Prince William County, Virginia
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Prince William County is a county located in the state of Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 280,813. Its county seat is the independent city of Manassas6.
This county is a part of the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 902 km² (348 mi²). 875 km² (338 mi²) of it is land and 27 km² (11 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.04% water. It is bounded on the north by Loudoun and Fairfax counties; on the south by Stafford County; on the east by the Potomac River, across the river is Charles County, Maryland; and on the west by Fauquier County.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 280,813 people, 94,570 households, and 72,724 families residing in the county. The population density is 321/km² (831/mi²). There are 98,052 housing units at an average density of 112/km² (290/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 68.93% White, 18.76% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 3.81% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 4.35% from other races, and 3.62% from two or more races. 9.74% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 94,570 households out of which 44.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% are married couples living together, 11.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% are non-families. 17.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.94 and the average family size is 3.32.
In the county, the population is spread out with 30.40% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 35.20% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 4.80% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $65,960, and the median income for a family is $71,622. Males have a median income of $45,595 versus $34,286 for females. The per capita income for the county is $25,641. 4.40% 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 4.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Towns and Other Localities
Four incorporated towns are located within Prince William County: Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Quantico.
The following unincorporated places are also located within the county:
- Bull Run
- Dale City
- Gainesville
- Lake Ridge
- Linton Hall
- Loch Lomond
- Montclair
- Nokesville
- Quantico Station
- Sudley
- Triangle
- West Gate
- Woodbridge
- Yorkshire
The independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park are located within Prince William County, but they are not actually part of the county.
History
Prince William County was created by an act of the General Assembly of the colony of Virginia in 1731, largely from the western section of Stafford County as well as a section of King George County [1] (http://www.historicprincewilliam.org/creation.html). The area encompassed by the Act creating Prince William County originally included all of what later became Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park (and the various incorporated towns therein).