Augusta County, Virginia

Augusta County is a located in the  &mdash; officially, "" &mdash; of. As of 2006 the gives an estimated population of 70,910 residents,. Its is, although most of the administrative services have offices in neighboring.

History
Augusta County was formed in from, although county government was not organized until. It was named for, and mother of the future King.

Originally, Augusta County was a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. Most of what is now West Virginia as well as all of Kentucky were formed from it, and it also claimed the territory north and west of those areas, theoretically all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

A series of maps show the formation and division of Augusta County from 1738 through 1791. An animated map shows the formation of Virginia and West Virginia counties from 1617 to 1995.

Reductions in its extent began in, when its southern part became. In part of western Augusta County, an area also known as the District of West Augusta, became, , and  (abolished in 1786). In the part of Augusta County west of the  became  (abolished in 1784); the northeastern part of what was left became, and the southwestern part was combined with part of Botetourt County to form. In the northern part of the still shrinking county was combined with part of  to become. Augusta County assumed its present dimensions in, when its western part was combined with parts of Botetourt County and to form.

Geography


According to the, the county has a total area of 2,515 (971 ), making it the second largest in Virginia. 2,513 km² (970 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.06%) is water.

Districts
The county is divided into seven magisterial districts: Beverley Manor, Middle River, North River, Pastures, Riverheads, South River, and Wayne.

School systems
The county is serviced by three school districts:, Staunton City Schools, and Waynesboro City Schools.



Adjacent counties

 * - north
 * - northeast
 * - east
 * - southeast
 * - southwest
 * - west
 * - northwest

In addition, two cities are enclaved within the county: Under Virginia law in effect since, all municipalities in the state incorporated as cities are legally and politically of counties.

Demographics
As of the of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The was 26/km² (68/mi²). There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (28/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.02%, 3.60% or , 0.15% , 0.28% , 0.02% , 0.32% from , and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were or  of any race.

There were 24,818 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.70% were living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.80% were non-families. 20.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.10% 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 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,045, and the median income for a family was $48,579. Males had a median income of $31,577 versus $24,233 for females. The for the county was $19,744. About 4.20% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.

Towns


The of  and  (incorporated as such in  and  respectively) are located within the boundaries of Augusta County, but are not a part of the county, despite Staunton's status as the county seat. Most county administrative offices, however, are located in Verona, rather than in Staunton.

Notable residents

 * , born in Augusta County, member of the and signer of the
 * , born in Augusta County, from
 * (1811-1879), born in Augusta County, noted painter and
 * (1772-1838), born in Augusta County, noted clergyman and founder of
 * Samuel Brown, born in Augusta County, noted surgeon and editor
 * , born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Ohio
 * , born in Augusta County, general of the in the
 * (c.1774–, (?)), born near, was a member of the (1804−1806); best remembered for his explorations made after being honorably discharged in 1806 when he became the first person of an descent to enter the region now known as
 * , (1749-1830), born in Augusta County, noted, founder of Washington College, the first college west of the , noted
 * , (died 1836), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from
 * , (1795-1857), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from and governor of the.
 * , (1823-1895), born in Augusta County, member of the, cavalry general and  fighter in the.
 * , born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia.
 * , (1766-1828), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia.
 * , (c.1742-1803), born in Augusta County, from.
 * , (1739-1812), born in Augusta County, later and.
 * Robert McKnight (c.1789-1846), born in Augusta County, moved to in 1809, member of a trading expedition under  to  in 1812, captured by Spanish and imprisoned until 1821, eventually renounced his United States citizenship, moved to, and became owner of the Santa Rite del Cobre copper mine in the state of.