Rappahannock County, Virginia

For the Rappahannock County that existed from 1656-1692, see Rappahannock County (1656), Virginia.

Rappahannock County, Virginia
200px Rappahannock County Courthouse in Washington, Virginia
Seal of Rappahannock County, Virginia Seal
Location in the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded	1833
Named for	Rappahannock River
Seat	Washington
Largest town	Washington
Area
• Total	267 sq mi (692 km2)
• Land	266 sq mi (689 km2)
• Water	0.8 sq mi (2 km2), 0.3%
Population
• (2010)	7,373
• Density	26/sq mi (10/km²)
Congressional district	5th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	rappahannockcountyva.gov

Rappahannock County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 7,373. Its county seat is Washington. The name "Rappahannock" comes from the Algonquian word lappihanne (also noted as toppehannock), meaning "river of quick, rising water" or "where the tide ebbs and flows."

Rappahannock County is included in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Rappahannock County was founded by an act of the Virginia General Assembly in 1833, based on the growing population's need to have better access to a county seat. The county's land was carved from Culpeper County. Rappahannock county was named for the river that separates it from Fauquier County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 267.2 square miles (692.0 km²), of which 266.4 square miles (690.0 km²) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) (0.3%) is water.

The Rappahannock River forms the northeastern boundary and separates Rappahannock County from Fauquier County. Rappahannock County is bounded on the southeast by Culpeper County and on the southwest by Madison County. The Blue Ridge Mountains occupy much of the western portion of the county.

Adjacent counties

• Warren County, Virginia - northwest
• Fauquier County, Virginia - northeast
• Culpeper County, Virginia - southeast
• Madison County, Virginia - southwest
• Page County, Virginia - west

National protected area

• Shenandoah National Park (part)

Mountains

The summits of the following mountains are located within Rappahannock County:

• Pignut Mountain
• Jenkins Mountain
• Little Jenkins Mountain
• Fork Mountain
• Battle Mountain
• Little Battle Mountain
• Piney Ridge
• Pickerel Ridge
• Poes Mountain
• Aaron Mountain
• Red Oak Mountain

Major highways

• US 211
• US 522
• SR 231
• Skyline Drive

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	9,257		—
1850	9,782		5.7%
1860	8,850		−9.5%
1870	8,261		−6.7%
1880	9,291		12.5%
1890	8,678		−6.6%
1900	8,843		1.9%
1910	8,044		−9.0%
1920	8,070		0.3%
1930	7,717		−4.4%
1940	7,208		−6.6%
1950	6,112		−15.2%
1960	5,368		−12.2%
1970	5,199		−3.1%
1980	6,093		17.2%
1990	6,622		8.7%
2000	6,983		5.5%
2010	7,373		5.6%
Est. 2014	7,361		−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2012

As of the census of 2010, there were 7,373 people, 2,788 households, and 2,004 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 3,303 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.64% White, 5.44% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.40% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 1.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,788 households out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.94.

File:US Route 211 in Rappahannock County.jpg

U.S. Route 211 as it passes through Rappahannock County; the Blue Ridge Mountains can be seen in the distance

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 31.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,943, and the median income for a family was $51,848. Males had a median income of $32,725 versus $22,950 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,863. About 5.20% of families and 7.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.80% of those under age 18 and 3.20% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Rappahannock County Public Schools School District is located in Washington, VA and includes two schools that serve 921 students county-wide in grades PK through 12.

Among the private schools in the county are two pre-K thru 12 schools, Hearthstone School [1], and Wakefield Country Day School.there is one 6 thru 12 school, Belle Meade Farm School.

Communities

Town

• Washington

Unincorporated communities

Amissville Castleton Chester Gap Flint Hill

Huntly Laurel Mills Massies Corner Peola Mills

Revercombs Corner Sperryville Wakefield Manor Woodville

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Rappahannock County, Virginia

External links

• Rappahannock County, Virginia, the county government homepage
• Rappahannock News, a print and online newspaper
• Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies in Virginia, Inc.
• Rappahannock Historical Society, 328 Gay Street, Washington, VA 22747