Spotsylvania County, Virginia


Spotsylvania County is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2019 estimate, the population was 136,215. Its county seat is Spotsylvania Courthouse. Spotsylvania is a part of the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. Spotsylvania is one of Virginia's fastest-growing counties, largely because of its location along Interstate 95 and its midway point between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

History

At the time of European encounter, the inhabitants of the area that became Spotsylvania County were a Siouan-speaking tribe called the Manahoac.
As the colonial population increased, Spotsylvania County was established in 1721 from parts of Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties. The county was named in Latin for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Alexander Spotswood.
Many major battles were fought in this county during the Civil War, including the Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Fredericksburg, and Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. The war resulted in widespread disruption and opportunity: some 10,000 African-American slaves left area plantations and city households to cross the Rappahannock River, reaching the Union lines and gaining freedom. This exodus is commemorated by historical markers on both sides of the river.
General Stonewall Jackson was shot and mortally wounded by friendly fire in Spotsylvania County during the Battle of Chancellorsville. A group of Confederate soldiers from North Carolina were in the woods and heard General Jackson's party returning from reconnoitering the Union lines. They mistook them for a Federal patrol and fired on them, wounding Jackson in both arms. His left arm was amputated. General Jackson died a few days later from pneumonia at nearby Guinea Station. He and other Confederate wounded were being gathered there for evacuation to hospitals to the south and further away from enemy lines.

Geography

It is bounded on the north by the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers, the independent city of Fredericksburg, and the counties of Stafford and Culpeper; on the south by the North Anna River and its impoundment, Lake Anna, and by the counties of Hanover and Louisa; on the west by Orange County and Culpeper County; and on the east by Caroline County.

Adjacent counties and independent city

There are no incorporated towns or cities in Spotsylvania County. Unincorporated communities in the county include:

Census-designated places

Many areas of the county have Fredericksburg addresses.

Major highways

County government

Spotsylvania County's highest level of management is that of County Administrator. This post oversees all county departments and agencies and serves as the Spotsylvania County's Board of Supervisors' liaison to state and regional agencies.

Board of Supervisors

Spotsylvania is governed by a Board of Supervisors. The board consists of seven members. The Board of Supervisors sets county policies, adopts ordinances, appropriates funds, approves land rezoning and special exceptions to the zoning ordinance, and carries out other responsibilities set forth by the county code.
The following is the current list of supervisors and districts which they represent:

State representation

Federal representation

Spotsylvania residents are represented by either Abigail Spanberger or Rob Wittman in the House of Representatives. The current U.S. Senators from the Commonwealth of Virginia are Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
YearRepublicanDemocraticThird parties
201655.4% 34,62338.7% 24,2076.0% 3,719
201254.9% 31,84443.4% 25,1651.7% 965
200852.9% 28,61046.1% 24,8971.0% 562
200462.8% 28,52736.6% 16,6230.7% 295
200059.2% 20,73938.4% 13,4552.4% 827
199652.6% 13,78639.5% 10,3427.9% 2,069
199249.3% 11,82933.9% 8,13316.9% 4,052
198866.2% 10,97833.1% 5,4860.8% 129
198466.7% 8,20732.6% 4,0120.6% 78
198053.8% 5,38540.4% 4,0395.8% 581
197642.5% 3,21055.7% 4,2101.9% 140
197265.7% 3,57732.6% 1,7751.7% 90
196834.0% 1,67533.4% 1,64732.6% 1,604
196437.5% 1,26162.3% 2,0970.3% 9
196046.0% 1,28853.0% 1,4821.0% 29
195651.9% 1,24441.5% 9936.6% 158
195249.0% 1,17449.8% 1,1941.2% 29
194834.2% 51754.2% 81811.6% 175
194440.3% 50459.5% 7440.2% 3
194031.6% 36568.0% 7850.4% 4
193635.0% 45364.6% 8360.4% 5
193230.2% 34668.4% 7841.5% 17
192859.8% 65440.2% 439
192434.7% 25560.9% 4484.5% 33
192045.6% 38052.8% 4401.7% 14
191638.4% 24961.3% 3980.3% 2
19129.4% 5863.2% 39027.4% 169

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 122,397 people, 31,308 households, and 24,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 226 people per square mile. There were 33,329 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was:
7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 31,308 households, out of which 42.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.30% were non-families. 16.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 30.00% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 8.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The 2018 median income for a household in the county was $85,330 compared to $58,100 for the United States; the median income for a family was $87,922. Males had a median income of $49,166 versus $38,076 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,794. About 3.90% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 5.20% of those age 65 or over.

Infrastructure

Emergency services

Fire and rescue services in Spotsylvania County are provided by a combination of career and volunteer organizations. The career staff of the Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management provide fire and rescue services 24/7/365 at all 11 stations, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Volunteers provide additional staffing nights and weekends at Stations 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8. The volunteer organizations include: Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue, The Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department, and The Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Education

Public schools

Private schools

is part of the Virginia Community College System and serves the City of Fredericksburg, and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Orange, Culpeper, and King George.
The University of Mary Washington located in neighboring Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a four-year university and graduate school that also serves the area.

Notable people