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{{short description|County in Virginia, United States}}
{{Infobox U.S. County|
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
county = Bath County|
{{Infobox U.S. county
state = Virginia |
| county = Bath County
seal = |
| state = Virginia
map = Map of Virginia highlighting Bath County.png|
| flag = Flag of Bath County, Virginia.png
map size = 250|
| seal = Seal of Bath County, Virginia.png
founded = 1790|
| logo = Logo of Bath County, Virginia.svg
seat = [[Warm Springs, Virginia|Warm Springs]] |
| founded = 1790
area_total_sq_mi =535 |
| named for = [[Bath, England]]
area_land_sq_mi =532 |
| seat wl = Warm Springs
area_water_sq_mi =3 |
| largest city wl = Hot Springs
area percentage = 0.51% |
| city type = community
census estimate yr = 2006|
| area_total_sq_mi = 535
pop = 4814 |
| area_land_sq_mi = 529
density_km2 =4|
| area_water_sq_mi = 5
web = www.bathcountyva.org|
| area percentage = 1.0
|}}
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 4209
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_est =
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| web = www.bathcountyva.gov|
| time zone = Eastern
| district = 6th
| ex image = Bath County Courthouse, Warm Springs.jpg
| ex image size = 250px
| ex image cap = Bath County Courthouse in Warm Springs
}}
'''Bath County''' is a [[county (United States)|United States county]] located in the [[Shenandoah Valley]] on the central western edge of the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Virginia]]. As of the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]], the population was 4,209,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bath County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US51017|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}</ref> making it the second-least populous county in Virginia. Bath's [[county seat]] is [[Warm Springs, Virginia|Warm Springs]],<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/20120712220218/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=July 12, 2012 }}</ref> while the largest community is Hot Springs.


Established in 1790, Bath County was named for the natural hot springs found in the region. The county is known for its mountainous terrain and picturesque landscapes, including the [[George Washington and Jefferson National Forests]].
'''Bath County''' is a [[county (United States)|county]] located in the [[Commonwealth (United States)|Commonwealth]] of [[Virginia]]. Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau give an estimated 2006 population of 4,814 residents. Its [[county seat]] is [[Warm Springs, Virginia|Warm Springs]].{{GR|6}} It is home to the [[Bath County Pumped Storage Station]], a [[Pumped storage hydroelectricity|pumped storage]] [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] power plant. [[The Homestead]], a luxury mountain resort, is in [[Hot Springs, Virginia|Hot Springs]]. The resort grew around the area's natural hot mineral springs, such as the [[Jefferson Pools]].


== History and economy ==
The county is represented in the Virginia General Assembly by Senator [[Creigh Deeds]] (D) and Delegate [[Jim Shuler]] (D).
Bath County was created on December 14, 1790, from parts of [[Augusta County, Virginia|Augusta]], [[Botetourt County, Virginia|Botetourt]], and [[Greenbrier County, West Virginia|Greenbrier]] counties. Due to the many [[mineral springs]] found in the area, the county was named for the English [[spa]] and resort city of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]].<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1=Salmon|editor-first1=Emily J.|editor-last2=Campbell|editor-first2=Edward D.C. |title=The Hornbook of Virginia History : A Ready-Reference Guide to the Old Dominion's People, Places, and Past|date=1994|publisher=Library of Virginia|location=Richmond|isbn=0884901777|page=161|edition=4th}}</ref> In the early 1700s, before the county was formed, the area that subsequently became Bath County was settled by people with ancestry principally in [[England]], [[Scotland]], [[Germany]], [[Wales]], [[Ireland]] and [[France]]. The families who settled in what has since become Bath County that came to Virginia from England predominantly came from the counties of Derbyshire,[[Hampshire]], [[Wiltshire]], [[Gloucestershire]], [[Northamptonshire]], the western portion of [[West Sussex|Sussex]], [[Dorset]], [[Somerset]] (where Bath in England is located), [[Norfolk]], [[Suffolk]], [[Surrey]], [[Kent]] and [[Lincolnshire]]. Like much of the [[Shenandoah Valley]] region, Bath had a relatively large share of residents descended from Scots-Irish immigrants and German farmers, both of whom were moving southward from [[Pennsylvania]].By 1800, Bath County's population was mostly subsistence farmers, though some were also artisans and smaller amounts were shopkeepers.<ref>A Brief History of Bath County, Virginia by Jean Graham McAllister pg. 29</ref>

Like its namesake, Bath County's economy is focused on tourism and recreation. The county's major employer is [[The Omni Homestead Resort|The Omni Homestead]], a resort and historic hotel built in 1766 as "The Homestead" in [[Hot Springs, Virginia|Hot Springs]].<ref name = "About">{{cite web|title=About Bath County|url=http://www.bathcountyva.org/about-bath-county.html|publisher=County of Bath, Virginia|access-date=August 1, 2014}}</ref> Additional recreational opportunities are provided by camping and fishing at [[Lake Moomaw]] in the southern part of the county.

==Ecology==
[[The Nature Conservancy]] owns more than {{convert|9000|acre|km2}} of forest habitat in the county, established as the Warm Springs Mountain Preserve, which adds additional protection to some of the most ecologically significant habitats in the Central [[Appalachian Mountains]].<ref name="About" /> Montane [[pine barrens]] are globally rare habitat, appearing as dwarfed shrublands, and only known in Virginia to occur on Warm Springs Mountain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crichton |first=Gwynn |date=March 2003 |title=Warm Springs Mountain Cowpasture River Conservation Area Plan |url=https://cowpastureriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Warm-Springs-Mountain-Cowpasture-River-Conservation-Area-Plan-March-2003.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://cowpastureriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Warm-Springs-Mountain-Cowpasture-River-Conservation-Area-Plan-March-2003.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=cowpastureriver.org/}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|535|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|529|sqmi}} are land and {{convert|5|sqmi}} (1.0%) are 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> 89% of Bath County is forest, with 51% in [[George Washington National Forest]] and 6% in [[Douthat State Park]]. The county is one of the 423 counties served by the [[Appalachian Regional Commission]],<ref name="ARC">{{cite web |title=About the Appalachian Region |url=https://www.arc.gov/about-the-appalachian-region/ |publisher=Appalachian Regional Commission |access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref> and it is identified as part of "Greater Appalachia" by Colin Woodard in his book ''[[American Nations|American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America]]''.<ref name="NYT_CW">{{cite news |last1=Woodard |first1=Colin |title=The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/30/opinion/urban-rural-united-states-regions-midterms.html |work=New York Times |date=July 30, 2018 |access-date=30 July 2018}}</ref>

Located along the western central border with West Virginia, Bath County contains a number of villages, including [[Hot Springs, Virginia|Hot Springs]], [[Warm Springs, Virginia|Warm Springs]], [[Millboro, Virginia|Millboro]] and [[Mountain Grove, Virginia|Mountain Grove]]. Hot Springs and Warm Springs are the most well known of the villages, given their natural mineral springs. Bath County is the only county in Virginia without a traffic signal.

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Highland County, Virginia|Highland County]] – north
* [[Augusta County, Virginia|Augusta County]] – northeast
* [[Rockbridge County, Virginia|Rockbridge County]] – east
* [[Alleghany County, Virginia|Alleghany County]] – south
* [[Greenbrier County, West Virginia]] – southwest
* [[Pocahontas County, West Virginia]] – west
[[File:Warm_Springs,_Virginia.jpg|thumb|279x279px|Warm Springs Valley]]

===National protected areas===
* [[George Washington National Forest]] (part)
* [[United States National Radio Quiet Zone]] (part)

===Major highways===
* {{Jct|state=VA|US|220}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|SR|39}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|SR|42}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1800= 5508
|1810= 4837
|1820= 5237
|1830= 4002
|1840= 4300
|1850= 3486
|1860= 3676
|1870= 3795
|1880= 4482
|1890= 4587
|1900= 5595
|1910= 6538
|1920= 6389
|1930= 8137
|1940= 7191
|1950= 6296
|1960= 5335
|1970= 5192
|1980= 5860
|1990= 4799
|2000= 5048
|2010= 4731
|2020= 4209
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|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=January 1, 2014}}</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=January 1, 2014}}</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=January 1, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Bath 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) - Bath County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US51017&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) - Bath County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US51017&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|4,363
|3,941
|92.22%
|91.26%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|213
|114
|4.50%
|2.71%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|5
|3
|0.11%
|0.07%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|7
|17
|0.15%
|0.40%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|0
|1
|0.00%
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH)
|5
|4
|0.11%
|0.10%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|37
|156
|0.78%
|3.71%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|101
|73
|2.13%
|1.73%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''4,731'''
|'''4,209'''
|'''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 5,048 people, 2,053 households, and 1,451 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|10|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 2,896 housing units at an average density of {{convert|5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.29% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 6.28% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.38% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.10% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.36% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 2,053 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.00% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 28.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 99.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,013, and the median income for a family was $41,276. Males had a median income of $30,238 versus $21,974 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,092. 7.80% of the population and 5.80% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.40% are under the age of 18 and 12.90% are 65 or older.

==Government==

===Board of Supervisors===
*Cedar Creek district: Ron Shifflett (I)
*Millboro district: Eddy T. Hicklin (I)
*Valley Springs district: H. Lee Fry (I)
*Warm Springs district: Roy W. Burns (I)
*Williamsville district: Thomas S. Burns (I)

===Constitutional officers===
*Clerk of the Circuit Court: Annette T. Loan (I)
*Commissioner of the Revenue: Angel M. Grimm (I)
*Commonwealth's Attorney: John C. Singleton (I)
*Sheriff: Robert W. Plecker (I)
*Treasurer: Pam Webb (I)

Bath County is represented by Democrat [[Creigh Deeds]] in the Virginia Senate, Republican [[Ronnie R. Campbell]] in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican [[Ben Cline]] in the U.S. House of Representatives.

== Politics ==
{{PresHead|place=Bath County, Virginia|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|1,976|588|19|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,834|646|21|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,548|603|102|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,274|894|55|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,349|1,043|40|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,432|828|22|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,311|822|77|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|847|922|282|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,075|855|400|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,273|881|13|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,434|727|14|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|921|999|87|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|888|1,029|15|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,127|462|47|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|872|494|531|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|516|770|0|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|646|629|2|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|739|479|46|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|765|451|5|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|488|375|75|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|504|581|4|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|527|630|6|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|514|614|2|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|384|594|14|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|731|409|0|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|407|404|24|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|362|343|5|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|219|387|6|Virginia}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|159|329|56|Virginia}}

==Economy==
Tourism and recreation have been the focus of the economy from the time the county was established.<ref name = "About"/> [[The Omni Homestead Resort|The Omni Homestead]], a luxury mountain resort in [[Hot Springs, Virginia|Hot Springs]], is the county's major employer.

The resort grew around the area's mineral springs, such as the [[Jefferson Pools]]. (As of July 1, 2018, the Jefferson Pools have been closed by the resort. The pools are anticipated to reopen once the safety of their surrounding structures is verified.)

Bath County is also home to the [[Bath County Pumped Storage Station]], a [[pumped-storage hydroelectricity|pumped storage]] [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] power plant.

==Education==
The county has two elementary schools (serving students from pre-kindergarten to seventh grade) and one high school (serving students in grades 8 through 12). Around 555 students are enrolled in the school system.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fall Membership Data|url=http://www.doe.virginia.gov/statistics_reports/enrollment/fall_membership/2017-2018/school-totals-bygrade-all-students.xls|access-date=August 28, 2018|author=Virginia Department of Education|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072243/http://www.doe.virginia.gov/statistics_reports/enrollment/fall_membership/2017-2018/school-totals-bygrade-all-students.xls|archive-date=August 29, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Media==
''The Recorder'' is the newspaper of record serving Bath, Highland, and the Allegheny Highlands region of Virginia. Newspaper offices are located in [[Monterey, Virginia|Monterey]] (Highland County) and [[Mitchelltown, Virginia|Mitchelltown]] (Bath County).

==Communities==
===Census-designated places===
* [[Hot Springs, Virginia|Hot Springs]]
* [[Warm Springs, Virginia|Warm Springs]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Armstrong, Virginia|Armstrong]]
* [[Ashwood, Virginia|Ashwood]]
* [[Bacova, Virginia|Bacova]]
* [[Bacova Junction, Virginia|Bacova Junction]]
* [[Bolar, Virginia|Bolar]]
* [[Burnsville, Virginia|Burnsville]]
* [[Carloover, Virginia|Carloover]]
* [[Chimney Run, Virginia|Chimney Run]]
* [[Crowdertown, Virginia|Crowdertown]]
* [[Fort Lewis, Virginia|Fort Lewis]]
* [[Green Valley, Virginia|Green Valley]]
* [[Healing Springs, Virginia|Healing Springs]]
* [[McClung, Virginia|McClung]]
* [[Millboro, Virginia|Millboro]]
* [[Millboro Springs, Virginia|Millboro Springs]]
* [[Mitchelltown, Virginia|Mitchelltown]]
* [[Mountain Grove, Virginia|Mountain Grove]]
* [[Sunrise, Virginia|Sunrise]]
* Switch Back
* [[Thomastown, Virginia|Thomastown]]
* [[Tinkertown, Virginia|Tinkertown]]
* [[West Warm Springs, Virginia|West Warm Springs]]
* [[Williamsville, Virginia|Williamsville]]
* [[Yost, Virginia|Yost]]
{{col div end}}

==Notable people==
* [[Custer LaRue]], soprano vocalist
* [[Creigh Deeds]], Virginia Senator ([[Virginia's 25th Senate district|25th District]])
* [[Jailyn Ford]], [[National Pro Fastpitch|NPF]] pitcher
* [[Dan Ingalls]], computer scientist, president of the Homestead<ref>{{cite news |last=Layman |first=Sara |date=October 22, 1987 |title=Homestead's New President Plans Emphasis on Tradition, Service |url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=TRE19871022.1.9&srpos=1&e=--1987---1987--en-20-TRE-1--txt-txIN-%22Dan+Ingalls%22------ |work=The Recorder |access-date=February 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Oxendine |first=Margo |date=December 17, 1993 |title=Growing up at The Homestead |url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=TRE19931217.1.44&e=--1993---1995--en-20-TRE-1-byDA.rev-txt-txIN-%22Dan+Ingalls%22------ |work=The Recorder |access-date=February 2, 2019}}</ref>
* [[John Phillips (American football)|John Phillips]], [[National Football League|NFL]] tight end
* [[Sam Snead]], professional golfer

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Bath County, Virginia]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.bathcountyva.org Bath County Website]
* {{Official website|www.bathcountyva.org}}
*[http://www.discoverbath.com Bath County Travel Guide]
* [http://www.discoverbath.com Bath County Travel Guide]


{{Geographic Location
{{Geographic location
|Centre = Bath County, Virginia
|Centre = Bath County, Virginia
|North = [[Highland County, Virginia|Highland County]]
|North = [[Highland County, Virginia|Highland County]]
|Northeast = [[Augusta County, Virginia|Augusta County]]
|Northeast = [[Augusta County, Virginia|Augusta County]]
|East = [[Rockbridge County, Virginia|Rockbridge County]]
|East = [[Rockbridge County, Virginia|Rockbridge County]]
|Southeast =
|Southeast =
|South = [[Alleghany County, Virginia|Alleghany County]]
|South = [[Alleghany County, Virginia|Alleghany County]]
|Southwest = [[Greenbrier County, West Virginia]]
|Southwest = [[Greenbrier County, West Virginia]]
|West = [[Pocahontas County, West Virginia]]
|West = [[Pocahontas County, West Virginia]]
|Northwest =
|Northwest =
}}
}}


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{{coord|38.06|-79.74|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-VA_source:UScensus1990}}
{{coord|38.06|-79.74|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-VA_source:UScensus1990}}


{{authority control}}
[[Category:Virginia counties]]
[[Category:Bath County, Virginia| ]]
[[Category:1790 establishments]]


[[Category:Bath County, Virginia| ]]
[[ar:مقاطعة باث، فيرجينيا]]
[[Category:Virginia counties]]
[[bg:Бат (окръг, Вирджиния)]]
[[de:Bath County (Virginia)]]
[[Category:1790 establishments in Virginia]]
[[Category:Counties of Appalachia]]
[[fr:Comté de Bath (Virginie)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1790]]
[[bpy:বাথ কাউন্টি, ভার্জিনিয়া]]
[[it:Contea di Bath (Virginia)]]
[[kw:Konteth Bath, Virjynni]]
[[nl:Bath County (Virginia)]]
[[no:Bath fylke (Virginia)]]
[[nds:Bath County (Virginia)]]
[[pl:Hrabstwo Bath (Wirginia)]]
[[pt:Condado de Bath (Virgínia)]]
[[sv:Bath County, Virginia]]
[[zh:巴斯縣 (維吉尼亞州)]]

Latest revision as of 00:56, 9 January 2025

Bath County
County
Bath County Courthouse in Warm Springs
Bath County Courthouse in Warm Springs
Flag of Bath County
Flag
Official seal of Bath County
Seal
Official logo of Bath County
Logo
Map of Virginia highlighting Bath 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°04′N 79°44′W / 38.06°N 79.74°W / 38.06; -79.74
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1790
Named forBath, England
SeatWarm Springs
Largest communityHot Springs
Area
 • Total
535 sq mi (1,390 km2)
 • Land529 sq mi (1,370 km2)
 • Water5 sq mi (10 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
4,209
 • Density7.9/sq mi (3.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.bathcountyva.gov

Bath County is a United States county located in the Shenandoah Valley on the central western edge of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,209,[1] making it the second-least populous county in Virginia. Bath's county seat is Warm Springs,[2] while the largest community is Hot Springs.

Established in 1790, Bath County was named for the natural hot springs found in the region. The county is known for its mountainous terrain and picturesque landscapes, including the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

History and economy

[edit]

Bath County was created on December 14, 1790, from parts of Augusta, Botetourt, and Greenbrier counties. Due to the many mineral springs found in the area, the county was named for the English spa and resort city of Bath.[3] In the early 1700s, before the county was formed, the area that subsequently became Bath County was settled by people with ancestry principally in England, Scotland, Germany, Wales, Ireland and France. The families who settled in what has since become Bath County that came to Virginia from England predominantly came from the counties of Derbyshire,Hampshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, the western portion of Sussex, Dorset, Somerset (where Bath in England is located), Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, Kent and Lincolnshire. Like much of the Shenandoah Valley region, Bath had a relatively large share of residents descended from Scots-Irish immigrants and German farmers, both of whom were moving southward from Pennsylvania.By 1800, Bath County's population was mostly subsistence farmers, though some were also artisans and smaller amounts were shopkeepers.[4]

Like its namesake, Bath County's economy is focused on tourism and recreation. The county's major employer is The Omni Homestead, a resort and historic hotel built in 1766 as "The Homestead" in Hot Springs.[5] Additional recreational opportunities are provided by camping and fishing at Lake Moomaw in the southern part of the county.

Ecology

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The Nature Conservancy owns more than 9,000 acres (36 km2) of forest habitat in the county, established as the Warm Springs Mountain Preserve, which adds additional protection to some of the most ecologically significant habitats in the Central Appalachian Mountains.[5] Montane pine barrens are globally rare habitat, appearing as dwarfed shrublands, and only known in Virginia to occur on Warm Springs Mountain.[6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 535 square miles (1,390 km2), of which 529 square miles (1,370 km2) are land and 5 square miles (13 km2) (1.0%) are water.[7] 89% of Bath County is forest, with 51% in George Washington National Forest and 6% in Douthat State Park. The county is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission,[8] and it is identified as part of "Greater Appalachia" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.[9]

Located along the western central border with West Virginia, Bath County contains a number of villages, including Hot Springs, Warm Springs, Millboro and Mountain Grove. Hot Springs and Warm Springs are the most well known of the villages, given their natural mineral springs. Bath County is the only county in Virginia without a traffic signal.

Adjacent counties

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Warm Springs Valley

National protected areas

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18005,508—
18104,837−12.2%
18205,2378.3%
18304,002−23.6%
18404,3007.4%
18503,486−18.9%
18603,6765.5%
18703,7953.2%
18804,48218.1%
18904,5872.3%
19005,59522.0%
19106,53816.9%
19206,389−2.3%
19308,13727.4%
19407,191−11.6%
19506,296−12.4%
19605,335−15.3%
19705,192−2.7%
19805,86012.9%
19904,799−18.1%
20005,0485.2%
20104,731−6.3%
20204,209−11.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010[14] 2020[15]

2020 census

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Bath 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[14] Pop 2020[15] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 4,363 3,941 92.22% 91.26%
Black or African American alone (NH) 213 114 4.50% 2.71%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 5 3 0.11% 0.07%
Asian alone (NH) 7 17 0.15% 0.40%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 1 0.00% 0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 5 4 0.11% 0.10%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 37 156 0.78% 3.71%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 101 73 2.13% 1.73%
Total 4,731 4,209 100.00% 100.00%

2000 Census

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As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 5,048 people, 2,053 households, and 1,451 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 2,896 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.29% White, 6.28% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,053 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.00% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 28.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 99.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,013, and the median income for a family was $41,276. Males had a median income of $30,238 versus $21,974 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,092. 7.80% of the population and 5.80% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.40% are under the age of 18 and 12.90% are 65 or older.

Government

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Board of Supervisors

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  • Cedar Creek district: Ron Shifflett (I)
  • Millboro district: Eddy T. Hicklin (I)
  • Valley Springs district: H. Lee Fry (I)
  • Warm Springs district: Roy W. Burns (I)
  • Williamsville district: Thomas S. Burns (I)

Constitutional officers

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  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Annette T. Loan (I)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Angel M. Grimm (I)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: John C. Singleton (I)
  • Sheriff: Robert W. Plecker (I)
  • Treasurer: Pam Webb (I)

Bath County is represented by Democrat Creigh Deeds in the Virginia Senate, Republican Ronnie R. Campbell in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Ben Cline in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Bath County, Virginia[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,976 76.50% 588 22.76% 19 0.74%
2020 1,834 73.33% 646 25.83% 21 0.84%
2016 1,548 68.71% 603 26.76% 102 4.53%
2012 1,274 57.31% 894 40.22% 55 2.47%
2008 1,349 55.47% 1,043 42.89% 40 1.64%
2004 1,432 62.75% 828 36.28% 22 0.96%
2000 1,311 59.32% 822 37.19% 77 3.48%
1996 847 41.30% 922 44.95% 282 13.75%
1992 1,075 46.14% 855 36.70% 400 17.17%
1988 1,273 58.74% 881 40.66% 13 0.60%
1984 1,434 65.93% 727 33.43% 14 0.64%
1980 921 45.89% 999 49.78% 87 4.33%
1976 888 45.96% 1,029 53.26% 15 0.78%
1972 1,127 68.89% 462 28.24% 47 2.87%
1968 872 45.97% 494 26.04% 531 27.99%
1964 516 40.12% 770 59.88% 0 0.00%
1960 646 50.59% 629 49.26% 2 0.16%
1956 739 58.47% 479 37.90% 46 3.64%
1952 765 62.65% 451 36.94% 5 0.41%
1948 488 52.03% 375 39.98% 75 8.00%
1944 504 46.28% 581 53.35% 4 0.37%
1940 527 45.31% 630 54.17% 6 0.52%
1936 514 45.49% 614 54.34% 2 0.18%
1932 384 38.71% 594 59.88% 14 1.41%
1928 731 64.12% 409 35.88% 0 0.00%
1924 407 48.74% 404 48.38% 24 2.87%
1920 362 50.99% 343 48.31% 5 0.70%
1916 219 35.78% 387 63.24% 6 0.98%
1912 159 29.23% 329 60.48% 56 10.29%

Economy

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Tourism and recreation have been the focus of the economy from the time the county was established.[5] The Omni Homestead, a luxury mountain resort in Hot Springs, is the county's major employer.

The resort grew around the area's mineral springs, such as the Jefferson Pools. (As of July 1, 2018, the Jefferson Pools have been closed by the resort. The pools are anticipated to reopen once the safety of their surrounding structures is verified.)

Bath County is also home to the Bath County Pumped Storage Station, a pumped storage hydroelectric power plant.

Education

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The county has two elementary schools (serving students from pre-kindergarten to seventh grade) and one high school (serving students in grades 8 through 12). Around 555 students are enrolled in the school system.[18]

Media

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The Recorder is the newspaper of record serving Bath, Highland, and the Allegheny Highlands region of Virginia. Newspaper offices are located in Monterey (Highland County) and Mitchelltown (Bath County).

Communities

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Bath County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Salmon, Emily J.; Campbell, Edward D.C., eds. (1994). The Hornbook of Virginia History : A Ready-Reference Guide to the Old Dominion's People, Places, and Past (4th ed.). Richmond: Library of Virginia. p. 161. ISBN 0884901777.
  4. ^ A Brief History of Bath County, Virginia by Jean Graham McAllister pg. 29
  5. ^ a b c "About Bath County". County of Bath, Virginia. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  6. ^ Crichton, Gwynn (March 2003). "Warm Springs Mountain Cowpasture River Conservation Area Plan" (PDF). cowpastureriver.org/. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Woodard, Colin (July 30, 2018). "The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  10. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  13. ^ "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 1, 2014.
  14. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bath County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bath County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  18. ^ Virginia Department of Education. "Fall Membership Data". Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  19. ^ Layman, Sara (October 22, 1987). "Homestead's New President Plans Emphasis on Tradition, Service". The Recorder. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  20. ^ Oxendine, Margo (December 17, 1993). "Growing up at The Homestead". The Recorder. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
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38°04′N 79°44′W / 38.06°N 79.74°W / 38.06; -79.74

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