Albemarle County, Virginia

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"Albemarle County" redirects here. For the North Carolina county abolished in 1739, see Albemarle County, North Carolina.
Albemarle County, Virginia
Albemarle County Office Building.jpg
The Albemarle County Office Building
Seal of Albemarle County, Virginia
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Albemarle County
Location in the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded 1744
Named for Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle[1]
Seat Charlottesville
Largest town Scottsville
Area
 • Total 726 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Land 721 sq mi (1,867 km2)
 • Water 5 sq mi (13 km2), 0.7%
Population (est.)
 • (2012) 101,575
 • Density 137/sq mi (52.8/km²)
Congressional district 5th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.albemarle.org

Albemarle County is a United States county located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is Charlottesville, which is an independent city enclave entirely surrounded by the county.[2] Albemarle County is part of the Charlottesville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Albemarle County was created in 1744 from the western portion of Goochland County, though portions of Albemarle were later carved out to create other counties. Albemarle County was named in honor of Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle. However, its most famous inhabitant was Thomas Jefferson, who built his estate home, Monticello, in the county.

As of the 2010 census, the population was 98,970.[3] The population has more than tripled since the 1960 census.

History

Thomas Jefferson lived most of his life in Albemarle County

At the time of European encounter, the inhabitants of the area that became Albemarle County were a Siouan-speaking tribe called the Saponi.[4] In 1744, the Virginia General Assembly created Albemarle County from the western portion of Goochland County.[5] The county was named in honor of Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle and titular Governor of Virginia at the time.[6] The large county was partitioned in 1761, forming Buckingham and Amherst counties, at which time the county seat was moved from the formerly central Scottsville to a piece of newly central land, christened Charlottesville.[6] In 1777, Albemarle County was divided and Fluvanna County established, finalizing the boundaries of modern Albemarle County.

Albemarle County is well known for its association with President and Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, who was born in the County at Shadwell, though it was then part of Goochland County.[7] However, his home of Monticello is located in the County.[8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 726 square miles (1,880 km2), of which 721 square miles (1,870 km2) is land and 5 square miles (13 km2) (0.7%) is water.[9]

Waterways

The Rivanna River rises in Albemarle County and was historically important for transportation.

Major highways

Protected areas

Albemarle's western border with Augusta and Rockingham Counties is located within the Shenandoah National Park.

Adjacent counties

Albemarle County borders 8 other counties, more than any other county in Virginia.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 12,585 —
1800 16,439 30.6%
1810 18,268 11.1%
1820 19,750 8.1%
1830 22,618 14.5%
1840 22,294 −1.4%
1850 25,800 15.7%
1860 26,625 3.2%
1870 27,544 3.5%
1880 32,618 18.4%
1890 32,379 −0.7%
1900 28,473 −12.1%
1910 29,871 4.9%
1920 26,005 −12.9%
1930 26,981 3.8%
1940 24,652 −8.6%
1950 26,662 8.2%
1960 30,969 16.2%
1970 37,780 22.0%
1980 55,783 47.7%
1990 68,040 22.0%
2000 79,236 16.5%
2010 98,970 24.9%
Est. 2014 104,489 [10] 5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2013[3]

As of the census[15] of 2010, there were 98,970 people, 38,157 households, and 24,578 families residing in the county. The population density was 137 people per square mile (52.8/km²). There were 42,122 housing units at an average density of 58 per square mile (22.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.6% White, 9.7% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 38,157 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females there were 92.69 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.59 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $63,001, and the median income for a family was $98,934. Males had a median income of $55,530 versus $52,211 for females. The per capita income for the county was $36,718. About 3.8% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Albemarle is governed by an elected six-member Board of Supervisors. Management of the County is vested in a Board-appointed County Executive.[16]

Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County[17]
Name Party First Election District
  Jane Dittmar (Chair) Dem 2013 Scottsville
  Diantha McKeel (Vice-Chair) Ind 2013 Jack Jouett
  Liz Palmer Dem 2013 Samuel Miller
  Brad Sheffield Dem 2013 Rio
  Ann Mallek Dem 2007 White Hall
  Kenneth Boyd Rep 2003 Rivanna

There are also several elected Constitutional Officers:

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Debra Shipp (D)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Denise Y. Lunsford (D)
  • Sheriff: J.E. "Chip" Harding (R)

The nonpartisan School Board is also elected. Its members are:[18]

  • Kate Acuff (Jack Jouett district)
  • Pamela Moynihan (Rio district)
  • Jason Buyaki (Rivanna district)
  • Graham Paige (Samuel Miller district)
  • Stephen Koleszar (Scottsville district)
  • Barbara Massie Mouly (Vice-Chair, White Hall district)
  • Ned Gallaway (Chair, At Large)

Albemarle is represented by Republican Bryce Reeves and Democrat Creigh Deeds in the Virginia State Senate, Republican Steve Landes Democrat David Toscano, Republican Rob Bell, and Republican Matt Fariss in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Robert Hurt in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Emergency services

Earlysville Fire Department Engine 45 at the Independence Day Parade.
Crozet Volunteer Fire Department Engine 52 truck during the same parade.

Albemarle County has two branches of law enforcement, the Albemarle County Police Department, which handles criminal matters and is directed by the appointed police chief, Colonel Steve Sellers. The second branch is the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office, which handles civil service in the county and they are directed by the elected Sheriff Chip Harding.

EMS services are provided by three volunteer rescue squads and Albemarle County Fire Rescue. The Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, located in the City of Charlottesville, the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad, located in Crozet, and the Scottsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, located in the Town of Scottsville. Albemarle County Fire Rescue operates 6 Advance Life Support ambulances, Medic 4 (Earlysville), Medic 8 (Seminole), Medic 11 (Monticello), Medic 12 (Hollymead), Medic 15 (Ivy), and Medic 16 (Pantops).

Fire suppression services are provided by seven volunteer fire companies, w/ four of them being staffed by county career firefighter/medics 06:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, three 24 hour county career stations, and an automatic mutual aid contract with the Charlottesville Fire Department. The Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport also maintains an Airport Crash/Rescue department which is staffed by airport personnel and is assisted by county stations in the event of an aircraft emergency. The four volunteer stations supplemented by county career firefighters during the daytime are East Rivanna Vol. Fire Dept, Earlysville Vol. Fire Company, Stony Point Vol. Fire Company, and Seminole Trail Vol. Fire Dept. These stations are solely volunteers nights and weekends. The City of Charlottesville fire department maintains a contract with the county with automatic mutual aid for areas that border the city boundaries.

Albemarle County Fire Rescue also plans to build one more career station in the eastern portion of the county near Pantops Mountain in the future.

Fire stations[19]

Rescue squads[19]

Education

The Albemarle County Public School System operates public education in the County, including Murray High School, a charter school, that is located in the City of Charlottesville. The School Board and the Superintendent, Dr. Pamela Moran, work closely together in operating the Albemarle County Public School System.

The School Board has 7 members, elected by Magisterial District:

  • Kate Acuff (Jack Jouett district)
  • Pamela Moynihan (Rio district)
  • Jason Buyaki (Rivanna district)
  • Graham Paige (Samuel Miller district)
  • Stephen Koleszar (Scottsville district)
  • Barbara Massie Mouly (Vice-Chair, White Hall district)
  • Ned Gallaway (Chair, At Large)

Many private schools in Albemarle serve the County and students from surrounding areas. These include:

Some students attend several private schools in the City of Charlottesville.

Communities

The only incorporated town in Albemarle County is Scottsville, the original county seat. Unincorporated communities include Barboursville, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Greenwood, Ivy, Keene, and Keswick, among many smaller hamlets.

In addition, the City of Charlottesville is enclaved within Albemarle County. Under Virginia law in effect since 1871, all municipalities in the state incorporated as cities are legally and politically independent of any county.

Notable residents

United States President and Governor of Virginia Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, is located in Albemarle County.
United States President and Governor of Virginia James Monroe's home, Ash Lawn-Highland, is located in Albemarle County.

See also

References

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  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Henry Stephens Randall, The Life of Thomas Jefferson
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=bos
  18. ↑ http://www2.k12albemarle.org/acps/division/board/Pages/Meet-the-Board-Members.aspx
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=fire&relpage=3083
  20. ↑ 20.00 20.01 20.02 20.03 20.04 20.05 20.06 20.07 20.08 20.09 20.10 20.11 20.12 20.13 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Obituary of Claude Hampton Hall (1922-2001), Bryan-College Station, Texas, Eagle, April 4, 2001

Further reading

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External links

 Rockingham County Greene County Orange County
Augusta County Louisa County
  Albemarle County, Virginia  
Nelson County Buckingham County Fluvanna County

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