Orange County, Virginia

Orange County
County
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°14′N 78°01′W
Country	United States
State	Virginia
Founded	1734
Seat	Orange
Area
• Total	343 sq mi (890 km2)
• Land	342 sq mi (890 km2)
• Water	2 sq mi (5 km2)  0.50%
Population  (2000)
• Total	25,881
• Density	80/sq mi (29/km2)
Website	www.orangecova.com

Orange County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 25,881. Its county seat is OrangeTemplate:GR.

History

Previously inhabited by the Siouan Manahoac tribe which still has descendants to this day thru the Collins and Bollins descendants, the first white settlement in what was to become Orange County was Germanna in 1714, where Governor Spotswood settled 12 families from Westphalia, Germany - 42 persons in all. Orange County was established in 1734 from Spotsylvania. The county is named for Prince William III of Orange, by Ulster-Scots settlers. President James Madison's home, Montpelier, and Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator James Barbour's ruined home, Barboursville, are located in the county. President Zachary Taylor was born here. During the Civil War, the Battle of the Wilderness took place in the County in May 1864.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 343 square miles (889 km²), of which, 342 square miles (885 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (4 km²) of it (0.50%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 25,881 people, 10,150 households, and 7,470 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile (29/km²). There were 11,354 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.36% White, 13.78% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 1.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,150 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 22.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,889, and the median income for a family was $48,197. Males had a median income of $31,982 versus $24,209 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,107. About 7.10% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those aged 65 or over.

Towns

Incorporated

• Gordonsville
• Orange

Unincorporated

• Barboursville

Attractions

Orange County is the location of a number of National Register of Historic Places-listed properties and districts. Two of the more well-known of these are Montpelier and Barboursville. Montpelier was the home of former United States President James Madison. Barboursville is the ruins of the former home of Virginia Governor James Barbour, designed by Barbour's friend and political ally Thomas Jefferson.

Portions of Orange County lie within the Monticello AVA, an American Viticultural Area. The County hosts several award-winning wineries, including Barboursville Vineyards, Burnley Vineyards and Horton Vineyards.

External links

• Orange County official government site