New Kent County, Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| New Kent County, Virginia | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Virginia |
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 Virginia's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1654 |
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| Seat | New Kent |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
223 sq mi (578 km²) 14 sq mi (36 km²), 6.23% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
13,462 65/sq mi (25/km²) |
| Website: www.co.new-kent.va.us | |
New Kent County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 13,462. Its county seat is New Kent[1]. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
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[edit] History
New Kent County was established in 1654 from York County. The county is named for Kent, England. New Kent County is the birthplace of two U. S. Presidents' wives - Martha Washington and Letitia Christian Tyler. The church where George and Martha Washington are believed to have been wed, St. Peters, still holds services today. The Chickahominy Indians frequented this area as well as nearby Charles City County and two tribes are still well-established in this area.
In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau rated New Kent County among the top 100 fastest growing counties in the nation.[2]
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 223 square miles (579 km²), of which, 210 square miles (543 km²) of it is land and 14 square miles (36 km²) of it (6.23%) is water. The Chickahominy River borders the county to the south, the Pamunkey and York rivers border it to the north and east.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 13,462 people, 4,925 households, and 3,895 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 people per square mile (25/km²). There were 5,203 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.26% White, 16.20% Black or African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 1.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,925 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.60% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.90% were non-families. 16.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 32.00% from 25 to 44, 27.70% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 102.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $53,595, and the median income for a family was $60,678. Males had a median income of $40,005 versus $28,894 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,893. 4.90% of the population and 3.40% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.40% are under the age of 18 and 7.00% are 65 or older.
[edit] Communities and towns
There are no incorporated towns in New Kent County. Unincorporated towns and communities include:
- Baltimore Crossroads
- Barhamsville
- Bottoms Bridge
- Eltham
- Lanexa
- New Kent
- Providence Forge
- Quinton
- Talleysville
- White House
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Highways
- Interstate 64 traverses the county, with four exits (205, 211, 214 and 220), roughly paralleling U.S. 60.
[edit] Railroads
The county is crossed by the railroad tracks of CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern, but has no passenger rail stations. The nearest Amtrak service is at stations in Williamsburg and Richmond.
[edit] Air
New Kent Airport in the county's western end near Quinton is a General Aviation facility. Commercial passenger air service and cargo services are offered at Richmond International Airport, which is located in adjacent Henrico County, about 10 miles west of Bottoms Bridge.
[edit] Attractions
Colonial Downs is Virginia's Premier Thoroughbred and Standardbred horse racing facility.
[edit] Notable Residents
- David Crawford, (c. 1625 - 1710), plantation owner and member of the House of Burgesses
- Thomas Adams, (1730 - 1788), born in New Kent County, member of the House of Burgesses and signer of the Articles of Confederation[4]
- Martha Washington, (1731 - 1802), born in New Kent County, wife of president George Washington
- Letitia Christian Tyler, (1790 - 1842), born in New Kent County, first wife of president John Tyler
- Benjamin W. Lacy, (1839 - 1895), born in New Kent County, member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Supreme Court of Virginia
[edit] References
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ 100 Fastest Growing Counties. U.S. Census Bureau.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ (1967) Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Marquis Who's Who.
[edit] External links
- The Official Site of New Kent County
- New Kent's Web Site
- New Kent County Public Schools
- New Kent County, Virginia - Economic Development Authority
- New Kent Travel and Tourism
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