Lancaster County, Virginia

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Lancaster County, Virginia
Map
Location in the state of Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded	1651
Seat	Lancaster
Area - Total - Land - Water	231 sq mi (598 km²) 98 sq mi (254 km²), 42.45%
Population - (2000) - Density	11,567 88/sq mi (34/km²)
Website: www.lancova.com

Lancaster County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. As of 2000, the population is 11,567. Its county seat is Lancaster^[1]. It is located near the mouth of the Rappahannock River. The county is part of the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace wine-growing region recognized by the United States as an American Viticultural Area.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Towns
- 4.1 Incorporated towns
- 4.2 Unincorporated communities
5 Local Sights
6 References

[edit] History

Lancaster County was established in 1651 from Northumberland and York counties. Historic attractions open to the public include the Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library, Belle Isle State Park and the eighteenth-century Christ Church).

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 231 square miles (599 km²), of which, 133 square miles (345 km²) of it is land and 98 square miles (254 km²) of it (42.45%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 11,567 people, 5,004 households, and 3,412 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 6,498 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 69.95% White, 28.88% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,004 households out of which 21.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the county, the population was spread out with 19.00% under the age of 18, 5.00% from 18 to 24, 19.60% from 25 to 44, 28.00% from 45 to 64, and 28.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 86.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,239, and the median income for a family was $42,957. Males had a median income of $30,592 versus $23,039 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,663. About 9.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.00% of those under age 18 and 11.20% of those age 65 or over.