Mathews County | |
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 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofVirginia | |
 Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:37°25′N76°17′W / 37.42°N 76.28°W /37.42; -76.28 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| Founded | 1791 |
| Seat | Mathews |
| Area | |
• Total | 252 sq mi (650 km2) |
| • Land | 86 sq mi (220 km2) |
| • Water | 166 sq mi (430 km2) 65.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 8,533 |
| • Density | 99/sq mi (38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
Mathews County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofVirginia. As of the2020 census, the population was 8,533.[1] Itscounty seat isMathews.[2]
Located on theMiddle Peninsula, Mathews County is included in theVirginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NCMetropolitan Statistical Area.
DuringVirginia's colonial era, the area that later became Mathews County was part ofGloucester County. In 1691, theVirginia General Assembly had directed that each county designate an official port-of-entry. Established around 1700, the community of Westville was located alongPut-in Creek, a tidal tributary ofVirginia's East River feeding intoMobjack Bay, which was a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.[3]
In 1776 during theAmerican Revolutionary War, Virginia's lastRoyal Governor,Lord Dunmore, left Virginia after pushed to the southeast toGwynn's Island byGeneralAndrew Lewis and theContinental Army. General Lewis' forces bombarded Gwynn's Island fromFort Cricket Hill.
In 1791, after Virginia gained its independence fromGreat Britain, theVirginia General Assembly split Gloucester county and created Mathews County. The county was named forBrigadier GeneralThomas Mathews, then speaker of theVirginia House of Delegates. Westville was designated at the county seat (later it became known variously as Mathews Court House or simply Mathews).[4]
Seaborne commerce, fishing and oyster farming had always been important in the area andOld Point Comfort Lighthouse was built in 1802 to guide vessels into theHampton Roads seaport (along with the older lighthouse at Cape Henry). Two additional lighthouses were built slightly later:New Point Comfort Light andSmith Point Light. During theWar of 1812, British vessels anchored in Hampton Roads and raided adjacent areas.
Farming was important to the 19th century economy, and early in the centuryEdmund Ruffin introduced the use of limestone marl as fertilizer on fields worn out from tobacco crops.[5] Two Mathews County men implicated inGabriel's Rebellion in 1802 were sentenced to transportation out of the Commonwealth. In a lawsuit begun in 1806, Jackey Wright of Mathews County was granted her freedom from prominent landowner Holder Hudgins due to her grandmother's Native American ancestry in one of the last cases decided by JudgeGeorge Wythe, with a Virginia Supreme Court opinion bySt. George Tucker.[6]
During theAmerican Civil War, many men from Mathews County enlisted in the Confederate Army. Some Union sympathizers petitioned President Abraham Lincoln for help, alleging that Confederate sympathizers had harassed them.[7] Union forces by 1862 controlled the Hampton Roads area and in July 1862 a detachment of Pennsylvania cavalry arrived at Gloucester Court House, then went to Mathews to arrest Carter B. Hudgins, but were unsuccessful. Several other Union raids occurred beginning in September 1863, initially designed to disrupt Confederate salt works. However, in the October 1863 raid, Union General Wistar later reported some of his troops behaved very badly, and Sands Smith was executed after he shot a Union soldier attempting to confiscate his cow.[8] His son and grandson would become prominent Mathews County officials by century's end.
In 1882–1886, complaints about out-of-state watermen dredging local oyster beds (and destroying young oysters) produced an "oyster war" during the administration of Virginia GovernorWilliam E. Cameron. Several offending boats were captured, but all but one of their watermen were fromVirginia's Eastern shore (across Chesapeake Bay) rather than from outside the Commonwealth.[9]
During World War I, Mathews County greatly exceeded its quota of volunteers. In addition to fatalities, several men were disabled by gas attacks at the battlefront, and later relayed their stories. Many Mathews county seamen also served in the Merchant Marine. The war also changed economic relations within the county, for farm laborers could get better paying jobs in Hampton Roads or nearby cities.
As theGreat Depression began, voters electedEmma Lee Smith White, wife of local physician Dr. Carl Clifford White, to represent them in theVirginia General Assembly. As a local insurance agent, among other jobs, she had other priorities after a hurricane and 100-year level flooding devastated Mathews County in August 1933. No woman again sat in the Virginia General Assembly for 21 years.[10]
In October 2012,Hurricane Sandy also devastated Mathews County, and while rebuilding, officials decided to petition to have the town center declared a historic district. It received nomination from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 2016.[11][12] TheMathews County Courthouse Square has been recognized as a National Historic District since 1977, and theSibley's and James Store Historic District (consisting of two 19th-century general stores) has been recognized as a National Historic District since 2011.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 252 square miles (650 km2), of which 86 square miles (220 km2) is land and 166 square miles (430 km2) (65.9%) is water.[13] It is the second-smallest county in Virginia by land area.
Mathews County is perhaps best known for its miles of waterfront sites, as well as its prominent location on the Chesapeake Bay. Surrounded almost completely by water, it is bordered by Middlesex County to the north, separated by thePiankatank River and Gloucester County to the west. The southern side of the county bordersMobjack Bay.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 5,806 | — | |
| 1810 | 4,227 | −27.2% | |
| 1820 | 6,920 | 63.7% | |
| 1830 | 7,664 | 10.8% | |
| 1840 | 7,442 | −2.9% | |
| 1850 | 6,714 | −9.8% | |
| 1860 | 7,091 | 5.6% | |
| 1870 | 6,200 | −12.6% | |
| 1880 | 7,501 | 21.0% | |
| 1890 | 7,584 | 1.1% | |
| 1900 | 8,239 | 8.6% | |
| 1910 | 8,922 | 8.3% | |
| 1920 | 8,447 | −5.3% | |
| 1930 | 7,884 | −6.7% | |
| 1940 | 7,149 | −9.3% | |
| 1950 | 7,148 | 0.0% | |
| 1960 | 7,121 | −0.4% | |
| 1970 | 7,168 | 0.7% | |
| 1980 | 7,995 | 11.5% | |
| 1990 | 8,348 | 4.4% | |
| 2000 | 9,207 | 10.3% | |
| 2010 | 8,978 | −2.5% | |
| 2020 | 8,533 | −5.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] 1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16] 1990-2000[17] 2010-2013[18] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010[19] | Pop 2020[20] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 7,835 | 7,250 | 87.27% | 84.96% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 822 | 658 | 9.16% | 7.71% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 18 | 7 | 0.20% | 0.08% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 30 | 49 | 0.33% | 0.57% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 2 | 15 | 0.02% | 0.18% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 1 | 25 | 0.01% | 0.29% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 166 | 332 | 1.85% | 3.89% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 104 | 197 | 1.16% | 2.31% |
| Total | 8,978 | 8,533 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[21] of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 inhabitants per square mile (42/km2). There were 5,333 housing units at an average density of 62 units per square mile (24 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.0%White, 9.2%Black orAfrican American, 0.2%Native American, 0.3%Asian, 0.3% fromother races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 1.2% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 3,932 households, out of which 24.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% weremarried couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.90% under the age of 18, 5.20% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 30.10% from 45 to 64, and 21.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,222, and the median income for a family was $50,653. Males had a median income of $36,294 versus $23,434 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $23,610. 6.00% of the population and 4.30% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.50% are under the age of 18 and 4.80% are 65 or older.
Tourism, leisure, and fishing industries are the major sources of employment. Mathews County is one of the few counties in Virginia without a traffic signal. (Bath County is another.) AlongState Route 223 at Gwynn's Island, there is a smalldrawbridge which is staffed 24 hours daily.[22]
As of 2016 the largest self-identified ancestries/ethnicities in Mathews county are:
Prominent among Mathews County tourism and leisure locations isGwynn's Island, a popular spot for recreational boating and sailing. It is located where thePiankatank River feeds into theChesapeake Bay.[24] Nearby is the offshore location of the historicNew Point Comfort Light.
Mathews County hosts the annual Tour De Chesapeake (due to its lack of hills except for the north section of the county near the Mathews-Gloucester border). The bicycling event is a benefit for theChesapeake Bay Foundation.[25] The community also sponsors Mathews Market Days, featuring local artists such asP. Buckley Moss.
Mathews High School is known for success in several sports including Boy's and Girl's Crew Teams, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Volleyball, Wrestling, Softball, and Track and Field. The Mathews wrestling team won the 1990 and 1991 state championship, boys track won the 1969 and 1986 state championships, the Mathews baseball team won the state championship in 2004, and the volleyball team won two consecutive state championships in 2011 and 2012. The Mathews crew team has also won many championships for Mathews including the Stotesbury Cup.[26]
Captain Sally Tompkins was a Mathews County native. Gwynn's Island resident William B. Livermon Sr. appeared throughout the 1970s on television in religion segments as "TheCircuit Rider".[27] Mathews is also home to formerNFL football playerStuart Anderson (football) of theWashington Redskins and baseball playerKeith Atherton of theMinnesota Twins.
Former BeatleJohn Lennon and his wifeYoko Ono once owned two historic waterfront estates in Mathews.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 45 | 7.48% | 523 | 86.88% | 34 | 5.65% |
| 1916 | 90 | 13.76% | 549 | 83.94% | 15 | 2.29% |
| 1920 | 216 | 25.23% | 624 | 72.90% | 16 | 1.87% |
| 1924 | 195 | 22.08% | 678 | 76.78% | 10 | 1.13% |
| 1928 | 855 | 66.49% | 431 | 33.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 488 | 42.29% | 652 | 56.50% | 14 | 1.21% |
| 1936 | 452 | 41.89% | 622 | 57.65% | 5 | 0.46% |
| 1940 | 349 | 36.85% | 592 | 62.51% | 6 | 0.63% |
| 1944 | 491 | 44.35% | 615 | 55.56% | 1 | 0.09% |
| 1948 | 490 | 47.53% | 458 | 44.42% | 83 | 8.05% |
| 1952 | 951 | 63.87% | 533 | 35.80% | 5 | 0.34% |
| 1956 | 1,018 | 65.42% | 406 | 26.09% | 132 | 8.48% |
| 1960 | 1,069 | 60.95% | 682 | 38.88% | 3 | 0.17% |
| 1964 | 1,149 | 50.26% | 1,137 | 49.74% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,309 | 47.14% | 691 | 24.88% | 777 | 27.98% |
| 1972 | 2,164 | 72.45% | 730 | 24.44% | 93 | 3.11% |
| 1976 | 1,908 | 57.77% | 1,309 | 39.63% | 86 | 2.60% |
| 1980 | 2,204 | 59.31% | 1,300 | 34.98% | 212 | 5.71% |
| 1984 | 2,868 | 71.61% | 1,106 | 27.62% | 31 | 0.77% |
| 1988 | 2,752 | 67.52% | 1,235 | 30.30% | 89 | 2.18% |
| 1992 | 2,179 | 48.15% | 1,402 | 30.98% | 944 | 20.86% |
| 1996 | 2,206 | 51.78% | 1,602 | 37.61% | 452 | 10.61% |
| 2000 | 2,951 | 64.03% | 1,499 | 32.52% | 159 | 3.45% |
| 2004 | 3,497 | 68.18% | 1,589 | 30.98% | 43 | 0.84% |
| 2008 | 3,456 | 63.53% | 1,934 | 35.55% | 50 | 0.92% |
| 2012 | 3,488 | 64.91% | 1,807 | 33.62% | 79 | 1.47% |
| 2016 | 3,517 | 66.22% | 1,563 | 29.43% | 231 | 4.35% |
| 2020 | 3,901 | 66.96% | 1,825 | 31.33% | 100 | 1.72% |
| 2024 | 4,106 | 69.07% | 1,774 | 29.84% | 65 | 1.09% |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Places adjacent to Mathews County, Virginia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofMathews County, Virginia,United States | ||
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Note: Cities are independent, not being part of any county | |
37°25′N76°17′W / 37.42°N 76.28°W /37.42; -76.28
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