Stafford County, Virginia

County in Virginia, United States

County in Virginia

Stafford County

County

Stafford County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Virginia

Virginia's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 38°25′N 77°27′W﻿ / ﻿38.41°N 77.45°W﻿ / 38.41; -77.45
Country|  United States
State|  Virginia
Founded| 1664
Named after| Staffordshire, England
Seat| Stafford
Largest community| Aquia Harbor
Area

• Total

| 280 sq mi (700 km2)
• Land| 269 sq mi (700 km2)
• Water| 11 sq mi (30 km2)  3.9%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 156,939

• Estimate

(2023[1])

| 165,428
• Density| 560/sq mi (220/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes|

22405, 22406, 22134, 22554, 22556

Congressional district| 7th
Website| staffordcountyva.gov

Stafford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of Washington, D.C. It is part of the Northern Virginia region, and the D.C area. It is one of the fastest-growing and highest-income counties in America. As of the 2020 United States census, the population sits at 156,927.[2] Its county seat is Stafford.[3]

Located across the Rappahannock River from the City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County, Stafford County is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2006, and again in 2009, Stafford was ranked by Forbes magazine as the 11th highest-income county in the United States. According to a Census Bureau report released in 2019, Stafford County is currently the sixth highest-income county in America.

## History

[edit]

For thousands of years, various native cultures succeeded each other in their territories along the Potomac River and its tributaries. By the time of English colonization, there were 32 Algonquian-speaking Native American tribes in the present-day coastal Tidewater Virginia area, including those of the Patawomeck and numerous tribes that were part of the Powhatan Confederacy. The former small tribe, still centered in Stafford County, was recognized by the state of Virginia in 2010.

The Indigenous' first recorded encounter with Europeans in this area was in 1608, with John Smith of the Jamestown Settlement. During a time of recurring tension between the early English colonists and the local natives, the colonists led by Samuel Argall captured Chief Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas, while she was living with her husband, Kocoum, at the Patawomeck town of Passapatanzy. The colonists took her from Passapatanzy, located in the eastern part of what is now Stafford County, to a secondary English settlement, known as Henricus (or Henrico Town). During her captivity there, Alexander Whitaker converted Pocahontas to Christianity. She took the name "Rebecca" at her baptism. Rebecca/Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe on April 5, 1614, in Jamestown.[4][5] Their mixed-race descendants were among the First Families of Virginia.

The English colonial government of Virginia imposed its own order on the land and peoples. In 1664 it established Stafford County from territory previously part of Westmoreland County[6] (which had been created from Northumberland County in 1653). It was named after Staffordshire, England. As originally delineated, Stafford County included a much larger area than its current borders. As population grew, the following counties and jurisdictions were created: Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties, and the City of Alexandria.[6] It is part of the area now considered Northern Virginia.

George Washington spent much of his childhood in the lower part of the county at his family's home Ferry Farm, which at the time was part of King George County and was along the Rappahannock River across from Fredericksburg. Colonial Forge High School was built on a tract of land owned in colonial times by his father Augustine Washington.[7] George Mason, another Founding Father, also lived in Stafford during his formative years.[8]

Aquia Church, built in 1757, is unusual among local structures for having been designed on the plan of a Greek cross rather than the more standard Roman Cross design. In addition, Aquia Church has a rare three-tiered pulpit; it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The Episcopal church continues to be active today.[9]

Stafford County industry and resources were important to the colony and early nation. During the Revolutionary War, the Stafford ironworks furnished arms for the colonial rebel soldiers.[10] Aquia Creek sandstone, quarried from Government Island, was used to build the White House and the U.S. Capitol.[11]

During the American Civil War, the county was part of the battlegrounds, occupied repeatedly by more than 100,000 troops for several years. In 1862, before and after the Battle of Fredericksburg, some 10,000 slaves left area plantations and city households to cross the Rappahannock River, reaching the Union lines and gaining freedom. This exodus and Trail of Freedom is commemorated by historical markers on both sides of the river, in Fredericksburg and in Stafford County.[12] The Battle of Aquia Creek took place in the Aquia Harbour area.[13] Both the Union Army and the Confederate Army struggled to control the strategic Potomac Creek Bridge at various times during the war.

Falmouth, a town bordering Fredericksburg, was the home of late-19th century American Impressionist artist Gari Melchers. His house, Belmont, still stands and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

### 20th century to present

[edit]

Stafford County Courthouse in 1929

Stafford County has developed to be one of the core counties of the Washington metropolitan area and Northern Virginia, the seat of government and numerous major defense installations. Marine Corps Base Quantico occupies northern areas of the county. The FBI Academy, FBI National Laboratory and NCIS HQ are located on the Stafford side of MCBQ. Many residents commute north to work there and in other defense and federal facilities, as well as private companies, in Washington and its environs on Interstate Highway 95, U.S. Route 1, and by Virginia Railway Express. Stafford County is suburban and home to many Washington, D.C., commuters and workers who work for the federal government. It is also home to many military families because of its proximity to MCBQ. Theoe facts contribute to the high-income of families in Stafford County and the high number of home-ownership and college graduates. Stafford County is also one of the few counties in America where black households make more than white households. In recent years Stafford County has experienced major suburbanization, and growth as more and more workers move to the suburbs for their families. Thus, many developers are currently active in Stafford County in housing and retail projects.

In the early morning hours of May 9, 2008, a tornado touched down in the southern part of the county, severely damaging about 140 suburban homes.[14][15]

The county was severely affected by "Snowmageddon," the massive blizzards of December 2009 and February 2010, and received some of the heaviest snow in the D.C. metropolitan area, with about 25 inches of snow in December, and 19 inches in February.[16][17]

## Geography

[edit]

Charles

Alexandria

Fauquier

Manassas

Manassas Park

Prince William

Spotsylvania

Stafford

Fredericksburg

Culpeper

Louisa

Orange

Caroline

Hanover

King George

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 280 square miles (730 km2), of which 269 square miles (700 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (3.9%) is water.[18] The independent city of Fredericksburg developed at the fall line of the Rappahannock, supporting mills run by water power. To the northwest of there is the Piedmont area. Aquia Creek empties into the tidal segment of the Potomac River at Brent Point. Its location and proximity to Washington, D.C., has caused many federal government workers and commuters to live in the county. Stafford County's location, close to Washington, D.C., and MCB Quanico, are one of the major reasons for the county's suburbanization and growth.

### Major bodies of water

[edit]

* Rappahannock River
* Potomac River
* Aquia Creek

### Adjacent counties and independent city

[edit]

* Fauquier County – northwest
* Prince William County – north
* Charles County, Maryland – east
* King George County – southeast

* Caroline County – south
* Fredericksburg, Virginia – southwest
* Spotsylvania County – southwest
* Culpeper County – west

|

## Government and politics

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

The county is divided into seven magisterial districts: George Washington, Hartwood, Falmouth, Griffis-Widewater, Aquia, Garrisonville, and Rockhill. The magisterial districts, roughly equal in population, each elect one supervisor to the Board of Supervisors which governs Stafford County. The county operates under the county form of the County Executive system of government, with an elected Board of Supervisors. The Board hires a professional, nonpartisan County Administrator to manage government agencies. The current County Administrator is Thomas C. Foley. Stafford County is currently a battleground county politically which leans Republican. Due to its rapid suburbanization and growth of families, and Federal Government employees from D.C. and being a part of Northern Virginia it has trended Democratic however has stayed Republican at the state and local level. The Board of Supervisors currently has a Republican majority, that is also true of the Stafford School Board (although they are elected on a bipartisan basis). In 2020, Joe Biden became the first Democratic candidate to carry Stafford County since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Stafford County is represented by Congressman Eugene Vindman of Virginia's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. On the state level, it is represented by Republican Tara Durant and Democrat Jeremy McPike in the Virginia State Senate. Democrats Candi King, Joshua G. Cole and Republican Paul Milde in the Virginia House of Delegates.

### County-Wide Commonwealth's Officials

[edit]

Office  | Name  | Affiliation

|
|

| Commonwealth's Attorney  | Eric Olsen  | Republican
| Commissioner of the Revenue  | Scott Mayausky  | Republican
| Sheriff  | David Decatur  | Republican
| Treasurer  | Michael Sienkowski  | Republican
| Clerk of Circuit Court  | Kathy Sterne  | Republican

### Current Partisan Composition of the Board of Supervisors

[edit]

Board of Supervisors[19] Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Chair  | Deuntay Diggs  | Independent | 2024  | George Washington
| Vice-chair  | Tinesha Allen  | Democratic | 2020  | Griffis-Widewater
| Supervisor  | Monica Gary  | Independent  | 2022  | Aquia
| Supervisor  | Dr. Pamela Yeung  | Democratic | 2022  | Garrisonville
| Supervisor  | Meg Bohmke  | Republican | 2013  | Falmouth
| Supervisor  | Darrell E. English  | Republican | 2022  | Hartwood
| Supervisor  | Crystal Vanuch  | Republican | 2020  | Rock Hill

### Past composition of the Board

[edit]

#### 2003-2005

[edit]

Republican incumbent Robert Gibbons from the Rockhill District won re-election after a failed state legislature race in which he lost in the primary. Democrat Peter Fields from the George Washington district won re-election to his second term. Independent Jack Cavilier ran for re-election and won in the Griffis-Widewater district, keeping the Board of Supervisors at a gridlock 3-3-1 partisan split.

Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Supervisor  | Robert Gibbons  | Republican | 1991  | Rock Hill
| Supervisor  | Kandy Hillard  | Democratic | 2001  | Aquia
| Supervisor  | Gary Pash  | Democratic | 2001  | Garrisonville
| Supervisor  | Gary Snellings  | Republican | 2001  | Hartwood
| Supervisor  | Mark Osborn  | Republican | 2001  | Falmouth
| Supervisor  | Peter Fields  | Democratic | 1999  | George Washington
| Supervisor  | Jack Cavilier  | Independent  | 1999  | Griffis-Widewater

#### 2005-2007

[edit]

Growth being a main concern of residents four incumbents lost re-election bids. Gary Snelings, a Republican from the Hartwood district lost re-election by 36 votes to Independent Joe Brito. Republican incumbent Mark Osborn lost re-election in the Falmouth district for a second term, to Democratic political newcomer George Schwartz. Democrats in the northern part of the county were replaced by Republicans. Gary Pash, a Democrat representing the Garrisonville District and Kandy Hillard a Democrat representing the Aquia District were replaced by Republicans Mark Dudenhefer and Paul Milde, respectively.

Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Supervisor  | Robert Gibbons  | Republican | 1993  | Rock Hill
| Supervisor  | Paul Milde  | Republican | 2005  | Aquia
| Supervisor  | Mark Dudenhefer | Republican | 2005  | Garrisonville
| Supervisor  | Joe Brito  | Independent  | 2005  | Hartwood
| Supervisor  | George Schwartz  | Democratic | 2005  | Falmouth
| Supervisor  | Peter Fields  | Democratic | 1999  | George Washington
| Supervisor  | Jack Cavilier  | Independent  | 1999  | Griffis-Widewater

#### 2007-2009

[edit]

Peter Fields, the Democratic incumbent from the George Washington District declined to run for a third term. Harry Crisp, a Democrat who ran for the George Washington District beat, Tom Coen a Republican who also ran last election cycle against Peter Fields. Jack Cavilier, an Independent incumbent from the Griffis-Widewater district ran for re-election as a Republican and lost to Democratic newcomer Bob Woodson. Woodson made history as being the first black American ever elected to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. Republican Incumbent Robert Gibbons declined to run for another term. Republican Cord Sterling who worked for Senator John McCain (R-AZ) ran for the Rockhill District and won against a Democrat.

Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Supervisor  | Cord Sterling  | Republican | 2007  | Rock Hill
| Supervisor  | Paul Milde  | Republican | 2005  | Aquia
| Supervisor  | Mark Dudenhefer | Republican | 2005  | Garrisonville
| Supervisor  | Joe Brito  | Independent  | 2005  | Hartwood
| Supervisor  | George Schwartz  | Democratic | 2005  | Falmouth
| Supervisor  | Harry Crisp  | Democratic | 2007  | George Washington
| Supervisor  | Bob Woodson  | Democratic | 2007  | Griffis-Widewater

#### 2009-2011

[edit]

Independent incumbent Joe Brito lost a rematch with Republican Gary Snellings in a three-way race with another independent. Democratic incumbent George Schwartz from the Falmouth District, declined to run for re-election. Former Republican Supervisor Mark Osborn ran for the seat as an independent, in a three race against Democrat Doug Filler, and Republican Susan Stimpson who ultimately won. Republican Mark Dudenhefer won re-election against Democrat Laura Sellers and Republican Paul Milde won re-election against two Independents in a three-way race.

Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Supervisor  | Cord Sterling  | Republican | 2007  | Rock Hill
| Supervisor  | Paul Milde  | Republican | 2005  | Aquia
| Supervisor  | Mark Dudenhefer | Republican | 2005  | Garrisonville
| Supervisor  | Gary Snelings  | Republican | 2001  | Hartwood
| Supervisor  | Susan Stimpson  | Republican | 2009  | Falmouth
| Supervisor  | Harry Crisp  | Democratic | 2007  | George Washington
| Supervisor  | Bob Woodson  | Democratic | 2007  | Griffis-Widewater

#### 2011-2013

[edit]

Republican incumbent Mark Dudenhefer from the Garrisonville District ran for state legislature and won. Republican Ty Schieber was named Interim supervisor and won a special election to finish out Mark Dudenhefer's term. Democratic Incumbent Bob Woodson from the Griffis-Widewater district declined to run for a second term. In a three-way race former Independent Supervisor Jack Caviler won. Republican incumbent Cord Sterling won re-election in the Rockhill district. In the George Washington District Harry Crisp declined time run for re-election. Bob Thomas, a Republican won the race against a Democrat in the George Washington District.

Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Supervisor  | Cord Sterling  | Republican | 2007  | Rock Hill
| Supervisor  | Paul Milde  | Republican | 2005  | Aquia
| Supervisor  | Ty Schieber  | Republican | 2012  | Garrisonville
| Supervisor  | Gary Snelings  | Republican | 2001  | Hartwood
| Supervisor  | Susan Stimpson  | Republican | 2009  | Falmouth
| Supervisor  | Bob Thomas  | Republican | 2011  | George Washington
| Supervisor  | Jack Caviler  | Independent  | First elected 1999–2007  | Griffis-Widewater

#### 2013-2015

[edit]

The Republican incumbent from the Falmouth District Susan Stimson sought the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia and lost. Meg Bohmke, a Republican representing the district in the school board ran to represent the Falmouth District in the Board of Supervisors and won. Incumbent Republican Ty Schieber lost re-election in the Garrisonville District against Democrat Laura Sellers who ran in 2009 against Mark Dudenhefer and lost. Republican incumbent Gary Snelings from the Hartwood District won re-election. Republican incumbent Paul Milde from the Aquia District also won re-election.

Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Supervisor  | Cord Sterling  | Republican | 2007  | Rock Hill
| Supervisor  | Paul Milde  | Republican | 2005  | Aquia
| Supervisor  | Laura Sellers  | Democratic | 2013  | Garrisonville
| Supervisor  | Gary Snelings  | Republican | 2001  | Hartwood
| Supervisor  | Meg Bohmke  | Republican | 2013  | Falmouth
| Supervisor  | Bob Thomas  | Republican | 2011  | George Washington
| Supervisor  | Jack Caviler  | Independent  | First elected 1999–2007  | Griffis-Widewater

#### 2015-2017

[edit]

Independent Jack Cavilier ran for re-election as a Republican and won in the Griffis-Widewater District. Cord Sterling declined to run for re-election. Wendy Maurer a Republican won the Republican primary, then won a three-way race against a Democrat, and longtime former Republican Supervisor Robert Gibbons who ran as an independent and won in the Rockhill District and won. Republican incumbent Bob Thomas won re-election in the George Washington District.

Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Supervisor  | Wendy Maurer  | Republican | 2011  | Rock Hill
| Supervisor  | Paul Milde  | Republican | 2005  | Aquia
| Supervisor  | Laura Sellers  | Democratic | 2013  | Garrisonville
| Supervisor  | Gary Snelings  | Republican | 2001  | Hartwood
| Supervisor  | Meg Bohmke  | Republican | 2013  | Falmouth
| Supervisor  | Bob Thomas  | Republican | 2011  | George Washington
| Supervisor  | Jack Caviler  | Republican | First elected 1999–2007  | Griffis-Widewater

#### 2017-2019

[edit]

Republican Supervisor Bob Thomas from the George Washington District decided to run for state legislature. In a competitive Republican Primary he beat Supervisor Paul Milde from the Aquia District, and former Supervisor Susan Stimpson from the Falmouth District. Tom Coen, a Republican candidate who ran twice for the seat was named Interim Supervisor and won a special election as an Independent to finish out Bob Thomas’ term. Incumbent Republican Supervisor Meg Bohmke won re-election in the Falmouth District against a Democrat. Cindy Shelton, a Republican, beat a Democrat and an independent in a three-way race in one of the most Democratic districts in Stafford County. Democratic Incumbent Laura Sellers from the Garrisonville District ran for re-election against Mark Dudenhefer who declined to run for re-election for state legislature. In a rematch Mark Dudenhefer won again to reclaim his seat by 13 votes. Gary Snelings, the Republican incumbent from the Hartwood District won re-election.

Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Supervisor  | Wendy Maurer  | Republican | 2011  | Rock Hill
| Supervisor  | Cindy Shelton  | Republican | 2017  | Aquia
| Supervisor  | Mark Dudenhefer | Republican | First elected 2005–2011  | Garrisonville
| Supervisor  | Gary Snelings  | Republican | First elected 2001–2005  | Hartwood
| Supervisor  | Meg Bohmke  | Republican | 2013  | Falmouth
| Supervisor  | Tom Coen  | Independent  | 2018  | George Washington
| Supervisor  | Jack Caviler  | Republican | First elected 1999–2007  | Griffis-Widewater

### Stafford County School Board

[edit]

Though the school board in Stafford County, and the Commonwealth of Virginia is officially nonpartisan, candidates are endorsed by parties and tend to hold views similar to these parties.

Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | First election  | District

|
|
|
|

| Chair  | Maureen Siegmund  | Republican | 2021  | Garrisonville
| Vice Chair  | Maya Guy  | Democratic | 2021  | Aquia
| Board Member  | Patricia Healy  | Republican | 1999  | Rock Hill
| Board Member  | Alyssa Halstead  | Republican | 2021  | Hartwood
| Board Member  | Dr. Sarah Chase  | Democratic | 2017  | Falmouth
| Board Member  | Susan Randall  | Republican | 2019  | George Washington
| Board Member  | Dr. Elizabeth Warner  | Democratic | 2019  | Griffis-Widewater

### Law enforcement

[edit]

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) is the primary law enforcement agency in Stafford County. According to the department, it is the first agency in Virginia to use drones solely for law enforcement purposes.[20]

Law enforcement agency

Stafford County Sheriff's Office

Abbreviation| SCSO
Agency overview
Formed| 1664
Employees| 271
Jurisdictional structure
Constituting instrument|

* Yes

General nature|

* Local civilian police

Operational structure
Headquarters| Stafford, Virginia
Agency executive|

* David P. Decatur, Sheriff

Website
Official Website

### Presidential elections

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Stafford County, Virginia[21] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 40,590  | 48.59%  | 41,252  | 49.38% | 1,697  | 2.03%
2020 | 37,636  | 47.27%  | 40,245  | 50.54% | 1,744  | 2.19%
2016 | 33,868  | 51.37% | 27,908  | 42.33%  | 4,158  | 6.31%
2012 | 32,480  | 53.61% | 27,182  | 44.87%  | 921  | 1.52%
2008 | 29,221  | 52.69% | 25,716  | 46.37%  | 518  | 0.93%
2004 | 28,500  | 61.98% | 17,208  | 37.42%  | 278  | 0.60%
2000 | 20,731  | 60.54% | 12,596  | 36.78%  | 919  | 2.68%
1996 | 14,098  | 54.04% | 9,902  | 37.95%  | 2,089  | 8.01%
1992 | 12,528  | 50.37% | 7,718  | 31.03%  | 4,625  | 18.60%
1988 | 12,234  | 69.07% | 5,380  | 30.37%  | 98  | 0.55%
1984 | 10,293  | 69.63% | 4,429  | 29.96%  | 60  | 0.41%
1980 | 7,106  | 58.85% | 4,211  | 34.87%  | 758  | 6.28%
1976 | 4,451  | 46.84%  | 4,900  | 51.57% | 151  | 1.59%
1972 | 5,222  | 72.39% | 1,901  | 26.35%  | 91  | 1.26%
1968 | 2,572  | 39.68% | 1,698  | 26.20%  | 2,212  | 34.13%
1964 | 1,888  | 43.26%  | 2,469  | 56.58% | 7  | 0.16%
1960 | 1,447  | 48.80%  | 1,494  | 50.39% | 24  | 0.81%
1956 | 1,563  | 58.94% | 978  | 36.88%  | 111  | 4.19%
1952 | 1,411  | 56.35% | 1,077  | 43.01%  | 16  | 0.64%
1948 | 732  | 46.36% | 708  | 44.84%  | 139  | 8.80%
1944 | 714  | 50.35% | 698  | 49.22%  | 6  | 0.42%
1940 | 463  | 36.49%  | 803  | 63.28% | 3  | 0.24%
1936 | 596  | 47.68%  | 651  | 52.08% | 3  | 0.24%
1932 | 454  | 38.12%  | 731  | 61.38% | 6  | 0.50%
1928 | 797  | 64.38% | 441  | 35.62%  | 0  | 0.00%
1924 | 433  | 46.61%  | 450  | 48.44% | 46  | 4.95%
1920 | 599  | 56.51% | 459  | 43.30%  | 2  | 0.19%
1916 | 422  | 48.62%  | 444  | 51.15% | 2  | 0.23%
1912 | 141  | 20.95%  | 347  | 51.56% | 185  | 27.49%
1908 | 474  | 53.62% | 406  | 45.93%  | 4  | 0.45%
1904 | 384  | 55.57% | 301  | 43.56%  | 6  | 0.87%
1900 | 867  | 57.19% | 648  | 42.74%  | 1  | 0.07%
1896 | 1,084  | 63.06% | 629  | 36.59%  | 6  | 0.35%
1892 | 558  | 42.40%  | 742  | 56.38% | 16  | 1.22%
1888 | 883  | 59.74% | 595  | 40.26%  | 0  | 0.00%
1884 | 762  | 54.08% | 644  | 45.71%  | 3  | 0.21%
1880 | 268  | 22.79%  | 908  | 77.21% | 0  | 0.00%

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1790| 9,588| | —
1800| 9,971| | 4.0%
1810| 9,830| | −1.4%
1820| 9,517| | −3.2%
1830| 9,362| | −1.6%
1840| 8,454| | −9.7%
1850| 8,044| | −4.8%
1860| 8,555| | 6.4%
1870| 6,420| | −25.0%
1880| 7,211| | 12.3%
1890| 7,362| | 2.1%
1900| 8,097| | 10.0%
1910| 8,070| | −0.3%
1920| 8,104| | 0.4%
1930| 8,050| | −0.7%
1940| 9,548| | 18.6%
1950| 11,902| | 24.7%
1960| 16,876| | 41.8%
1970| 24,587| | 45.7%
1980| 40,470| | 64.6%
1990| 61,236| | 51.3%
2000| 92,446| | 51.0%
2010| 128,961| | 39.5%
2020| 156,927| | 21.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]
1790–1960[23] 1900–1990[24]
1990–2000[25] 2010[26] 2020[27]

### 2020 Census

[edit]

Stafford County, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)  Race / Ethnicity  | Pop 2010[26] | Pop 2020[27] | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 87,434  | 85,587  | 67.80%  | 54.54%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 21,259  | 29,492  | 16.48%  | 18.79%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 454  | 601  | 0.35%  | 0.38%
Asian alone (NH)  | 3,545  | 6,137  | 2.75%  | 3.91%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 149  | 241  | 0.12%  | 0.15%
Some Other Race alone (NH)  | 293  | 1,105  | 0.23%  | 0.70%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)  | 3,952  | 10,118  | 3.06%  | 6.45%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 11,875  | 23,646  | 9.21%  | 15.07%
Total | 128,961 | 156,927 | 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

[edit]

As of the census[28] of 2010, there were 128,961 people, 38,237 households, and 24,481 families residing in the county. The population density was 342 inhabitants per square mile (132/km2). There were 31,405 housing units at an average density of 116 units per square mile (45 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.5% White, 15.6% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 3.2% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. 9.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Due to the rapid suburbanization of the county the demographics have increasingly changed in the past 20 years and will continue to change in the near future as Stafford County continues to grow.

By 2005, Stafford County's population was 72.8% non-Hispanic whites. black Americans were 17.0% of the total population. Native Americans were 0.4% of the county total, Asians 2.3%, and Native Hawai'ians and other Pacific islanders 0.2%. Latinos were 6.4% of the population. This was higher than the total for all of Virginia.

As of 2000 there were 38,187 households, out of which 46.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.90% were non-families. 13.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 31.60% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 33.70% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 5.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $75,546, and the median income for a family was $78,575 (these figures had risen to $85,793 and $95,433 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[29]). Males had a median income of $47,080 versus $31,469 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,762. About 2.40% of families and 3.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.30% of those under age 18 and 5.30% of those age 65 or over. Stafford County is also one of the seven counties in America where black households make more than white households. Between 2010 and 2014 the typical black household made $105,628 in the county. The highest out of all the seven counties, while white households made an average $99,533.

## Media

[edit]

Stafford County being a part of the D.C. area and Northern Virginia is covered by D.C. cable news stations. These include FOX 5(WTTG), NBC 4(WRC-TV), ABC 7(WJLA-TV), CBS 9(WUSA), and PBS 26(WETA-TV). Stafford County is covered by northern Virginia newspapers and Fredericksburg newspapers.

### Newspapers

[edit]

* The Free Lance–Star
* InsideNoVa \- North Stafford
* The Washington Post
* Potomac Local

## Education

[edit]

### Colleges

[edit]

* Germanna Community College
* Strayer University
* University of Mary Washington

### K-12 schools

[edit]

Stafford County Public Schools serves most of the county. However, places on Marine Corps Base Quantico are zoned to Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.[30]

County high schools include:

* Brooke Point High School
* Colonial Forge High School
* Mountain View High School
* North Stafford High School
* Stafford Senior High School

The zoned schools for areas on-post at MCB Quantico are Crossroads Elementary School and Quantico Middle/High School.[31]

Private schools

* Holy Cross Academy
* Merit School
* Fredericksburg Christian School
* Saint William of York Catholic School
* Fredericksburg Academy
* Grace Preparatory School

Alternative schools

* Phoenix Center for Innovative Learning

## Transportation

[edit]

I-95 northbound in Stafford County Stafford Regional Airport

Stafford County is approximately 40 miles south of Washington D.C. Stafford County is the start of the I-95 Express lanes which start in the center part of the county and go to Washington D.C, the I-95 Express Lanes are currently being extended to the Southern tip of the county. A study done by INRIX Roadway Analytics awarded Southbound I-95 from D.C. to the southern tip of Stafford County the worst single traffic hotspot in the nation. A stretch of Northbound I-95 from Northern Spotsylvania County to the Northern tip of Stafford County was ranked the seventh worst traffic hotspot in the nation. Due to booming growth in the county, and Northern Virginia, Stafford County is in a gridlock and has one of the worst traffic situations in Northern Virginia, Virginia, and the nation. Thus, the Commonwealth of Virginia has poured big amounts of money in road infrastructure in Stafford County. Major U.S. Routes also pass through such as U.S. 1, and U.S. 17.

### Major highways

[edit]

* I-95
* US 1
* US 17
* SR 3
* SR 212
* SR 218

### Mass transportation

[edit]

* Leeland (VRE station)
* Brooke (VRE station)

### Airport

[edit]

* Stafford Regional Airport

## Points of interest

[edit]

Chatham Manor

* Ferry Farm
* Belmont
* Aquia Church
* Chatham Manor
* White Oak Church
* Central Rappahannock Regional Library
* Aquia Park, Government Island
* Widewater State Park,[32]

## Communities

[edit]

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Aquia Harbour
* Boswell's Corner
* Camp Barrett
* Falmouth
* Quantico Base
* Southern Gateway
* Stafford Courthouse

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Widewater
* Midway Island
* Widewater Beach
* Aquia
* Brooke
* Garrisonville
* Hartwood
* Mountain View
* Ruby
* White Oak
* Windsor Forest

## Notable people

[edit]

* Palmer Hayden, American painter who depicted black American life, landscapes, seascapes, and African influences during the Harlem Renaissance.
* Erin Cahill, actress
* Peter Vivian Daniel, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 1842–1860
* James Garrard, Governor of Kentucky 1796–1804
* Mark Lenzi, Olympic medalist in diving, 25th (Barcelona, 1992) and 26th (Atlanta, 1996) Olympic Games
* Arlene Limas, Olympic medalist in taekwondo, 24th Olympic Games (Seoul, 1988)
* John Maine, former pitcher for the New York Mets, born in Fredericksburg, graduated from North Stafford High School
* Jessica Player, child actress, graduated from Stafford High School
* Pocahontas, Pamunkey princess who resided here with her Patawomeck husband, Kocoum at the time of her abduction
* Gregg Ritchie, former Major League Baseball player and coach, and head coach of the George Washington University baseball team
* Jeff Rouse, Olympic medalist in swimming, 25th (Barcelona, 1992) and 26th (Atlanta, 1996) Olympic games
* Torrey Smith, National Football League wide receiver
* George Mason III, Father of George Mason and member of Virginia House of Burgesses.
* George Washington, boyhood home Ferry Farm is located in Stafford County

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Stafford County, Virginia
* Stafford County Sheriff's Office

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
2. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 7, 2021.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ "John Rolfe Highway Marker". Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
5. ^ "Kidnapping of Pocahontas Marker". Retrieved June 9, 2016.
6. ^ a b "Stafford County Virginia Records". Retrieved June 9, 2016.
7. ^ "Colonial Forge School Improvement Plan Report" (PDF). Colonial Forge High School (See page 4). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 29, 2006. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
8. ^ Connor Jr., Albert Z. (2003). A History of Our Own, Virginia Beach: The Donning Company Publishers.
9. ^ Information about historical churches, including the Aquia Episcopal Church Archived March 18, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Simply Fredericksburg
10. ^ DeOnne C. Scott, Stafford County (VA): Images of America, Amazon.com
11. ^ Krishnamurthy, Kiran (September 30, 2002). "Sandstone in Washington Buildings came from Island on Aquia Creek". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on October 13, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
12. ^ "Trail of Freedom", Rappahannock River Heritage Trail, University of Mary Washington blog
13. ^ "Battle Summary: Aquia Creek". Heritage Preservation Services. 2014. Archived from the original on May 18, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
14. ^ Laris, Michael; Davis, Aaron C. (May 10, 2008). "Area in 'a Daze' After Tornadoes". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
15. ^ "2008 TORNADO COVERAGE". Fredericksburg.com. 2008. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
16. ^ "Monster snow storm top story for 2010: Record snowfalls was top local story of 2010". Fredericksburg.com. December 31, 2010. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
17. ^ "Snow blizzard hits Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia". CNN. December 19, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
18. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
19. ^ "Elected & Appointed Officials - Board of Supervisors". Stafford County Virginia. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
20. ^ McAlister, J.W. (2017). "The Sound of a Thousand Bees: Lessons Learned in Developing a Successful Law Enforcement Drone Program". Police Chief Magazine. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
22. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
23. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
24. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
25. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
26. ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Stafford County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
27. ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Stafford County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
28. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
29. ^ Stafford County, Virginia – Fact Sheet – American FactFinder
30. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Stafford County, VA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022. \- Text list \- "Quantico Marine Corps Center School District" refers to DoDEA schools.
31. ^ "Quantico Schools". Department of Defense Education Activity. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
32. ^ "Widewater State Park".

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stafford County, Virginia.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Stafford County.

* Stafford County, Virginia – Official Site
* GoStaffordVA.com – Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism
* South Stafford Community Website
* Stafford County Public Schools

Places adjacent to Stafford County, Virginia

|  Fauquier County |  Prince William County |

|
|

|  |
Culpeper County |

Stafford County

|  Charles County, Maryland
|  |
Spotsylvania County
City of Fredericksburg |  Caroline County |  King George County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Stafford County, Virginia, United States

County seat: Stafford

CDPs|

* Aquia Harbour
* Boswell's Corner
* Camp Barrett
* Falmouth
* Quantico Base‡
* Southern Gateway
* Stafford

Map of Virginia highlighting Stafford County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Aquia
* Argyle Heights
* Arkendale
* Bel Air
* Berea
* Brooke
* Brookfield
* Chatham Heights
* Cropp
* Daffan
* Ferry Farm
* Garrisonville
* Glendie
* Grafton Village
* Hartwood
* Heflin
* Holly Corner
* Leeland
* Little Falls
* Midway Island
* Ramoth
* Roseville
* Ruby
* Shiloh
* Spring Valley
* Storck
* Sullivan
* Tacketts Mill
* Tylerton
* White Oak
* Widewater
* Widewater Beach

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* 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

* v
* t
* e

Washington metropolitan area

Principal cities (and
city-like entities)|

| Maryland|

* Silver Spring
* Frederick
* Rockville
* Bethesda
* Gaithersburg
* Germantown
* Bowie

|

Virginia|

* Arlington
* Alexandria
* Reston

District of Columbia|

* Washington

Counties (and
county equivalents)|

| Maryland|

* Calvert
* Charles
* Frederick
* Montgomery
* Prince George's

|

Virginia|

* Arlington
* Alexandria, City of
* Clarke
* Culpeper
* Fairfax
* Fairfax, City of
* Falls Church, City of
* Fauquier
* Loudoun
* Prince William
* Manassas, City of
* Manassas Park, City of
* Rappahannock
* Spotsylvania
* Fredericksburg, City of
* Stafford
* Warren

District of Columbia|

* Washington, D.C. itself

Other outlying areas|

* Jefferson County, West Virginia

See also|

* Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area (CSA)
* Northeast megalopolis

The District of Columbia itself, and Virginia's incorporated cities, are county equivalents. Virginia's incorporated cities are listed under their surrounding county. The incorporated cities bordering more than one county (Alexandria, Falls Church and Fredericksburg) are listed under the county they were part of before incorporation as a city. Some unincorporated areas and census-designated places like Silver Spring and Bethesda in Maryland, Reston in Virginia, as well as the County of Arlington in Virginia are also treated as city-like entities (or principal cities) even though they have not been legally incorporated as such.

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* NARA
* Yale LUX

38°25′N 77°27′W﻿ / ﻿38.41°N 77.45°W﻿ / 38.41; -77.45
*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template