Augusta County, Virginia
Augusta County is a
county located in the
U.S. state — officially, "
Commonwealth" — of
Virginia. As of the
2000 census, the population was 65,615. Its
county seat is
Staunton, although most of the administrative services have offices in neighboring
Verona.
Augusta County was formed in
1738 from
Orange County, although county government was not organized until
1745. It was named for
Augusta of Saxe-Gotha,
Princess of Wales and mother of the future King
George III of the United Kingdom.
Originally, Augusta County was a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. Most of what is now West Virginia as well as all of Kentucky were formed from it, and it also claimed the territory north and west of those areas, theoretically all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
A series of maps show the formation and division of Augusta County from 1738 through 1791.
An animated map shows the formation of Virginia and West Virginia counties from 1617 to 1995.
Reductions in its extent began in
1770, when its southern part became
Botetourt County. In
1776 part of western Augusta County, an area also known as the District of West Augusta, became
Monongalia County,
Ohio County, and
Yohogania County (abolished in 1786). In
1778 the part of Augusta County west of the
Ohio River became
Illinois County (abolished in 1784); the northeastern part of what was left became
Rockingham County, and the southwestern part was combined with part of Botetourt County to form
Rockbridge County. In
1788 the northern part of the still shrinking county was combined with part of
Hardy County to become
Pendleton County. Augusta County assumed its present dimensions in
1790, when its western part was combined with parts of Botetourt County and
Greenbrier County to form
Bath County.
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,515
km² (971
mi²), making it the second largest in Virginia. 2,513 km² (970 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.06%) is water.
Districts
The county is divided into seven magisterial districts: Beverley Manor, Middle River, North River, Pastures, Riverheads, South River, and Wayne.
School Systems
The county is serviced by three school districts:
Augusta County Public Schools, Staunton City Schools, and Waynesboro City Schools.
Adjacent Counties
*
Pendleton County, West Virginia - north
*
Rockingham County, Virginia - northeast
*
Albemarle County, Virginia - east
*
Nelson County, Virginia - southeast
*
Rockbridge County, Virginia - southwest
*
Bath County, Virginia - west
*
Highland County, Virginia - northwest
In addition, two cities are enclaved within the county:
*
Staunton*
WaynesboroUnder Virginia law in effect since
1871, all municipalities in the state incorporated as cities are legally and politically
independent of counties.
As of the
census² of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The
population density was 26/km² (68/mi²). There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (28/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.02%
White, 3.60%
Black or
African American, 0.15%
Native American, 0.28%
Asian, 0.02%
Pacific Islander, 0.32% from
other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were
Hispanic or
Latino of any race.
There were 24,818 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.70% were
married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.80% were non-families. 20.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,045, and the median income for a family was $48,579. Males had a median income of $31,577 versus $24,233 for females. The
per capita income for the county was $19,744. About 4.20% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.
*
Craigsville*
Crimora*
Dooms*
Fishersville*
Greenville*
Grottoes*
Jolivue*
Lyndhurst*
Sherando*
Spring Hill*
Stuarts Draft*
Verona*
Weyers CaveThe
independent cities of
Staunton and
Waynesboro (incorporated as such in
1871 and
1948 respectively) are located within the boundaries of Augusta County, but are not a part of the county, despite Staunton's status as the county seat. Most county administrative offices, however, are located in Verona, rather than in Staunton.
*
Thomas Adams, born in Augusta County, member of the
Virginia House of Burgesses and signer of the
Articles of Confederation*
Robert Allen, born in Augusta County,
United States Congressman from
Tennessee*
George Caleb Bingham (1811-1879), born in Augusta County, noted painter and
State Treasurer of Missouri *
Gideon Blackburn (1772-1838), born in Augusta County, noted clergyman and founder of
Blackburn College*Samuel Brown, born in Augusta County, noted surgeon and editor
*John Wilson Campbell, born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Ohio
*
William Campbell, born in Augusta County, general of the
Continental Army in the
American Revolutionary War*
*
Augusta County official website*
Augusta County's Historical Markers*
Local News*
Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War*
Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871, searchable online edition of the 1902 second edition by Jos. A. Waddell. Waddell wrote about people from all walks of life.
*
Augusta County Resources, a Rootsweb page of historical and genealogical links and references, including maps.
