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Coordinates: 38°25′N 77°27′W / 38.41°N 77.45°W / 38.41; -77.45
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During the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] the Stafford iron works furnished arms for the American soldiers {{Fact|date July 2007|date=July 2007}}.
During the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] the Stafford iron works furnished arms for the American soldiers {{Fact|date July 2007|date=July 2007}}.


Aquia sandstone quarried from Stafford's Government Island was used to build the [[White House]] and the [[U.S. Capitol]] {{Fact|date July 2007|date=July 2007}}.
Aquia sandstone quarried from Stafford's Government Island was used to build the [[White House]] and the [[U.S. Capitol]] <ref> http://www.staffordcountysun.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=SCS/MGArticle/SCS_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128768195420 </ref>.


More than 100,000 troops occupied Stafford during the [[American Civil War]] for several years. The [[Battle of Aquia Creek]] took place in Stafford in the [[Aquia Harbour, Virginia|Aquia Harbour]] area.
More than 100,000 troops occupied Stafford during the [[American Civil War]] for several years. The [[Battle of Aquia Creek]] took place in Stafford in the [[Aquia Harbour, Virginia|Aquia Harbour]] area.

Revision as of 19:16, 23 August 2007

Stafford County
County
Official seal of Stafford County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Stafford County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°25′N 77°27′W / 38.41°N 77.45°W / 38.41; -77.45
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1664
SeatStafford
Population
 (2005)
 • Total117,874
Websitewww.co.stafford.va.us

Stafford County is a county located in the "Commonwealth" of Virginia, a U.S. state. As of the 2000 census, the population was 92,446, however, the current estimated population as of 2006 is 120,170, a 30.0% increase. Its county seat is Stafford6.

This county is also a part of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

History

Stafford County was established by the British colonial government of Virginia in 1664 from territory that was previously part of Westmoreland County, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, and Prince William County, and thusly encompassed the majority of what is now considered Northern Virginia. The county is named for Staffordshire, England and is the sister city of Stafford, England.

Pocahontas, the Indian princess, was kidnapped at Marlborough Point in the eastern part of the county and taken to Jamestown [citation needed].

George Washington spent much of his childhood in the lower part of the county on his family's home, Ferry Farm, along the Rappahannock River across from the city of Fredericksburg. It was during this time that George supposedly cut down the legendary cherry tree. Colonial Forge High School was built on a tract of land owned by his father, Augustine Washington [citation needed].

Aquia Episcopal Church, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1757 and remains open today [1].

During the Revolutionary War the Stafford iron works furnished arms for the American soldiers [citation needed].

Aquia sandstone quarried from Stafford's Government Island was used to build the White House and the U.S. Capitol [2].

More than 100,000 troops occupied Stafford during the American Civil War for several years. The Battle of Aquia Creek took place in Stafford in the Aquia Harbour area.

In Falmouth, a town in the southern part of Stafford County bordering Fredericksburg, is Belmont, home to the late-19th century artist Gari Melchers.

Stafford County today is considered part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and many residents commute north on Interstate Highway 95, U.S. Route 1, and Virginia Railway Express.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 725 km² (280 mi²). 700 km² (270 mi²) of it is land and 25 km² (10 mi²) of it (3.43%) is water. The Potomac River flows along part of the eastern border of the county, while the Rappahannock River runs along the extent of the county's southern border. It is bounded on the north by Prince William County, on the south by Culpeper County, Spotsylvania County, and Caroline County and the independent city of Fredericksburg; on the east by King George County and, across the Potomac River, by Charles County, Maryland; and bounded on the west by Fauquier County.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2005, there were 117,874 people, 38,237 households, and 24,481 families residing in the county. The population density was 132/km² (342/mi²). There were 31,405 housing units at an average density of 45/km² (116/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.00% White, 15.6% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.21% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

By 2005 Stafford County's population was 72.8% non-Hispanic whites. African-Americans were 16.1% of the total population. Native Americans were 0.4% of the county total. Asians 2.3%. Native Hawai'ians and other pacific islanders 0.2%, thus making Stafford County one of the high percentage NHPI population counties in the country. Latinos were 6.4% of the population, above the percentage of Latinos in all of Virginia, put far below Stafford County's northern neighbors.

As of 2000 there were 38,187 households out of which 46.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.90% were non-families. 13.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the county, the population was spread out with 31.60% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 33.70% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 5.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $75,546, and the median income for a family was $78,575. Males had a median income of $47,080 versus $31,469 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,762. About 2.40% of families and 3.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.30% of those under age 18 and 5.30% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

Local newspapers

Localities

Geographical
Transportation
Zip Codes
  • 22405, 22406, 22554, 22555, 22556

Schools

High Schools

Middle Schools

  • T. Benton Gayle Middle School
  • Edward E. Drew Middle School
  • Stafford Middle
  • Dixon-Smith Middle School
  • Rodney Thompson Middle
  • A.G. Wright Middle
  • H.H. Poole Middle

Elementary Schools

  • Conway Elementary
  • Falmouth Elementary
  • Ferry Farm Elementary
  • Grafton Village Elementary
  • Garrisonville Elementary
  • Hartwood Elementary
  • Kate Waller Barrett Elementary
  • Anthony Burns Elementary
  • Margaret Brent Elementary
  • Moncure Elementary
  • Park Ridge Elementary
  • Rockhill Elementary
  • Garrisonville Elementary
  • Stafford Elementary
  • Hampton Oaks Elementary
  • Widewater Elementary
  • Winding Creek Elementary

Major bodies of water

38°25′N 77°27′W / 38.41°N 77.45°W / 38.41; -77.45

References

  1. ^ Information about historical churches including the Aquia Episcopal Church
  2. ^ http://www.staffordcountysun.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=SCS/MGArticle/SCS_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128768195420
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