Amherst County, Virginia

Amherst County, Virginia
Seal of Amherst County, Virginia Seal
Location in the state of Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded	1761
Seat	Amherst
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	479 sq mi (1,241 km²) 475 sq mi (1,230 km²) 4 sq mi (10 km²), 0.75%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	32,353 68/sq mi (26.3/km²)
Website	www.countyofamherst.com

Amherst County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 32,353. Its county seat is Amherst.

Amherst County is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Amherst County was formed in 1761, from parts of Albemarle County. The county was named for Sir Jeffrey Amherst, known as the "Conqueror of Canada". Jeffrey Amherst was named Governor of Virginia, although he never came to the colony. Native Americans were the first humans to populate the area. They hunted and fished mainly along the countless rivers and streams in the county. With the establishment of the Virginia Colony in 1607, English emigrants arrived in North America. By the late 17th century English explorers and traders traveled up the James River to this area. Early trading posts formed between 1710 and 1720. By 1730, many new families moved into the land currently known as Amherst County drawn by the desire for land and the good tobacco-growing soil.

In 1761, Amherst County was formed from the southern half of Albemarle County. The original county seat had been in Cabelsville, now Colleen in what would later become Nelson County. The county was named for Sir Jeffrey Amherst who commanded the British forces that successfully secured Canada from the French. In 1806 the county assumed its present proportions when Nelson County was formed from its northern half. At that point, the county seat was moved to the village of Five Oaks, later renamed Amherst. The present county courthouse was built in 1870 and has served the county ever since. On a historically interesting note, Amherst County produced more Confederate soldiers per capita than anywhere else in the C.S.A.

In the early days, the major crop raised in Amherst County was tobacco. Apple orchards were part of mixed farming that replaced tobacco, especially in the late 19th century. Timber, mining and milling were also important industries. The introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century greatly influenced the county's growth. The county contains many good examples of 18th, 19th and early 20th century rural and small town architecture. The downtown area of Amherst is a classic example of early 20th century commercial architecture.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 479 square miles (1,240 km²), of which 475 square miles (1,230 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10 km²) (0.75%) is water.

Adjacent counties / Independent city

• Rockbridge County, Virginia - northwest
• Nelson County, Virginia - northeast
• Appomattox County, Virginia - southeast
• Campbell County, Virginia - south
• Lynchburg, Virginia - south
• Bedford County, Virginia - southwest

National protected areas

• Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
• George Washington National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	13,703		—
1800	16,801		22.6%
1810	10,548		−37.2%
1820	10,423		−1.2%
1830	12,071		15.8%
1840	12,576		4.2%
1850	12,699		1.0%
1860	13,742		8.2%
1870	14,900		8.4%
1880	18,709		25.6%
1890	17,551		−6.2%
1900	17,864		1.8%
1910	18,932		6.0%
1920	19,771		4.4%
1930	19,020		−3.8%
1940	20,273		6.6%
1950	20,332		0.3%
1960	22,953		12.9%
1970	26,072		13.6%
1980	29,122		11.7%
1990	28,578		−1.9%
2000	31,894		11.6%
2010	32,353		1.4%

As of the census of 2000, there were 31,894 people, 11,941 households, and 8,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 67 people per square mile (26/km²). There were 12,958 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.67% White, 19.79% Black or African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,941 households out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.50% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,393, and the median income for a family was $42,876. Males had a median income of $31,493 versus $22,155 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,952. About 8.00% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Town

• Amherst

Unincorporated

• Madison Heights
• Sweet Briar

Notable residents

• William Barnett (1761–1834), born in Amherst County, United States Congressman
• William Becknell, born in Amherst County, first white man to open what would become the Santa Fe Trail
• Samuel Jordan Cabell (1756–1818), born in Amherst County, United States Congressman
• Peter Cartwright (1785–1872), born in Amherst County, noted "hellfire and brimstone" preacher
• Powhatan Ellis, (1790–1863), born in Amherst County, justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, United States Senator from Mississippi, and minister to Mexico. Ellisville, Mississippi, is named in his honor.
• David S. Garland (1769 – 1841), Congressman, master of the Brick House (Clifford, Virginia), founder of the New Glasgow Acadamy.
• Ottie Cline Powell‎ (1890–1894), born in Amherst County four year old boy who died after getting lost collecting firewood outside his schoolhouse. Reportedly haunts the area he died at.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Amherst County, Virginia