Northumberland County | |
|---|---|
 Northumberland County Courthouse in Heathsville | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofVirginia | |
 Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:37°52′N76°23′W / 37.86°N 76.38°W /37.86; -76.38 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| Founded | 1648 |
| Named after | Northumberland |
| Seat | Heathsville |
| Largest community | Heathsville |
| Area | |
• Total | 286 sq mi (740 km2) |
| • Land | 191 sq mi (490 km2) |
| • Water | 94 sq mi (240 km2) 33.0% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 11,839 |
| • Density | 62.0/sq mi (23.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
Northumberland County is acounty located in theCommonwealth of Virginia. At the2020 census, the population was 11,839.[1] Itscounty seat isHeathsville.[2] The county is located on theNorthern Neck and is part of theNorthern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA winemakingappellation.
The area was occupied at the time ofEnglish settlement by theAlgonquian-speaking historic tribes of theWicocomico, Chickacoan, andPatawomeck. The county was created by theVirginia General Assembly in 1648 during a period of rapid population growth and geographic expansion. Settlement began in this area of theNorthern Neck around 1635. Originally, known as the Indian districtChickacoan, the area was first referred to as Northumberland (a namesake ofNorthumberland County, England) in the colonial records in 1644. The following year,John Mottrom served as the first burgess for the territory in theHouse of Burgesses, which met at the capital of theVirginia Colony atJamestown. The county was formed from a part ofYork County. The land between thePotomac River and theYork River was formed into Northumberland County officially in 1648, prior to the creation ofWestmoreland County andLancaster County.[3]
The colonial court ordered the Wicocomico and Chickacoan tribes to merge and by 1655, assigned them a reservation of 4,400 acres (18 km2) near Dividing Creek, south of theGreat Wicomico River.[4] The Patawomeck Tribe was hunted nearly to extinction in 1666, and survived only by intermarriage.[5] By the early 1700s, the Wicocomico tribe was greatly reduced, and English colonists took control of their lands. They were believed to be extinct as a tribe as, landless, they disappeared from the historical record. Descendants of the lastweroance are working to regain recognition as a tribe, the Wicocomico Indian Nation.[6] Descendants of the Patawomeck achieved tribal recognition from the state of Virginia in February 2010.The size of the county was drastically reduced in 1651 and 1653 when the colonial government organizedLancaster andWestmoreland counties from it.
Of the 172 counties that have ever existed in Virginia's history, Northumberland ended up being an "ancestor" to 116 of these—more than the current 95 counties (several were lost to other states, such asWest Virginia).[7]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 286 square miles (740 km2), of which 191 square miles (490 km2) is land and 94 square miles (240 km2) (33.0%) is water.[8] The county is located between theRappahannock River to the south andPotomac River to the north.Chesapeake Bay is immediately east of the county.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 9,163 | — | |
| 1800 | 7,803 | −14.8% | |
| 1810 | 8,308 | 6.5% | |
| 1820 | 8,016 | −3.5% | |
| 1830 | 7,953 | −0.8% | |
| 1840 | 7,924 | −0.4% | |
| 1850 | 7,346 | −7.3% | |
| 1860 | 7,531 | 2.5% | |
| 1870 | 6,863 | −8.9% | |
| 1880 | 7,929 | 15.5% | |
| 1890 | 7,885 | −0.6% | |
| 1900 | 9,486 | 20.3% | |
| 1910 | 10,777 | 13.6% | |
| 1920 | 11,518 | 6.9% | |
| 1930 | 11,081 | −3.8% | |
| 1940 | 10,463 | −5.6% | |
| 1950 | 10,012 | −4.3% | |
| 1960 | 10,185 | 1.7% | |
| 1970 | 9,239 | −9.3% | |
| 1980 | 9,828 | 6.4% | |
| 1990 | 10,524 | 7.1% | |
| 2000 | 12,259 | 16.5% | |
| 2010 | 12,330 | 0.6% | |
| 2020 | 11,839 | −4.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010[13] 2020[14] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[13] | Pop 2020[14] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 8,638 | 8,310 | 70.06% | 70.19% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3,106 | 2,673 | 25.19% | 22.58% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 20 | 14 | 0.16% | 0.12% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 36 | 67 | 0.29% | 0.57% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 2 | 0 | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 7 | 59 | 0.06% | 0.50% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 139 | 365 | 1.13% | 3.08% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 382 | 351 | 3.10% | 2.96% |
| Total | 12,330 | 11,839 | 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[15] of 2000, there were 12,259 people, 5,470 households, and 3,785 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 64 people per square mile (25 people/km2). There were 8,057 housing units at an average density of 42 units per square mile (16 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.18%White, 26.58%Black orAfrican American, 0.15%Native American, 0.20%Asian, 0.33% fromother races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 5,470 households, out of which 20.11% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% weremarried couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 18.60% under the age of 18, 4.80% from 18 to 24, 20.20% from 25 to 44, 30.10% from 45 to 64, and 26.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.20 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 88.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,129, and the median income for a family was $49,047. Males had a median income of $30,151 versus $24,116 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $22,917. 12.30% of the population and 8.10% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.00% are under the age of 18 and 10.70% are 65 or older.
Supervisors of Northumberland county are:[16]
The County Administrator is E. Luttrell Tadlock.[17]
There is no police department in the county. Instead, law enforcement is the responsibility of the countySheriff, acommonwealth constitutional officer elected every four years, with support from theVirginia State Police. The Northumberland County Sheriff's Office is located in Heathsville. The current Sheriff is John A. “Johnny” Beauchamp.
Northumberland County has two courthouses: anantebellum building and a new building constructed in the late 1990s behind the older structure. The county courts (Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court), along with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Commonwealth's Attorney, bothcommonwealth constitutional officers, are located in the new building. The Commissioner of Revenue and the County Treasurer, both commonwealth constitutional officers, have offices in the older building.
The county is served by two fire departments, Callao Volunteer Fire Department in Callao and Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department with buildings in Reedville and Burgess (on Glebe Point). There are four rescue squads that serve the county: Northumberland Emergency Services, Callao Volunteer Rescue Squad in Callao, Mid-County Volunteer Rescue Squad in Heathsville, and Northumberland County Rescue Squad in Reedville and Burgess. Smith Point Sea Rescue performs water, largely boat, rescues in the mid-Chesapeake Bay area, including Northumberland County.
Northumberland County Public Schools instructs about 1200 students in the county.[18] Northumberland Elementary, Middle, and High School all share the same campus. The Middle and High school students share the High School building while the Elementary students have their own dedicated building oncampus.[19] TheSuperintendent is Dr. Holly Wargo.[20]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 102 | 16.35% | 470 | 75.32% | 52 | 8.33% |
| 1916 | 111 | 17.99% | 503 | 81.52% | 3 | 0.49% |
| 1920 | 221 | 28.96% | 536 | 70.25% | 6 | 0.79% |
| 1924 | 130 | 17.83% | 589 | 80.80% | 10 | 1.37% |
| 1928 | 744 | 72.23% | 286 | 27.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 245 | 27.71% | 630 | 71.27% | 9 | 1.02% |
| 1936 | 260 | 29.61% | 618 | 70.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 386 | 35.03% | 712 | 64.61% | 4 | 0.36% |
| 1944 | 525 | 43.00% | 695 | 56.92% | 1 | 0.08% |
| 1948 | 535 | 46.68% | 429 | 37.43% | 182 | 15.88% |
| 1952 | 1,230 | 68.11% | 573 | 31.73% | 3 | 0.17% |
| 1956 | 1,191 | 62.68% | 428 | 22.53% | 281 | 14.79% |
| 1960 | 1,340 | 60.61% | 858 | 38.81% | 13 | 0.59% |
| 1964 | 1,423 | 58.85% | 988 | 40.86% | 7 | 0.29% |
| 1968 | 1,438 | 41.18% | 1,077 | 30.84% | 977 | 27.98% |
| 1972 | 2,332 | 71.58% | 884 | 27.13% | 42 | 1.29% |
| 1976 | 2,167 | 52.52% | 1,814 | 43.97% | 145 | 3.51% |
| 1980 | 2,598 | 60.00% | 1,551 | 35.82% | 181 | 4.18% |
| 1984 | 3,166 | 68.41% | 1,407 | 30.40% | 55 | 1.19% |
| 1988 | 2,984 | 65.14% | 1,506 | 32.87% | 91 | 1.99% |
| 1992 | 2,667 | 50.00% | 1,862 | 34.91% | 805 | 15.09% |
| 1996 | 2,605 | 51.81% | 1,957 | 38.92% | 466 | 9.27% |
| 2000 | 3,362 | 59.98% | 2,118 | 37.79% | 125 | 2.23% |
| 2004 | 3,832 | 59.79% | 2,548 | 39.76% | 29 | 0.45% |
| 2008 | 4,041 | 54.56% | 3,312 | 44.72% | 53 | 0.72% |
| 2012 | 4,310 | 57.03% | 3,191 | 42.22% | 57 | 0.75% |
| 2016 | 4,302 | 58.16% | 2,852 | 38.56% | 243 | 3.29% |
| 2020 | 4,485 | 57.39% | 3,252 | 41.61% | 78 | 1.00% |
| 2024 | 4,938 | 59.99% | 3,202 | 38.90% | 92 | 1.12% |
Reedville is a small village in eastern Northumberland County on the western shore of theChesapeake Bay. Reedville is home to theAtlanticmenhaden fishing industry. It is named for CaptainElijah W. Reed (1827-1888), who is credited with bringing the menhaden fishing industry, and the tremendous wealth that resulted from it, to Reedville—and to Northumberland County in general.
Dozens offish-processing factories, most recently Omega Protein Corporation (successor to Zapata Haynie, Reedville Oil and Guano Company and Haynie Products Company) and Standard Products Company, have dotted the Northumberland coastline near Reedville and adjacent fishing communities.
Today, Omega Protein remains the largest industrial organization in the area. Omega, with a fleet of large oceangoing fish-harvesting vessels, supported by a number of spotter aircraft, is a major industry in the area and on theEastern seaboard. Menhaden, once caught, are cooked in large mass and processed for further use in various applications, including as a protein additive for poultry feed.
Located at the eastern terminus ofU.S. Route 360, Reedville is a popular place to begin fishing charters and trips toTangier Island in the Bay. Reedville is also a tourist destination itself, steeped in the history of the menhaden fishing industry. The Millionaire's Row ofVictorian Eramansions and several watercraft of theReedville Fishermen's Museum are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.
Places adjacent to Northumberland County, Virginia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofNorthumberland 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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