Fauquier County is a United States county located on the Piedmont plateau of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Part of the Northern Virginia region, Fauquier is included in the Washington metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 72,972. The county seat is the large historic town of Warrenton.
The county was created in 1759 from part of Prince William County and was named in honor of Francis Fauquier, the administrative head of Virginia Colony at the time. Fauquier hosts the Virginia Gold Cup, which, having started in 1922, is one of the longest running steeplechase horse race events in the United States.
Contents
History
In 1608, the first European to explore in the vicinity, Captain John Smith, reported that the Whonkentia (a subgroup of the Siouan-speaking Manahoac tribe) inhabited the area. The Manahoac were forced out around 1670 by the Iroquois (Seneca), who did not resettle the area. The Conoy camped briefly near The Plains, from 1697 to 1699. The Six Nations ceded the entire region including modern Fauquier to Virginia Colony at the Treaty of Albany, in 1722.
Fauquier County was established on May 1, 1759, from Prince William County. It is named for Francis Fauquier, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia at the time, who won the land in a poker game, according to legend.
American Civil War battles in Fauquier County included (in order) the First Battle of Rappahannock Station, the Battle of Thoroughfare Gap, the Battle of Kelly's Ford, the Battle of Aldie, the Battle of Middleburg, the Battle of Upperville, the First and Second Battle of Auburn, the Battle of Buckland Mills, and the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 651 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 647 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) (0.6%) is water.
Fauquier County is not densely populated, but exurban development from Washington, DC has sprung up in some parts. Even in rural areas, housing complexes can be seen along highways. The highest point by elevation is Blue Mountain at 2,208 ft (673 meters) on the county's northwestern border with Warren County.
Adjacent counties
Clarke County (north)
Loudoun County (north)
Prince William County (east)
Stafford County (southeast)
Culpeper County (southwest)
Rappahannock County (west)
Warren County (northwest)
Major highways
I-66
US 15
US 17
US 29
US 50
US 211
SR 28
SR 55
SR 215
SR 245
SR 355
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 72,972. The median age was 41.9 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.6 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 77.6% White, 7.0% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.3% from some other race, and 8.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.7% of the population.
42.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 57.5% lived in rural areas.
There were 26,400 households in the county, of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 28,249 housing units, of which 6.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.7% were owner-occupied and 20.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.7%.
2000 Census
In 2000, there were 19,842 households, out of which 36.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.70% were non-families. 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14.
In 2013, 24.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.40% was from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $93,762. The per capita income for the county was $39,600. About 3.70% of families and 5.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.70% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.
The county is exurban. There has been increased growth in Warrenton and New Baltimore in recent years. The subdivisions of Brookside and Vint Hill have facilitated the growth in the eastern part of the county. There is some industry in Fauquier County, however the largest employer in the county is the county government and the hospital. As of the 2000 census, 47% of county residents that work have jobs that are outside the county. The average travel time to work is 39.2 minutes.
Government
Board of Supervisors
Cedar Run District: Richard Gerhardt (R) – Chairman
Center District: Kevin T. Carter (R) - Vice Chairman
Lee District: Daron Culbertson (R)
Marshall District: Regan Washer (R)
Scott District: Edwin W. "Ike" Broaddus (I)
Constitutional officers
Clerk of the Circuit Court: Gail H. Barb (R)
Commissioner of the Revenue: Eric Maybach (R)
Commonwealth's Attorney: Scott C. Hook (R)
Sheriff: Jeremy A. Falls (R)
Treasurer: Tanya Remson Wilcox (R)
Legislators
The Virginia Senate:
Bryce Reeves (R)
The Virginia House of Delegates:
Michael J. Webert (R)
Geary Higgins (R)
The U.S. House of Representatives:
Suhas Subramanyam (D)
Law enforcement
The Fauquier County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in Fauquier County, Virginia. Its headquarters are in Warrenton. It supports the Warrenton Training Center, a CIA site in Warrenton.
Warrenton and Remington have their own police departments.
Politics
Since 1952, Fauquier County has voted for the Republican Party in all but one presidential election.
Education
K-12 schools
Most of the county is in the Fauquier County Public Schools school division. The portion on Marine Corps Base Quantico is within the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school district.
Fauquier County Public Schools facilities include:
Elementary schools
C. M. Bradley Elementary School
James G. Brumfield Elementary School
W. G. Coleman Elementary School
Grace Miller Elementary School
H. M. Pearson Elementary School
C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary School
P. B. Smith Elementary School
Claude Thompson Elementary School
Mary Walter Elementary School
Greenville Elementary School
M. M. Pierce Elementary School
Middle schools
Auburn Middle School
Cedar Lee Middle School
W. C. Taylor Middle School
Marshall Middle School
High schools
Fauquier High School
Liberty High School
Higher education
Laurel Ridge Community College
Thorpe House Adult Learning Center
Economy
Top employers
According to the county's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the county's largest employers are:
Communities
Towns
Remington
The Plains
Warrenton (county seat)
Notable people
James Markham Ambler, naval surgeon
Turner Ashby, born in Fauquier County, Confederate Army colonel in the American Civil War.
Martin Berkofsky, classical pianist and philanthropist.
Matt Carson, entrepreneur and author
Irv Cross, American footballer and sportscaster.
Susan Cummings, an heiress infamous for killing Argentine polo player Roberto Villegas.
Robert Duvall, actor. He maintains a farm in The Plains.
Bertram and Diana Firestone, owners of Newstead Farm.
George B. Fitch, businessman, Mayor of Warrenton, founder of Jamaican Bobsled Team.
Rear Admiral Cary Travers Grayson, owner of historic Blue Ridge Farm.
Eppa Hunton, U.S. Representative and Senator from Virginia, born and lived in Warrenton.
Sandy Lerner, Cisco founder who maintains a farm in Upperville.
Charles Marshall, born in Warrenton, assistant adjutant general, aide de camp and military secretary to Gen. Robert E. Lee. Grandnephew of Chief Justice John Marshall.
James K. Marshall, Colonel in the Confederate States Army, killed in action during Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg while leading the brigade of J. Johnston Pettigrew, grandson of Chief Justice John Marshall.