Louisa County, Virginia in Encyclopedia

Louisa County, Virginia

Encyclopedia

Tutorials

Encyclopedia

Dictionary

Directory

Email this to a friend Louisa_County,_Virginia

Louisa County, Virginia

Louisa County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 25,627. The 2008 estimate is 31,000. Its county seat is Louisa.

History
Geography
Demographics
Subdivisions
Historical places and points of interest
Notable residents
References
External links

History

Louisa County was established in 1742 from Hanover County. The county is named for Princess Louise of Great Britain, youngest daughter of King George II and wife of King Frederick V of Denmark. Patrick Henry lived for some time in Louisa County on Roundabout Creek in 1764. Henry was being mentored at that time by the Louisa County magnate Thomas Johnson the representative of Louisa County in the House of Burgesses. In 1765, Patrick Henry won his first election to represent Louisa County in the House of Burgesses.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 511 square miles (1,323 km²), of which, 497 square miles (1,288 km²) of it is land and 14 square miles (35 km²) of it (2.67%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 25,627 people, 9,945 households, and 7,259 families residing in the county. The population density was 52 people per square mile (20/km²). There were 11,855 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 76.55% White, 21.58% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,945 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 22.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% 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 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,402, and the median income for a family was $44,722. Males had a median income of $31,764 versus $24,826 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,479. About 7.10% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.00% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

Although the county's 2008 population is only 31,000, it is one of the fastest-growing in Virginia, as people have moved near Lake Anna. At least 15 new housing developments have sprouted in five years.^[1]

Subdivisions

A local train of the Buckingham Branch railroad passes the C&O Depot and watertower in Louisa.

Towns:

Other communities:

Historical places and points of interest

Notable residents

James Waddel Alexander, (1804-1859), born in Louisa County, noted Presbyterian minister and professor at Princeton Theological Seminary ^[2]
John Overton, (1766-1833), born in Louisa County, notable political leader who was an adviser to Andrew Jackson and co-founder of Memphis, Tennessee.
Dabney Carr, (April 27, 1773 - January 8, 1837), celebrated Louisa County patriot.
John Mercer Langston, one of the first Afro-Americans ever elevated to public office by popular vote (in Ohio, 1855), was born in Louisa County in 1829.
Twin Oaks Community, arguably America's most successful secular commune, is located in Louisa County.