Amherst County, Virginia | |
|---|---|
 Amherst County Courthouse | |
 Flag  Seal  Logo | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofVirginia | |
 Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:37°37′N79°08′W / 37.61°N 79.14°W /37.61; -79.14 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| Founded | 1761 |
| Named after | Jeffery Amherst |
| Seat | Amherst |
| Largest town | Amherst |
| Area | |
• Total | 479 sq mi (1,240 km2) |
| • Land | 474 sq mi (1,230 km2) |
| • Water | 4.9 sq mi (13 km2) 1.0% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 31,307 |
| • Density | 66.05/sq mi (25.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | www |
Amherst County is acounty, located in thePiedmont region and near the center of theCommonwealth ofVirginia in the United States. The county is part of theLynchburgMetropolitan Statistical Area, and itscounty seat is also namedAmherst.[1]
Amherst County was created in 1761 out ofAlbemarle County, and it was named in honor ofLord Jeffery Amherst, the so-called "Conqueror of Canada". In 1807 as population increased, the county was reduced in size in order to formNelson County. Tobacco was the majorcash crop of the county during its early years. The labor-intensive crop was worked and processed by enslaved Africans and African Americans before theAmerican Civil War.
As of the2020 census, the population of the county was 31,307.[2]
Beginning thousands of years in the past, Native Americans were the first humans to populate the area. They hunted and fished mainly along the countless rivers and streams in the county. With the establishment of the Virginia Colony in 1607, English emigrants arrived in North America. By the late 17th century English explorers and traders had traveled up the James River to this area. Early trading posts were established between 1710 and 1720. By 1730, many new English colonial families moved into the area currently known as Amherst County, drawn by the desire for land and the good tobacco-growing soil.
Amherst County was formed in 1761, from part of southwesternAlbemarle County. The original county seat had been in Cabelsville, nowColleen, in what would later become Nelson County. The county was named forLord Amherst, known as the "Conqueror ofCanada", who commanded the British forces that successfully secured Canada from the French during the Seven Years' War. Jeffery Amherst had previously been named asGovernor of Virginia, although he never came to this colony.
In 1806 the county took its present proportions, when Nelson County was formed from its northern half. At that point, the county seat was moved to the village of Five Oaks, later renamed Amherst. The present county courthouse was built in 1870 and has served the county ever since. Amherst County produced more Confederate soldiers per capita than anywhere else in the Confederate States of America[citation needed].
In the early days, the major crop raised in Amherst County was tobacco. Apple orchards were part of mixed farming that replaced tobacco, especially in the late 19th century. Timber, mining and milling were also important industries. The introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century greatly influenced the county's growth. The county contains many good examples of 18th, 19th and early 20th century rural and small town architecture. The downtown area of Amherst is a classic example of early 20th century commercial architecture.
Recreational attractions are located throughout the county. There are four recreational and public lakes, namely Mill Creek, Thrashers Lake, Otter Lake and Stonehouse Lake, which offer opportunities to fish, canoe or kayak.[3] There are many parks and trails in the county, including about 25 miles of theAppalachian Trail, which runs through theGeorge Washington National Forest.[4] Offshoot trails lead to peaks in Amherst, such at Mount Pleasant, Cole Mountain, and Tar Jacket Ridge.[4]
Amherst County Fair
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 479 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 474 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5]
US 29 (N & S Amherst Hwy, S. Amherst Hwy is US BUS 29 south of Amherst and then turns into the Lynchburg Expressway inMadison Heights; Monacan Trail)
US 60 (Lexington Turnpike; Richmond Hwy)
US 501 (joins SR 130 and becomes Elon Rd.)
SR 130 (Elon Rd; Amelon Hwy)
SR 151 (Patrick Henry Hwy)
SR 163 (S Amherst Hwy)
SR 210 (Old Town Connector)
Blue Ridge Parkway| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 13,703 | — | |
| 1800 | 16,801 | 22.6% | |
| 1810 | 10,548 | −37.2% | |
| 1820 | 10,423 | −1.2% | |
| 1830 | 12,071 | 15.8% | |
| 1840 | 12,576 | 4.2% | |
| 1850 | 12,699 | 1.0% | |
| 1860 | 13,742 | 8.2% | |
| 1870 | 14,900 | 8.4% | |
| 1880 | 18,709 | 25.6% | |
| 1890 | 17,551 | −6.2% | |
| 1900 | 17,864 | 1.8% | |
| 1910 | 18,932 | 6.0% | |
| 1920 | 19,771 | 4.4% | |
| 1930 | 19,020 | −3.8% | |
| 1940 | 20,273 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 20,332 | 0.3% | |
| 1960 | 22,953 | 12.9% | |
| 1970 | 26,072 | 13.6% | |
| 1980 | 29,122 | 11.7% | |
| 1990 | 28,578 | −1.9% | |
| 2000 | 31,894 | 11.6% | |
| 2010 | 32,353 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 31,307 | −3.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8] 1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[11] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010[10] | Pop 2020[11] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 24,491 | 22,967 | 75.70% | 73.36% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 6,104 | 5,346 | 18.87% | 17.08% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 296 | 243 | 0.91% | 0.78% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 153 | 182 | 0.47% | 0.58% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 7 | 25 | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 44 | 145 | 0.14% | 0.46% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 633 | 1,561 | 1.96% | 4.99% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 625 | 838 | 1.93% | 2.68% |
| Total | 32,353 | 31,307 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[12] of 2000, there were 31,894 people, 11,941 households, and 8,645 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 67 people per square mile (26 people/km2). There were 12,958 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.67%White, 19.79%Black orAfrican American, 0.81%Native American, 0.35%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.41% fromother races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 11,941 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% weremarried couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,393, and the median income for a family was $42,876. Males had a median income of $31,493 versus $22,155 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,952. About 8.00% of families and 10.70% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.
The Board of Supervisors are elected fromsingle-member districts.
Amherst County is represented by RepublicanTom A. Garrett, Jr. in theVirginia Senate, RepublicanT. Scott Garrett and RepublicanRonnie R. Campbell in theVirginia House of Delegates, and RepublicanBen Cline in theU.S. House of Representatives.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 64 | 7.13% | 765 | 85.28% | 68 | 7.58% |
| 1916 | 93 | 7.46% | 1,142 | 91.58% | 12 | 0.96% |
| 1920 | 168 | 13.23% | 1,094 | 86.14% | 8 | 0.63% |
| 1924 | 129 | 9.72% | 1,092 | 82.29% | 106 | 7.99% |
| 1928 | 447 | 23.66% | 1,442 | 76.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 195 | 9.85% | 1,764 | 89.09% | 21 | 1.06% |
| 1936 | 236 | 11.94% | 1,734 | 87.75% | 6 | 0.30% |
| 1940 | 292 | 12.44% | 2,048 | 87.26% | 7 | 0.30% |
| 1944 | 442 | 14.54% | 2,585 | 85.06% | 12 | 0.39% |
| 1948 | 460 | 18.65% | 1,481 | 60.06% | 525 | 21.29% |
| 1952 | 1,407 | 40.20% | 2,078 | 59.37% | 15 | 0.43% |
| 1956 | 1,529 | 42.59% | 1,933 | 53.84% | 128 | 3.57% |
| 1960 | 1,455 | 38.83% | 2,280 | 60.85% | 12 | 0.32% |
| 1964 | 2,675 | 49.45% | 2,730 | 50.46% | 5 | 0.09% |
| 1968 | 2,656 | 39.80% | 1,543 | 23.12% | 2,475 | 37.08% |
| 1972 | 4,909 | 73.94% | 1,512 | 22.77% | 218 | 3.28% |
| 1976 | 3,956 | 50.87% | 3,675 | 47.26% | 145 | 1.86% |
| 1980 | 5,088 | 57.56% | 3,476 | 39.32% | 276 | 3.12% |
| 1984 | 7,004 | 66.51% | 3,409 | 32.37% | 117 | 1.11% |
| 1988 | 6,507 | 64.10% | 3,567 | 35.14% | 77 | 0.76% |
| 1992 | 5,482 | 50.26% | 4,101 | 37.60% | 1,325 | 12.15% |
| 1996 | 5,094 | 46.63% | 4,864 | 44.53% | 966 | 8.84% |
| 2000 | 6,660 | 56.86% | 4,812 | 41.09% | 240 | 2.05% |
| 2004 | 7,758 | 61.11% | 4,866 | 38.33% | 71 | 0.56% |
| 2008 | 8,470 | 57.62% | 6,094 | 41.46% | 136 | 0.93% |
| 2012 | 8,876 | 59.29% | 5,900 | 39.41% | 194 | 1.30% |
| 2016 | 9,719 | 63.13% | 5,057 | 32.85% | 620 | 4.03% |
| 2020 | 11,041 | 64.93% | 5,672 | 33.35% | 292 | 1.72% |
| 2024 | 11,742 | 67.65% | 5,429 | 31.28% | 187 | 1.08% |
Amherst County is served by Amherst County Public Schools, which operatesone central high school, two middle schools, and several elementary schools.[16] Temple Christian School is a private school located on the grounds of Temple Baptist Church.[17]Sweet Briar College is also located in Amherst County, just south of the town ofAmherst.
Places adjacent to Amherst County, Virginia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofAmherst County, Virginia,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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