Culpeper County, Virginia

Culpeper County, Virginia
County
Culpeper County Courthouse
Culpeper County Courthouse
Flag of Culpeper County, Virginia
Flag
Official seal of Culpeper County, Virginia
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Culpeper County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Coordinates: 38°29′N 77°58′W / 38.49°N 77.96°W / 38.49; -77.96
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1749
Named afterCatherine Culpeper, daughter of Thomas Colepeper, 2nd Baron Colepeper of Thoresway
SeatCulpeper
Largest townCulpeper
Area
 • Total
383 sq mi (990 km2)
 • Land379 sq mi (980 km2)
 • Water3.3 sq mi (8.5 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
52,552
 • Estimate 
(2025)
57,185Increase
 • Density138.6/sq mi (53.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
22701, 22713, 22714, 22718, 22724, 22726, 22729, 22733, 22734, 22735
Congressional districts7th, 28th Senate, 61st and 62nd House of Delegates
Websitewww.culpepercounty.gov

Culpeper County is a United States county located in the north-central part of the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is included in the Washington–Baltimore–Arlington, DC–MD–VA–WV–PA Combined Statistical Area, and its population was 52,552 as of the 2020 census.[1] Its county seat is the town of Culpeper.[2]

Culpeper County was created in 1749, and its first county surveyor was a young George Washington. The county and its residents played notable roles in America's early wars, including raising the Culpeper Minutemen, a militia that fought in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

History

Native American presence

At the time of European encounter, the inhabitants of future Culpeper County were a Siouan-speaking sub-group of the Manahoac tribe called the Tegninateo,[3] allies to the Monacans and other central Virginian tribes further west.[4][5][6] Captain John Smith mapped the area between the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers in 1608, locating 4 Sioux villages therein.[7]

The Manahoac were known to clear large tracts of forest to attract big game to their territory, and built impressive burial mounds.[8][9] Though the tribe was initially sheltered from European encroachment by their position west of the fall line, they were steadily wiped out by disease and gradually increased conflict with settlers. The remnants of the tribe were first driven south towards the upper Mattaponi, then westwards into the Blue Ridge; they had largely disappeared from the Piedmont region by the time that Culpeper was intensively settled by the colonists.[4][9]

Colonial settlement

This section is an excerpt from Culpeper, Virginia § Early European settlement.[]

In 1649, the 629,000-acre Northern Neck Proprietary was established by King Charles II as a one-seventh partition of the Crown's holdings in North America.[10] The original recipient of this territory was John Colepeper, 1st Baron Colepeper of Thoresway.[11] Upon his passing, control of the territory was transferred to his son, Thomas Colepeper, the 2nd Baron; in 1688 he received a new patent from King James verifying his claim to the territory, but died the following year. 5/6th of his share of the colony was inherited by his daughter, Catherine Culpeper, and her husband Thomas Fairfax, 5th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. Upon his death in 1710, control of the territory passed on to his son Thomas, the 6th Lord. The death of his grandmother in May of that year left him the remaining sixth share. Given that he was only 16 at the time, administrative authority fell to his mother, who would maintain it until her death in 1719, when the whole of the proprietary was passed on to Thomas.[12] Upon its founding by the Virginia General Assembly as a partition of Orange County in 1749, Culpeper County would be named for Catherine, as Fairfax County already existed.[10]

Thomas Colepeper, 2nd Baron Colepeper

In May 1749, the first Culpeper Court convened in the home of Robert Tureman, near the present location of the Town of Culpeper. In July 1749, Tureman commissioned 17-year-old George Washington as the first County surveyor.[13] One of his first duties was to lay out the county's courthouse complex, which included the courthouse, jail, stocks, gallows and accessory buildings. By 1752 the complex stood at the present northeast corner of Davis and Main Streets. The courthouse village was named Town of Fairfax for Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1693–1781).[14]

Revolution and post-colonial era

During the Virginia convention held in May 1775, the colony was divided into sixteen districts. Each district had instructions to raise a battalion of men "to march at a minute's notice." Culpeper, Orange and Fauquier, forming one district, raised 350 men in "Clayton's old field" on the Catalpa estate; they were called the Culpeper Minute Men.[15] In December, the Minute Men, marching under their flag depicting a rattlesnake and inscribed with the words "Liberty or Death" and "Don't Tread on Me", took part in the Battle of Great Bridge, the first Revolutionary battle on Virginia soil. The Culpeper Minute Men reorganized in 1860 in response to the impending Civil War and became part of 13th Infantry's Company B, fighting against the US Government forces. The Culpeper Minutemen were again organized for World War I, and joined the 116th Infantry.

A. P. Hill is buried in Culpeper, his boyhood home

Antebellum and the Civil War

In 1833, based on the county's growing population and the need of those in the northwestern area for easier access to a county seat, the upper 267 square miles (690 km2) of Culpeper County was partitioned off to create Rappahannock County, Virginia, which was founded by an act of the Virginia General Assembly.

The Battle of Cedar Mountain took place during the Civil War on August 9, 1862, and the Battle of Brandy Station occurred on June 9, 1863, in Culpeper County. Culpeper was the boyhood home of General A. P. Hill, who fought against Union forces.[citation needed]

20th century

The negative impact of the Massive Resistance campaign against school integration led to the statewide election of a pro-desegregation governor. By the middle of the 1970s,[16] Culpeper was the last county in Virginia to desegregate its public schools. In 2018 Culpeper County Public Schools[17] has six elementary, two middle schools and two high schools. In 1935 the Rotary Club of Culpeper began a college loan fund, which in 1966 became a four-year scholarship based on academic achievement. The group also provides a Technical School scholarship based on academic achievement.[18]

Culpeper County is home to Commonwealth Park, site for many world-class equestrian events. It was here that actor Christopher Reeve suffered his 1995 accident during a competition.

The town of Culpeper was rated #10 by Norman Crampton, author of "The 100 Best Small Towns in America," in February 1993.

21st century

In April 2016, the county Board of Supervisors denied a routine request from the Islamic Center of Culpeper for a pump and haul permit to serve their envisioned mosque. This resulted in a lawsuit by the US Department of Justice in December.[19]

Economy

Culpeper County has a civilian workforce of 24,313.[20] 30% of residents live and work within the county while 70% of workers commute out of the locality. The most residents are commuting to Fairfax or Fauquier counties. In comparison, the equivalent of 45% are in-commuters. The most in-commuters are coming from Orange County.[21]

Cornfields east of Culpeper

The Top 10 non-governmental Culpeper employers as of March 2023:[21]

  1. Culpeper Memorial Hospital
  2. Walmart
  3. Masco (Cabinetworks)
  4. S.W.I.F.T.
  5. Bingham and Taylor Corporation
  6. Continental Automotive
  7. Cintas Corporation
  8. Virginia Baptist Homes (The Culpeper Senior Living)
  9. Communications Corporation of America
  10. LaborReady Mid-Atlantic
    Culpeper County, Virginia is located in Charlottesville to Merrifield
    Albemarle
    Louisa
    Greene
    Page
    Madison
    Rappahannock
    Charlottesville
    Charlottesville
    Fauquier
    Manassas
    Manassas
    Manassas Park
    Manassas Park
    Prince William
    Spotsylvania
    Stafford
    Fredericksburg
    Fredericksburg
    Culpeper
    Orange
    Caroline
    King George
    Culpeper County, Virginia (Charlottesville to Merrifield)

Geography

The northeast border of Culpeper County is defined by the Rappahannock River which flows east-southeastward along its border, while the south border of the county is similarly defined by the meanders of the Rapidan River. The Hazel River flows eastward through the county, discharging into the Rappahannock on the county's east border, while the Thornton River also flows eastward through the county, discharging into the Hazel in the north part of the county. The county is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are quickly accessed beginning with Old Rag Mountain and the Skyline Drive just up Route 522.[22] The rolling hills generally slope to the south and east, with its highest point near its west corner at 705 ft (215 m) ASL.[23] The county has a total area of 383 square miles (990 km2), of which 379 square miles (980 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.9%) is water.[24]

US 15/US 29 near Culpeper in Culpeper County

Major highways

U.S. Route 211 as it passes through Culpeper County

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

  • Brandy Station Battlefield Park
  • Mountain Run Lake Park

Lakes

  • Balds Run Reservoir
  • Brandy Rock Farm Lake
  • Caynor Lake
  • Lake Culpeper
  • Merrimac/Mountain Run Lake[22]

Government

Board of Supervisors

  • Catalpa District: Paul W. Bates, Vice Chairman (I)[25]
  • Cedar Mountain District: David E. Durr (I)[26]
  • East Fairfax District: David C. Lee (I)[27]
  • Jefferson District: Brad C. Rosenberger (R)[28]
  • Salem District: Tom Underwood (R)[29]
  • Stevensburg District: Susan L. Gugino (R)[30]
  • West Fairfax District: Gary M. Deal, Chairman (I)[31]

Constitutional Offices

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Carson Beard (I)[32]
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Terry L. Yowell (I)[33]
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Russ Rabb (R)[34]
  • Sheriff: Timothy W. Chilton (I)[35]
  • Treasurer: Missy N. White (R)[36]

State representatives

Culpeper County is represented by Republicans Bryce E. Reeves, Emmett W. Hanger Jr., and Jill Holtzman Vogel in the Virginia Senate, Republicans Michael J. Webert and Nicholas J. (Nick) Freitas in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Democrat Eugene Vindman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Culpeper County has been a Republican stronghold for several decades. The last time a Democratic presidential candidate carried the county was 1964.

United States presidential election results for Culpeper County, Virginia[37]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1912 108 11.80% 752 82.19% 55 6.01%
1916 184 17.73% 849 81.79% 5 0.48%
1920 330 25.27% 973 74.50% 3 0.23%
1924 190 17.15% 876 79.06% 42 3.79%
1928 753 47.39% 836 52.61% 0 0.00%
1932 417 23.40% 1,349 75.70% 16 0.90%
1936 551 30.21% 1,266 69.41% 7 0.38%
1940 579 32.27% 1,208 67.34% 7 0.39%
1944 750 42.30% 1,022 57.64% 1 0.06%
1948 682 40.14% 804 47.32% 213 12.54%
1952 1,507 60.33% 987 39.51% 4 0.16%
1956 1,502 56.44% 966 36.30% 193 7.25%
1960 1,630 54.86% 1,332 44.83% 9 0.30%
1964 1,775 48.43% 1,886 51.46% 4 0.11%
1968 2,229 47.49% 1,239 26.40% 1,226 26.12%
1972 3,707 72.80% 1,316 25.84% 69 1.36%
1976 3,659 54.64% 2,892 43.19% 145 2.17%
1980 4,312 59.43% 2,519 34.72% 424 5.84%
1984 5,596 70.60% 2,255 28.45% 75 0.95%
1988 5,896 68.57% 2,555 29.71% 148 1.72%
1992 5,226 49.93% 3,444 32.91% 1,796 17.16%
1996 5,688 53.90% 3,907 37.02% 958 9.08%
2000 7,440 60.76% 4,364 35.64% 440 3.59%
2004 10,026 64.25% 5,476 35.09% 103 0.66%
2008 10,711 54.26% 8,802 44.59% 228 1.15%
2012 11,580 57.30% 8,285 40.99% 346 1.71%
2016 13,349 60.08% 7,759 34.92% 1,110 5.00%
2020 16,012 59.05% 10,617 39.15% 487 1.80%
2024 17,685 61.67% 10,557 36.81% 437 1.52%

Procurement

Recent media investigations regarding law enforcement procurement of military equipment through the 1033 Program offered by the Defense Logistics Agency identified Culpeper County as having received, as donations, a "Mine Resistant Vehicle" in 2013 worth $412,000 and 20 night-vision optics worth an additional $136,000.[38]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179022,105—
180018,100−18.1%
181018,9674.8%
182020,94410.4%
183024,02714.7%
184011,393−52.6%
185012,2827.8%
186012,063−1.8%
187012,2271.4%
188013,4089.7%
189013,233−1.3%
190014,1236.7%
191013,472−4.6%
192013,292−1.3%
193013,3060.1%
194013,3650.4%
195013,242−0.9%
196015,08813.9%
197018,21820.7%
198022,62024.2%
199027,79122.9%
200034,26223.3%
201046,68936.3%
202052,55212.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[39]
1790–1960[40] 1900–1990[41]
1990–2000[42] 2010[43] 2020[44]

Racial and ethnic composition

Culpeper 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[43] Pop 2020[44] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 33,482 34,840 71.71% 66.30%
Black or African American alone (NH) 7,212 6,453 15.45% 12.28%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 129 110 0.28% 0.21%
Asian alone (NH) 593 767 1.27% 1.46%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 12 20 0.03% 0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 100 233 0.21% 0.44%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 1,004 2,620 2.15% 4.99%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4,157 7,509 8.90% 14.29%
Total 46,689 52,552 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 52,552. The median age was 39.8 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.1 males age 18 and over.[46][47]

The racial makeup of the county was 68.7% White, 12.5% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 7.7% from some other race, and 8.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 14.3% of the population.[47]

42.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 57.1% lived in rural areas.[48]

There were 18,181 households in the county, of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[46]

There were 19,185 housing units, of which 5.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.8% were owner-occupied and 27.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.7%.[46]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 34,262 people, 12,141 households, and 9,045 families in the county. The population density was 90.4 people per square mile (34.9 people/km2). There were 12,871 housing units at an average density of 34.0 units per square mile (13.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 68.27% White, 28.15% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.15% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 2.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,141 households, out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.50% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.08.

The county population contained 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,290, and the median income for a family was $51,475. Males had a median income of $36,621 versus $25,985 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,162. About 27.00% of families and 29.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.30% of those under age 18 and 28.60% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Culpeper County Public Schools is the school district covering the entire county.[49]

Elementary schools

  • A.G. Richardson Elementary
  • Banner Christian
  • Culpeper Christian
  • Emerald Hill Elementary
  • Epiphany Catholic School
  • Farmington Elementary
  • Pearl Sample Elementary
  • Sycamore Park Elementary
  • Yowell Elementary

Middle schools

  • Banner Christian
  • Culpeper Christian
  • Culpeper Middle
  • Floyd T. Binns Middle

High schools

Communities

Below is a list of formal and informal communities in the county.[22]

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Notable people

  • Maliq Brown - (b. 2003) college basketball player
  • Pete Hill - (1882–1951) professional baseball player, in Hall of Fame
  • Big Kenny - (b. 1963) country music singer
  • Dangerfield Newby - (c.1820-October 17, 1859), one of John Brown's men killed in the raid on the federal armory at Harper's Ferry, VA
  • Eppa Rixey - (1891–1963) professional baseball player, in Hall of Fame
  • D. French Slaughter Jr. - US Congressman (1985–1991)
  • Andrew Stevenson – Speaker of the House of Representatives
  • French Strother - (1730–1800) significant political figure in early national history

See also

References

  1. ^ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. August 12, 2021. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Swanton, John R. (1952), The Indian Tribes of North America, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 61–62, ISBN 0-8063-1730-2, OCLC 52230544 {{citation}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  4. ^ a b "Native Americans | Museum Of Culpeper History". culpepermuseum.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  5. ^ "About us: History & More". Rappahannock County Government (www.rappahannockcountyva.gov). Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  6. ^ "The First Peoples of Spotsylvania • Spotsylvania County, VA". www.spotsylvania.va.us. Archived from the original on January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  7. ^ "A Brief History – Culpeper County". Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  8. ^ "Celebrate Native American Heritage Month- The Doeg and Manahoac Indian Tribes". www.pwcva.gov. Archived from the original on January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  9. ^ a b "Ellwood Grounds (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Archived from the original on October 21, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  10. ^ a b "A Brief History – Culpeper County". Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  11. ^ 'A Key Chart of the Pedigree of the Wigsell Culpepers', in F. Harrison, 'The Proprietors of the Northern Neck. Chapters of Culpeper Genealogy', The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography XXXIII no. 2 (Virginia Historical Society, April 1925), pp. 113-53.
  12. ^ Robert Carter and the Northern Neck Proprietary Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine at the University of Virginia Library website
  13. ^ Abbott, W.W., editor. The Papers of George Washington: Colonial Series, Vol. 1 (University Press of Virginia: 1983) p. 9
  14. ^ Culpeper County Comprehensive Plan, 2005 Archived October 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Culpeper History: A Short Outline". culpepermuseum.com. The Museum of Culpeper History. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  16. ^ Encyclopedia Virginia: Desegregation in Public Schools, accessed March 2018.
  17. ^ Culpeper County Public Schools official website, accessed March 2018.
  18. ^ Rotary Club of Culpeper: Scholarships, accessed 2018.
  19. ^ Washington Post (15 December 2016)
  20. ^ "Estimated Labor Force Components, August 2021" (PDF). Virginia Employment Commission. VEC. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Community Profile" (PDF). Virginia Works. VEC.
  22. ^ a b c Culpeper County VA Google Maps (accessed 14 April 2019)
  23. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Culpeper County VA" Google Maps (accessed 14 April 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  24. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". US Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  25. ^ "Catalpa District". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  26. ^ "Cedar Mountain District". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  27. ^ "East Fairfax District". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  28. ^ "Jefferson District". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  29. ^ "Salem District". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  30. ^ "Stevensburg District". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  31. ^ "West Farifax District". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  32. ^ "Circuit Court Contact Information". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  33. ^ "Commissioner of the Revenue Contact Information". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  34. ^ "Commonwealth Attorney Contact Information". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  35. ^ "Culpeper County Sheriff's Office". culpepersheriff. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  36. ^ "Treasurer Contact Information". Culpeper County Virginia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  37. ^ David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  38. ^ DHS 1033 Program Database http://www.freep.com/article/20140817/NEWS06/140726001
  39. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  40. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  41. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  42. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  43. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Culpeper County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  44. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Culpeper County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  45. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  46. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  47. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  48. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  49. ^ Geography Division (January 8, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Culpeper County, VA (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2025. - Text list

38°29′N 77°58′W / 38.49°N 77.96°W / 38.49; -77.96

allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culpeper_County,_VA