Fauquier County, Virginia

Fauquier County /fɔːˈkɪər/ is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 72,972.[1] The county seat is Warrenton.[2]

Fauquier County
County
Fauquier County Courthouse in Warrenton
Fauquier County Courthouse in Warrenton
Flag of Fauquier County
Official seal of Fauquier County
Map of Virginia highlighting Fauquier County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°44′N 77°49′W / 38.74°N 77.81°W / 38.74; -77.81
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1759
Named forFrancis Fauquier
SeatWarrenton
Largest townWarrenton
Area
 • Total651 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Land647 sq mi (1,680 km2)
 • Water3.8 sq mi (10 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total72,972
 • Density110/sq mi (43/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewww.fauquiercounty.gov

Fauquier County is in Northern Virginia and is a part of the Washington metropolitan area.

History

Portrait of Francis Fauquier, for whom Fauquier County was named

In 1608, the first European to explore in the vicinity, Captain John Smith, reported that the Whonkentia (a subgroup of the Siouan-speaking Manahoac tribe) inhabited the area. The Manahoac were forced out around 1670 by the Iroquois (Seneca), who did not resettle the area.[3] The Conoy camped briefly near The Plains, from 1697 to 1699.[4] The Six Nations ceded the entire region including modern Fauquier to Virginia Colony at the Treaty of Albany, in 1722.

Fauquier County was established on May 1, 1759, from Prince William County. It is named for Francis Fauquier,[5] Lieutenant Governor of Virginia at the time, who won the land in a poker game, according to legend.


American Civil War battles in Fauquier County included (in order) the First Battle of Rappahannock Station, the Battle of Thoroughfare Gap, the Battle of Kelly's Ford, the Battle of Aldie, the Battle of Middleburg, the Battle of Upperville, the First and Second Battle of Auburn, the Battle of Buckland Mills, and the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station.

Geography

View west along I-66/SR 55 and north along US 17 in northwestern Fauquier County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 651 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 647 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) (0.6%) is water.[6]Fauquier county is not densely populated, but exurban development from Washington, DC has sprung up in some parts. Even in rural areas, housing complexes can be seen along highways. The highest point by elevation is Blue Mountain at 2,205 ft (672 meters) on the county's northwestern border with Warren County.[7]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
179017,892
180021,32919.2%
181022,6896.4%
182023,1031.8%
183026,08612.9%
184021,897−16.1%
185020,868−4.7%
186021,7064.0%
187019,690−9.3%
188022,99316.8%
189022,590−1.8%
190023,3743.5%
191022,526−3.6%
192021,869−2.9%
193021,071−3.6%
194021,039−0.2%
195021,2481.0%
196024,06613.3%
197026,3759.6%
198035,88936.1%
199048,74135.8%
200055,13913.1%
201065,20318.3%
202072,97211.9%
2023 (est.)75,1653.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010[12] 2020[13]

2020 census

Fauquier County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2010[12]Pop 2020[13]% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)53,41054,96981.91%75.33%
Black or African American alone (NH)5,2324,9998.02%6.85%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1861280.29%0.18%
Asian alone (NH)8261,2041.27%1.65%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)27490.04%0.07%
Some Other Race alone (NH)1033390.16%0.46%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)1,2413,4911.90%4.78%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)4,1787,7936.41%10.68%
Total65,20372,972100.00%100.00%

2000 Census

In 2000, there were 19,842 households, out of which 36.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.70% were non-families. 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14.

As of 2013, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $93,762.[14] The per capita income for the county was $39,600. About 3.70% of families and 5.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.70% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

The county is exurban. There has been increased growth in Warrenton and New Baltimore in recent years. The subdivisions of Brookside and Vint Hill have facilitated the growth in the eastern part of the county. There is some industry in Fauquier County, however the largest employer in the county is the county government and the hospital. As of the 2000 census, 47% of county residents that work have jobs that are outside the county.[15] The average travel time to work is 39.2 minutes.

Government

Sheriff's Office headquarters in Warrenton

Board of Supervisors

  • Cedar Run District: Richard Gerhardt (R) – Chairman
  • Center District: Kevin T. Carter (R) - Vice Chairman
  • Lee District: Daron Culbertson (R)
  • Marshall District: Regan Washer (R)
  • Scott District: Edwin W. "Ike" Broaddus (I) [16]

Constitutional officers

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Gail H. Barb (R)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Eric Maybach (R)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Scott C. Hook (R)
  • Sheriff: Jeremy A. Falls (R)
  • Treasurer: Tanya Remson Wilcox (R)[17]

Legislators

The Virginia Senate:

The Virginia House of Delegates:

The U.S. House of Representatives:

Law enforcement

The Fauquier County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in Fauquier County, Virginia. Its headquarters are in Warrenton.[18] It supports the Warrenton Training Center, a CIA site in Warrenton.[citation needed]

Warrenton and Remington have their own police departments.[19][20]

Politics

Since 1952, Fauquier County has voted for the Republican Party in all but one presidential election.

United States presidential election results for Fauquier County, Virginia[21]
YearRepublicanDemocraticThird party
No. %No. %No. %
202025,10657.50%17,56540.23%9902.27%
201622,12759.07%12,97134.63%2,3626.31%
201221,03459.16%13,96539.28%5561.56%
200819,22756.19%14,61642.71%3761.10%
200419,01163.55%10,71235.81%1920.64%
200014,45661.56%8,29635.33%7293.10%
199611,06357.45%6,75935.10%1,4367.46%
199210,49750.57%6,60031.79%3,66217.64%
198811,73369.86%4,83728.80%2261.35%
198410,31971.41%4,05628.07%760.53%
19806,78258.11%4,11935.30%7696.59%
19764,71551.75%4,00243.92%3944.32%
19724,65467.71%2,03929.67%1802.62%
19682,84543.76%2,09932.29%1,55723.95%
19642,10137.43%3,50662.46%60.11%
19602,12351.86%1,95847.83%130.32%
19562,11255.55%1,56741.22%1233.24%
19522,06856.27%1,59743.46%100.27%
19481,10241.32%1,29148.41%27410.27%
19441,08933.99%2,11065.86%50.16%
194075628.67%1,87471.07%70.27%
193662923.54%2,03776.24%60.22%
193237915.82%1,99983.43%180.75%
192897238.83%1,53161.17%00.00%
192434520.14%1,27774.55%915.31%
192056829.26%1,36570.32%80.41%
191636723.32%1,20476.49%30.19%
191218212.46%1,18781.25%926.30%

Education

Elementary schools

  • C. M. Bradley Elementary School
  • James G. Brumfield Elementary School
  • W. G. Coleman Elementary School
  • Grace Miller Elementary School
  • H. M. Pearson Elementary School
  • C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary School
  • P. B. Smith Elementary School
  • Claude Thompson Elementary School
  • Mary Walter Elementary School
  • Greenville Elementary School
  • M. M. Pierce Elementary School

Middle schools

  • Auburn Middle School
  • Cedar Lee Middle School
  • W. C. Taylor Middle School
  • Marshall Middle School
  • Warrenton Middle School

High schools

Private schools

Higher education

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people

See also

References

External links

38°44′N 77°49′W / 38.74°N 77.81°W / 38.74; -77.81