Augusta County, Virginia

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Augusta County, Virginia
The Augusta County Courthouse in March 2005
Flag Seal of Augusta County, Virginia Seal
Location in the state of Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded	1738
Named for	Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha
Seat	Staunton
Largest community	Staunton
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	971 sq mi (2,515 km²) 967 sq mi (2,505 km²) 3.9 sq mi (10 km²), 0.4
Population  - (2020)  - Density	77,487
Congressional district	6th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	http://www.co.augusta.va.us/

Augusta County is a county in the Shenandoah Valley on the western edge of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The second-largest county of Virginia by total area, it completely surrounds the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. Its county seat is Staunton, but most of the administrative services have offices in neighboring Verona.

The county was created in 1738 from part of Orange County and was named after Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. It was originally a huge area, but many of its parts were carved out to form other counties and several states until the current borders were finalized in 1790.

As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 77,487. Along with Staunton and Waynesboro, it forms the Staunton–Waynesboro, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Augusta Stone Church built in 1749

Augusta County was formed in 1738 from Orange County, although, because few people lived there, the 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 the whole of Kentucky were within its early bounds. Additionally, the territory north and west of those areas, theoretically all the way to the Pacific Ocean, were as well.

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 portion of Augusta County north and west of the Ohio River became Illinois County (abolished in 1784); the northeastern part of what was remained 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 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.

During the Civil War, Augusta County served as an important agricultural center as part of the "Breadbasket of the Confederacy." The Virginia Central Railroad ran through the county, linking the Shenandoah Valley to the Confederate capital at Richmond. One of the bloodiest engagements fought in the Shenandoah Valley took place on June 5, 1864, at the Battle of Piedmont, a Union victory that allowed the Union Army to occupy Staunton and destroy many of the facilities that supported the Confederate war effort. Augusta County suffered again during General Philip H. Sheridan's "Burning," which destroyed many farms and killed virtually all of the farm animals.

Staunton, the county seat for many years, was incorporated as a city in 1871 and separated from Augusta County in 1902. However, it remained the county seat.

Geography

View of Augusta County countryside across the Shenandoah Valley toward the Blue Ridge Mountains.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 971 square miles (2,510 km²), of which 967 square miles (2,500 km²) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km²) (0.4%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Virginia by land area and second-largest by total area.

Adjacent counties and independent cities

• Staunton (Enclaved)
• Waynesboro (Enclaved)
• Pendleton County, West Virginia (North)
• Rockingham County (Northeast)
• Albemarle County (East)
• Nelson County (Southeast)
• Rockbridge County (Southwest)
• Bath County (West)
• Highland County (Northwest)

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 Augusta County Public Schools.

National protected areas

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

Regional park

• Natural Chimneys

Major highways

I-64 and I-81 in Augusta County

• I-64
• I-81
• US 11
• US 250
• US 340
• SR 42
• SR 56
• SR 252
• SR 254
• SR 256
• SR 262
• SR 276

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	10,886		—
1800	11,712		7.6%
1810	14,308		22.2%
1820	16,742		17.0%
1830	19,926		19.0%
1840	19,628		−1.5%
1850	24,610		25.4%
1860	27,749		12.8%
1870	28,763		3.7%
1880	35,710		24.2%
1890	37,005		3.6%
1900	32,370		−12.5%
1910	32,445		0.2%
1920	34,671		6.9%
1930	38,163		10.1%
1940	42,772		12.1%
1950	34,154		−20.1%
1960	37,363		9.4%
1970	44,220		18.4%
1980	53,732		21.5%
1990	54,677		1.8%
2000	65,615		20.0%
2010	73,750		12.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-20002010 2020

2020 census

Augusta County, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	68,011	68,375	92.22%	88.24%
Black or African American alone (NH)	2,881	3,072	3.91%	3.96%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	141	130	0.19%	0.17%
Asian alone (NH)	365	461	0.49%	0.59%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	13	27	0.02%	0.03%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	40	198	0.05%	0.26%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	774	2,496	1.05%	3.22%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1,525	2,728	2.07%	3.52%
Total	73,750	77,487	100.00%	100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2000 Census

As of the Census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile (26/km²). There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). 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, 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.

Area Populations

According to the 2010 US Census data, below are the populations of the two towns and select unincorporated communities within Augusta County:

#	Town	Population
1	Grottoes	2,668
2	Craigsville	923

The majority of Grottoes is located in Rockingham County. Only seven of the town's 2,668 residents reside in Augusta County.

#	Unincorporated Community	Population
1	Stuarts Draft	9,235
2	Fishersville	7,462
3	Verona	4,239
4	Weyers Cave	2,473
5	Crimora	2,209
6	Lyndhurst	1,490
7	Dooms	1,327
8	Swoope	1,323
9	Jolivue	1,129
10	Greenville	832
11	Fort Defiance	780
12	Sherando	688
13	Mount Sidney	663
14	Churchville	194

Government

Board of Supervisors

• Beverley Manor district: Butch Wells (R)
• Middle River district: Gerald W. Garber (R)
• North River district: Jeffrey “Jeff” Slaven (R)
• Pastures district: Pam L. Carter (R)
• Riverheads district: Michael L. Shull (R)
• South River district: Steven “Steve” Morelli (R)
• Wayne district: Scott Seaton (R)

Constitutional Officers

• Clerk of the Circuit Court: Steve Landes (R)
• Commissioner of the Revenue: W. Jean Shrewsbury (R)
• Commonwealth's Attorney: Tim Martin (R)
• Sheriff: Donald L. Smith (I)
• Treasurer: Richard T. Homes (R)

Augusta County is represented by Republican Emmett W. Hanger in the Virginia Senate, Republican John Avoili, Republican Ronnie R. Campbell, and Republican Chris Runion in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Ben Cline in the U.S. House of Representatives.

United States presidential election results for Augusta County, Virginia

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	30,714	72.65%	10,840	25.64%	724	1.71%
2016	26,163	71.99%	8,177	22.50%	2,003	5.51%
2012	23,624	70.16%	9,451	28.07%	597	1.77%
2008	23,120	69.35%	9,825	29.47%	393	1.18%
2004	22,100	74.40%	7,019	23.63%	585	1.97%
2000	17,744	70.21%	6,643	26.29%	884	3.50%
1996	13,458	60.89%	5,965	26.99%	2,679	12.12%
1992	12,896	58.98%	5,190	23.74%	3,780	17.29%
1988	13,251	75.14%	4,170	23.65%	213	1.21%
1984	15,308	79.22%	3,899	20.18%	116	0.60%
1980	11,011	64.32%	5,202	30.39%	907	5.30%
1976	8,452	57.53%	5,626	38.29%	614	4.18%
1972	9,106	81.44%	1,766	15.79%	309	2.76%
1968	6,313	57.92%	2,028	18.61%	2,559	23.48%
1964	4,327	51.68%	4,039	48.24%	6	0.07%
1960	4,034	67.36%	1,914	31.96%	41	0.68%
1956	3,466	68.07%	1,484	29.14%	142	2.79%
1952	3,414	69.97%	1,453	29.78%	12	0.25%
1948	1,690	48.93%	1,355	39.23%	409	11.84%
1944	2,319	44.20%	2,913	55.52%	15	0.29%
1940	1,768	38.74%	2,774	60.78%	22	0.48%
1936	1,668	36.49%	2,872	62.83%	31	0.68%
1932	1,541	36.37%	2,606	61.51%	90	2.12%
1928	2,679	64.00%	1,507	36.00%	0	0.00%
1924	1,265	38.74%	1,920	58.81%	80	2.45%
1920	1,707	44.01%	2,106	54.29%	66	1.70%
1916	845	31.96%	1,751	66.23%	48	1.82%
1912	568	22.90%	1,556	62.74%	356	14.35%
1908	987	38.90%	1,435	56.56%	115	4.53%
1904	1,096	39.88%	1,582	57.57%	70	2.55%
1900	2,473	44.71%	2,869	51.87%	189	3.42%
1896	2,823	46.15%	3,066	50.12%	228	3.73%
1892	2,136	35.68%	3,563	59.52%	287	4.79%
1888	2,526	42.25%	3,370	56.36%	83	1.39%
1884	2,472	42.59%	3,332	57.41%	0	0.00%
1880	1,039	23.85%	3,316	76.12%	1	0.02%

Economy

According to the county's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the county are:

#	Employer	# of Employees
1	Augusta County Public Schools	1,000+
2	Augusta Health	1,000+
3	McKee Foods	500-999
4	Hershey	500-999
5	Target	500-999
6	AAF-McQuay	500-999
7	Hollister Co.	250-499
8	Blue Ridge Community College	250-499
9	Augusta Correctional Center	250-499
10	Ply Gem	250-499

Communities

The independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro (incorporated as such in 1902 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.

Towns

• Craigsville
• Grottoes (partial)

Census-designated places

• Augusta Springs
• Churchville
• Crimora
• Deerfield
• Dooms
• Greenville
• Harriston
• Fishersville
• Jolivue
• Lyndhurst
• Middlebrook
• Mount Sidney
• New Hope
• Sherando
• Stuarts Draft
• Verona
• Weyers Cave
• Wintergreen (mostly in Nelson County)

Other unincorporated communities

• Fort Defiance
• Love
• Mint Spring
• Mount Solon
• Spring Hill
• Steeles Tavern
• Swoope
• West Augusta

Notable people

• Thomas Adams, born in Augusta County, member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and signer of the Articles of Confederation
• Robert Allen, born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Tennessee
• George Caleb Bingham (1811–1879), born in Augusta County, noted painter and State Treasurer of Missouri
• Gideon Blackburn (1772–1838), born in Augusta County, noted clergyman and founder of Blackburn College
• John Brown, lawyer and statesman
• Samuel Brown, born in Augusta County, noted surgeon and editor
• John Wilson Campbell, born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Ohio
• William Campbell, born in Augusta County, militia leader in the American Revolutionary War
• John Colter (c.1774–May 7, 1812(?)), born near Stuarts Draft, was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806); best remembered for his 1807–1808 explorations as the first person of European descent to enter the region now known as Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons
• Samuel Doak, (1749–1830), born in Augusta County, noted Presbyterian clergyman, founder of Washington College, the first college west of the Alleghenies, noted abolitionist
• Ida Stover Eisenhower (1862–1946), mother of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, was born in Mount Sidney, Augusta County
• John H. Fulton, (died 1836), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia
• John P. Gaines, (1795–1857), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Kentucky and governor of the Oregon Territory.
• John D. Imboden, (1823–1895), born in Augusta County, member of the Virginia General Assembly, Confederate Army cavalry general and partisan fighter in the American Civil War.
• "Irish" John Lewis (1678–1762), opened up what is now Augusta County to settlement.
• Thomas Lewis, Jr., born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia.
• William J. Lewis, (1766–1828), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia.
• Robert D. Lilley, (1836–1886), born in Greenville, Augusta County, Confederate Army general in the American Civil War.
• Benjamin Logan, (c.1742–1803), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Kentucky.
• George Mathews, (1739–1812), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman and Governor of Georgia. Member of the Mathews family.
• Sampson Mathews, (c. 1737–1806), born in Augusta County, Virginia State Senator and Revolutionary War officer. Member of the Mathews family.
• Robert McKnight (c.1789–1846), born in Augusta County, moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1809, member of a trading expedition under Zebulon Pike to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1812, captured by Spanish and imprisoned until 1821, eventually renounced his United States citizenship, moved to Mexico, and became owner of the Santa Rita del Cobre copper mine in Chihuahua (now New Mexico).
• Thomas McKnight, businessman and member of Wisconsin Territorial Council
• Joel F. Salatin (b. 1957), founder, owner and manager of Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia.

• Thomas Woodrow Wilson (Dec. 28, 1856–Feb. 3, 1924) 28th President of the United States of America, 34th Governor of New Jersey, and 13th President of Princeton University located in Princeton, New Jersey.

See also

• Augusta County Sheriff's Office
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Augusta County, Virginia

Further reading

• Peyton's History of Augusta County, Virginia (1882), searchable online edition of the 1882 edition by J. Lewis Peyton.
• Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871, searchable online edition of the 1902 second edition by Jos. A. Waddell.
• Augusta County Resources, a Rootsweb page of historical and genealogical links and references, including maps.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Augusta County, Virginia

• Augusta County at Curlie
• Augusta County official website
• Augusta County Economic Development Agency
• Augusta County Facts and Genealogy Resources

Template:Augusta County, Virginia