Charlotte County, Virginia

County in Virginia, United States

County in Virginia

Charlotte County

County

Charlotte County Courthouse in September 2014

Flag

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Virginia

Virginia's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 37°01′N 78°40′W﻿ / ﻿37.01°N 78.66°W﻿ / 37.01; -78.66
Country|  United States
State|  Virginia
Founded| 1764
Named after| Queen Charlotte
Seat| Charlotte Court House
Largest town| Keysville
Area

• Total

| 478 sq mi (1,240 km2)
• Land| 475 sq mi (1,230 km2)
• Water| 2.2 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 11,529

• Estimate

(2024)[1]

| 11,258
• Density| 23.7/sq mi (9.2/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 5th
Website| https://www.charlottecountyva.gov/

Charlotte County is a United States county located in the south central part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is the town of Charlotte Court House.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 11,529.[3] Charlotte County is predominantly rural with a population density of only 26.5 persons per square mile.

## History

[edit]

Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial in Charlotte County, the final resting place of Patrick Henry

European settlement of the future county began in the early 18th century,[4] and early settlers included mostly English people, with some French Huguenots, Scotch-Irish,[5] and a modest population of Germans. After approximately fifty years of European settlement, the House of Burgesses established and incorporated Charlotte County in 1764 from part of Lunenburg County. The new county was named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Queen and wife of King George III of Great Britain.[6] The county residents later became staunch supporters of independence and the American Revolution and Founding Father Patrick Henry was one of its most famous residents. His grave and the national memorial dedicated to him are located in Charlotte County. Residents of Charlotte County were heavily involved in the American Revolution. County delegates supported resolutions against the Stamp Act of 1765,[5] and the county government was the second governing body to declare independence from English rule. In addition, Charlotte militia units fought under General Robert Lawson during the Yorktown campaign, which effectively led to the end of the American War of Independence.[5] Finally, the final resting place and national memorial to revolutionary hero Patrick Henry is at Red Hill Plantation.[7]

Charlotte County has also played a role in other wars on American soil. An artillery company from Charlotte played a key role in the Battle of Craney Island during the War of 1812.[5] Also, a significant battle in the American Civil War occurred in Charlotte and Halifax counties during the Battle of Staunton River Bridge, which resulted in a victory for the Confederacy.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 478 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 475 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) is water.[8] The county is bounded on the southwest by the Roanoke River, locally known as the "Staunton River". The terrain is hilly.[9]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Prince Edward County – north
* Lunenburg County – east
* Mecklenburg County – southeast
* Halifax County – southwest
* Campbell County – west
* Appomattox County – northwest

### Major highways

[edit]

* US 15 (Farmville Rd on the extreme northside of the county; joins US 360 in Keysville and separates in Wylliesburg
* US 360 (Kings Hwy)
* SR 40 (Lunenburg County Rd on the extreme eastside; Front St & Church St in Keysville; George Washington Hwy; joins SR 47 in Charlotte Court House and becomes David Bruce Ave; Patrick Henry Hwy)
* SR 47 (Thomas Jefferson Hwy; forks from SR 40 and becomes LeGrande Ave; Tollhouse Hwy; Drakes Main St in Drakes Branch; Craftons Gate Hwy
* SR 59 (Highway Fifty-Nine)
* SR 92 (Jeb Stuart Hwy)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1790| 10,078| | —
1800| 11,912| | 18.2%
1810| 13,161| | 10.5%
1820| 13,290| | 1.0%
1830| 15,252| | 14.8%
1840| 14,595| | −4.3%
1850| 13,955| | −4.4%
1860| 14,471| | 3.7%
1870| 14,513| | 0.3%
1880| 16,653| | 14.7%
1890| 15,077| | −9.5%
1900| 15,343| | 1.8%
1910| 15,785| | 2.9%
1920| 17,540| | 11.1%
1930| 16,061| | −8.4%
1940| 15,861| | −1.2%
1950| 14,057| | −11.4%
1960| 13,368| | −4.9%
1970| 11,551| | −13.6%
1980| 12,266| | 6.2%
1990| 11,688| | −4.7%
2000| 12,472| | 6.7%
2010| 12,586| | 0.9%
2020| 11,529| | −8.4%
2024 (est.)| 11,258| | −2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010[14] 2020[15] 2024[1]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Charlotte 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[14] | Pop 2020[15] | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 8,383  | 7,677  | 66.61%  | 66.59%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 3,739  | 3,140  | 29.71%  | 27.24%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 31  | 18  | 0.25%  | 0.16%
Asian alone (NH)  | 26  | 23  | 0.21%  | 0.20%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 0  | 6  | 0.00%  | 0.05%
Some Other Race alone (NH)  | 14  | 35  | 0.11%  | 0.30%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)  | 153  | 377  | 1.22%  | 3.27%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 240  | 253  | 1.91%  | 2.19%
Total | 12,586 | 11,529 | 100.00% | 100.00%

## Elected officials

[edit]

### Board of Supervisors

[edit]

* Gary D. Walker (R), District A – Charlotte Court House, Chairman — Term expires 12/31/27
* Hazel Bowman-Smith, District B - Wylliesburg/Red Oak — Term expires 12/31/25
* Noah Davis (I), District C – Drakes Branch— Term expires 12/31/27
* Robert L. "Butch" Shook, Jr. (I), District D – Keysville — Term expires 12/31/25
* Henry Carwile, District E - Cullen/Red House — Term expires 12/31/27
* Walter T. Bailey, District F – Aspen/Phenix, Vice Chairman — Term expires 12/31/25
* Derek Toombes, District G-Bacon/Saxe— Term expires 12 /31/27

The Board of Supervisors is the legislative policy making body for the county. It considers and adopts policies regarding administration, budget, finance, economic development, health, planning, public safety, childcare, recreation, sanitation and waste removal. The Board appropriates funds for all functions, including the schools, Social Services, Law Enforcement and operation of courts. The Board's regularly scheduled meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm in the Board of Supervisors Room of the County Administration Building, 250 LeGrande Avenue, Suite A, (PO Box 608) Charlotte Court House, Virginia, 23923.[16]

### Sheriff

[edit]

Royal Freeman (I) is the sheriff. Freeman is responsible for overseeing criminal investigations, calls for service, court room security, service of civil process and the operation of the Charlotte County jail.[17]

### Circuit Court Clerk

[edit]

The clerk is Annette Clowdis (I). Clowdis manages the records for the Judicial Circuit. In addition, Colley manages the records for the Judicial Circuit and serves as general record keeper for the county, recording all documents relating to land transfers, deeds, mortgages, wills, divorces and other statistics that date back to 1765.[18]

### Commissioner Of Revenue

[edit]

Naisha P. Carter (I) is the Commissioner of the Revenue. Carter maintains the county tax maps, assesses the amount of tax owed on property and prepares the real estate and personal property tax book for Charlotte County. Carter also serves as a Virginia DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) Select Office which provides title and registration services, license plate sales, and other services.[19]

### Commonwealth's Attorney

[edit]

William E. Green, Jr. (I) is the Commonwealth's Attorney. The Charlotte County Commonwealth Attorney represents the citizens of the County in the prosecution of violations of state and local laws & is responsible for the enforcement of criminal law within the county.[20]

### Treasurer

[edit]

Patricia P. Berkeley (I) is the Treasurer. The Charlotte County Treasurer is responsible for the collection, custody and disbursement of all county funds. The Treasurer's Office is where taxes are paid and dog licenses are purchased.[21]

### Administration

[edit]

* Daniel Witt, County Administrator
* Monica Elder, Assistant County Administrator
* Norma Tuck, Finance Director
* Heather Brown, Purchasing Agent/Office Assistant
* Vanessa Waddell, Administrative Assistant

The Charlotte County Administration Office is responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of the county in accordance with the policies of the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors. The Administration Office oversees the general operations of the county, personnel management, budget preparation, funds management, purchasing, economic development, property management, compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, planning, and zoning.[22]

### School Board

[edit]

* Rick Brown-County Seat
* Carmalita Escoto, District A (Charlotte Court House)
* Teresa Dunaway, District B (Wylliesburg/Red Oak)
* Gloria Talbott, District C (Drakes Branch)
* R.B. "Jay" George (Vice Chairman), District D (Keysville)
* Scotty Hamlett, District E (Cullen/Red House)
* Dr. Elise A. Gree, District F (Phenix/Aspen)
* Lauren Willis, District B (Bacon/Saxe)
* Dana Ramsey, Clerk of the Board [23]

### Voter Registrar

[edit]

Jenni P. Booth [24]

## Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Charlotte County, Virginia[25] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 3,963  | 65.83% | 2,008  | 33.36%  | 49  | 0.81%
2020 | 3,815  | 61.62% | 2,317  | 37.43%  | 59  | 0.95%
2016 | 3,479  | 59.91% | 2,155  | 37.11%  | 173  | 2.98%
2012 | 3,311  | 56.14% | 2,503  | 42.44%  | 84  | 1.42%
2008 | 3,372  | 54.77% | 2,705  | 43.93%  | 80  | 1.30%
2004 | 3,166  | 58.22% | 2,223  | 40.88%  | 49  | 0.90%
2000 | 2,855  | 57.17% | 2,017  | 40.39%  | 122  | 2.44%
1996 | 2,103  | 45.58% | 2,007  | 43.50%  | 504  | 10.92%
1992 | 2,293  | 44.86% | 2,098  | 41.05%  | 720  | 14.09%
1988 | 2,699  | 57.44% | 1,923  | 40.92%  | 77  | 1.64%
1984 | 2,999  | 61.76% | 1,811  | 37.29%  | 46  | 0.95%
1980 | 2,322  | 51.26% | 2,108  | 46.53%  | 100  | 2.21%
1976 | 2,023  | 46.04%  | 2,312  | 52.62% | 59  | 1.34%
1972 | 2,501  | 66.22% | 1,182  | 31.29%  | 94  | 2.49%
1968 | 1,042  | 24.43%  | 1,045  | 24.50%  | 2,178  | 51.07%
1964 | 1,974  | 62.11% | 1,191  | 37.48%  | 13  | 0.41%
1960 | 867  | 32.90%  | 1,735  | 65.84% | 33  | 1.25%
1956 | 791  | 27.86%  | 1,431  | 50.41% | 617  | 21.73%
1952 | 949  | 36.56%  | 1,630  | 62.79% | 17  | 0.65%
1948 | 285  | 17.10%  | 964  | 57.83% | 418  | 25.07%
1944 | 356  | 19.45%  | 1,473  | 80.49% | 1  | 0.05%
1940 | 251  | 14.58%  | 1,467  | 85.24% | 3  | 0.17%
1936 | 190  | 9.89%  | 1,727  | 89.85% | 5  | 0.26%
1932 | 169  | 11.44%  | 1,300  | 88.02% | 8  | 0.54%
1928 | 403  | 26.60%  | 1,112  | 73.40% | 0  | 0.00%
1924 | 154  | 12.38%  | 1,006  | 80.87% | 84  | 6.75%
1920 | 364  | 22.28%  | 1,266  | 77.48% | 4  | 0.24%
1916 | 227  | 20.79%  | 856  | 78.39% | 9  | 0.82%
1912 | 175  | 19.06%  | 609  | 66.34% | 134  | 14.60%

## Communities

[edit]

### Towns

[edit]

* Charlotte Court House
* Drakes Branch
* Keysville
* Phenix

### Unincorporated

[edit]

* Cullen
* Harrisburg
* Madisonville
* Randolph
* Red House
* Red Oak
* Wren
* Wylliesburg

## Notable people

[edit]

* David K. E. Bruce – diplomat and politician
* Isaac Dabbs – politician
* Patrick Henry – politician and Founding Father
* William Hoffman\- famous author
* John McCargo\- former NFL player for the Buffalo Bills
* John Randolph – politician
* Joe Reed\- NFL player for the Los Angeles Chargers
* A. Leo Weil – lawyer

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Charlotte County, Virginia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Charlotte County, Virginia". Census.gov.
2. ^ "Find a County". ce.naco.org. National Association of Counties. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
3. ^ "Charlotte County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
4. ^ "Charlotte County History". charlottecountyva.gov. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
5. ^ a b c d Bailey, Annie Lou D. "History of Charlotte County; Sketch No.1". The Charlotte Gazette, Drakes Branch. No. April 30, 1964. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
6. ^ Salmon, Emily; Edward D.C. Campbell, Jr., eds. (1994). The Hornbook of Virginia History : a ready-reference guide to the Old Dominion's people, places, and past (4th ed.). Richmond: Library of Virginia. ISBN 0884901777.
7. ^ "Biography of Patrick Henry". Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial. Archived from the original on July 27, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
9. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Charlotte, a S. county of Virginia" . The American Cyclopædia.
10. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
13. ^ "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 1, 2014.
14. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Charlotte County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
15. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Charlotte County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
16. ^ "Charlotte County - Board Meetings, Minutes". www.charlottecountyva.gov. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
17. ^ "Sheriff's Office". charlottecountyva.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
18. ^ "Charlotte County Circuit Court Clerk". www.charlotteva.com. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
19. ^ "Charlotte County Commissioner Of Revenue". www.charlotteva.com. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
20. ^ "Charlotte County Commonwealth's Attorney". www.charlotteva.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
21. ^ "Charlotte County Treasurer". www.charlotteva.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
22. ^ "Charlotte County Administration". www.charlotteva.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
23. ^ "School Board". www.ccpsk12.org. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
24. ^ "Charlotte County Voter Registrar". www.charlotteva.com. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
25. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Charlotte County
* County History

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Charlotte County, Virginia

| Appomattox County |  | Prince Edward County

|
|

|  |
Campbell County |

Charlotte County, Virginia

| Lunenburg County
|  |
Halifax County |  | Mecklenburg County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Charlotte County, Virginia, United States

County seat: Charlotte Court House

Towns|

* Charlotte Court House
* Drakes Branch
* Keysville
* Phenix

Map of Virginia highlighting Charlotte County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Cullen
* Harrisburg
* Randolph
* Red House
* Red Oak
* Saxe
* Wren
* Wylliesburg

* Virginia portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Commonwealth of Virginia

Richmond (capital)

Topics|

* Outline
* Administrative divisions
* Climate
* Colony
* Congressional districts
* Delegations
* Senators
* Representatives
* Environment
* Furniture
* Government
* Historic houses
* Historic Landmarks
* History
* First Families
* Slavery
* Homelessness
* Housing
* Law
* Gun laws in Virginia
* LGBT rights
* Music
* People
* Rights
* Rivers
* Scouting
* Slogan
* Sports teams
* State Fair
* State parks
* Symbols
* Tourist attractions
* Transportation
* Tribes

Culture|

* Abortion
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Colleges and universities
* Media
* Newspapers
* Radio
* TV
* Politics

Regions|

* Allegheny Mountains
* Atlantic Coastal Plain
* Blue Ridge
* Chesapeake Bay
* Cumberland Mountains
* Delmarva Peninsula
* Eastern Shore
* Hampton Roads
* Middle Peninsula
* Northern Neck
* Northern Virginia
* Piedmont
* Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians
* Shenandoah Valley
* South Hampton Roads
* Southside
* Southwest Virginia
* Tennessee Valley
* Tidewater
* Tri-Cities
* Virginia Peninsula
* Western Virginia

Metro areas|

* Blacksburg-Christiansburg
* Bluefield
* Bristol
* Charlottesville
* Danville
* Harrisonburg
* Lynchburg
* Martinsville
* Richmond
* Roanoke
* Staunton-Waynesboro
* Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News
* Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
* Winchester

Counties|

* Accomack
* Albemarle
* Alleghany
* Amelia
* Amherst
* Appomattox
* Arlington
* Augusta
* Bath
* Bedford
* Bland
* Botetourt
* Brunswick
* Buchanan
* Buckingham
* Campbell
* Caroline
* Carroll
* Charles City
* Charlotte
* Chesterfield
* Clarke
* Craig
* Culpeper
* Cumberland
* Dickenson
* Dinwiddie
* Essex
* Fairfax
* Fauquier
* Floyd
* Fluvanna
* Franklin
* Frederick
* Giles
* Gloucester
* Goochland
* Grayson
* Greene
* Greensville
* Halifax
* Hanover
* Henrico
* Henry
* Highland
* Isle of Wight
* James City
* King and Queen
* King George
* King William
* Lancaster
* Lee
* Loudoun
* Louisa
* Lunenburg
* Madison
* Mathews
* Mecklenburg
* Middlesex
* Montgomery
* Nelson
* New Kent
* Northampton
* Northumberland
* Nottoway
* Orange
* Page
* Patrick
* Pittsylvania
* Powhatan
* Prince Edward
* Prince George
* Prince William
* Pulaski
* Rappahannock
* Richmond
* Roanoke
* Rockbridge
* Rockingham
* Russell
* Scott
* Shenandoah
* Smyth
* Southampton
* Spotsylvania
* Stafford
* Surry
* Sussex
* Tazewell
* Warren
* Washington
* Westmoreland
* Wise
* Wythe
* York

Independent
cities|

* Alexandria
* Bristol
* Buena Vista
* Charlottesville
* Chesapeake
* Colonial Heights
* Covington
* Danville
* Emporia
* Fairfax
* Falls Church
* Franklin
* Fredericksburg
* Galax
* Hampton
* Harrisonburg
* Hopewell
* Lexington
* Lynchburg
* Manassas
* Manassas Park
* Martinsville
* Newport News
* Norfolk
* Norton
* Petersburg
* Poquoson
* Portsmouth
* Radford
* Richmond
* Roanoke
* Salem
* Staunton
* Suffolk
* Virginia Beach
* Waynesboro
* Williamsburg
* Winchester

Virginia portal

37°01′N 78°40′W﻿ / ﻿37.01°N 78.66°W﻿ / 37.01; -78.66

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* NARA

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template