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{{short description|County in Virginia, United States}}
'''Amelia County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. State]] of [[Virginia]]. As of [[2000]], the population is 11,400.
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Amelia County
| state = Virginia
| seal = Amelia Seal.png
| founded = 1735
| named for = [[Princess Amelia of Great Britain|Princess Amelia]]
| seat wl = Amelia Court House
| area_total_sq_mi = 359
| area_land_sq_mi = 355
| area_water_sq_mi = 3.3
| area percentage = 0.9
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 13265
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_est =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| web = https://va-ameliacounty.civicplus.com
| ex image = Amelia VA - county courthouse.jpg
| ex image cap = Amelia County Court House
| ex image size = 200px
| time zone = Eastern
| district = 5th
| ZIP codes = 23002, 23083, 23105
| demonym = Amelian, Amellianaire
}}


'''Amelia County''' is a [[county (United States)|county]] located just southwest of [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]] in the [[Virginia|Commonwealth of Virginia]], [[United States]]. The county is located in Central Virginia and is included in the [[Greater Richmond Region]]. Its [[county seat]] is [[Amelia Court House, Virginia|Amelia Court House]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>
=== Geography ===
The county has a total area of 929 [[square kilometer|km<sup>2</sup>]] (359 [[square mile|mi<sup>2</sup>]]). 924 km<sup>2</sup> (357 mi<sup>2</sup>) of it is land and 5 km<sup>2</sup> (2 mi<sup>2</sup>) of it is water. The total area is 0.49% water.


Amelia County was created in 1735 from parts of [[Prince George County, Virginia|Prince George]] and [[Brunswick County, Virginia|Brunswick]] counties and was named in honor of [[Princess Amelia of Great Britain]]. Parts of the county were later carved out to create [[Prince Edward County, Virginia|Prince Edward]] and [[Nottoway County, Virginia|Nottoway]] counties.
=== Demographics ===
As of [[2000]], there are 11,400 people, 4,240 households, and 3,175 families residing in the county. The population density is 12/km<sup>2</sup> (32/mi<sup>2</sup>). There are 4,609 housing units at an average density of 5 persons/km<sup>2</sup> (13 persons/mi<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the county is 70.57% White, 28.05% [[African American]], 0.28% [[Native American]], 0.17% [[Asia|Asian]], 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population are [[Hispanic]] or [[Latino]] of any race.


As of the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]], the county population was 13,265.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amelia County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US51007|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}</ref>
There are 4,240 households out of which 32.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% are married couples living together, 11.40% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 25.10% are non-families. 20.70% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.66 and the average family size is 3.07.


==History==
In the county, the population is spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.20 males.
[[File:Princess Amelia of Great Britain (1711-1786) by Jean-Baptiste van Loo.jpg|thumb|175px|left|Princess Amelia of Great Britain, for whom the county is named]]
Amelia County was created by legislative act in 1734 and 1735<ref>[http://www.ameliava.com/history.htm History of Amelia County] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205214242/http://www.ameliava.com/history.htm |date=December 5, 2010 }}</ref> from parts of [[Prince George County, Virginia|Prince George]] and [[Brunswick County, Virginia|Brunswick]] counties. The county is named for [[Princess Amelia of Great Britain]], daughter of King [[George II of Great Britain|George II]]. As was customary, Amelia County was reduced by the division of territory to form newer counties as the population increased in the region; in 1754, [[Prince Edward County, Virginia|Prince Edward County]] was formed from parts of Amelia County, and in 1789, [[Nottoway County, Virginia|Nottoway County]] was formed. The area was developed for plantation agriculture dependent on slave labor.


During the [[United States Civil War|Civil War]], [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] [[General officer|general]] [[Robert E. Lee]] and [[Army of Northern Virginia|his army]] spent April 4 and 5, 1865, at Amelia Court House before his surrender on April 9 to General [[Ulysses S. Grant]] at [[Battle of Appomattox Court House|Appomattox]]. The last major battle of his army was fought at [[Battle of Sayler's Creek|Sayler's Creek]], on the border of Amelia and Prince Edward counties, on April 6.
The median income for a household in the county is $40,252, and the median income for a family is $47,157. Males have a median income of $32,315 versus $23,102 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,858. 8.40% of the population and 6.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.10% are under the age of 18 and 11.70% are 65 or older.


Amelia is known for its minerals, including the nation's best supply of [[amazonite]], a green [[feldspar]] found at the Morefield mine. In the 19th century, spas were developed around its mineral springs, which were destinations for travelers.
-----

Wondering how to edit this U.S. County Entry?<br>
In 1986 the Amelia County Fair sponsored a competition for the world's largest potato pancake (with apple sauce). It was constructed to raise money that year for the German American National Scholarship Fund. The pancake weighed more than two and one-quarter tons and used four truckloads of potatoes.
The [[WikiProject U.S. Counties]] standards might help.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|359|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|355|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.3|sqmi}} (0.9%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

Amelia County lies in the [[Piedmont region of Virginia|Piedmont]] region of Virginia, known for rolling hills and small ridges that lie between the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]] and [[Tidewater (region)|Coastal Plain]] of Virginia. The county is bordered by the [[Appomattox River]] to the north and west, and [[Namozine Creek]] to the east.

Amelia County is drained by [[tributary|tributaries]] of the Appomattox. The lowest elevation in the county is {{convert|158|feet}}, on Lake Chesdin on the Appomattox at the eastern extremity of the county. The highest elevation is {{convert|525|ft}}, on [[Virginia State Route 616 (Amelia County)|SR&nbsp;616]] (S. Genito Road) at the community of [[Gills, Virginia|Gills]] in the southwest corner of the county.<ref name=gnis>{{Cite web|url=https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/1497787|title = Geographic Names Information System}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Powhatan County, Virginia|Powhatan County]] – north
*[[Chesterfield County, Virginia|Chesterfield County]] – east
*[[Dinwiddie County, Virginia|Dinwiddie County]] – southeast
*[[Nottoway County, Virginia|Nottoway County]] – south
*[[Prince Edward County, Virginia|Prince Edward County]] – southwest
*[[Cumberland County, Virginia|Cumberland County]] – west

==Transportation==

=== Air ===
* [[Richmond International Airport]] is located {{convert|51|mi|km}} northeast of Amelia County.

=== [[United States Numbered Highway System|US Highways]] ===
*{{jct|state=VA|US|360}} (Patrick Henry Highway. Eastbound to Richmond. Westbound to [[Burkeville, Virginia|Burkeville]] and [[Danville, Virginia|Danville]].)

=== State Routes ===
*{{jct|state=VA|SR|38}} (In Amelia Court House: Virginia Street, Court Street, Washington Street, Church Street, Five Forks Road. In Amelia County: N. Five Forks Road, to SR 153.)
*{{jct|state=VA|SR|153}} (Military Road. To {{jct|state=VA|US|460}} and [[Blackstone, Virginia|Blackstone]].)
*{{jct|state=VA|SR|307}} (Holly Farms Road. To {{jct|state=VA|US|460}} and [[Farmville, Virginia|Farmville]].)

=== Secondary Routes ===
*{{jct|state=VA|Sec|604}} (Chula Rd and Genito Rd. To Powhatan and Chesterfield Counties.)
*{{jct|state=VA|Sec|609}} (Grub Hill Church Rd and Royalton Rd. To {{jct|state=VA|US|60}} and [[Powhatan, Virginia|Powhatan Court House]].)
*{{jct|state=VA|Sec|614}} (Dennisville Rd. To Blackstone.)
*{{jct|state=VA|Sec|616}} (Genito Rd. Serves the northwest and southwest area of Amelia County. To SR 307 near [[Rice, Virginia|Rice]].)

=== Rail ===

* [[Norfolk Southern Railway|Norfolk Southern]] – freight rail service

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 18097
|1800= 9432
|1810= 10594
|1820= 11104
|1830= 11036
|1840= 10320
|1850= 9770
|1860= 10741
|1870= 9878
|1880= 10377
|1890= 9068
|1900= 9037
|1910= 8720
|1920= 9800
|1930= 8799
|1940= 8495
|1950= 7908
|1960= 7815
|1970= 7592
|1980= 8405
|1990= 8787
|2000= 11400
|2010= 12690
|2020= 13265
|estyear=2021
|estimate=13268
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021 |access-date=April 6, 2022}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Amelia County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''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.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Amelia County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US51007&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Amelia County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US51007&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|9,233
|9,687
|72.76%
|73.03%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|2,925
|2,546
|23.05%
|19.19%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|39
|18
|0.31%
|0.14%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|27
|63
|0.21%
|0.47%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH)
|10
|50
|0.08%
|0.38%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|166
|476
|1.31%
|3.59%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|290
|425
|2.29%
|3.20%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''12,690'''
|'''13,265'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|}

===2000 Census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 11,400 people, 4,240 households, and 3,175 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|32|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 4,609 housing units, at an average density of {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 70.57% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 28.05% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.28% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.17% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.25% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 4,240 households, of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07.

The [[median]] age was 38 years, with 25.30% under 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median household income was $40,252, and the median family income was $47,157. Males had a median income of $32,315, versus $23,102 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,858. 8.40% of the population and 6.70% of families were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]]. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.10% were under the age of 18 and 11.70% were 65 or older.

== Culture ==

=== Seasonal Events ===
* A countywide festival called Amelia Day is held each May on the Saturday before Mother's Day in Amelia Court House. The festival started in the 1980s to celebrate the town's founding. Vendors, local clubs, and citizens organize to enjoy music, dancing, and socializing. At the first Amelia Day in 1985, residents signed a long roll that, along with other items, was put in a time capsule and buried in the courthouse green near the Confederate War Memorial. The capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2035.
* The Amelia County Fair is held in late summer or early fall each year at the Joe Paulette Memorial Park in Amelia Court House.<ref>[https://ameliacountyfair.com/ Amelia County Fair], official website. Retrieved July 18, 2021.</ref>
* Each October, the Amelia Frightfest, a trail haunt, opens at Tom Scott Park in Amelia Court House.
* Every year from April to October, on the second Saturday of every month, The Time Bandits car club hosts a car show at the [[Truist Financial|Truist Bank]] parking lot on Patrick Henry Highway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pistonrepublic.com/events/cruise-in-hosted-by-the-time-bandits-car-club-amelia-court-house-va-04-10-2021|title = Cruise-In hosted by the Time Bandits Car Club on April 10, 2021}}</ref>

=== Attractions ===
* [[Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park|Sayler's Creek Battlefield State Park]]
* [[Lake Chesdin]]
* Amelia Wildlife Management Area
* Amelia Country Club

== Government ==

===Board of Supervisors===
*District 1: David M. Felts Jr. (Chairman)
*District 2: Dexter Jones
*District 3: Shaun Weyant, Vice Chairman (I)
*District 4: H. Joseph Easter IV, Chairman (I)
*District 5: Todd Robinson

===Constitutional officers===
*Clerk of the Circuit Court: Marilyn L. Wilson (D)
*Commissioner of the Revenue: Laura Walsh (I)
*Commonwealth's Attorney: Lee R. Harrison (I)
*Sheriff: Rick Walker (I)
*Treasurer: Stephanie Coleman (I)

Amelia County is represented by Republican [[John McGuire (Virginia politician)|John McGuire]] in the [[Senate of Virginia|Virginia Senate]], Republican [[Lee Ware]] in the [[Virginia House of Delegates]], and Republican [[Bob Good]] in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives.]]

{{PresHead|place=Amelia County, Virginia|source=<ref>{{cite web|author=David Leip |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |publisher=Uselectionatlas.org |access-date=December 9, 2020}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|5,776|2,214|59|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|5,390|2,411|92|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,708|2,128|204|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,331|2,490|94|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,970|2,488|71|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,499|1,862|36|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,947|1,754|87|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,119|1,625|400|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,062|1,534|628|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,187|1,359|48|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,336|1,432|36|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,969|1,643|89|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,634|1,715|109|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,606|778|87|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|857|830|841|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,348|884|7|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|784|708|32|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|745|403|580|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|832|703|16|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|372|443|243|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|295|553|3|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|267|562|2|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|239|753|5|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|142|701|11|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|277|498|0|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|153|372|15|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|179|389|6|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|80|403|5|Virginia}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|32|325|52|Virginia}}

==Media==
''[[The Amelia Bulletin Monitor]]'', a weekly newspaper, has covered the county since 1973.

== Education ==

=== Public Primary and secondary schools ===
Amelia County is served by the [[Amelia County Public Schools]].

* [[Amelia County High School]]
* Amelia County Middle School
* Amelia County Elementary School

=== Private Primary and secondary Schools ===
* [[Amelia Academy]]

==Communities==
There are no incorporated communities in Amelia County.

=== Census-designated places ===
* [[Amelia Court House, Virginia|Amelia Court House]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Ammon, Virginia|Ammon]]
* [[Chula, Virginia|Chula]]
* Clementown Mills
* [[Coverly, Virginia|Coverly]]
* [[Deatonville, Virginia|Deatonville]]
* [[Denaro, Virginia|Denaro]]
* [[Earls, Virginia|Earls]]
* [[Fieldstown, Virginia|Fieldstown]]
* Giles Mill
* [[Gills, Virginia|Gills]]
* [[Haw Branch]]
* [[Jetersville, Virginia|Jetersville]]
* Little Patrick<ref> Ralph H. Lutts. [https://books.google.com/books?id=YUQe35rhMv4C&dq=%22little+patrick%22+&pg=PA271 "Like Manna From God: The American Chestnut Trade in Southwestern Virginia"], ''Environmental History'' 9, No. 3 (2004): 497–525. [[American Society for Environmental History]], Chicago; and the [[Forest History Society]], Durham, NC. Reprinted in ''Environmental History and the American South: A Reader'', page 271. Paul Sutter, Christopher J. Manganiello, eds. University of Georgia Press, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2023.</ref><ref>Beverly Belcher Woody. [https://theenterprise.net/patrick-pioneers-mary-dunkley-and-friends/ "Family | Patrick Pioneers – Mary Dunkley and friends"], ''The'' [Stuart, VA]
''Enterprise'', June 21, 2023. Mountain Media, LLC, [[Patrick County, VA]]. Retrieved July 2, 2023.</ref>
* [[Lodore, Virginia|Lodore]]
* [[Mannboro, Virginia|Mannboro]]
* [[Maplewood, Virginia|Maplewood]]
* Masons Corner<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/@37.433108,-77.8929652,3a,75y,289.42h,105.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTmnUo_I67lZ5uKvieMUF2Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu State road sign denoting Masons Corner], Google Street View, April 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.</ref>
* [[Mattoax, Virginia|Mattoax]]
* [[Morven, Virginia|Morven]]
* [[Namozine, Virginia|Namozine]]
* [[Otterburn, Virginia|Otterburn]]
* [[Paineville, Virginia|Paineville]]
* Pontons/Ponton's/Pointons<ref>[https://www.topozone.com/virginia/amelia-va/city/amelia-court-house/ USGS Topographic Map for Amelia Court House, VA] ("Topo Map" layer selected). [[TopoZone]], Locality LLC. Retrieved June 19, 2023.</ref> Store<ref>[https://va-ameliacounty.civicplus.com/190/Convenience-Centers Convenience Centers], Amelia County, VA, official government website. Retrieved December 8, 2021.</ref>
* [[Rodophil, Virginia|Rodophil]]
* [[Scotts Fork, Virginia|Scotts Fork]]
* [[Truxillo, Virginia|Truxillo]]
* [[Winterham, Virginia|Winterham]]{{Div col end}}


== Historic sites ==
{{Main|National Register of Historic Places listings in Amelia County, Virginia}}

The following sites in Amelia County are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:

* [[Barrett–Chumney House]]
* [[Dykeland]]
* [[Egglestetton]]
* [[Farmer House (Deatonville, Virginia)|Farmer House]]
* [[Haw Branch]]
* [[Ingleside (Amelia Courthouse, Virginia)|Ingleside]]
* [[St. John's Church (Chula, Virginia)|St. John's Church (Grub Hill Church)]]
* [[Sayler's Creek Battlefield]]
* [[Wigwam (Chula, Virginia)|Wigwam]]
* [[Winterham (Winterham, Virginia)|Winterham Plantation]]

== Notable people ==<!-- Keep in alphabetical order by surname when making new additions; all must have Wikipedia article that is sourced to show a connection to Amelia County -->
*[[William S. Archer]], born in Amelia County, [[United States Senator]] from [[Virginia]]<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963}}</ref>
*[[Van T. Barfoot]] (1919–2012), U.S. Army Colonel and a U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
*[[William Wyatt Bibb]], born in Amelia County, [[United States Senator]] from [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and first [[Governor of Alabama]]<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/>
*[[Jesse Bragg]], Negro-league baseball player
*[[William Cocke]] (1747–1828), born in Amelia County, first [[United States Senator]] from [[Tennessee]]<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/>
*[[Henry William Connor]] (1793–1866), born near Amelia Court House, elected [[United States Congressman]] from North Carolina<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896" />
*[[Rosa Dixon Bowser]] (1855-1931), born in Amelia County, first African American Teacher hired in [[Richmond, Virginia]]. Established the Virginia Teacher's Reading Circle, which became the Virginia State Teachers Association,
*[[David Fanning (loyalist)|David Fanning]], (1755–1825), born in Amelia County. A [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]] officer during the [[American Revolutionary War]], he captured [[Thomas Burke (governor)|Thomas Burke]], a court-martial judge and [[Governor of North Carolina]]. One of only three individuals excluded from the [[amnesty]] after the Revolutionary War, Fanning moved to [[New Brunswick]] in present-day Canada for resettlement.<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/>
*[[William Branch Giles]], (1762–1830), born in Amelia County. Planter, [[United States Congressman]], [[United States Senator]], and [[Governors of Virginia|Governor of Virginia]]<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/>
*[[David Greenhill]] Member of the Colonial House of Burgesses
*[[Edmund Harrison]] (1764–1826), Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates (1802–1803)
*[[John Winston Jones]], (1791–1848), born in Amelia County. [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]]<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/>
*[[Nellie A. Ramsey Leslie]] (c.1840s–c.1920s), born into slavery in Amelia County.<ref>{{cite book|last=Scruggs|first=Lawson Andrew|title=Women of Distinction: Remarkable in Works and Invincible in Character|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.aa0014724744;view=1up;seq=1|year=1893|publisher=L. A. Scruggs|location=Raleigh, North Carolina|pages=247 |oclc=4255360}}</ref> She became a noted musician, teacher and composer, founding a musical conservatory in [[Corpus Christi, Texas]].
*[[Robert Russa Moton]] (1867–1940), noted African American educator. He was born in Amelia County but was raised in Rice in nearby [[Prince Edward County, Virginia]].
*[[Mary Virginia Terhune]] (1830–1922), born in Amelia County. A prolific and bestselling author in both fiction and non-fiction, the first woman elected to the [[Virginia Historical Society]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* https://va-ameliacounty.civicplus.com/ – Official Amelia County Government website
* https://web.archive.org/web/20191115180811/http://ameliabusinessdirectory.com/ – Amelia Business Directory
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929055746/http://www.christmas-in-virginia.com/season_of_life.html Amelia Co. Christmas 1784]
* [http://www.ameliamonitor.com ''The Amelia Bulletin Monitor''] – Amelia County's newspaper
* http://www.ameliadayfestival.com/ – Amelia Day website
* https://ameliacountyfair.com/ – Amelia County Fair website

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Amelia County, Virginia
|North = [[Powhatan County, Virginia|Powhatan County]]
|Northeast = [[Chesterfield County, Virginia|Chesterfield County]]
|East =
|Southeast = [[Dinwiddie County, Virginia|Dinwiddie County]]
|South = [[Nottoway County, Virginia|Nottoway County]]
|Southwest = [[Prince Edward County, Virginia|Prince Edward County]]
|West = [[Cumberland County, Virginia|Cumberland County]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{Amelia County, Virginia}}
{{Greater Richmond Region}}
{{Virginia}}

{{coord|37.34|-77.98|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-VA_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Amelia County, Virginia| ]]
[[Category:Virginia counties]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1735]]
[[Category:1735 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies]]

Latest revision as of 04:37, 4 December 2024

Amelia County
County
Amelia County Court House
Amelia County Court House
Official seal of Amelia County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Amelia County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°20′N 77°59′W / 37.34°N 77.98°W / 37.34; -77.98
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1735
Named forPrincess Amelia
SeatAmelia Court House
Area
 • Total
359 sq mi (930 km2)
 • Land355 sq mi (920 km2)
 • Water3.3 sq mi (9 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
13,265
 • Density37/sq mi (14/km2)
Demonym(s)Amelian, Amellianaire
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
23002, 23083, 23105
Congressional district5th
Websiteva-ameliacounty.civicplus.com

Amelia County is a county located just southwest of Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. The county is located in Central Virginia and is included in the Greater Richmond Region. Its county seat is Amelia Court House.[1]

Amelia County was created in 1735 from parts of Prince George and Brunswick counties and was named in honor of Princess Amelia of Great Britain. Parts of the county were later carved out to create Prince Edward and Nottoway counties.

As of the 2020 census, the county population was 13,265.[2]

History

[edit]
Princess Amelia of Great Britain, for whom the county is named

Amelia County was created by legislative act in 1734 and 1735[3] from parts of Prince George and Brunswick counties. The county is named for Princess Amelia of Great Britain, daughter of King George II. As was customary, Amelia County was reduced by the division of territory to form newer counties as the population increased in the region; in 1754, Prince Edward County was formed from parts of Amelia County, and in 1789, Nottoway County was formed. The area was developed for plantation agriculture dependent on slave labor.

During the Civil War, Confederate general Robert E. Lee and his army spent April 4 and 5, 1865, at Amelia Court House before his surrender on April 9 to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. The last major battle of his army was fought at Sayler's Creek, on the border of Amelia and Prince Edward counties, on April 6.

Amelia is known for its minerals, including the nation's best supply of amazonite, a green feldspar found at the Morefield mine. In the 19th century, spas were developed around its mineral springs, which were destinations for travelers.

In 1986 the Amelia County Fair sponsored a competition for the world's largest potato pancake (with apple sauce). It was constructed to raise money that year for the German American National Scholarship Fund. The pancake weighed more than two and one-quarter tons and used four truckloads of potatoes.

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 359 square miles (930 km2), of which 355 square miles (920 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4]

Amelia County lies in the Piedmont region of Virginia, known for rolling hills and small ridges that lie between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Coastal Plain of Virginia. The county is bordered by the Appomattox River to the north and west, and Namozine Creek to the east.

Amelia County is drained by tributaries of the Appomattox. The lowest elevation in the county is 158 feet (48 m), on Lake Chesdin on the Appomattox at the eastern extremity of the county. The highest elevation is 525 feet (160 m), on SR 616 (S. Genito Road) at the community of Gills in the southwest corner of the county.[5]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]

Air

[edit]

US Highways

[edit]

State Routes

[edit]
  • SR 38 (In Amelia Court House: Virginia Street, Court Street, Washington Street, Church Street, Five Forks Road. In Amelia County: N. Five Forks Road, to SR 153.)
  • SR 153 (Military Road. To US 460 and Blackstone.)
  • SR 307 (Holly Farms Road. To US 460 and Farmville.)

Secondary Routes

[edit]
  • SR 604 (Chula Rd and Genito Rd. To Powhatan and Chesterfield Counties.)
  • SR 609 (Grub Hill Church Rd and Royalton Rd. To US 60 and Powhatan Court House.)
  • SR 614 (Dennisville Rd. To Blackstone.)
  • SR 616 (Genito Rd. Serves the northwest and southwest area of Amelia County. To SR 307 near Rice.)

Rail

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179018,097—
18009,432−47.9%
181010,59412.3%
182011,1044.8%
183011,036−0.6%
184010,320−6.5%
18509,770−5.3%
186010,7419.9%
18709,878−8.0%
188010,3775.1%
18909,068−12.6%
19009,037−0.3%
19108,720−3.5%
19209,80012.4%
19308,799−10.2%
19408,495−3.5%
19507,908−6.9%
19607,815−1.2%
19707,592−2.9%
19808,40510.7%
19908,7874.5%
200011,40029.7%
201012,69011.3%
202013,2654.5%
2021 (est.)13,268[6]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[12]

2020 census

[edit]
Amelia 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[11] Pop 2020[12] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 9,233 9,687 72.76% 73.03%
Black or African American alone (NH) 2,925 2,546 23.05% 19.19%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 39 18 0.31% 0.14%
Asian alone (NH) 27 63 0.21% 0.47%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 10 50 0.08% 0.38%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 166 476 1.31% 3.59%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 290 425 2.29% 3.20%
Total 12,690 13,265 100.00% 100.00%

2000 Census

[edit]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 11,400 people, 4,240 households, and 3,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 4,609 housing units, at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.57% White, 28.05% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,240 households, of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age was 38 years, with 25.30% under 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median household income was $40,252, and the median family income was $47,157. Males had a median income of $32,315, versus $23,102 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,858. 8.40% of the population and 6.70% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.10% were under the age of 18 and 11.70% were 65 or older.

Culture

[edit]

Seasonal Events

[edit]
  • A countywide festival called Amelia Day is held each May on the Saturday before Mother's Day in Amelia Court House. The festival started in the 1980s to celebrate the town's founding. Vendors, local clubs, and citizens organize to enjoy music, dancing, and socializing. At the first Amelia Day in 1985, residents signed a long roll that, along with other items, was put in a time capsule and buried in the courthouse green near the Confederate War Memorial. The capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2035.
  • The Amelia County Fair is held in late summer or early fall each year at the Joe Paulette Memorial Park in Amelia Court House.[14]
  • Each October, the Amelia Frightfest, a trail haunt, opens at Tom Scott Park in Amelia Court House.
  • Every year from April to October, on the second Saturday of every month, The Time Bandits car club hosts a car show at the Truist Bank parking lot on Patrick Henry Highway.[15]

Attractions

[edit]

Government

[edit]

Board of Supervisors

[edit]
  • District 1: David M. Felts Jr. (Chairman)
  • District 2: Dexter Jones
  • District 3: Shaun Weyant, Vice Chairman (I)
  • District 4: H. Joseph Easter IV, Chairman (I)
  • District 5: Todd Robinson

Constitutional officers

[edit]
  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Marilyn L. Wilson (D)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Laura Walsh (I)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Lee R. Harrison (I)
  • Sheriff: Rick Walker (I)
  • Treasurer: Stephanie Coleman (I)

Amelia County is represented by Republican John McGuire in the Virginia Senate, Republican Lee Ware in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Bob Good in the U.S. House of Representatives.

United States presidential election results for Amelia County, Virginia[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,776 71.76% 2,214 27.51% 59 0.73%
2020 5,390 68.29% 2,411 30.55% 92 1.17%
2016 4,708 66.88% 2,128 30.23% 204 2.90%
2012 4,331 62.63% 2,490 36.01% 94 1.36%
2008 3,970 60.81% 2,488 38.11% 71 1.09%
2004 3,499 64.83% 1,862 34.50% 36 0.67%
2000 2,947 61.55% 1,754 36.63% 87 1.82%
1996 2,119 51.13% 1,625 39.21% 400 9.65%
1992 2,062 48.82% 1,534 36.32% 628 14.87%
1988 2,187 60.85% 1,359 37.81% 48 1.34%
1984 2,336 61.41% 1,432 37.64% 36 0.95%
1980 1,969 53.20% 1,643 44.39% 89 2.40%
1976 1,634 47.25% 1,715 49.60% 109 3.15%
1972 1,606 64.99% 778 31.49% 87 3.52%
1968 857 33.90% 830 32.83% 841 33.27%
1964 1,348 60.21% 884 39.48% 7 0.31%
1960 784 51.44% 708 46.46% 32 2.10%
1956 745 43.11% 403 23.32% 580 33.56%
1952 832 53.64% 703 45.33% 16 1.03%
1948 372 35.16% 443 41.87% 243 22.97%
1944 295 34.67% 553 64.98% 3 0.35%
1940 267 32.13% 562 67.63% 2 0.24%
1936 239 23.97% 753 75.53% 5 0.50%
1932 142 16.63% 701 82.08% 11 1.29%
1928 277 35.74% 498 64.26% 0 0.00%
1924 153 28.33% 372 68.89% 15 2.78%
1920 179 31.18% 389 67.77% 6 1.05%
1916 80 16.39% 403 82.58% 5 1.02%
1912 32 7.82% 325 79.46% 52 12.71%

Media

[edit]

The Amelia Bulletin Monitor, a weekly newspaper, has covered the county since 1973.

Education

[edit]

Public Primary and secondary schools

[edit]

Amelia County is served by the Amelia County Public Schools.

Private Primary and secondary Schools

[edit]

Communities

[edit]

There are no incorporated communities in Amelia County.

Census-designated places

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]


Historic sites

[edit]
Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Amelia County, Virginia

The following sites in Amelia County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ^ "Amelia County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. ^ History of Amelia County Archived December 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Geographic Names Information System".
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021". Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  10. ^ "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 December 31, 2013.
  11. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Amelia County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Amelia County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. ^ Amelia County Fair, official website. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  15. ^ "Cruise-In hosted by the Time Bandits Car Club on April 10, 2021".
  16. ^ David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  17. ^ Ralph H. Lutts. "Like Manna From God: The American Chestnut Trade in Southwestern Virginia", Environmental History 9, No. 3 (2004): 497–525. American Society for Environmental History, Chicago; and the Forest History Society, Durham, NC. Reprinted in Environmental History and the American South: A Reader, page 271. Paul Sutter, Christopher J. Manganiello, eds. University of Georgia Press, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  18. ^ Beverly Belcher Woody. "Family | Patrick Pioneers – Mary Dunkley and friends", The [Stuart, VA] Enterprise, June 21, 2023. Mountain Media, LLC, Patrick County, VA. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  19. ^ State road sign denoting Masons Corner, Google Street View, April 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  20. ^ USGS Topographic Map for Amelia Court House, VA ("Topo Map" layer selected). TopoZone, Locality LLC. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  21. ^ Convenience Centers, Amelia County, VA, official government website. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  23. ^ Scruggs, Lawson Andrew (1893). Women of Distinction: Remarkable in Works and Invincible in Character. Raleigh, North Carolina: L. A. Scruggs. p. 247. OCLC 4255360.
[edit]

37°20′N 77°59′W / 37.34°N 77.98°W / 37.34; -77.98

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