Northampton County, Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Northampton 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 | 1634 |
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| Seat | Eastville |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
795 sq mi (2,059 km²) 588 sq mi (1,523 km²), 73.93% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
13,093 62/sq mi (24/km²) |
| Website: www.co.northampton.va.us | |
Northampton County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 13,093. Its county seat is Eastville[1].
Northampton and Accomack Counties comprise the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
The county is the epicenter of the late Eocene meteor strike that resulted in the Chesapeake Bay impact crater.
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[edit] History
The county has a long history as a home for free African Americans during the era of slavery. Free blacks in America were first documented in Northampton County, Virginia, in 1662.[2]
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 795 square miles (2,060 km²), of which, 207 square miles (537 km²) of it is land and 588 square miles (1,523 km²) of it (73.93%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 13,093 people, 5,321 households, and 3,543 families residing in the county. The population density was 63 people per square mile (24/km²). There were 6,547 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 53.29% White, 43.03% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.12% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 3.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,321 households out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.30% were married couples living together, 17.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.30% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 21.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 87.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,276, and the median income for a family was $35,034. Males had a median income of $26,842 versus $21,839 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,591. About 15.80% of families and 20.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.20% of those under age 18 and 16.50% of those age 65 or over.
Northampton County is home to the United States' oldest continuous court records.
[edit] Towns
- Belle Haven
- Cape Charles
- Cheriton
- Eastville
- Exmore
- Nassawadox
- Oyster (unincorporated)
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Education
Northampton County Public Schools [1] operates public schools in the county.
[edit] References
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience By Anthony Appiah, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Henry Louis Gates Page 299
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
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