Patrick County, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Patrick County is a county
located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 18,490. Its county seat
is Stuart
. It is located within both the rolling hills and valleys of the Piedmont Region
of Virginia
and mountainous Southwest Virginia
.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 19,407 people, 8,141 households, and 5,812 families residing in the county. The population density
was 40 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 9,823 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.75% White
, 6.20% Black
or African American
, 0.21% Native American
, 0.16% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.94% from other races
, and 0.71% from two or more races. 1.87% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
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 age 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.
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".
. The county has two remaining covered bridges, rises from 900 feet to well over 3,000 feet, providing breathtaking 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. 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.
Patrick County is featured on the Virginia is For Lovers
website
.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 18,490. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Stuart
Stuart, Virginia
Stuart is a town in Patrick County, Virginia, United States, and its county seat. The population was 961 at the 2000 census. Due to recent boundary expansion, the town of Stuart has an estimated population of nearly 1,700 residents. The town of Stuart was named after Confederate Gen. J.E.B...
. It is located within both the rolling hills and valleys of the Piedmont Region
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and mountainous Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia, often abbreviated as SWVA, is a mountainous region of Virginia in the westernmost part of the commonwealth. Southwest Virginia has been defined alternatively as all Virginia counties on the Appalachian Plateau, all Virginia counties west of the Eastern Continental Divide, or...
.
As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 19,407 people, 8,141 households, and 5,812 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 40 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 9,823 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.75% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 6.20% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.21% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.16% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.94% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.71% from two or more races. 1.87% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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 age 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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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 KnobRocky Knob AVA
The Rocky Knob AVA is an American Viticultural Area in a mountainous area east of the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwest Virginia. The AVA includes portions of Floyd and Patrick counties. The area is located on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the towns of Woolwine and Meadows of...
American Viticultural Area
American Viticultural Area
An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau , United States Department of the Treasury....
, as defined by the federal government
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, is located in Patrick County. Patrick County was also a setting for the ministry of Reverend Bob Childress
Bob Childress
Bob Childress was a Presbyterian minister who was born in the town of Ararat, Virginia and raised in the Primitive Baptist tradition. He became known throughout the Southern Appalachian region for his work to transform the region's culture of violence and promote basic education...
whose life was chronicled in the book "The Man Who Moved a Mountain".
Tourism
Patrick County is one of the great tourist areas of VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The county has two remaining covered bridges, rises from 900 feet to well over 3,000 feet, providing breathtaking views. Patrick County is Virginia's Gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
, and is only minutes from Mabry Mill
Mabry Mill
Mabry Mill is a watermill located at milepost 176.2 of Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County, Virginia. It is a tourist attraction mainly for the picturesque views of the mill itself. A short trail around the mill connects historical exhibits about life in rural Virginia...
, the most photographed destination on the parkway. The county hosts the longest running beach music festival on the East coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
, is home to the legendary NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
team the Wood Brothers, and many more attractions each year provide a wide range of activities for every group of every age.
Virginia is for Lovers
Virginia is for Lovers is the tourism and travel slogan of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Used since 1969, it has become a well recognized and often imitated part of American jargon. For example, New York drew on its success to create the I Love New York logo nearly a decade later in 1977...
website
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
.
Schools
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. 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.- Patrick County High SchoolPatrick County High SchoolPatrick County High School is a comprehensive public high school in Stuart, Virginia, USA. The school currently enrolls over 1,000 students in grades 8–12. It is the only public high school operated by the...
School websites
- Blue Ridge Elementary
- Hardin Reynolds Memorial
- Meadows of Dan Elementary
- Patrick County High School
- Patrick Springs Primary
- Stuart Elementary
- Woolwine Elementary
Unincorporated communities
- AraratArarat, VirginiaArarat is an unincorporated community in Patrick County, Virginia, United States, south of the Blue Ridge Parkway and north of Mount Airy, North Carolina. Ararat is located near the Virginia/North Carolina state line about five miles north of Mount Airy, North Carolina and about 25 miles west of...
- ClaudvilleClaudville, VirginiaClaudville is an unincorporated community in Patrick County, Virginia, United States. It is located near the Virginia/North Carolina state line. The nearest community is Ararat, 5.3 miles away. The area is known for Civil War reenactments, and a goldfish farm. In October 2009, the area opened the...
- Critz
- Penn's Store
- Meadows of DanMeadows of Dan, VirginiaMeadows of Dan is an unincorporated community in Patrick County, Virginia, United States, where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses U.S. Route 58 . There are numerous country shops, classic houses, and restaurants in the community...
- Patrick SpringsPatrick Springs, VirginiaPatrick Springs is a census-designated place in Patrick County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,068 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Patrick Springs is located at ....
- VestaVesta, VirginiaVesta is an unincorporated community in Patrick County, Virginia, United States. Vesta is located on U.S. Route 58 northwest of Stuart. Vesta has a post office with ZIP code 24177....
- WoolwineWoolwine, VirginiaWoolwine is an unincorporated community in northern Patrick County, Virginia, United States. The western terminus of State Route 40 is here, at State Route 8. The community lies in the Rocky Knob American Viticultural Area...
- Russell Creek
- Mayberry