Lexington, Virginia | |
|---|---|
 Main Street, Lexington, Virginia | |
 Lexington in the Commonwealth ofVirginia | |
  Lexington  Lexington  Lexington | |
| Coordinates:37°47′2″N79°26′34″W / 37.78389°N 79.44278°W /37.78389; -79.44278[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | None (independent city) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Frank W Friedman |
| • City manager | Jim Halasz |
| • Commissioner of Revenue | Karen T. Roundy |
| • Treasurer | Patricia DeLaney |
| • City Attorney | Jeremy Carroll, Esquire |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.53 sq mi (6.54 km2) |
| • Land | 2.50 sq mi (6.47 km2) |
| • Water | 0.027 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,063 ft (324 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,320 |
| • Density | 2,930/sq mi (1,130/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 24450 |
| Area code | 540 |
| FIPS code | 51-45512[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1498506[1] |
| Website | Lexington, Virginia |
Lexington is anindependent city in the Commonwealth ofVirginia, United States. At the2020 census, the population was 7,320.[4] It is thecounty seat ofRockbridge County, although the two are separate jurisdictions, and is combined with it for statistical purposes by theBureau of Economic Analysis.[5] Lexington is within the James RiverValley about 57 miles (92 km) east of theWest Virginia border and is about 50 miles (80 km) north ofRoanoke, Virginia.[6] First settled in 1778, Lexington is best known as the home of theVirginia Military Institute andWashington and Lee University.
Lexington was named in 1778. It was the second of what would be many American places named afterLexington, Massachusetts, known for being the place at which thefirst shot was fired in theAmerican Revolution.[7]
TheUnion GeneralDavid Hunter led a raid on Virginia Military Institute during theAmerican Civil War.Robert E. Lee andThomas "Stonewall" Jackson are buried in the city. It is the site of the only house Jackson ever owned, now open to the public as a museum.[8]Cyrus McCormick invented the horse-drawn mechanical reaper at his family's farm inRockbridge County,[9] and a statue of McCormick is located on theWashington and Lee University campus.[10] McCormick Farm is now owned byVirginia Tech and is a satellite agricultural research center.[11]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), virtually all of which is land.[12] TheMaury River, a tributary of theJames River, forms the city's northeastern boundary.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen climate classification system, Lexington has ahumid subtropical climate, similar toNorthern Italy, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[13] Average monthly temperatures range from 34.9 °F in January to 75.2 °F in July.[14] Thehardiness zone is 7a.[15]
| Climate data for Lexington, Virginia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1889–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 84 (29) | 84 (29) | 89 (32) | 95 (35) | 97 (36) | 100 (38) | 105 (41) | 103 (39) | 100 (38) | 96 (36) | 87 (31) | 79 (26) | 105 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 45.2 (7.3) | 49.3 (9.6) | 57.4 (14.1) | 68.4 (20.2) | 75.7 (24.3) | 83.1 (28.4) | 86.6 (30.3) | 85.4 (29.7) | 79.1 (26.2) | 69.1 (20.6) | 57.8 (14.3) | 48.3 (9.1) | 67.1 (19.5) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 34.2 (1.2) | 37.0 (2.8) | 44.3 (6.8) | 54.4 (12.4) | 63.1 (17.3) | 71.2 (21.8) | 75.3 (24.1) | 74.0 (23.3) | 67.3 (19.6) | 56.0 (13.3) | 44.8 (7.1) | 37.3 (2.9) | 54.9 (12.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23.3 (−4.8) | 24.8 (−4.0) | 31.2 (−0.4) | 40.4 (4.7) | 50.5 (10.3) | 59.4 (15.2) | 64.0 (17.8) | 62.6 (17.0) | 55.5 (13.1) | 42.9 (6.1) | 31.9 (−0.1) | 26.4 (−3.1) | 42.7 (5.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −16 (−27) | −16 (−27) | −4 (−20) | 14 (−10) | 26 (−3) | 35 (2) | 44 (7) | 39 (4) | 30 (−1) | 18 (−8) | 1 (−17) | −10 (−23) | −16 (−27) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.15 (80) | 2.76 (70) | 3.52 (89) | 3.71 (94) | 4.11 (104) | 4.80 (122) | 4.10 (104) | 3.31 (84) | 3.67 (93) | 3.06 (78) | 3.23 (82) | 3.47 (88) | 42.89 (1,089) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 2.9 (7.4) | 4.7 (12) | 2.3 (5.8) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 3.4 (8.6) | 13.5 (34) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.5 | 8.4 | 9.9 | 11.1 | 12.2 | 11.9 | 11.2 | 11.0 | 8.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 9.9 | 118.5 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.7 | 6.8 |
| Source:NOAA[16][17] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,743 | — | |
| 1860 | 2,135 | 22.5% | |
| 1870 | 2,873 | 34.6% | |
| 1880 | 2,771 | −3.6% | |
| 1890 | 3,059 | 10.4% | |
| 1900 | 3,203 | 4.7% | |
| 1910 | 2,931 | −8.5% | |
| 1920 | 2,870 | −2.1% | |
| 1930 | 3,752 | 30.7% | |
| 1940 | 3,914 | 4.3% | |
| 1950 | 5,976 | 52.7% | |
| 1960 | 7,537 | 26.1% | |
| 1970 | 7,597 | 0.8% | |
| 1980 | 7,292 | −4.0% | |
| 1990 | 6,959 | −4.6% | |
| 2000 | 6,867 | −1.3% | |
| 2010 | 7,042 | 2.5% | |
| 2020 | 7,320 | 3.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[18] 1790–1960[19] 1900–1990[20] 1990–2000[21] 2010[22] 2020[23] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[22] | Pop 2020[24] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 5,807 | 6,015 | 82.46% | 82.17% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 668 | 454 | 9.49% | 6.20% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 8 | 8 | 0.11% | 0.11% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 153 | 281 | 2.17% | 3.84% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 0 | 0.06% | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 12 | 23 | 0.17% | 0.31% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 119 | 204 | 1.69% | 2.79% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 271 | 335 | 3.85% | 4.58% |
| Total | 7,042 | 7,320 | 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.
As of thecensus[25] of 2000, there were 6,867 people, 2,232 households, and 1,080 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,753.8 per square mile (,064.8/km2). The racial makeup was 86.01%White, 10.38%African American, 0.26%Native American, 1.92%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander and 0.48% fromother races, and 0.93% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 4.1% of the population.
There were 2,232 households, of which 18.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% weremarried couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.6% were non-families. 41.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 11.0% under the age of 18, 41.4% from 18 to 24, 14.5% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 127.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,982, and the median income for a family was $58,529. Males had a median income of $35,288 versus $26,094 for females. The per capita income was $16,497. About 8.4% of families and 21.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
Lexington's primary economic activities stem fromhigher education and tourism. With its various connections to theCivil War, Lexington attracts visitors from around the country. Places of interest in Lexington include theStonewall Jackson House,University Chapel, theGeorge C. Marshall Library, Virginia Military Institute Museum, Museum of Military Memorabilia, and thedowntown historic district.Hull's Drive In theater attracts visitors to the area and was the first community-owned, non-profit drive-in in the U.S. The non-profitVirginia Horse Center is a significant regional equestrian event facility.
Lexington also contains a host of small retail businesses, bed and breakfast inns, and restaurants catering to a unique mixture of local, tourist, and collegiate clientele. The historic R. E. Lee Hotel, built in the 1920s, underwent extensive renovation and re-opened its doors late 2014.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 1,030 | 35.58% | 1,795 | 62.00% | 70 | 2.42% |
| 2020 | 906 | 32.80% | 1,791 | 64.84% | 65 | 2.35% |
| 2016 | 766 | 31.08% | 1,514 | 61.42% | 185 | 7.51% |
| 2012 | 1,146 | 42.65% | 1,486 | 55.30% | 55 | 2.05% |
| 2008 | 914 | 36.87% | 1,543 | 62.24% | 22 | 0.89% |
| 2004 | 982 | 41.81% | 1,340 | 57.05% | 27 | 1.15% |
| 2000 | 957 | 44.72% | 1,048 | 48.97% | 135 | 6.31% |
| 1996 | 850 | 41.56% | 1,059 | 51.78% | 136 | 6.65% |
| 1992 | 894 | 39.26% | 1,128 | 49.54% | 255 | 11.20% |
| 1988 | 994 | 49.11% | 997 | 49.26% | 33 | 1.63% |
| 1984 | 1,197 | 55.34% | 946 | 43.74% | 20 | 0.92% |
| 1980 | 956 | 45.90% | 963 | 46.23% | 164 | 7.87% |
| 1976 | 1,027 | 50.47% | 945 | 46.44% | 63 | 3.10% |
| 1972 | 1,345 | 64.98% | 695 | 33.57% | 30 | 1.45% |
| 1968 | 1,170 | 56.12% | 734 | 35.20% | 181 | 8.68% |
| Position | Official |
|---|---|
| Mayor | Frank Friedman |
| Councilwoman | Marylin Alexander |
| Councilman | Charles Aligood |
| Councilman | Nicolas Betts |
| Councilman | David Sigler |
| Councilman | Charles Smith |
| Councilwoman | Leslie Straughan |
TheNews-Gazette is the weekly community paper; it also produces a free shopper known asThe Weekender. The now-defunctThe Rockbridge Weekly, noted for printing police and other local crime reports, was bought byThe News-Gazette in June 2012.The Rockbridge Advocate is a monthly news magazine with the motto "Independent as a hog on ice".The Ring-tum Phi, student newspaper of W&L, has been published since 1897 (with a suspension for World War II).[29]
Lexington is the city of license for radio stationsWIQR (88.7 FM),WMRL (89.9 FM), andWLUR (91.5 FM)[30] on W&L campus.
Lexington is located at the intersection of historicU.S. Route 11 andU.S. Route 60 and more modern highways,Interstate 64 andInterstate 81. RADAR Transit operates the Maury Express, which provides local bus service to Lexington and Buena Vista.[31] The Virginia Breeze provides intercity bus service betweenBlacksburg andWashington, D.C., with a stop in Lexington.[32]
The 1938 movie,Brother Rat, which starredRonald Reagan, was shot in Lexington. After the release, Reagan was made an honorary VMI cadet. The 1958Mardi Gras starredPat Boone as a VMI cadet appearing with actressChristine Carère.Sommersby from 1993 starredRichard Gere,Bill Pullman,James Earl Jones, andJodie Foster.Foreign Student, released in 1994, was based on a novel of college life by former W&L student Phillipe Labro with related scenes made in town.[33] In Fall 2004, the directorSteven Spielberg andTom Cruise filmed scenes forWar of the Worlds here, withDakota Fanning andTim Robbins. In June 2013, filming took place for a movie titledField of Lost Shoes about theBattle of New Market starringLuke Benward andLauren Holly.
Filming for parts of several Civil War films also took place in Lexington, including the documentaryLee Beyond the Battles andGods and Generals.
In 2011, the city erupted in controversy after the City Council passed an ordinance to ban the flying of flags other than the United States flag, the Virginia Flag, and an as-yet-undesigned city flag on city light poles. Various flags of theConfederacy had previously been flown on city light poles to commemorate the Virginia holiday,Lee–Jackson Day which ended in 2020, which is observed on the Friday beforeMartin Luther King, Jr. Day.[34] About 300 Confederate flag supporters, including members of theSons of Confederate Veterans, rallied before the City Council meeting,[35] and after the vote the Sons of Confederate Veterans vowed to challenge the new local ordinance in court.[34] Previously, flags such as the Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute flags had also been flown on city light poles, but the practice is now discontinued due to the city's ordinance.[citation needed]
In 2014, a largeConfederate battle flag and a number of related state flags were removed fromLee Chapel atWashington and Lee University. The flags were moved to a rotating display at the Lee Chapel Museum.[36][37]
The Red Hen restaurant was the site of the June 22, 2018, precipitating event for theRed Hen restaurant controversy in which a restaurant co-owner askedWhite House Press SecretarySarah Huckabee Sanders to leave the restaurant by citing Huckabee Sanders' role in theTrump administration.[38] The incident sparked national controversy.[38]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)Brent Pry grew up...in Lexington, Va.
Municipalities and communities ofRockbridge County, Virginia,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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