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Northumberland County, Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Northumberland County, Virginia | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Virginia |
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 Virginia's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1648 |
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| Seat | Heathsville |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
740 km² (286 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 242 km² (93 mi²), 32.68% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
12,259 25/km² |
| Website: www.co.northumberland.va.us | |
Northumberland County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 12,259. Its county seat is Heathsville6.
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The county was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1648 during a period of rapid population growth and geographic expansion. Settlement began in this area of the Northern Neck around 1635. Originally known as the Indian district Chickacoan, the first appearance of the name Northumberland in the colonial records was in 1644. The following year, John Mottrom served as the first burgess for the territory in Jamestown.
The size of the county was drastically reduced in 1652 and 1653 as Lancaster County and Westmoreland County, respectively, were carved out of Northumberland County.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 740 km² (286 mi²). 498 km² (192 mi²) of it is land and 242 km² (93 mi²) of it (32.68%) is water. The county is located between the Rappahannock River and Potomac River.
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 12,259 people, 5,470 households, and 3,785 families residing in the county. The population density was 25/km² (64/mi²). There were 8,057 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (42/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 72.18% White, 26.58% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,470 households out of which 20.11% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the county, the population was spread out with 18.60% under the age of 18, 4.80% from 18 to 24, 20.20% from 25 to 44, 30.10% from 45 to 64, and 26.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 91.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,129, and the median income for a family was $49,047. Males had a median income of $30,151 versus $24,116 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,917. 12.30% of the population and 8.10% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.00% are under the age of 18 and 10.70% are 65 or older.
Reedville, a small town in eastern Northumberland County, is home to the Atlantic menhaden fishing industry. Years ago, dozens of fish processing factories, most recently Omega Protein Corporation (successor to Zapata Haynie, Reedville Oil and Guano Company and Haynie Products Company) and Standard Products Company, dotted the Northumberland coastline near Reedville and adjacent fishing communities. Today, Omega Protein remains as the largest industrial organization in the area. Omega, with a fleet of large ocean-going fish harvesting vessels, supported by a number of spotter aircraft, is a major industry in the area and on the eastern seaboard. Menhaden, once caught, are cooked in large mass and processed for further use in various applications including as a protein additive for poultry feed. Menhaden have brought tremendous wealth to Reedville and to Northumberland County. Reedville, a town of approximately 500, was once known as the wealthiest town in the United States due to the large sums of money produced by the menhaden industry.
Northumberland County has one stop light; in Callao an unincorporated town in the western section of the county. Callao is also the site of Northumberland's only Virginia alcoholic beverage control store. The county does not have a fast food restaurant or a new car dealership. Northumberland's public school system has three schools; an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The high school, with grades 9-12, has approximately 400 students. The high school's athletic colors are green and gold and the mascot is an Indian; athletic teams are known as the "Indians".
Northumberland County is served by volunteer emergency services organizations. There are two fire departments; Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department with stations in Reedville and Burgess in the eastern section of the county, and Callao Volunteer Fire Department with a station in Callao in the western section of the county. Ambulance services are provided by the Northumberland County Rescue Squad in Reedville, Mid-County Rescue Squad in Heathsville, and Callao Rescue Squad in Callao. Smith Point Sea Rescue is a maritime rescue assistance organization that operates from Reedville.
Northumberland County's law enforcement activities are the responsibility of the county Sheriff. The county does not have a police department. The Sheriff is a constitutional officer (the Virginia constitution mandates that every local government have a sheriff) who is elected every four years.
Northumberland County has five districts who elect supervisors. One district has an African-American majority. The supervisors, elected every four years, comprise the Board of Supervisors who are the county's governing body. The county school board has five members, one representing each district, as well. The members of the school board are appointed by the supervisors.
Northumberland County has two courthouses; an antebellum building constructed before the Civil War and a new building constructed in the late 1990's behind the older structure. The county courts (Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court) and the Clerk of the Circuit Court, a constitutional officer, are located in the new building. The Commissioner of Revenue and the Treasurer, both constitutional officers, have offices in the older building.
- Kilmarnock in Lancaster County extends into southeastern Northumberland County.
There are no incorporated towns in the county. Significant unincorporated villages include:
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