Amherst County, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amherst County
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Amherst County Courthouse
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Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
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 Virginia's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Virginia |
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| Founded | 1761 | |
| Named for | Jeffery Amherst | |
| Seat | Amherst | |
| Largest town | Amherst | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 479 sq mi (1,240 km2) | |
| • Land | 474 sq mi (1,230 km2) | |
| • Water | 4.9 sq mi (13 km2) 1.0% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 31,307 | |
| • Density | 65.36/sq mi (25.235/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Congressional district | 6th | |
Amherst County is a county, located in the Piedmont region and near the center of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The county is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area, and its county seat is also named Amherst.
Amherst County was created in 1761 out of Albemarle County, and it was named in honor of Lord Jeffery Amherst, the so-called "Conqueror of Canada". In 1807 as population increased, the county was reduced in size in order to form Nelson County. Tobacco was the major cash crop of the county during its early years. The labor-intensive crop was worked and processed by enslaved Africans and African Americans before the American Civil War.
As of the 2020 census, the population of the county was 31,307.
Contents
History
Native Americans were the first humans to populate the area. They hunted and fished mainly along the countless rivers and streams in the county. With the establishment of the Virginia Colony in 1607, English emigrants arrived in North America. By the late 17th century English explorers and traders traveled up the James River to this area. Early trading posts formed between 1710 and 1720. By 1730, many new families moved into the land currently known as Amherst County drawn by the desire for land and the good tobacco-growing soil.
Amherst County was formed in 1761, from part of southwestern Albemarle County. The original county seat had been in Cabelsville, now Colleen in what would later become Nelson County. The county was named for Lord Amherst, known as the "Conqueror of Canada", who commanded the British forces that successfully secured Canada from the French. Jeffery Amherst had also previously been named Governor of Virginia, although he never came to the colony. In 1806 the county assumed its present proportions when Nelson County was formed from its northern half. At that point, the county seat was moved to the village of Five Oaks, later renamed Amherst. The present county courthouse was built in 1870 and has served the county ever since. On a historically interesting note, Amherst County produced more Confederate soldiers per capita than anywhere else in the C.S.A.
In the early days, the major crop raised in Amherst County was tobacco. Apple orchards were part of mixed farming that replaced tobacco, especially in the late 19th century. Timber, mining and milling were also important industries. The introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century greatly influenced the county's growth. The county contains many good examples of 18th, 19th and early 20th century rural and small town architecture. The downtown area of Amherst is a classic example of early 20th century commercial architecture.
Local attractions
There are numerous attractions throughout the county that entertain many people throughout the area. With the three recreational and public lakes being Mill Creek, Thrashers Lake, and Stonehouse Lake, there is plenty to do on the water. Many like to fish, canoe, or kayak in the water or simply have a cookout along the side of the lakes. There are also many trails and parks that anyone is welcome to visit at any time. There is a significant portion of the Appalachian Trail that runs through the George Washington National Forest in Amherst. There are many offshoot trails that highlight peaks in Amherst such at Mt. Pleasant, Cold Mountain, and Tar Jacket Ridge. There are many local restaurants in the county such at the Briar Patch, Travelers, Vitos Grill, Charlies Chicken, and many others that are very popular spots among the locals who frequent the various eateries.
Festivals in the area
- Rebec Vineyard's Garlic Festival
- Lazy Days Vineyard's Summer Solstice Festival
- Amherst County Sorghum Festival
- The Batteau Festival
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 479 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 474 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km2) (1.0%) is water.
Adjacent counties / Independent city
- Rockbridge County, Virginia – northwest
- Nelson County, Virginia – northeast
- Appomattox County, Virginia – southeast
- Campbell County, Virginia – south
- Lynchburg, Virginia – south
- Bedford County, Virginia – southwest
National protected areas
- Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
- George Washington National Forest (part)
Major highways
US 29
US 60
US 501
SR 130
SR 151
SR 163
SR 210
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 13,703 | — | |
| 1800 | 16,801 | 22.6% | |
| 1810 | 10,548 | −37.2% | |
| 1820 | 10,423 | −1.2% | |
| 1830 | 12,071 | 15.8% | |
| 1840 | 12,576 | 4.2% | |
| 1850 | 12,699 | 1.0% | |
| 1860 | 13,742 | 8.2% | |
| 1870 | 14,900 | 8.4% | |
| 1880 | 18,709 | 25.6% | |
| 1890 | 17,551 | −6.2% | |
| 1900 | 17,864 | 1.8% | |
| 1910 | 18,932 | 6.0% | |
| 1920 | 19,771 | 4.4% | |
| 1930 | 19,020 | −3.8% | |
| 1940 | 20,273 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 20,332 | 0.3% | |
| 1960 | 22,953 | 12.9% | |
| 1970 | 26,072 | 13.6% | |
| 1980 | 29,122 | 11.7% | |
| 1990 | 28,578 | −1.9% | |
| 2000 | 31,894 | 11.6% | |
| 2010 | 32,353 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 31,307 | −3.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 24,491 | 22,967 | 75.70% | 73.36% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 6,104 | 5,346 | 18.87% | 17.08% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 296 | 243 | 0.91% | 0.78% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 153 | 182 | 0.47% | 0.58% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 7 | 25 | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 44 | 145 | 0.14% | 0.46% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 633 | 1,561 | 1.96% | 4.99% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 625 | 838 | 1.93% | 2.68% |
| Total | 32,353 | 31,307 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
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 can be of any race.
Communities
Town
Census-designated place
Other unincorporated communities
- Clifford
- Elon
- Sweet Briar
- Monroe
- Riverville
- Stapleton
Education
Amherst County is served by Amherst County Public Schools, which operates one central high school, two middle schools, and several elementary schools. Temple Christian School is a private school located on the grounds of Temple Baptist Church. Sweet Briar College is also located in Amherst County, just south of the town of Amherst.
Notable residents
- James John Floyd (1750-1783), born in Amherst County. co-founder of Louisville, KY and early settler in that area. Kentucky Colonel and pioneer judge. Among several places named for him is Floyd Street in Louisville.
- William Barnett (1761–1834), born in Amherst County, United States Congressman
- William Becknell, born in Amherst County, first white man to open what would become the Santa Fe Trail
- Samuel Jordan Cabell (1756–1818), born in Amherst County, United States Congressman
- Peter Cartwright (1785–1872), born in Amherst County, noted "hellfire and brimstone" preacher
- Powhatan Ellis, (1790–1863), born in Amherst County, justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, United States Senator from Mississippi, and minister to Mexico. Ellisville, Mississippi, is named in his honor.
- David S. Garland (1769–1841), Congressman, master of the Brick House (Clifford, Virginia), founder of the New Glasgow Academy.
- Ottie Cline Powell (1890–1894), born in Amherst County four-year-old boy who died after getting lost collecting firewood outside his schoolhouse. Reportedly haunts the area where he died.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Amherst para niños
