Ashland, Virginia

Ashland, VA
Founded	1850
State	Virginia
County	Hanover
Mayor	Faye O. Prichard
http://www.town.ashland.va.us

Ashland is a town located just north of Richmond in Hanover County, Virginia. The population was 6,619 at the 2000 census. Ashland is home to Randolph-Macon College (1830). "The Center of the Universe" is a popular thematic phrase displayed on signs in the town. Many citizens of Ashland unsuccessfully fought off a bid to build a Wal-Mart just outside of town (using pink lawn flamingos as an anti-walmart symbol), and they were featured in the 2001 PBS special Store Wars - When Wal-Mart Comes to Town.

Geography

Ashland is located at 37°45′34″N 77°28′38″W (37.759361, -77.477226)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.7 km² (7.2 mi²). 18.6 km² (7.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.55%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 6,619 people, 2,282 households, and 1,453 families residing in the town. The population density was 355.9/km² (922.0/mi²). There were 2,445 housing units at an average density of 131.5/km² (340.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 74.74% White, 22.25% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.68% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.74% of the population.

There were 2,282 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 22.2% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,125, and the median income for a family was $43,101. Males had a median income of $31,373 versus $24,054 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,932. About 6.9% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over. The main shopping area is located on Grassy Creek Lane.

History

Originally known as Slash Cottage, it was located on the Old Washington Highway (a stage route between Richmond and Washington, D.C.) and the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, a busy north-south route now owned by CSX Transportation. The tracks run through the center of town, and the area near the Ashland train station is a popular train-watching site for railfans.

In October, 2002, Ashland made National news as the site of one of the Beltway Sniper Attacks. The victim, who had been traveling through on Interstate 95, was shot leaving a restaurant with his wife. He was one of the very few survivors of the random attacks upon strangers by convicted murderers John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo.

Fire Department

Created in 1890

The Ashland Volunteer Fire Company is located on 201 Duncan Street. It is one of the oldest all volunteer fire stations in the country, running about 1,500 calls per year.

External links

• Hanover County Economic Development

• Ashland VA Travelers Info

Local Radio:

• Hanover's Own: WHAN 1430 AM Radio

Local College:

• Randolph-Macon College