for Halifax County, Virginia[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1880 1,987 48.49% 2,111 51.51% 0 0.00%
1884 2,954 46.54% 3,393 53.46% 0 0.00%
1888 2,473 40.69% 3,570 58.74% 35 0.58%
1892 1,937 33.80% 3,133 54.68% 660 11.52%
1896 2,050 38.43% 3,231 60.57% 53 0.99%
1900 1,632 35.90% 2,864 63.00% 50 1.10%
1904 594 32.60% 1,198 65.75% 30 1.65%
1908 650 33.64% 1,268 65.63% 14 0.72%
1912 426 23.20% 1,260 68.63% 150 8.17%
1916 493 21.52% 1,781 77.74% 17 0.74%
1920 586 21.73% 2,103 77.98% 8 0.30%
1924 374 14.03% 2,245 84.24% 46 1.73%
1928 1,091 28.46% 2,742 71.54% 0 0.00%
1932 275 7.05% 3,583 91.85% 43 1.10%
1936 302 6.51% 4,331 93.30% 9 0.19%
1940 373 9.75% 3,441 89.94% 12 0.31%
1944 512 13.23% 3,351 86.59% 7 0.18%
1948 521 13.46% 1,323 34.19% 2,026 52.35%
1952 2,274 40.70% 3,296 58.99% 17 0.30%
1956 1,782 30.73% 2,470 42.59% 1,547 26.68%
1960 1,784 39.57% 2,676 59.36% 48 1.06%
1964 3,928 63.93% 2,198 35.77% 18 0.29%
1968 2,634 28.94% 2,199 24.16% 4,269 46.90%
1972 5,469 68.71% 2,384 29.95% 106 1.33%
1976 4,045 46.51% 4,352 50.04% 300 3.45%
1980 5,088 51.73% 4,528 46.03% 220 2.24%
1984 6,726 60.58% 4,231 38.11% 146 1.31%
1988 5,671 56.02% 4,282 42.30% 171 1.69%
1992 5,199 46.16% 4,752 42.19% 1,311 11.64%
1996 6,490 49.07% 5,599 42.33% 1,137 8.60%
2000 7,732 54.95% 5,963 42.37% 377 2.68%
2004 8,363 57.06% 6,220 42.44% 73 0.50%
2008 8,600 51.04% 8,126 48.23% 124 0.74%
2012 8,694 52.08% 7,766 46.53% 232 1.39%
2016 9,704 57.10% 6,897 40.58% 393 2.31%
2020 10,418 57.09% 7,666 42.01% 164 0.90%
2024 10,741 60.10% 6,984 39.08% 146 0.82%

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Education

The school district is the Halifax County Public Schools school district.[17]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "Halifax County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "2023 Population Estimates (PEP)". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  5. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  8. ^ "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 3, 2014.
  9. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Halifax County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Halifax County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. ^ "Board of Supervisors - Halifax County, VA". Halifax County. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  17. ^ Geography Division (January 8, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Halifax County, VA (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2025. - Text list
  18. ^ Personal: Luther Hilton Foster, The Journal of Negro History: Vol 34, No 4, October 1949, page 489. Verified December 19, 2021.
  19. ^ "Prison Time Is Urged for Griles", The Washington Post, June 16, 2007
  20. ^ Smith, Van (April 17, 2002). "The Life, Death, and Life After Death of Henrietta Lacks, Unwitting Heroine of Modern Medical Science". Baltimore City Paper. Archived from the original on August 14, 2004. Retrieved January 18, 2010.

36°46′N 78°56′W / 36.77°N 78.94°W / 36.77; -78.94

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