Courtland, Virginia
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Courtland is a town located in Southampton County, Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,270. It is the county seat of Southampton CountyTemplate:GR.
Originally named Jerusalem, the town was given its present name in 1888. It served as Southampton County's only town through the 18th century, and was, as it remains, the county seat. This quiet little town was formed in 1791 on the north shore of the Nottoway River on a parcel of ten acres (40,000 m²) beside of the counthouse. In 1831, the town became famous as it hosted the trials and subsequent executions of those involved in the Southampton Rebellion of 1831, or the Nat Turner Slave Rebellion. At this time, according to a letter written by a Mr. Solon Borland to the governor of North Carolina, it was but a small hamlet of approximately 175 people, with only three stores, one saddler, one carriage maker, two hotels, two attorneys and two physicians in the town. The town was the boyhood home of Confederate Major General William Mahone whose father ran a tavern.
Geography
Courtland is located at 36°42'57" North, 77°3'58" West (36.715702, -77.066063)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²). 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 1,270 people, 460 households, and 300 families residing in the town. The population density is 533.0/km² (1,373.2/mi²). There are 498 housing units at an average density of 209.0/km² (538.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 52.28% White, 47.01% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.24% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 460 households out of which 33.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% are married couples living together, 20.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% are non-families. 32.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.35 and the average family size is 2.96.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $31,750, and the median income for a family is $43,229. Males have a median income of $34,464 versus $20,714 for females. The per capita income for the town is $18,474. 21.6% of the population and 19.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 30.6% of those under the age of 18 and 22.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.