Prince William County, Virginia

Prince William County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 280,813. Its county seat is the independent city of Manassas ⁶.

This county is a part of the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area.

History

Prince William County was created by an act of the General Assembly of the colony of Virginia in 1731, largely from the western section of Stafford County as well as a section of King George County ^*. The area encompassed by the Act creating Prince William County originally included all of what later became Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park (and the various incorporated towns therein). The County was named for Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, the younger son of King George II.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 902 km² (348 mi²). 875 km² (338 mi²) of it is land and 27 km² (11 mi²) of it (3.04%) is water. It is bounded on the north by Loudoun and Fairfax counties; on the south by Stafford County; on the east by the Potomac River, across the river is Charles County, Maryland; and on the west by Fauquier County.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census year	Population

1790	11,615
1800	12,733
1810	11,311
1820	9,419
1830	9,330
1840	8,144
1850	8,129
1860	8,565
1870	7,504
1880	9,180
1890	9,805
1900	11,112
1910	12,026
1920	13,660
1930	13,951
1940	17,738
1950	22,612
1960	50,164
1970	111,102
1980	144,636
1990	215,686
2000	280,813
2004	336,586

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 280,813 people, 94,570 households, and 72,724 families residing in the county. The population density was 321/km² (831/mi²). There were 98,052 housing units at an average density of 112/km² (290/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.93% White, 18.76% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 3.81% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 4.35% from other races, and 3.62% from two or more races. 9.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 94,570 households out of which 44.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 17.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the county, the population was spread out with 30.40% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 35.20% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 4.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $65,960, and the median income for a family was $71,622. Males had a median income of $45,595 versus $34,286 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,641. About 3.30% of families and 4.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.60% of those under age 18 and 4.70% of those age 65 or over.