Essex County, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Essex County
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Essex County Courthouse in Tappahannock
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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 | 1692 | ||
| Seat | Tappahannock | ||
| Largest town | Tappahannock | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 286 sq mi (740 km2) | ||
| • Land | 257 sq mi (670 km2) | ||
| • Water | 29 sq mi (80 km2) 10.1% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,599 | ||
| • Density | 37.06/sq mi (14.309/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 1st | ||
Essex County is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is located in a region called the Middle Peninsula. The Rappahannock River forms its northern border. In 2020, about 10,599 people lived here. The main town and county seat is Tappahannock.
Contents
History of Essex County
Essex County was created in 1692. It was formed from an older area known as Rappahannock County. This is not the same as the Rappahannock County we know today. The county was likely named after a place in England. It could be named after the shire or county of Essex there. Or, it might be named after the Earl of Essex, a famous person from that time.
Geography of Essex County
Essex County covers a total area of about 286 square miles. Most of this is land, about 257 square miles. The rest, about 29 square miles, is water. This means about 10% of the county is covered by water. The main town, Tappahannock, is right on the Rappahannock River.
What are the neighboring counties?
Essex County shares its borders with several other counties:
- Westmoreland County is to the north.
- Richmond County is to the northeast.
- Middlesex County is to the southeast.
- King and Queen County is to the south.
- Caroline County is to the west.
- King George County is to the northwest.
Main roads in Essex County
Two important highways pass through Essex County:
US 17
US 360
Protected natural areas
Part of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge is in Essex County. This refuge helps protect wildlife and their homes. It includes areas like the Hutchinson unit and the Thomas unit.
People of Essex County
The number of people living in Essex County has changed over many years. Here's how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 9,122 | — | |
| 1800 | 9,508 | 4.2% | |
| 1810 | 9,376 | −1.4% | |
| 1820 | 9,909 | 5.7% | |
| 1830 | 10,521 | 6.2% | |
| 1840 | 11,309 | 7.5% | |
| 1850 | 10,206 | −9.8% | |
| 1860 | 10,469 | 2.6% | |
| 1870 | 9,927 | −5.2% | |
| 1880 | 11,032 | 11.1% | |
| 1890 | 10,047 | −8.9% | |
| 1900 | 9,701 | −3.4% | |
| 1910 | 9,105 | −6.1% | |
| 1920 | 8,542 | −6.2% | |
| 1930 | 6,976 | −18.3% | |
| 1940 | 7,006 | 0.4% | |
| 1950 | 6,530 | −6.8% | |
| 1960 | 6,690 | 2.5% | |
| 1970 | 7,099 | 6.1% | |
| 1980 | 8,864 | 24.9% | |
| 1990 | 8,689 | −2.0% | |
| 2000 | 9,989 | 15.0% | |
| 2010 | 11,151 | 11.6% | |
| 2020 | 10,599 | −5.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010 2020 |
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Who lives in Essex County?
The 2020 census counted the different groups of people living in Essex County. Most people are White or Black/African American. There are also people from other backgrounds, including Native American, Asian, and those of mixed race. Some people are also of Hispanic or Latino origin.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 6,239 | 5,871 | 55.95% | 55.39% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 4,224 | 3,743 | 37.88% | 35.31% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 46 | 61 | 0.41% | 0.58% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 86 | 62 | 0.77% | 0.58% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 2 | 3 | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 13 | 40 | 0.12% | 0.38% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 192 | 450 | 1.72% | 4.25% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 349 | 369 | 3.13% | 3.48% |
| Total | 11,151 | 10,599 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Education in Essex County
Essex County has its own public school system, called Essex County Public Schools (ECPS). It includes schools for different age groups:
- Tappahannock Elementary School (for grades PK to 4th)
- Essex Intermediate School (for grades 5th to 8th)
- Essex High School (for grades 9th to 12th)
Other schools in Essex County include:
- St Margaret's School (for girls in grades 8th to 12th)
- Tappahannock Junior Academy (for grades K to 10th)
- Aylett Country Day School (for grades PK to 8th)
Communities in Essex County
Essex County has one main town and several smaller communities.
Main Town
Other Communities
These are smaller, unincorporated communities:
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Famous People from Essex County
Many notable people have connections to Essex County:
- David George was an African American who was formerly enslaved. He founded the Silver Bluff Baptist Church.
- Xavier McDaniel is a former NBA basketball player who lived in the county.
- Paul S. Trible Jr. was a U.S. Senator. He used to be the Commonwealth's Attorney for Essex County.
- Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter (1809–1887) was an important political figure. He served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Later, he was the Secretary of State for the Confederate States of America.
- Chris Brown is a Grammy Award-winning R&B singer. He was born and grew up in Essex County.
- Richard B. Garnett was a general for the Confederate States of America. He was killed during a famous battle called Pickett's Charge.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Essex (Virginia) para niños
