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Augusta County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 65,615. Its county seat is Staunton, although most of the administrative services have offices in neighboring Verona.

History

Augusta County was formed in 1738 from Orange County, although county government was not organized until 1745. It was named for Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, Princess of Wales and mother of the future King George III of the United Kingdom.

Originally, Augusta County was a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. Most of what is now West Virginia as well as all of Kentucky were formed from it, and it also claimed the territory north and west of those areas, theoretically all the way to the Pacific Ocean. A series of maps show the formation and division of Augusta County from 1738 through 1791. An animated map shows the formation of Virginia and West Virginia counties from 1617 to 1995.

Reductions in its extent began in 1770, when its southern part became Botetourt County. In 1776 part of western Augusta County, an area also known as the District of West Augusta, became Monongalia County, Ohio County, and Yohogania County (abolished in 1786). In 1778 the part of Augusta County west of the Ohio River became Illinois County (abolished in 1784); the northeastern part of what was left became Rockingham County, and the southwestern part was combined with part of Botetourt County to form Rockbridge County. In 1788 the northern part of the still shrinking county was combined with part of Hardy County to become Pendleton County. Augusta County assumed its present dimensions in 1790, when its western part was combined with parts of Botetourt County and Greenbrier County to form Bath County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,515 km² (971 mi²), making it the second largest in Virginia. 2,513 km² (970 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.06%) is water.

Districts

The county is divided into seven magisterial districts: Beverley Manor, Middle River, North River, Pastures, Riverheads, South River, and Wayne.

School Systems

The county is serviced by three school districts: Augusta County Public Schools, Staunton City Schools, and Waynesboro City Schools.

Adjacent Counties

In addition, two cities are enclaved within the county:

Under Virginia law in effect since 1871, all municipalities in the state incorporated as cities are legally and politically independent of counties.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 26/km² (68/mi²). There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (28/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.02% White, 3.60% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 24,818 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.70% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.80% were non-families. 20.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,045, and the median income for a family was $48,579. Males had a median income of $31,577 versus $24,233 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,744. About 4.20% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.

Towns

The independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro (incorporated as such in 1871 and 1948 respectively) are located within the boundaries of Augusta County, but are not a part of the county, despite Staunton's status as the county seat. Most county administrative offices, however, are located in Verona, rather than in Staunton.

External links

Virginia counties | Augusta County, Virginia | 1738 establishments

Augusta County | Condado de Augusta

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Augusta County, Virginia".

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