Frederick County, Virginia

History

The area that would become Frederick County, Virginia was inhabited and transited by various indigenous peoples for thousands of years before European colonization. The "Indian Road" refers to a historic pathway made by local tribes.

Frederick County was established in 1743 from parts of Orange County. (At that time, "Old Frederick County" encompassed all or part of four counties in present-day Virginia — Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, and Frederick — and five in present-day West Virginia — Hardy, Hampshire, Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan.) The Virginia Assembly named the new county for Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales (1707–1751), the eldest son of King George II of Great Britain.

Colonial Era

As Commander-in-Chief of the new Colonial Virginia regiment in 1754, Colonel George Washington's headquarters were located in Winchester before and during the French and Indian War. He resigned from military service in 1758; only to be appointed General by the Continental Congress sixteen years later. Meanwhile, Washington represented Frederick County in his first elective office, having been elected to the House of Burgesses in 1758 and 1761. Daniel Morgan was another famous General during the American Revolutionary War, from (present day Clarke County).

American Civil War

Winchester changed hands between the Confederate and Union Armies on average once every three weeks during the war. Many battles were fought in Frederick County. Some of those battles include:

The first constitution of West Virginia provided for Frederick County to be added to the new state if approved by a local election. Unlike those of neighboring Berkeley and Jefferson counties, Frederick County residents voted to remain in Virginia despite being occupied by the Union Army at the time.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 416 square miles (1,080 km²), of which 414 square miles (1,070 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.5%) is water. This is the northernmost county in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

National protected areas

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 59,209 people, 22,097 households, and 16,727 families residing in the county. The population density was 143 people per square mile (55/km²). There were 23,319 housing units at an average density of 56/square mile (22/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.99% White, 2.62% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,097 households out of which 36.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.30% were non-families. 19.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.40% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 31.90% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,941, and the median income for a family was $52,281. Males had a median income of $35,705 versus $25,046 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,080. About 4.00% of families and 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.30% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

Board of Supervisors

Chairman: Richard C. Shickle (R)

Back Creek District: Gary A. Lofton (R)

Gainesboro District: Robert Hess (R)

Opequon District: Robert Wells (R)

Red Bud District: Blaine P. Dunn (R)

Shawnee District: Gene E. Fisher (R)

Stonewall District: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr. (R)

Constitutional Officers

Clerk of the Circuit Court: Rebecca P. "Becky" Hogan (D)

Commissioner of the Revenue: Ellen E. Murphy (R)

Commonwealth's Attorney: Ross Spicer (R)

Sheriff: R.T. "Bob" Williamson (R)

Treasurer: C. William Orndoff, Jr. (R)

Frederick is represented by Republican Jill Holtzman Vogel in the Virginia Senate, Republicans J. Randy Minchew, Mark Berg, and Joe T. May in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Barbara Comstock in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Transportation

Education

Frederick County is served by Frederick County Public Schools, which includes several elementary, middle, and high schools. Frederick County is also part of the region served by the Mountain Vista Governor's School that offers upper level classes to intellectually gifted high school students.

Middle Schools

High Schools

Colleges

Universities

Libraries

Communities

Despite being the county seat, Winchester, like all cities under Virginia law, is an independent city—politically independent of any county.

Towns

Census-designated places