Surry County, Virginia

Surry County
County
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°07′01″N 76°53′18″W
Country	United States
State	Virginia
Founded	1652
Seat	Surry
Area
• Total	301 sq mi (780 km2)
• Land	279 sq mi (720 km2)
• Water	31 sq mi (80 km2)  10.06%
Population  (2009)
• Total	7,088
• Density	20/sq mi (9/km2)
Website	www.surrycounty.govoffice2.com

Surry County is a county located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of 2000 census, the population was 6,829. Its county seat is SurryTemplate:GR.

In 1652, Surry County was formed from the portion of James City County south of the James River. In 1676, a local Jacobean brick house was occupied as a fort or "castle" during Bacon's Rebellion against the Royal Governor, Sir William Berkeley. Today the landmark is known as Bacon's Castle.

One hundred years later, Surry County became part of the new Commonwealth of Virginia, one of the first 13 United States after winning independence from Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Confederate Army had units called the Surry Light Artillery and the Surry Cavalry.

The county is known for raising hogs, processed at nearby Smithfield, and harvesting lumber, notably Virginia Pine. For more than 350 years, Surry County has maintained its heritage and rural nature. It is convenient to the Jamestown Ferry and Virginia's Historic Triangle of the colonial era, featuring the major tourist attractions of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, linked by the National Park Service's Colonial Parkway. The county has several small towns, significant James River plantations, and a state park.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 310 square miles (804 km²), of which, 279 square miles (723 km²) of it is land and 31 square miles (81 km²) of it (10.06%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

• Charles City County - northwest
• James City County - northeast
• Isle of Wight County - southeast
• Southampton County - south
• Sussex County - southwest
• Prince George County - west

History and transportation

Part of the colony of Virginia, Surry County was formed from a portion of James City County in 1652. It was named for the English county of Surrey. It included all of the portion of James City County (formed in 1634) that was located south of the James River. Surry County initially had the Lawne's Creek and Southwark parishes of the Church of England.

Nearby, in 1665, Arthur Allen built a Jacobean brick house. It later became known as Bacon's Castle because it was occupied as a fort or "castle" during Bacon's Rebellion against the Royal Governor, Sir William Berkeley in 1676. (Nathaniel Bacon never lived at Bacon's Castle, but resided at Curles Neck Plantation in Henrico County about 30 miles upriver on the northern bank of the James River).

Farm in Surry County

The first town of Cobham was established in 1691 where Gray's Creek empties into the James River. Neighboring Sussex County was formed from the southwestern end of Surry County in 1754.

For more than 350 years, Surry County has depended on an agricultural economy. It has guarded its heritage. It is located a short ride from the Jamestown Ferry, with convenient access to Virginia's Historic Triangle, featuring Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, linked by the National Park Service's Colonial Parkway. The county has several small towns, significant James River plantations, and a state park.

The county is bisected by State Route 31 and State Route 40, as well as its major artery, the historic path of State Route 10 which follows the general line of the south bank of the James River between Prince George County and Isle of Wight County.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 6,829 people, 2,619 households, and 1,917 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 3,294 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 46.87% White, 51.60% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,619 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 14.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 23.70% 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 2.61 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,558, and the median income for a family was $41,234. Males had a median income of $31,123 versus $21,143 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,682. About 9.70% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.40% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

• Bacon's Castle
• Chippokes Plantation State Park
• Claremont Manor Plantation
• Surry Nuclear Power Plant

Communities

Incorporated towns

Incorporated towns in Surry County include:

• Claremont
• Dendron
• Surry

Unincorporated communities

Unincorporated communities in Surry County include:

• Cabin Point
• Scotland
• Spring Grove
• Carsley
• Elberon

Current events

Dog fighting investigation

Beginning on April 25, 2007, Surry County Sheriff Harold D. Brown and part-time County Commonwealth's Attorney (prosecutor) Gerald G. Poindexter led a high-profile dog fighting investigation. Authorities investigating Davon T. Boddie, 26, on a narcotics issue found evidence of dog fighting activities at a home and property in Surry County where he lived. It was owned by his cousin, Atlanta Falcons NFL-football player Michael Vick. Officials confiscated 66 dogs, 55 of which were pit bulls, and other evidence. An ESPN source alleged that Vick was a "heavyweight" in dog fighting and had been known to wager $40,000 on the outcome of a single fight.

By August 20, 2007, all the defendants charged in Federal court, including Vick, had agreed to guilty pleas under plea bargain agreements. They were sentenced to terms ranging from 6 to 23 months, to be served in Federal prisons. The abused dogs were placed in foster or adoptive homes.

On 26 February 2009, Vick was approved for release to home confinement. He was released on 21 May 2009 to be confined for the remainder of his 23-month term of imprisonment under home confinement.

Further information: Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation

External links

• Surry County, Official Website
• Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
• The Surrey House Restaurant & County Inn