Amherst County, Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Amherst County, Virginia | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Virginia |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | 1761 |
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| Seat | Amherst |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,240 km² (479 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 9 km² (4 mi²), 0.75% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
31,894 26/km² |
| Website: www.countyofamherst.com | |
Amherst County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 31,894. Its county seat is Amherst6.
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[edit] History
Amherst County was formed in 1761, from parts of Albemarle County. The county was named for Sir Jeffrey Amherst, known as the "Conqueror of Canada". Jeffrey Amherst was named Governor of Virginia, although he never came to the colony.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,240 km² (479 mi²). 1,231 km² (475 mi²) of it is land and 9 km² (4 mi²) of it (0.75%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 31,894 people, 11,941 households, and 8,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 26/km² (67/mi²). There were 12,958 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (27/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.67% White, 19.79% Black or African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 11,941 households out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.50% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,393, and the median income for a family was $42,876. Males had a median income of $31,493 versus $22,155 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,952. About 8.00% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Towns
[edit] Notable residents
- William Barnett (1761-1834), born in Amherst County, United States Congressman [1]
- William Becknell, born in Amherst County, first white man to open what would become the Santa Fe Trail[1]
- Samuel Jordan Cabell (1756-1818), born in Amherst County, United States Congressman[1]
- Peter Cartwright (1785-1872), born in Amherst County, noted "hellfire and brimstone" preacher [1]
- Powhatan Ellis, (1790-1863), born in Amherst County, justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, United States Senator from Mississippi, and minister to Mexico. Ellisville, Mississippi, is named in his honor. [1]
