Patrick County
County
Bull Mountain in Patrick County
Bull Mountain in Patrick County
Official seal of Patrick County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Patrick County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°41′N 80°17′W / 36.68°N 80.29°W / 36.68; -80.29
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1791
Named forPatrick Henry
SeatStuart
Largest townStuart
Area
 • Total486 sq mi (1,260 km2)
 • Land483 sq mi (1,250 km2)
 • Water2.8 sq mi (7 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total17,608
 • Density36/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.co.patrick.va.us
July 4, 1900, Patrick County, Virginia

Patrick County is a county located on the central southern border of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 17,608.[1] Its county seat is Stuart.[2] It is located within both the rolling hills and valleys of the Piedmont Region and the more mountainous regions of Southwest Virginia.

History

Patrick County was formed in 1791. It was originally a part of Henry County. Henry County, which was formed in 1777, was named after Patrick Henry.

Prior to the formation of Patrick County, one of Virginia colony's first frontier forts lay within the boundaries of what was then Halifax County on the banks of the North Mayo River. The location of Fort Mayo, now marked by a Virginia state historic marker, lies within present-day Patrick County. A number of forts built by Virginia colonists from the Potomac River south to North Carolina, was commanded by Captain Samuel Harris in 1756. It was also the year in which George Washington made a tour of Fort Mayo and several other forts on the Virginia frontier. Fort Mayo was the southernmost of the Virginia frontier forts and saw action during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) between the English and French and associated Native American allies.

One of Patrick County's most prominent early settlers was Col. Abraham Penn (sometimes written Abram Penn), born in 1743 in what is today Amherst County, Virginia. Penn qualified as Lieutenant in the Amherst County militia in June 1768, and led a company under Col. Andrew Lewis at the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774.[3] Penn later moved with his wife Ruth (née Stovall) to present-day Henry County, Virginia, where he patented lands at the later site of Beaver Creek Plantation. Penn served on the Committee of Safety for both Henry and Pittsylvania counties, and as a delegate to the Virginia General Assembly from Henry County.

Eventually selling those lands to the Hairston family, Penn moved with his family a few miles farther west to what is today Patrick County, where he built his plantation home Poplar Grove. During the American Revolution, Col. Penn ordered the muster of some 300 militiamen under his command to march south to aid General Nathanael Greene at the battle of Guilford Court House. Historians question whether the troops arrived in time for the fighting.[4][5]

It is documented that Penn commanded militia in the Battle of Eutaw Springs.[6][7][8] Penn was later present at Yorktown to witness the surrender of the British forces under General Cornwallis.

Col. Penn was one of the organizers of Patrick County, which he served many years as a justice. The unincorporated community of Penn's Store is named for Col. Penn and his descendants.[9][10] The Abram Penn Highway in Patrick County is named for Col. Penn, who died in 1801.

Poplar Grove, Patrick County home of Col. Abram Penn

On October 24, 2004, a private corporate plane crashed on Bull Mountain, killing all eight passengers and two crew, including Busch Series racer Ricky Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports lead engine builder Randy Dorton.[11]

On November 6, 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a state of emergency due to wildfires, citing a fire in the Tuggles Gap community.[12]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 486 square miles (1,260 km2), of which 483 square miles (1,250 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (0.6%) is water.[13]

Patrick County has two defined physiographic provinces lying within its boundaries. One-third of Patrick County is in the rolling Piedmont region, and the remaining two-thirds are in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, where the Blue Ridge Parkway forms the county's western border with Carroll and Floyd counties to the north.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

US 58 in Patrick County

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18004,331—
18104,6958.4%
18205,0898.4%
18307,39545.3%
18408,0328.6%
18509,60919.6%
18609,359−2.6%
187010,1618.6%
188012,83326.3%
189014,14710.2%
190015,4038.9%
191017,19511.6%
192016,850−2.0%
193015,787−6.3%
194016,6135.2%
195015,642−5.8%
196015,282−2.3%
197015,2820.0%
198017,64715.5%
199017,473−1.0%
200019,40711.1%
201018,490−4.7%
202017,608−4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010[18] 2020[19]

2020 census

Patrick County, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[18] Pop 2020[19] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 16,680 15,577 90.21% 88.47%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,085 831 5.87% 4.72%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 50 24 0.27% 0.14%
Asian alone (NH) 42 43 0.23% 0.24%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 3 0.00% 0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 8 72 0.04% 0.41%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 181 491 0.98% 2.79%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 444 567 2.40% 3.22%
Total 18,490 17,608 100.00% 100.00%

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 can be of any race.

2010 Census

As of the 2010 census,[20] there were 18,490 people, 8,081 households, and 5,410 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (15 people/km2). There were 10,083 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.10% White, 5.9% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.40% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 2.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the 2000 Census, there were 8,141 households, out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.70% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,705, and the median income for a family was $36,232. Males had a median income of $25,391 versus $18,711 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,574. About 9.60% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 18.00% of those age 65 or over.

Distinctions

Part of the Rocky Knob American Viticultural Area, as defined by the federal government, is located in Patrick County. Patrick County was also a setting for the ministry of Reverend Bob Childress whose life was chronicled in the book "The Man Who Moved a Mountain".

Tourism

Patrick County is one of the great tourist areas of Virginia. The county has one of Virginia's seven remaining covered bridges (Bob White covered bridge washed away in September 2015), rises from 900 feet to well over 3,000 feet, providing panoramic views. Patrick County is Virginia's Gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway and is only minutes from Mabry Mill, the most photographed destination on the parkway. It is also the home of Fairy Stone State Park.The county hosts the longest running beach music festival on the East coast, is home to the legendary NASCAR team the Wood Brothers, and many more attractions each year provide a wide range of activities for every group of every age.

Mabry's Mill

Patrick County is featured on the Virginia is For Lovers website.

The Bob White Covered Bridge once located in Woolwine washed away by Flood Waters in September 2015. Bob White Covered Bridge Washes Away

Education

Patrick County Public Schools has seven total public schools, of which four are for grades K-7, one is for grades K-3, one is for grades 4–7, and Patrick County High School is for grade 8–12.[21] One school, Stuart Elementary was recognized in 2008 as receiving the Governor's VIP award. Recently two schools, Stuart Elementary and Woolwine Elementary were designated as Distinguished Title I schools. In 2006, Patrick County Public Schools was listed as an outperforming school district, one of 12 in the state of Virginia, by Standard and Poor's. All of the schools have received "full accreditation" status by the State of Virginia and all schools have met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Communities

Town

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people

Government

Patrick County is governed by an elected five-member Board of Supervisors. Management of the county is vested in a Board-appointed County Administrator.

Patrick County Board of Supervisors
Name Party First Election District
  Jane Fulk (chair) Ind 2017 Dan River
  Crystal Harris (Vice Chair) Ind 2005 Smith River
  Clyde DeLoach Ind 2019 Blue Ridge
  Clayton Kendrick Rep 2019 Mayo River
  Denise Stirewalt Rep 2019 Peters Creek

There are also five elected Constitutional Officers:

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Sherri Hazlewood
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Stephanie Vipperman
  • Sheriff: Dan Smith
  • Commissioner of Revenue: Janet Rorrer
  • Treasurer: Sandra Stone
United States presidential election results for Patrick County, Virginia[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 7,485 78.51% 1,954 20.50% 95 1.00%
2016 6,454 75.71% 1,768 20.74% 303 3.55%
2012 5,622 68.07% 2,417 29.27% 220 2.66%
2008 5,491 64.37% 2,879 33.75% 161 1.89%
2004 5,507 67.04% 2,572 31.31% 136 1.66%
2000 4,901 66.36% 2,254 30.52% 230 3.11%
1996 3,547 52.39% 2,301 33.98% 923 13.63%
1992 3,521 48.98% 2,465 34.29% 1,203 16.73%
1988 3,990 64.06% 2,093 33.60% 146 2.34%
1984 4,703 70.47% 1,908 28.59% 63 0.94%
1980 3,436 56.12% 2,382 38.90% 305 4.98%
1976 2,349 43.69% 2,740 50.96% 288 5.36%
1972 2,951 73.35% 942 23.42% 130 3.23%
1968 2,187 41.46% 1,105 20.95% 1,983 37.59%
1964 1,468 38.88% 2,306 61.07% 2 0.05%
1960 1,362 44.98% 1,655 54.66% 11 0.36%
1956 1,345 43.93% 1,677 54.77% 40 1.31%
1952 1,314 45.75% 1,554 54.11% 4 0.14%
1948 648 35.22% 760 41.30% 432 23.48%
1944 706 33.68% 1,383 65.98% 7 0.33%
1940 514 25.71% 1,479 73.99% 6 0.30%
1936 726 31.29% 1,588 68.45% 6 0.26%
1932 486 26.23% 1,342 72.42% 25 1.35%
1928 1,191 57.43% 883 42.57% 0 0.00%
1924 783 40.53% 1,138 58.90% 11 0.57%
1920 1,230 51.53% 1,154 48.35% 3 0.13%
1916 815 48.22% 872 51.60% 3 0.18%
1912 434 29.13% 698 46.85% 358 24.03%

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Patrick County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Serving under Capt. Penn during his militia service under Col. Andrew Lewis was a young lieutenant Joseph Martin, for whom Martinsville, Virginia was later named.
  4. ↑ "The Henry County Militia and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse: Colonel Penn's Militiamen Arrive Too Late," Guilford Courthouse National Military Park Historical Publication 05-07
  5. ↑ The National Park Service, while conceding that tradition places the Henry County militia at the battle, claims that no documentary evidence places the unit there. The NPS says, "how many, if any, were in the battle is unknown." Archived 2017-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Judith Parks America Hill, A History of Henry County, Virginia, with Biographical Sketches of Its Most Prominent Citizens, Reissued by Heritage Books, 2009 ISBN 0-7884-2302-9
  7. ↑ Virginia G. Pedigo; Lewis Gravely Pedigo (1933). History of Patrick and Henry Counties, Virginia. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Company. ISBN 0-8063-8010-1. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
  8. ↑ The first organizer of militia troops from Henry and Pittsylvania Counties, Col. Penn issued an order on March 11, 1781, ordering his regiment of militia to leave Beaver Creek to reinforce General Nathanael Greene at Guilford Court House. Penn's order may have allowed his regiment to reach the battle in time for the engagement four days later, on March 15, 1781.
  9. ↑ Warren Skidmore, Donna Kaminsky, Lord Dunmore's Little War of 1774, Charles County, Maryland: Heritage Books, 2002
  10. ↑ The professor and novelist Robert Penn Warren is a descendant of Col. Abraham Penn.
  11. ↑ "Ten die in crash of Hendrick plane". Usatoday.Com. October 26, 2004. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  12. ↑ Macaulay, Porter (November 7, 2023). "Governor Glenn Youngkin Declares State of Emergency to Enable Assistance for Wildfires in Two Counties". governor.virginia.gov. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  18. 1 2 "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Patrick County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  19. 1 2 "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Patrick County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Home - Patrick County Public Schools". www.patrick.k12.va.us. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  22. ↑ Laurel Hill Farm
  23. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.

36°41′N 80°17′W / 36.68°N 80.29°W / 36.68; -80.29

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