Hanover County | |
|---|---|
 Current Hanover County Courthouse | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofVirginia | |
 Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:37°46′N77°29′W / 37.76°N 77.49°W /37.76; -77.49 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| Founded | 1720 |
| Named after | Electorate of Hanover |
| Seat | Hanover |
| Largest CDP | Mechanicsville |
| Area | |
• Total | 474 sq mi (1,230 km2) |
| • Land | 469 sq mi (1,210 km2) |
| • Water | 5 sq mi (10 km2) 1.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 109,979 |
| • Density | 230/sq mi (90/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st,5th |
| Website | www |
Hanover County is acounty in theCommonwealth ofVirginia. As of the2020 census, the population was 109,979.[1] Itscounty seat isHanover.[2]
Hanover County is a part of theGreater Richmond Region.
Located in the western Tidewater region ofVirginia, Hanover County was created on November 26, 1719, from the area ofNew Kent County called St. Peter's Parish. It was named for theElectorate of Hanover inGermany, because KingGeorge I of Great Britain wasElector of Hanover at the time. The county was developed byplanters moving west from the Virginiatidewater, where soils had been exhausted by tobaccomonoculture.
Hanover County was the birthplace and home of noted American statesmanPatrick Henry. He reportedly married Sarah Shelton in the parlor of her family's house,Rural Plains, also known as Shelton House. At the Hanover Courthouse, Henry argued the case of theParson's Cause in 1763, attacking theBritish Crown's attempt to set the salaries of clergy in the colony regardless of conditions in the local economy. The historic Hanover Courthouse is pictured in the county seal. Hanover County was also the birthplace ofHenry Clay, who became known as a politician inKentucky, author of theMissouri Compromise of 1820, andSecretary of State.
TheChickahominy River forms the border of the county in theMechanicsville area. During theAmerican Civil War and the 1862Peninsula Campaign, theUnion Army approached the river and could hear the bells of Richmond's churches. But they learned that the river was a major obstacle. Union GeneralGeorge B. McClellan failed in his attempt to get all his troops across it, intending to overwhelm the outnumberedConfederate forces defending Richmond. His failure to take Richmond has been said to have prolonged the war by almost three years. Hanover County was the site of Civil War battles due to its location between Richmond and northern Virginia, including theSeven Days Battles of the Peninsula Campaign andBattle of Cold Harbor in 1864.[3]
The incorporated town ofAshland is located within Hanover County. Ashland is the second and current home ofRandolph-Macon College.
In 1953,Barksdale Theatre was founded at the historicHanover Tavern. It was the nation's firstdinner theater and central Virginia's first professionaltheatre organization.[4] The Barksdale company continues to produce live theatre at the Tavern, as well as at several locations in Richmond. It is recognized today as Central Virginia's leading professional theatre.
Kings Dominion amusement park opened in 1975 inDoswell and added to the county's economy. In January 2007,America's Promise named Hanover County as one of the top 100 communities for youth.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 474 square miles (1,230 km2), of which 469 square miles (1,210 km2) is land and 5 square miles (13 km2) (1.1%) is water.[5]
Hanover County is about 90 miles (145 km) south ofWashington, D.C., and about 12 miles (19 km) north ofRichmond, Virginia.[6]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 14,754 | — | |
| 1800 | 14,403 | −2.4% | |
| 1810 | 15,082 | 4.7% | |
| 1820 | 15,267 | 1.2% | |
| 1830 | 16,253 | 6.5% | |
| 1840 | 14,968 | −7.9% | |
| 1850 | 15,153 | 1.2% | |
| 1860 | 17,222 | 13.7% | |
| 1870 | 16,455 | −4.5% | |
| 1880 | 18,588 | 13.0% | |
| 1890 | 17,402 | −6.4% | |
| 1900 | 17,618 | 1.2% | |
| 1910 | 17,200 | −2.4% | |
| 1920 | 18,088 | 5.2% | |
| 1930 | 17,009 | −6.0% | |
| 1940 | 18,500 | 8.8% | |
| 1950 | 21,985 | 18.8% | |
| 1960 | 27,550 | 25.3% | |
| 1970 | 37,479 | 36.0% | |
| 1980 | 50,398 | 34.5% | |
| 1990 | 63,306 | 25.6% | |
| 2000 | 86,320 | 36.4% | |
| 2010 | 99,863 | 15.7% | |
| 2020 | 109,979 | 10.1% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 111,603 | [7] | 1.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010[12] 2020[13] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 85,391 | 88,869 | 85.51% | 80.81% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 9,202 | 9,678 | 9.21% | 8.80% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 319 | 311 | 0.32% | 0.28% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,333 | 2,021 | 1.33% | 1.84% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 31 | 32 | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 136 | 510 | 0.22% | 0.46% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 1,335 | 4,620 | 1.34% | 4.20% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,116 | 3,938 | 2.12% | 3.58% |
| Total | 99,863 | 109,979 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States Census, there were 99,863 people living in the county. 86.7% wereWhite, 9.3%Black or African American, 1.4%Asian, 0.4%Native American, 0.8% of some other race and 1.5%of two or more races; 2.1% wereHispanic or Latino (of any race).
As of thecensus[14] of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 183 people per square mile (71 people/km2). There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 units per square mile (26 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.32%White, 9.34%Black orAfrican American, 0.33%Native American, 0.79%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.37% fromother races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 31,121 households, out of which 39.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.40% weremarried couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.40% were non-families; 17.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71, and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males; for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $77,550, and the median income for a family was $90,812. The median income was $46,864 for males and $32,662 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $34,241. About 3.54% of families and 5.50% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 3.90% of those under age 18 and 5.80% of those age 65 or over.
| Hanover County Sheriff's Office | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | HCSO |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1720 |
| Employees | 236+ |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Constituting instrument |
|
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Hanover Courthouse, Virginia |
| Deputys | 242 |
| Civilians | 2 |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | |
| Official website | |
TheHanover County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) is the primary law enforcement agency in Hanover County, Virginia. The HCSO was created shortly after the county was formed on November 26, 1720. The Sheriff is David R. Hines.[16]
Hanover County is represented by RepublicansRyan McDougle andJohn McGuire in the Virginia Senate, RepublicansBuddy Fowler andScott Wyatt in the Virginia House of Delegates and RepublicansRob Wittman andBob Good in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hanover County is a strongly Republican county; no Democratic presidential candidate has won it sinceHarry Truman in 1948, and it was one of 4 counties that did not vote forMark Warner in his2008 landslide. However, conservative Democrats represented it at the state level as late as the 1990s.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 45,569 | 62.08% | 26,733 | 36.42% | 1,102 | 1.50% |
| 2020 | 44,318 | 62.45% | 25,307 | 35.66% | 1,342 | 1.89% |
| 2016 | 39,630 | 63.18% | 19,382 | 30.90% | 3,711 | 5.92% |
| 2012 | 39,940 | 67.63% | 18,294 | 30.98% | 824 | 1.40% |
| 2008 | 37,344 | 66.39% | 18,447 | 32.80% | 457 | 0.81% |
| 2004 | 35,404 | 71.36% | 13,941 | 28.10% | 266 | 0.54% |
| 2000 | 28,614 | 68.81% | 12,044 | 28.96% | 927 | 2.23% |
| 1996 | 22,086 | 63.60% | 9,880 | 28.45% | 2,758 | 7.94% |
| 1992 | 20,336 | 59.36% | 8,021 | 23.41% | 5,904 | 17.23% |
| 1988 | 20,570 | 76.99% | 5,985 | 22.40% | 163 | 0.61% |
| 1984 | 18,800 | 79.26% | 4,831 | 20.37% | 87 | 0.37% |
| 1980 | 14,262 | 70.02% | 5,383 | 26.43% | 723 | 3.55% |
| 1976 | 11,559 | 64.72% | 6,069 | 33.98% | 231 | 1.29% |
| 1972 | 11,095 | 81.20% | 2,200 | 16.10% | 368 | 2.69% |
| 1968 | 5,425 | 50.01% | 2,079 | 19.17% | 3,343 | 30.82% |
| 1964 | 4,879 | 62.95% | 2,864 | 36.95% | 8 | 0.10% |
| 1960 | 3,020 | 59.39% | 2,023 | 39.78% | 42 | 0.83% |
| 1956 | 2,272 | 54.07% | 1,109 | 26.39% | 821 | 19.54% |
| 1952 | 2,257 | 59.76% | 1,518 | 40.19% | 2 | 0.05% |
| 1948 | 838 | 38.06% | 1,048 | 47.59% | 316 | 14.35% |
| 1944 | 575 | 28.04% | 1,471 | 71.72% | 5 | 0.24% |
| 1940 | 364 | 21.18% | 1,347 | 78.36% | 8 | 0.47% |
| 1936 | 327 | 18.84% | 1,397 | 80.47% | 12 | 0.69% |
| 1932 | 238 | 17.87% | 1,073 | 80.56% | 21 | 1.58% |
| 1928 | 592 | 41.60% | 831 | 58.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 135 | 14.92% | 732 | 80.88% | 38 | 4.20% |
| 1920 | 224 | 19.77% | 903 | 79.70% | 6 | 0.53% |
| 1916 | 102 | 11.67% | 760 | 86.96% | 12 | 1.37% |
| 1912 | 87 | 12.39% | 609 | 86.75% | 6 | 0.85% |
| 1908 | 204 | 27.72% | 522 | 70.92% | 10 | 1.36% |
| 1904 | 261 | 32.71% | 527 | 66.04% | 10 | 1.25% |
| 1900 | 1,201 | 49.67% | 1,203 | 49.75% | 14 | 0.58% |
| 1896 | 1,337 | 46.12% | 1,499 | 51.71% | 63 | 2.17% |
| 1892 | 1,064 | 37.05% | 1,536 | 53.48% | 272 | 9.47% |
| 1888 | 1,511 | 46.72% | 1,721 | 53.22% | 2 | 0.06% |
| 1884 | 1,488 | 45.04% | 1,816 | 54.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1880 | 884 | 37.91% | 1,447 | 62.05% | 1 | 0.04% |
Hanover County Public Schools has fifteen elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools, one alternative school, and one technology school. The four high schools areAtlee High School,Hanover High School,Mechanicsville High School, andPatrick Henry High School.Forbes magazine named Hanover County as one of the top fifty counties in the United States for student achievement vs. cost per student.
Hanover County has the lowest real estate property tax rate in the Richmond Region, which makes for a competitive business location.[18] Some of the major businesses that have taken advantage of the tax rate include:Bass Pro Shops,FedEx Ground, andThe Vitamin Shoppe. These businesses located in the county with help from the Hanover County Economic Development and the Greater Richmond Partnership, regional economic development organizations.[19]
Top employers[20]
| Employer | Sector | Number of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Hanover County | Government/Education | 1000+ |
| Bon Secours | Health Care | 1000+ |
| Kings Dominion | Amusement Park | 1000+ |
| Tyson Farms | Food Processing | 500-999 |
| SuperValu | Food Distributor | 500-999 |
| Randolph-Macon College | Private Education | 500-999 |
| Walmart | Retail | 250-499 |
| Owens & Minor | Corp HQ/Distribution | 250-499 |
| Media General | Newspaper Publishers | 250-499 |
| QubicaAMF | Corp HQ/Athletics Manufacturing | 250-499 |
| Kroger | Retail | 250-499 |
| Food Lion | Retail | 250-499 |
| Sheltering Arms | Rehabilitation Hospital | 250-499 |
| Publix | Retail | 250-499 |
Places adjacent to Hanover County, Virginia | |
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Municipalities and communities ofHanover County, Virginia,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Town |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
37°46′N77°29′W / 37.76°N 77.49°W /37.76; -77.49
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
