Charlotte County, Virginia

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Charlotte County, Virginia
Seal of Charlotte County, Virginia
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Charlotte County
Location in the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded 1764
Named for Queen Charlotte
Seat Charlotte Court House
Largest town Keysville
Area
 • Total 478 sq mi (1,238 km2)
 • Land 475 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Water 2.2 sq mi (6 km2), 0.5%
Population
 • (2010) 12,586
 • Density 26/sq mi (10/km²)
Congressional district 5th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.co.charlotte.va.us

Charlotte County is a United States county located in the south central part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is the town of Charlotte Court House.[1] As of the 2010 census, the county population was 12,586.[2]

The county was formed in 1764 from Lunenburg County, and it is named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England. The county residents later became staunch supporters of the American Revolution, and Founding Father Patrick Henry was one of its most famous residents. His grave and the national memorial dedicated to him is located there.

The County is predominately rural and is one of the few counties in Virginia without a traffic signal (Bath County & Mathews County are the others). Charlotte is a semi-dry county, meaning restaurants may not serve liquor by the drink but beer and wine can be sold by grocery and convenience stores.

History

Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial in Charlotte County, the final resting place of Patrick Henry

European settlement of the future county began in the early 18th century,[3] and early settlers included mostly English people, with some French Hugenots and Scotch-Irish.[4] After approximately fifty years of European settlement, the House of Burgesses established and incorporated Charlotte County in 1764 from part of Lunenburg County. The new county was named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Queen and wife of King George III of England.[5]

Residents of Charlotte County were heavily involved in the American Revolution. County delegates supported resolutions against the Stamp Act of 1765,[4] and the county government was the second governing body to declare independence from English rule.[3] In addition, Charlotte militia units fought under General Robert Lawson during the Yorktown campaign, which effectively lead to the end of the American War of Independence.[4] Finally, the final resting place and national memorial to revolutionary hero Patrick Henry is at Red Hill Plantation.[6]

Charlotte County has also played a role in other wars on American soil. An artillery company from Charlotte played a key role in the Battle of Craney Island during the War of 1812.[4] Also, a significant battle in the American Civil War occurred in Charlotte and Halifax counties during the Battle of Staunton River Bridge, which resulted in a victory for the Confederacy.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 478 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 475 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) is water.[7] The county is bounded on the southwest by the Roanoke River. The terrain is hilly.[8]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 10,078 —
1800 11,912 18.2%
1810 13,161 10.5%
1820 13,290 1.0%
1830 15,252 14.8%
1840 14,595 −4.3%
1850 13,955 −4.4%
1860 14,471 3.7%
1870 14,513 0.3%
1880 16,653 14.7%
1890 15,077 −9.5%
1900 15,343 1.8%
1910 15,785 2.9%
1920 17,540 11.1%
1930 16,061 −8.4%
1940 15,861 −1.2%
1950 14,057 −11.4%
1960 13,368 −4.9%
1970 11,551 −13.6%
1980 12,266 6.2%
1990 11,688 −4.7%
2000 12,472 6.7%
2010 12,586 0.9%
Est. 2014 12,225 [9] −2.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2013[2]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 12,472 people, 4,951 households, and 3,435 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 5,734 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.51% White, 32.89% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.70% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,951 households out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.30% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,929, and the median income for a family was $34,830. Males had a median income of $26,918 versus $20,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,717. About 12.70% of families and 18.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.10% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of those age 65 or over.

Elected officials

Board of Supervisors

  • David M. Guill (I), District G - Bacon/Saxe, Chairman — Term expires 12-31-15
  • Gary D. Walker (R), District A - Charlotte Court House — Term expires 12-31-15
  • Joseph E. Carey, Sr. (I), District B - Wylliesburg/Red Oak — Term expires 12-31-13
  • Garland H. "Butch" Hamlett, Jr. (I), District C - Drakes Branch, Vice-Chairman — Term expires 12-31-11
  • Robert L. "Butch" Shook, Jr. (I), District D - Keysville — Term expires 12-31-13
  • Nancy R. Carwile (I), District E - Cullen/Red House, Vice-Chairman — Term expires 12-31-15
  • Haywood J. Hamlett (I), District F - Aspen/Phenix — Term expires 12-31-13

The Board of Supervisors is the legislative policy making body for the County. It considers and adopts policies regarding administration, budget, finance, economic development, health, planning, public safety, childcare, recreation, sanitation and waste removal. The Board appropriates funds for all functions, including the schools, Social Services, Law Enforcement and operation of courts. The Board's regularly scheduled meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Board of Supervisors Room of the County Administration Building, 250 LeGrande Avenue, Suite A, (PO Box 608) Charlotte Court House, Virginia, 23923.[1]

Sheriff

Thomas Jones (I) is the sheriff. The Sheriff is responsible for overseeing criminal investigations, calls for service, court room security, service of civil process and the operation of the Charlotte County jail.

Clerk of Court

The clerk is Stuart Fallen (I). The Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court manages the records for the Judicial Circuit. In addition, Fallen manages the records for the Judicial Circuit and serves as general record keeper for the County, recording all documents relating to land transfers, deeds, mortgages, births, deaths, wills, divorces and other statistics that date back to 1765.

Commissioner of the Revenue

Naisha N. Pridgen (I) is the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Commonwealth's Attorney

William E. Green, Jr. (I) is the Commonwealth's Attorney, a position similar to that of District's Attorney in many other states.

Treasurer

Patricia P. Berkeley (I) is the Treasurer.

County Administrator

Charlotte County's administrator is Russell B. Clark. Clark's duties include and are not limited to: general administration, personnel management and supervision of all county departments, budget preparation, funds management, purchasing, property management, compliance with laws, regulations and ordinances, coordination with independent agencies and the community, representing the Board at meetings and functions, and any and all other duties imposed by the Board and by law to facilitate the accomplishment of the work of county government.

Members of the School Board

  • Ned Locke, District C (Charlotte Court House), Chairman
  • Bill Devin, District B (Bacon) - Vice-Chairman
  • Brette Arbogast, District A (Keysville),
  • Kenneth Howard, District D (Keysville)
  • Henry Carwile, District E (Cullen/Red House)
  • Kimberly Pillow, District F (Phenix/Aspen)
  • Robbie Mason, District G (Saxe/Randolph)
  • Dana Ramsey, Clerk of the Board

Voter Registrar

Nan Lambert

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated

Notable residents

See also

References

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External links

 Appomattox County Prince Edward County
Campbell County Lunenburg County
  Charlotte County, Virginia  
Halifax County Mecklenburg County

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