Frederick County, Virginia

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Frederick County
The Old Frederick County Courthouse in Winchester
The Old Frederick County Courthouse in Winchester
Map of Virginia highlighting Frederick County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°13′N 78°16′W / 39.21°N 78.26°W / 39.21; -78.26
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1743
Named forFrederick, Prince of Wales
SeatWinchester
Largest townStephens City
Area
 • Total415 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Land413 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Water2 sq mi (5 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total91,419
 • Density200/sq mi (80/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.fcva.us

Frederick County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,419.[1] Its county seat is Winchester.[2] The county was formed in 1743 by the splitting of Orange County. It is Virginia's northernmost county.

Frederick County is included in the Winchester, VA-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History[change | change source]

The area that would become Frederick County, Virginia was populated by various indigenous peoples for thousands of years before European colonization. The "Indian Road" refers to a historic trail made by local tribes.

Frederick County was established in 1743 from parts of Orange County, Virginia. At that time, "Old Frederick County" encompassed all or part of four counties in present-day Virginia — Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, and Frederick. It also included five in present-day West VirginiaHardy, Hampshire, Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan. The Virginia Assembly named the new county for Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales.[3] He was the oldest son of King George II of Great Britain.

Colonial Era[change | change source]

As Commander-in-Chief of the new Colonial Virginia regiment in 1754, Colonel George Washington's headquarters were located in Winchester before and during the French and Indian War. He resigned from military service in 1758. He was appointed a general by the Continental Congress sixteen years later. Meanwhile, Washington represented Frederick County in his first elective office, having been elected to the House of Burgesses in 1758 and 1761. Daniel Morgan was another famous general during the American Revolutionary War, from (present day Clarke County).

War of 1812[change | change source]

American Civil War[change | change source]

Winchester changed hands between the Confederate and Union Armies on average once every three weeks during the war. Many battles were fought in Frederick County. Some of those battles include:

The first constitution of West Virginia provided for Frederick County to be added to the new state if approved by a local election.[4] Unlike those of neighboring Berkeley and Jefferson counties, Frederick County residents voted to remain in Virginia.[5]

Geography[change | change source]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 415 square miles (1,070 km2). Of this, 413 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km2) (0.5%) is water.[6] This is the northernmost county in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Demographics[change | change source]

Historical population
Census Pop.
179019,681
180024,74425.7%
181022,574−8.8%
182024,7069.4%
183026,0465.4%
184014,242−45.3%
185015,97512.2%
186016,5463.6%
187016,5960.3%
188017,5535.8%
189017,8801.9%
190013,239−26.0%
191012,787−3.4%
192012,461−2.5%
193013,1675.7%
194014,0086.4%
195017,53725.2%
196021,94125.1%
197028,89331.7%
198034,15018.2%
199045,72333.9%
200059,20929.5%
201078,30532.3%
202091,41916.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 59,209 people, 22,097 households, and 16,727 families residing in the county. The population density was 143 people per square mile (55/km²). There were 23,319 housing units at an average density of 56/square mile (22/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.99% White, 2.62% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,097 households out of which 36.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them. Another 62.50% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present. The remaining 24.30% were non-families. In addition, 19.20% 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 2.64 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.40% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 31.90% from 25 to 44, 24.10% 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 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,941. The median income for a family was $52,281. Males had a median income of $35,705 versus $25,046 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,080. About 4.00% of families and 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line. This was including 7.30% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Henry Gannett (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 131.
  4. "A State of Convenience; The Creation of West Virginia". West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Archived from the original on 19 January 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  5. Hu Maxwell; Howard Llewellyn Swisher, History of Hampshire County, West Virginia (Morgantown, WV: A.B. Boughner, printer, 1897), p. 111
  6. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  11. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.