Essex County, Virginia

Essex County, Virginia
County
Essex County Courthouse in Tappahannock
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Coordinates: 37°56′N76°57′W / 37.94°N 76.95°W / 37.94; -76.95
Country	United States
State	Virginia
Founded	1692
Seat	Tappahannock
Largest town	Tappahannock
Area
• Total	286 sq mi (740 km2)
• Land	257 sq mi (670 km2)
• Water	29 sq mi (75 km2)  10.1%
Population  (2020)
• Total	10,599
• Density	41.2/sq mi (15.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.essex-virginia.org

Essex County is a United States county located in the Middle Peninsula of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is bordered by the Rappahannock River on the north and King and Queen County on the south. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 10,599. ^[1] The county seat is the historic town of Tappahannock. ^[2]

The county was created in 1692, when the old Rappahannock County was dissolved to form the new Essex and Richmond counties, and was named to honor Essex in England. Due to the region's location on the Rappahannock River, it was one of the early areas visited by English explorer John Smith. Smith's three trips led to him being captured, attacked and finally making peace with the resident indigenous Powhatan people. ^[3]

History

Essex County was established in 1692 from the old Rappahannock County, Virginia (not to be confused with the present-day Rappahannock County, Virginia). The county is named for either the shire or county in England, or for the Earl of Essex. ^{[3] [4]}

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 286 square miles (740 km²), of which 257 square miles (670 km²) is land and 29 square miles (75 km²) (10.1%) is water. ^[5] Its main town, Tappahanock, is focused at the Rappahanock River.

Adjacent counties

• Westmoreland County – north
• Richmond County – northeast
• Middlesex County – southeast
• King and Queen County – south
• Caroline County – west
• King George County – northwest

Major highways

• US 17
• US 360

National protected area

• Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (part) Hutchinson unit, Thomas unit

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1790	9,122		—
1800	9,508		4.2%
1810	9,376		−1.4%
1820	9,909		5.7%
1830	10,521		6.2%
1840	11,309		7.5%
1850	10,206		−9.8%
1860	10,469		2.6%
1870	9,927		−5.2%
1880	11,032		11.1%
1890	10,047		−8.9%
1900	9,701		−3.4%
1910	9,105		−6.1%
1920	8,542		−6.2%
1930	6,976		−18.3%
1940	7,006		0.4%
1950	6,530		−6.8%
1960	6,690		2.5%
1970	7,099		6.1%
1980	8,864		24.9%
1990	8,689		−2.0%
2000	9,989		15.0%
2010	11,151		11.6%
2020	10,599		−5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790-1960 [7] 1900-1990 [8] 1990-2000 [9] 2010 [10] 2020 [11]

Racial and ethnic composition

Essex County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2010 [10]	Pop 2020 [11]	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	6,239	5,871	55.95%	55.39%
Black or African American alone (NH)	4,224	3,743	37.88%	35.31%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	46	61	0.41%	0.58%
Asian alone (NH)	86	62	0.77%	0.58%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	2	3	0.02%	0.03%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	13	40	0.12%	0.38%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)	192	450	1.72%	4.25%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	349	369	3.13%	3.48%
Total	11,151	10,599	100.00%	100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,599. The median age was 48.6 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.8 males age 18 and over. ^{[12] [13]}

The racial makeup of the county was 56.2% White, 35.6% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.7% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.5% of the population. ^[13]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. ^[14]

There were 4,572 households in the county, of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 31.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[12]

There were 5,742 housing units, of which 20.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.8% were owner-occupied and 29.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.7%. ^[12]

2000 Census

As of the census ^[15] of 2000, there were 9,989 people, 3,995 households, and 2,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15 people/km²). There were 4,926 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 57.96% White, 39.04% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,995 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.70% were married couples living together, 14.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,395, and the median income for a family was $43,588. Males had a median income of $29,736 versus $22,253 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,994. About 7.70% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Board of supervisors

• Central District: John Magruder (I)
• Greater Tappahannock District: Robert Akers (I)
• North District: Sidney N. Johnson (I)
• South District: Ronnie Gill
• At Large: Bud Smith

Constitutional officers

• Clerk of the Circuit Court: Christina A. Ambrose (I)
• Commissioner of the Revenue: Kristen Andrews Foster (I)
• Commonwealth's Attorney: Vince S. Donoghue (R)
• Sheriff: Walter "Arnie" Holmes (I)
• Treasurer: B. A. "Penny" Davis (I)

Essex is represented by Republican Ryan T. McDougle in the Virginia Senate, Republican M. Keith Hodges in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Robert J. "Rob" Wittman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

United States presidential election results for Essex County, Virginia ^[16]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	№	%	№	%	№	%
1912	72	19.94%	278	77.01%	11	3.05%
1916	77	20.32%	302	79.68%	0	0.00%
1920	101	24.05%	319	75.95%	0	0.00%
1924	60	15.63%	315	82.03%	9	2.34%
1928	195	37.79%	321	62.21%	0	0.00%
1932	101	19.27%	420	80.15%	3	0.57%
1936	116	17.98%	527	81.71%	2	0.31%
1940	145	20.92%	547	78.93%	1	0.14%
1944	179	25.98%	508	73.73%	2	0.29%
1948	221	33.95%	329	50.54%	101	15.51%
1952	610	52.45%	545	46.86%	8	0.69%
1956	597	55.48%	328	30.48%	151	14.03%
1960	606	54.25%	509	45.57%	2	0.18%
1964	789	50.90%	760	49.03%	1	0.06%
1968	791	36.55%	897	41.45%	476	22.00%
1972	1,482	62.58%	808	34.12%	78	3.29%
1976	1,380	50.55%	1,306	47.84%	44	1.61%
1980	1,581	52.93%	1,280	42.85%	126	4.22%
1984	2,120	61.63%	1,300	37.79%	20	0.58%
1988	2,038	60.56%	1,294	38.45%	33	0.98%
1992	1,897	48.59%	1,583	40.55%	424	10.86%
1996	1,627	46.05%	1,668	47.21%	238	6.74%
2000	1,995	52.08%	1,750	45.68%	86	2.24%
2004	2,304	53.04%	2,007	46.20%	33	0.76%
2008	2,379	44.35%	2,934	54.70%	51	0.95%
2012	2,602	45.85%	3,016	53.15%	57	1.00%
2016	2,657	49.46%	2,542	47.32%	173	3.22%
2020	3,075	49.77%	3,038	49.17%	65	1.05%
2024	3,245	53.42%	2,775	45.69%	54	0.89%

Education

Essex County Public Schools (ECPS) is the public schools system for Essex County, Virginia, United States. ^[17] The following schools make up the Essex County Public Schools system:

Tappahannock Elementary School (Grades PK - 4th) ^[18]
Essex Intermediate School (Grades 5th - 8th) ^[19]
Essex High School (Grades 9th - 12th) ^[20]

Other schools located in Essex County include:

St Margaret's School (Grades 8th - 12th, girls only) ^[21]
Tappahannock Junior Academy (Grades K - 10th) ^[22]
Aylett Country Day School (Grades PK - 8th) ^[23]

Communities

Town

• Tappahannock

Unincorporated communities

Blandfield Brays Fork Bowler's Wharf Butylo Caret Center Cross

Champlain Dunbrooke Dunnsville Hustle Laneview (shares with Middlesex County )

Loretto Miller's Tavern Passing (shares with Caroline County ) Supply Wares Wharf

Notable people

• David George - black American ex-slave founder of Silver Bluff Baptist Church
• Former NBA player Xavier McDaniel once lived in this county.
• U.S. Senator Paul S. Trible Jr. was Commonwealth's Attorney of Essex County.
• Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter, 1809–1887. Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and Confederate States Secretary of State.
• Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Chris Brown was born and raised in this county.
• Richard B. Garnett- Confederate States of America general who was killed while leading his brigade during Pickett's Charge.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Essex County, Virginia

References

1. "Essex County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "History". Essex County Museum & Historical Society. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
4. "A Guide to the Old Rappahannock County and Essex County (Va.) Wills, 1652-1806 (bulk 1677-1806)". Archival Resources of the Virginias. Library of Virginia. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
6. "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau . Retrieved January 24, 2022.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
10. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Essex County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau .
11. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Essex County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau .
12. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
13. "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
14. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
16. David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
17. http://www.essex.k12.va.us Essex
18. "Home - Tappahannock Elementary School". essextes.sharpschool.net.
19. "Home - Essex Intermediate School". eis.essex.k12.va.us.
20. "Home - Essex High School". essexehs.sharpschool.net.
21. "St. Margaret's - Girls Boarding School Near Fredericksburg & Richmond, VA". www.sms.org.
22. "Home : Tappahannock Junior Academy Tappahannock VA". tappahannock22.adventistschoolconnect.org.
23. "Aylett Country Day School~Home of the Patriots". www.acdspatriots.net.

External links

• Official website
• Essex County Museum

37°56′N76°57′W / 37.94°N 76.95°W / 37.94; -76.95