Shenandoah County, Virginia Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Shenandoah County

U.S. county

Shenandoah County Courthouse in Woodstock

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Virginia

Virginia's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Virginia

Founded

1772

Largest town

Area

• Total

512 sq mi (1,330 km²)

• Land

509 sq mi (1,320 km²)

• Water

3.4 sq mi (9 km²) 0.7%

Population

(2020)

• Total

44,186

• Density

86.30/sq mi (33.32/km²)

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

Congressional district

6th

Shenandoah County (formerly Dunmore County) is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 44,186. Its county seat is Woodstock. It is part of the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia.

History

The Senedos, possibly an Iroquoian group, are thought to have occupied the area at one time, until they were said to have been slaughtered by the Catawba in the later 17th century. The name of both the Valley and of the County is most likely connected with this Native American group. It has also been attributed to General George Washington naming it in honor of John Skenandoa, an Oneida chief from New York who helped gain support of Oneida and Tuscarora warriors to aid the rebel colonists during the American Revolutionary War.

Colonial Governor Gooch formally purchased the entire Shenandoah Valley from the Six Nations of the Iroquois by the Treaty of Lancaster in 1744. The Iroquois controlled the valley as a hunting ground. European settlement had already begun by that time. During Pontiac's War (1763–1766), Shawnee attacks reached as far east as the current county.

Shenandoah County was established in 1772. It was originally named Dunmore County for Virginia Governor John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore. Woodstock was the county seat. Dunmore was Virginia's last royal governor, and was forced from office during the American Revolution. During the war, in 1778 rebels renamed the county as Shenandoah.

During the Civil War, the Battle of New Market took place May 15, 1864.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 512 square miles (1,330 km²), of which 509 square miles (1,320 km²) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²) (0.7%) is water. The Fort Valley and western slopes of the Massanutten Mountain are located within the county.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park (part)
George Washington National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	10,510	—
1800	13,823	31.5%
1810	13,646	−1.3%
1820	18,926	38.7%
1830	19,750	4.4%
1840	11,618	−41.2%
1850	13,768	18.5%
1860	13,896	0.9%
1870	14,936	7.5%
1880	18,204	21.9%
1890	19,671	8.1%
1900	20,253	3.0%
1910	20,942	3.4%
1920	20,808	−0.6%
1930	20,655	−0.7%
1940	20,898	1.2%
1950	21,169	1.3%
1960	21,825	3.1%
1970	22,852	4.7%
1980	27,559	20.6%
1990	31,636	14.8%
2000	35,075	10.9%
2010	41,993	19.7%
2020	44,186	5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

**Shenandoah County, Virginia - Demographic Profile**
(*NH = Non-Hispanic*)
Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	37,886	37,304	90.22%	84.42%
Black or African American alone (NH)	699	1,031	1.66%	2.33%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	71	84	0.17%	0.19%
Asian alone (NH)	210	344	0.50%	0.78%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	6	8	0.01%	0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	28	149	0.07%	0.34%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	516	1,540	1.23%	3.49%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2,577	3,726	6.14%	8.43%
Total	41,993	44,186	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.

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 41,993 people living in the county. 93.0% were White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 2.8% of some other race and 1.6% of two or more races. 6.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 26.4% were of American, 22.0% German, 10.3% English and 7.6% Irish ancestry.

As of the census of 2000, there were 35,075 people, 14,296 households, and 10,064 families living in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile (26/km²). There were 16,709 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.60% White, 1.17% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.79% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 3.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,296 households, out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,173, and the median income for a family was $45,080. Males had a median income of $29,952 versus $22,312 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,755. About 5.80% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.10% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.