Chesterfield County, Virginia
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Template:US County infobox Chesterfield County is a county located in the state of Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 259,903. Its county seat is Chesterfield6. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
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History
During the 17th century, shortly after establishment of the Jamestown Settlement in 1607, English settlers and explored and began settling other areas. In 1634, the King of England directed the formation of eight shires (or counties) in the colony of Virginia. One of these became Henrico County, which extended to a large area on both sides of the James River.
On May 25th, 1749, the Virginia General Assembly passed the act that separated Chesterfield from Henrico County and created the new county. The county is named for the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope. Stanhope was famous for his "good manners and writings."
In 1831, the Chesterfield Railroad was the first railroad in Virginia, transporting coal from mines near Falling Creek in what is now the Midlothian area to the docks at the fall line at the head of navigation of the James River near Manchester (directly across from Richmond. Manchester was the county seat until 1874.
Chesterfield Cigarettes were named after this county due to the region's historical association with the tobacco industry.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,132 km² (437 mi²). 1,103 km² (426 mi²) of it is land and 29 km² (11 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.57% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 259,903 people, 93,772 households, and 72,110 families residing in the county. The population density is 236/km² (610/mi²). There are 97,707 housing units at an average density of 89/km² (230/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 76.74% White, 17.77% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.37% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 2.93% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 93,772 households out of which 40.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% are married couples living together, 11.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% are non-families. 18.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.73 and the average family size is 3.11.
In the county, the population is spread out with 28.30% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 8.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $58,537, and the median income for a family is $65,058. Males have a median income of $43,030 versus $30,518 for females. The per capita income for the county is $25,286. 4.50% of the population and 3.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.60% of those under the age of 18 and 3.40% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Unincorporated towns and communities
- Bellwood
- Bensley
- Bermuda Hundred
- Bon Air
- Centralia
- Chester
- Chesterfield Court House
- Enon
- Ettrick
- Matoaca
- Midlothian
- Mosley
- Winterpock
External links
- Chesterfield Connections (http://www.co.chesterfield.va.us/)