Fauquier County, Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Fauquier County, Virginia | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Virginia |
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 Virginia's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1759 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Warrenton |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,687 km² (651 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 4 km² (2 mi²), 0.26% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
55,139 33/km² |
| Website: www.fauquiercounty.gov | |
Fauquier County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 55,139. Its county seat is Warrenton6.
This county is a part of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
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[edit] History
Fauquier County was established on May 1, 1759 from Prince William County. The county is named for Francis Fauquier, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia at the time. As legend has it, Lord Francis Fauquier won the land of Fauquier County in a poker game.
The county courthouse for many years had a portrait that they believed was Francis Fauquier hanging prominately in the center of the court. A visiting scholar after viewing the portrait approached the government officials to ask why they had Francis' brother hanging in the court building. Needless to say they took the picture down, the portrait that now hangs in the (old) courthouse is verified as Francis Fauquier.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,687 km² (651 mi²). 1,683 km² (650 mi²) of it is land and 4 km² (2 mi²) of it (0.26%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 55,139 people, 19,842 households, and 15,139 families residing in the county. The population density was 33/km² (85/mi²). There were 21,046 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (32/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.39% White, 8.79% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. 2.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 19,842 households out of which 36.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.70% were non-families. 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $61,999, and the median income for a family was $69,507. Males had a median income of $45,484 versus $31,738 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,757. About 3.70% of families and 5.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.70% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Towns
[edit] Incorporated towns
[edit] Unincorporated communities
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[edit] Notable residents
- James Markham Marshall Ambler, (1848-1881), born in Fauquier County, Confederate Army soldier and physician on Arctic exploring ship U.S.S. Jeanette. Died attempting to return to civilization.[1]
- Turner Ashby, born in Fauquier County, Confederate Army general in the American Civil War[1]
- Martin Berkofsky, classical pianist and philanthropist
- Susan Cummings a heiress infamous for killing Argentine polo player Roberto Villegas
- Nancy Hanks Lincoln, born in Fauquier County on February 5, 1784, mother of President Abraham Lincoln
- John Marshall, born in Fauquier County, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Fauquier County Government Site
- Fauquier County Public Schools
- Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce
- Fauquier Times-Democrat
- Fauquier Citizen
- Fauquier County Fair
- Fauquier County Businesses
