Opal, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Opal, Virginia
|
|
|---|---|
 Opal, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Opal, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Opal, Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Fauquier |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.16 sq mi (8.19 km2) |
| • Land | 3.14 sq mi (8.12 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 449 ft (137 m) |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 691 |
| • Density | 220/sq mi (85.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
20186
|
| FIPS code | 51-59416 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1499824 |
Opal is a small community in Fauquier County, Virginia, in the United States. It used to be called Fayettesville. Opal is a "census-designated place" (CDP). This means it's an area that the U.S. Census Bureau defines for gathering population data.
Opal is located along important roads like U.S. Highway 15, U.S. Route 17, and U.S. Route 29. It sits about 449 feet (137 meters) above sea level. In 2010, about 691 people lived in Opal.
Where is Opal Located?
Opal is in the western part of Fauquier County. It is about 7 miles (11 km) south of Warrenton, which is the main town of the county. Opal is also about 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Culpeper.
From Opal, U.S. Route 17 branches off and goes southeast. It leads about 31 miles (50 km) to Fredericksburg. The community of Bealeton is just south of Opal.
Land and Water Around Opal
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Opal CDP covers a total area of about 3.2 square miles (8.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a small part, about 0.03 square miles (0.07 square kilometers), is water.
The northern and eastern parts of Opal are connected to the Potomac River. Water from these areas flows into Licking Run, then Cedar Run, and finally into the Occoquan River, which joins the Potomac. The western and southern parts of Opal are part of the Rappahannock River system. Water from these areas flows into Tinpot Run and Bowens Run, which then join the Rappahannock River.
A Brief History of Opal
The community of Opal was officially recognized in 1798. At that time, it was given the name Fayettesville. Later, its name was changed to Opal.
