Augusta County, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Augusta County
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The Augusta County Courthouse in March 2005
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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 | 1738 | ||
| Named for | Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha | ||
| Seat | Staunton | ||
| Largest community | Staunton | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 971 sq mi (2,510 km2) | ||
| • Land | 967 sq mi (2,500 km2) | ||
| • Water | 3.9 sq mi (10 km2) 0.4% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 77,487 | ||
| • Density | 79.80/sq mi (30.811/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 6th | ||
Augusta County is a county in the Shenandoah Valley on the western edge of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The second-largest county of Virginia by total area, it completely surrounds the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. Its county seat is Staunton, but most of the administrative services have offices in neighboring Verona.
The county was created in 1738 from part of Orange County and was named after Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. It was originally a huge area, but many of its parts were carved out to form other counties and several states until the current borders were finalized in 1790.
As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 77,487. Along with Staunton and Waynesboro, it forms the Staunton–Waynesboro, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Augusta County was formed in 1738 from Orange County, although, because few people lived there, the county government was not organized until 1745. It was named for Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, Princess of Wales and mother of the future King George III of the United Kingdom.
Originally, Augusta County was a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. Most of what is now West Virginia as well as the whole of Kentucky were formed from it, and it also claimed the territory north and west of those areas, theoretically all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
A series of maps show the formation and division of Augusta County from 1738 through 1791.
Reductions in its extent began in 1770, when its southern part became Botetourt County. In 1776 part of western Augusta County, an area also known as the District of West Augusta, became Monongalia County, Ohio County, and Yohogania County (abolished in 1786). In 1778 the portion of Augusta County west of the Ohio River became Illinois County (abolished in 1784); the northeastern part of what was remained became Rockingham County, and the southwestern part was combined with part of Botetourt County to form Rockbridge County. In 1788 the northern part of the county was combined with part of Hardy County to become Pendleton County. Augusta County assumed its present dimensions in 1790, when its western part was combined with parts of Botetourt County and Greenbrier County to form Bath County.
During the Civil War, Augusta County served as an important agricultural center as part of the "Breadbasket of the Confederacy." The Virginia Central Railroad ran through the county, linking the Shenandoah Valley to the Confederate capital at Richmond. One of the bloodiest engagements fought in the Shenandoah Valley took place on June 5, 1864 at the Battle of Piedmont, a Union victory that allowed the Union Army to occupy Staunton and destroy many of the facilities that supported the Confederate war effort. Augusta County suffered again during General Philip H. Sheridan's "Burning," which destroyed many farms and killed virtually all of the farm animals.
Staunton, the county seat for many years, was incorporated as a city in 1871 and separated from Augusta County in 1902. However, it remained the county seat.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 971 square miles (2,510 km2), of which 967 square miles (2,500 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (0.4%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Virginia by land area and second-largest by total area.
Adjacent counties and independent cities
- Staunton (Enclaved)
- Waynesboro (Enclaved)
- Pendleton County, West Virginia (North)
- Rockingham County (Northeast)
- Albemarle County (East)
- Nelson County (Southeast)
- Rockbridge County (Southwest)
- Bath County (West)
- Highland County (Northwest)
Districts
The county is divided into seven magisterial districts: Beverley Manor, Middle River, North River, Pastures, Riverheads, South River, and Wayne.
School systems
The county is serviced by Augusta County Public Schools.
National protected areas
- Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
- George Washington National Forest (part)
- Shenandoah National Park (part)
Regional park
Major highways
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Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 10,886 | — | |
| 1800 | 11,712 | 7.6% | |
| 1810 | 14,308 | 22.2% | |
| 1820 | 16,742 | 17.0% | |
| 1830 | 19,926 | 19.0% | |
| 1840 | 19,628 | −1.5% | |
| 1850 | 24,610 | 25.4% | |
| 1860 | 27,749 | 12.8% | |
| 1870 | 28,763 | 3.7% | |
| 1880 | 35,710 | 24.2% | |
| 1890 | 37,005 | 3.6% | |
| 1900 | 32,370 | −12.5% | |
| 1910 | 32,445 | 0.2% | |
| 1920 | 34,671 | 6.9% | |
| 1930 | 38,163 | 10.1% | |
| 1940 | 42,772 | 12.1% | |
| 1950 | 34,154 | −20.1% | |
| 1960 | 37,363 | 9.4% | |
| 1970 | 44,220 | 18.4% | |
| 1980 | 53,732 | 21.5% | |
| 1990 | 54,677 | 1.8% | |
| 2000 | 65,615 | 20.0% | |
| 2010 | 73,750 | 12.4% | |
| 2020 | 77,487 | 5.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-20002010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 68,011 | 68,375 | 92.22% | 88.24% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,881 | 3,072 | 3.91% | 3.96% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 141 | 130 | 0.19% | 0.17% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 365 | 461 | 0.49% | 0.59% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 13 | 27 | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 40 | 198 | 0.05% | 0.26% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 774 | 2,496 | 1.05% | 3.22% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,525 | 2,728 | 2.07% | 3.52% |
| Total | 73,750 | 77,487 | 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.
Area Populations
According to the 2010 US Census data, below are the populations of the two towns and select unincorporated communities within Augusta County:
| # | Town | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grottoes | 2,668 |
| 2 | Craigsville | 923 |
The majority of Grottoes is located in Rockingham County. Only seven of the town's 2,668 residents reside in Augusta County.
| # | Unincorporated Community | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stuarts Draft | 9,235 |
| 2 | Fishersville | 7,462 |
| 3 | Verona | 4,239 |
| 4 | Weyers Cave | 2,473 |
| 5 | Crimora | 2,209 |
| 6 | Lyndhurst | 1,490 |
| 7 | Dooms | 1,327 |
| 8 | Swoope | 1,323 |
| 9 | Jolivue | 1,129 |
| 10 | Greenville | 832 |
| 11 | Fort Defiance | 780 |
| 12 | Sherando | 688 |
| 13 | Mount Sidney | 663 |
| 14 | Churchville | 194 |
Communities
The independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro (incorporated as such in 1902 and 1948 respectively) are located within the boundaries of Augusta County, but are not a part of the county, despite Staunton's status as the county seat. Most county administrative offices, however, are located in Verona, rather than in Staunton.
Towns
- Craigsville
- Grottoes (partial)
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated communities
Economy
According to the county's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the county are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augusta County Public Schools | 1,000+ |
| 2 | Augusta Health | 1,000+ |
| 3 | McKee Foods | 500-999 |
| 4 | Hershey | 500-999 |
| 5 | Target | 500-999 |
| 6 | AAF-McQuay | 500-999 |
| 7 | Hollister Co. | 250-499 |
| 8 | Blue Ridge Community College | 250-499 |
| 9 | Augusta Correctional Center | 250-499 |
| 10 | Ply Gem | 250-499 |
Notable people
- Thomas Adams, born in Augusta County, member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and signer of the Articles of Confederation
- Robert Allen, born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Tennessee
- George Caleb Bingham (1811–1879), born in Augusta County, noted painter and State Treasurer of Missouri
- Gideon Blackburn (1772–1838), born in Augusta County, noted clergyman and founder of Blackburn College
- John Brown, lawyer and statesman
- Samuel Brown, born in Augusta County, noted surgeon and editor
- John Wilson Campbell, born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Ohio
- William Campbell, born in Augusta County, militia leader in the American Revolutionary War
- John Colter (c.1774–May 7, 1812(?)), born near Stuarts Draft, was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806); best remembered for his 1807–1808 explorations as the first person of European descent to enter the region now known as Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons
- Samuel Doak, (1749–1830), born in Augusta County, noted Presbyterian clergyman, founder of Washington College, the first college west of the Alleghenies, noted abolitionist
- Ida Stover Eisenhower (1862–1946), mother of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, was born in Mount Sidney, Augusta County
- John H. Fulton, (died 1836), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia
- John P. Gaines, (1795–1857), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Kentucky and governor of the Oregon Territory.
- John D. Imboden, (1823–1895), born in Augusta County, member of the Virginia General Assembly, Confederate Army cavalry general and partisan fighter in the American Civil War.
- Thomas Lewis, Jr., born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia.
- William J. Lewis, (1766–1828), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia.
- Robert D. Lilley, (1836–1886), born in Greenville, Augusta County, Confederate Army general in the American Civil War.
- Benjamin Logan, (c.1742–1803), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Kentucky.
- George Mathews, (1739–1812), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman and Governor of Georgia. Member of the Mathews family.
- Sampson Mathews, (c. 1737–1806), born in Augusta County, Virginia State Senator and Revolutionary War officer. Member of the Mathews family.
- Robert McKnight (c.1789–1846), born in Augusta County, moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1809, member of a trading expedition under Zebulon Pike to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1812, captured by Spanish and imprisoned until 1821, eventually renounced his United States citizenship, moved to Mexico, and became owner of the Santa Rita del Cobre copper mine in Chihuahua (now New Mexico).
- Thomas McKnight, businessman and member of Wisconsin Territorial Council
- Joel F. Salatin (b. 1957), founder, owner and manager of Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia.
- Thomas Woodrow Wilson (Dec. 28, 1856–Feb. 3, 1924) 28th President of the United States of America, 34th Governor of New Jersey, and 13th President of Princeton University located in Princeton, New Jersey.
Images for kids
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I-64 and I-81 in Augusta County
_in_Spotswood,_Augusta_County,_Virginia.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Augusta para niños
