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Charlotte County
U.S. county
Charlotte County Courthouse in September 2014
Charlotte County Courthouse in September 2014
Flag of Charlotte County
Flag
 Official seal of Charlotte County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Charlotte County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Virginia
Founded 1764
Named for Queen Charlotte
Seat Charlotte Court House
Largest town Keysville
Area
 • Total 478 sq mi (1,240 km2)
 • Land 475 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Water 2.2 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 11,529
 • Density 24.119/sq mi (9.312/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 5th

Charlotte County is a United States county located in the south central part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is the town of Charlotte Court House. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 11,529. Charlotte County is predominantly rural with a population density of only 26.5 persons per square mile.

History

Red Hill Charlotte County Virginia 1907
Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial in Charlotte County, the final resting place of Patrick Henry

European settlement of the future county began in the early 18th century, and early settlers included mostly English people, with some French Huguenots, and Scotch-Irish., and a modest population of Germans. After approximately fifty years of European settlement, the House of Burgesses established and incorporated Charlotte County in 1764 from part of Lunenburg County. The new county was named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Queen and wife of King George III of Great Britain. The county residents later became staunch supporters of independence and the American Revolution and Founding Father Patrick Henry was one of its most famous residents. His grave and the national memorial dedicated to him are located in Charlotte County. Residents of Charlotte County were heavily involved in the American Revolution. County delegates supported resolutions against the Stamp Act of 1765, and the county government was the second governing body to declare independence from English rule. In addition, Charlotte militia units fought under General Robert Lawson during the Yorktown campaign, which effectively led to the end of the American War of Independence. Finally, the final resting place and national memorial to revolutionary hero Patrick Henry is at Red Hill Plantation.

Charlotte County has also played a role in other wars on American soil. An artillery company from Charlotte played a key role in the Battle of Craney Island during the War of 1812. Also, a significant battle in the American Civil War occurred in Charlotte and Halifax counties during the Battle of Staunton River Bridge, which resulted in a victory for the Confederacy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 478 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 475 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) is water. The county is bounded on the southwest by the Roanoke River, locally known as the "Staunton River". The terrain is hilly.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • US 15 (Farmville Rd on the extreme northside of the county; joins US 360 in Keysville and separates in Wylliesburg
  • US 360 (Kings Hwy)
  • SR 40 (Lunenburg County Rd on the extreme eastside; Front St & Church St in Keysville; George Washington Hwy; joins SR 47 in Charlotte Court House and becomes David Bruce Ave; Patrick Henry Hwy)
  • SR 47 (Thomas Jefferson Hwy; forks from SR 40 and becomes LeGrande Ave; Tollhouse Hwy; Drakes Main St in Drakes Branch; Craftons Gate Hwy
  • SR 59 (Highway Fifty-Nine)
  • SR 92 (Jeb Stuart Hwy)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 10,078 —
1800 11,912 18.2%
1810 13,161 10.5%
1820 13,290 1.0%
1830 15,252 14.8%
1840 14,595 −4.3%
1850 13,955 −4.4%
1860 14,471 3.7%
1870 14,513 0.3%
1880 16,653 14.7%
1890 15,077 −9.5%
1900 15,343 1.8%
1910 15,785 2.9%
1920 17,540 11.1%
1930 16,061 −8.4%
1940 15,861 −1.2%
1950 14,057 −11.4%
1960 13,368 −4.9%
1970 11,551 −13.6%
1980 12,266 6.2%
1990 11,688 −4.7%
2000 12,472 6.7%
2010 12,586 0.9%
2020 11,529 −8.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

Charlotte 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 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 8,383 7,677 66.61% 66.59%
Black or African American alone (NH) 3,739 3,140 29.71% 27.24%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 31 18 0.25% 0.16%
Asian alone (NH) 26 23 0.21% 0.20%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 6 0.00% 0.05%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 14 35 0.11% 0.30%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 153 377 1.22% 3.27%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 240 253 1.91% 2.19%
Total 12,586 11,529 100.00% 100.00%

Elected officials

Board of Supervisors

  • Gary D. Walker (R), District A – Charlotte Court House, Chairman — Term expires 12/31/27
  • Hazel Bowman-Smith, District B - Wylliesburg/Red Oak — Term expires 12/31/25
  • Noah Davis (I), District C – Drakes Branch— Term expires 12/31/27
  • Robert L. "Butch" Shook, Jr. (I), District D – Keysville — Term expires 12/31/25
  • Henry Carwile, District E - Cullen/Red House — Term expires 12/31/27
  • Walter T. Bailey, District F – Aspen/Phenix, Vice Chairman — Term expires 12/31/25
  • Derek Toombes, District G-Bacon/Saxe— Term expires 12 /31/27

The Board of Supervisors is the legislative policy making body for the county. It considers and adopts policies regarding administration, budget, finance, economic development, health, planning, public safety, childcare, recreation, sanitation and waste removal. The Board appropriates funds for all functions, including the schools, Social Services, Law Enforcement and operation of courts. The Board's regularly scheduled meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm in the Board of Supervisors Room of the County Administration Building, 250 LeGrande Avenue, Suite A, (PO Box 608) Charlotte Court House, Virginia, 23923.

Sheriff

Royal Freeman (I) is the sheriff. Freeman is responsible for overseeing criminal investigations, calls for service, court room security, service of civil process and the operation of the Charlotte County jail.

Circuit Court Clerk

The clerk is Annette Clowdis (I). Clowdis manages the records for the Judicial Circuit. In addition, Colley manages the records for the Judicial Circuit and serves as general record keeper for the county, recording all documents relating to land transfers, deeds, mortgages, wills, divorces and other statistics that date back to 1765.

Commissioner Of Revenue

Naisha P. Carter (I) is the Commissioner of the Revenue. Carter maintains the county tax maps, assesses the amount of tax owed on property and prepares the real estate and personal property tax book for Charlotte County. Carter also serves as a Virginia DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) Select Office which provides title and registration services, license plate sales, and other services.

Commonwealth's Attorney

William E. Green, Jr. (I) is the Commonwealth's Attorney. The Charlotte County Commonwealth Attorney represents the citizens of the County in the prosecution of violations of state and local laws & is responsible for the enforcement of criminal law within the county.

Treasurer

Patricia P. Berkeley (I) is the Treasurer. The Charlotte County Treasurer is responsible for the collection, custody and disbursement of all county funds. The Treasurer's Office is where taxes are paid and dog licenses are purchased.

Administration

  • Daniel Witt, County Administrator
  • Monica Elder, Assistant County Administrator
  • Norma Tuck, Finance Director
  • Heather Brown, Purchasing Agent/Office Assistant
  • Vanessa Waddell, Administrative Assistant

The Charlotte County Administration Office is responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of the county in accordance with the policies of the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors. The Administration Office oversees the general operations of the county, personnel management, budget preparation, funds management, purchasing, economic development, property management, compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, planning, and zoning.

School Board

  • Rick Brown-County Seat
  • Carmalita Escoto, District A (Charlotte Court House)
  • Teresa Dunaway, District B (Wylliesburg/Red Oak)
  • Gloria Talbott, District C (Drakes Branch)
  • R.B. "Jay" George (Vice Chairman), District D (Keysville)
  • Scotty Hamlett, District E (Cullen/Red House)
  • Dr. Elise A. Gree, District F (Phenix/Aspen)
  • Lauren Willis, District B (Bacon/Saxe)
  • Dana Ramsey, Clerk of the Board

Voter Registrar

Jenni P. Booth

United States presidential election results for Charlotte County, Virginia
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,963 65.83% 2,008 33.36% 49 0.81%
2020 3,815 61.62% 2,317 37.43% 59 0.95%
2016 3,479 59.91% 2,155 37.11% 173 2.98%
2012 3,311 56.14% 2,503 42.44% 84 1.42%
2008 3,372 54.77% 2,705 43.93% 80 1.30%
2004 3,166 58.22% 2,223 40.88% 49 0.90%
2000 2,855 57.17% 2,017 40.39% 122 2.44%
1996 2,103 45.58% 2,007 43.50% 504 10.92%
1992 2,293 44.86% 2,098 41.05% 720 14.09%
1988 2,699 57.44% 1,923 40.92% 77 1.64%
1984 2,999 61.76% 1,811 37.29% 46 0.95%
1980 2,322 51.26% 2,108 46.53% 100 2.21%
1976 2,023 46.04% 2,312 52.62% 59 1.34%
1972 2,501 66.22% 1,182 31.29% 94 2.49%
1968 1,042 24.43% 1,045 24.50% 2,178 51.07%
1964 1,974 62.11% 1,191 37.48% 13 0.41%
1960 867 32.90% 1,735 65.84% 33 1.25%
1956 791 27.86% 1,431 50.41% 617 21.73%
1952 949 36.56% 1,630 62.79% 17 0.65%
1948 285 17.10% 964 57.83% 418 25.07%
1944 356 19.45% 1,473 80.49% 1 0.05%
1940 251 14.58% 1,467 85.24% 3 0.17%
1936 190 9.89% 1,727 89.85% 5 0.26%
1932 169 11.44% 1,300 88.02% 8 0.54%
1928 403 26.60% 1,112 73.40% 0 0.00%
1924 154 12.38% 1,006 80.87% 84 6.75%
1920 364 22.28% 1,266 77.48% 4 0.24%
1916 227 20.79% 856 78.39% 9 0.82%
1912 175 19.06% 609 66.34% 134 14.60%


Communities

Towns

Unincorporated

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Charlotte (Virginia) para niños

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