Charlotte County | |
|---|---|
 Charlotte County Courthouse in September 2014 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofVirginia | |
 Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:37°01′N78°40′W / 37.01°N 78.66°W /37.01; -78.66 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| Founded | 1764 |
| Named after | Queen Charlotte |
| Seat | Charlotte Court House |
| Largest town | Keysville |
| Area | |
• Total | 478 sq mi (1,240 km2) |
| • Land | 475 sq mi (1,230 km2) |
| • Water | 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 11,529 |
• Estimate (2024)[1] | 11,258 |
| • Density | 23.7/sq mi (9.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | https://www.charlottecountyva.gov/ |
Charlotte County is aUnited States county located in the south central part of theCommonwealth ofVirginia. Itscounty seat is the town ofCharlotte Court House.[2] As of the2020 census, the county population was 11,529.[3] Charlotte County is predominantlyrural with a population density of only 26.5 persons per square mile.
The county was formed in 1764 fromLunenburg County, and it is named forQueen Charlotte, wife ofKing George III of England. Founding FatherPatrick Henry was one of its most famous residents, and his grave and the national memorial dedicated to him are located in Charlotte County.
European settlement of the future county began in the early 18th century,[4] and early settlers included mostlyEnglish people, with some FrenchHuguenots,Scotch-Irish,[5] and a modest population ofGermans. After approximately fifty years of European settlement, theHouse of Burgesses established and incorporated Charlotte County in 1764 from part ofLunenburg County. The new county was named in honor ofCharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Queen and wife ofKing George III of Great Britain.[6] The county residents later became staunch supporters of independence and theAmerican Revolution and Founding FatherPatrick Henry was one of its most famous residents. His grave and the national memorial dedicated to him are located in Charlotte County. Residents of Charlotte County were heavily involved in theAmerican Revolution. County delegates supported resolutions against theStamp Act of 1765,[5] and the county government was the second governing body to declare independence from English rule. In addition, Charlotte militia units fought under GeneralRobert Lawson during theYorktown campaign, which effectively led to the end of theAmerican War of Independence.[5] Finally, the final resting place and national memorial to revolutionary heroPatrick Henry is atRed Hill Plantation.[7]
Charlotte County has also played a role in other wars on American soil. An artillery company from Charlotte played a key role in theBattle of Craney Island during theWar of 1812.[5] Also, a significant battle in theAmerican Civil War occurred in Charlotte andHalifax counties during theBattle of Staunton River Bridge, which resulted in a victory for the Confederacy.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 478 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 475 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) is water.[8] The county is bounded on the southwest by theRoanoke River, locally known as the "Staunton River". The terrain is hilly.[9]
US 15 (Farmville Rd on the extreme northside of the county; joinsUS 360 in Keysville and separates inWylliesburg
US 360 (Kings Hwy)
SR 40 (Lunenburg County Rd on the extreme eastside; Front St & Church St in Keysville; George Washington Hwy; joinsSR 47 in Charlotte Court House and becomes David Bruce Ave; Patrick Henry Hwy)
SR 47 (Thomas Jefferson Hwy; forks from SR 40 and becomes LeGrande Ave; Tollhouse Hwy; Drakes Main St inDrakes Branch; Craftons Gate Hwy
SR 59 (Highway Fifty-Nine)
SR 92 (Jeb Stuart Hwy)| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 10,078 | — | |
| 1800 | 11,912 | 18.2% | |
| 1810 | 13,161 | 10.5% | |
| 1820 | 13,290 | 1.0% | |
| 1830 | 15,252 | 14.8% | |
| 1840 | 14,595 | −4.3% | |
| 1850 | 13,955 | −4.4% | |
| 1860 | 14,471 | 3.7% | |
| 1870 | 14,513 | 0.3% | |
| 1880 | 16,653 | 14.7% | |
| 1890 | 15,077 | −9.5% | |
| 1900 | 15,343 | 1.8% | |
| 1910 | 15,785 | 2.9% | |
| 1920 | 17,540 | 11.1% | |
| 1930 | 16,061 | −8.4% | |
| 1940 | 15,861 | −1.2% | |
| 1950 | 14,057 | −11.4% | |
| 1960 | 13,368 | −4.9% | |
| 1970 | 11,551 | −13.6% | |
| 1980 | 12,266 | 6.2% | |
| 1990 | 11,688 | −4.7% | |
| 2000 | 12,472 | 6.7% | |
| 2010 | 12,586 | 0.9% | |
| 2020 | 11,529 | −8.4% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 11,258 | −2.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12] 1990–2000[13] 2010[14] 2020[15] 2024[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010[14] | Pop 2020[15] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 8,383 | 7,677 | 66.61% | 66.59% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3,739 | 3,140 | 29.71% | 27.24% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 31 | 18 | 0.25% | 0.16% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 26 | 23 | 0.21% | 0.20% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 6 | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 14 | 35 | 0.11% | 0.30% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 153 | 377 | 1.22% | 3.27% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 240 | 253 | 1.91% | 2.19% |
| Total | 12,586 | 11,529 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The Board of Supervisors is the legislative policy making body for the county. It considers and adopts policies regarding administration, budget, finance, economic development, health, planning, public safety, childcare, recreation, sanitation and waste removal. The Board appropriates funds for all functions, including the schools, Social Services, Law Enforcement and operation of courts. The Board's regularly scheduled meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm in the Board of Supervisors Room of the County Administration Building, 250 LeGrande Avenue, Suite A, (PO Box 608) Charlotte Court House, Virginia, 23923.[16]
Royal Freeman (I) is the sheriff. Freeman is responsible for overseeing criminal investigations, calls for service, court room security, service of civil process and the operation of the Charlotte County jail.[17]
The clerk is Annette Clowdis (I). Clowdis manages the records for the Judicial Circuit. In addition, Colley manages the records for the Judicial Circuit and serves as general record keeper for the county, recording all documents relating to land transfers, deeds, mortgages, wills, divorces and other statistics that date back to 1765.[18]
Naisha P. Carter (I) is the Commissioner of the Revenue. Carter maintains the county tax maps, assesses the amount of tax owed on property and prepares the real estate and personal property tax book for Charlotte County. Carter also serves as a Virginia DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) Select Office which provides title and registration services, license plate sales, and other services.[19]
William E. Green, Jr. (I) is the Commonwealth's Attorney. The Charlotte County Commonwealth Attorney represents the citizens of the County in the prosecution of violations of state and local laws & is responsible for the enforcement of criminal law within the county.[20]
Patricia P. Berkeley (I) is the Treasurer. The Charlotte County Treasurer is responsible for the collection, custody and disbursement of all county funds. The Treasurer's Office is where taxes are paid and dog licenses are purchased.[21]
The Charlotte County Administration Office is responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of the county in accordance with the policies of the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors. The Administration Office oversees the general operations of the county, personnel management, budget preparation, funds management, purchasing, economic development, property management, compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, planning, and zoning.[22]
Jenni P. Booth[24]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 175 | 19.06% | 609 | 66.34% | 134 | 14.60% |
| 1916 | 227 | 20.79% | 856 | 78.39% | 9 | 0.82% |
| 1920 | 364 | 22.28% | 1,266 | 77.48% | 4 | 0.24% |
| 1924 | 154 | 12.38% | 1,006 | 80.87% | 84 | 6.75% |
| 1928 | 403 | 26.60% | 1,112 | 73.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 169 | 11.44% | 1,300 | 88.02% | 8 | 0.54% |
| 1936 | 190 | 9.89% | 1,727 | 89.85% | 5 | 0.26% |
| 1940 | 251 | 14.58% | 1,467 | 85.24% | 3 | 0.17% |
| 1944 | 356 | 19.45% | 1,473 | 80.49% | 1 | 0.05% |
| 1948 | 285 | 17.10% | 964 | 57.83% | 418 | 25.07% |
| 1952 | 949 | 36.56% | 1,630 | 62.79% | 17 | 0.65% |
| 1956 | 791 | 27.86% | 1,431 | 50.41% | 617 | 21.73% |
| 1960 | 867 | 32.90% | 1,735 | 65.84% | 33 | 1.25% |
| 1964 | 1,974 | 62.11% | 1,191 | 37.48% | 13 | 0.41% |
| 1968 | 1,042 | 24.43% | 1,045 | 24.50% | 2,178 | 51.07% |
| 1972 | 2,501 | 66.22% | 1,182 | 31.29% | 94 | 2.49% |
| 1976 | 2,023 | 46.04% | 2,312 | 52.62% | 59 | 1.34% |
| 1980 | 2,322 | 51.26% | 2,108 | 46.53% | 100 | 2.21% |
| 1984 | 2,999 | 61.76% | 1,811 | 37.29% | 46 | 0.95% |
| 1988 | 2,699 | 57.44% | 1,923 | 40.92% | 77 | 1.64% |
| 1992 | 2,293 | 44.86% | 2,098 | 41.05% | 720 | 14.09% |
| 1996 | 2,103 | 45.58% | 2,007 | 43.50% | 504 | 10.92% |
| 2000 | 2,855 | 57.17% | 2,017 | 40.39% | 122 | 2.44% |
| 2004 | 3,166 | 58.22% | 2,223 | 40.88% | 49 | 0.90% |
| 2008 | 3,372 | 54.77% | 2,705 | 43.93% | 80 | 1.30% |
| 2012 | 3,311 | 56.14% | 2,503 | 42.44% | 84 | 1.42% |
| 2016 | 3,479 | 59.91% | 2,155 | 37.11% | 173 | 2.98% |
| 2020 | 3,815 | 61.62% | 2,317 | 37.43% | 59 | 0.95% |
| 2024 | 3,963 | 65.83% | 2,008 | 33.36% | 49 | 0.81% |
Places adjacent to Charlotte County, Virginia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofCharlotte County, Virginia,United States | ||
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| Towns |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
