Fluvanna County

History

Through the 17th century, the Point of Fork (near Columbia where the James and Rivanna rivers meet) was the site of Rassawek, a major Monacan village of the Native Americans. By 1701, the Seneca Iroquois had overrun the entire Virginia Piedmont, which they sold to Virginia Colony in 1721 at the Treaty of Albany.

The area which is now Fluvanna County was once considered part of Henrico County, one of the original shires of the Virginia Colony. Henrico was divided in 1727 and the Fluvanna County area became a part of Goochland County. In 1744 Goochland was divided and the area currently known as Fluvanna became a part of Albemarle County. When Amherst County, Nelson County and Buckingham County were split off from Albemarle County, the Albemarle County Seat was moved in 1762 from Scottsville to Charlottesville. When the Albemarle County seat was moved citizens in the Fluvanna area would now have to trek over the Southwest Mountains to reach the new seat at Charlottesville. Fluvanna area citizens lobbied the Virginia General Assembly to create a new county. Finally, in 1777, Albemarle County was divided again, and Fluvanna County established.

The county was named for the Fluvanna River, a name once given to the James River west of Columbia. "Fluvanna" means "Anne's River", in honor of Anne, Queen of Great Britain, who reigned until 1714. Located in the Piedmont above the Fall Line, the county has the James and Rivanna rivers running through it. It was sometimes referred to as "Old Flu."

Fluvanna was defended by six militia companies during the American Revolutionary War. The county was invaded by British forces in 1781 who destroyed the Point of Fork Arsenal. From an initial 882 "tithables," the population reached 3,300 by 1782. Columbia was formed in 1788 with Bernardsburg and Wilmington following soon after. Lyles Baptist Church was organized in 1774 and the formation of the Methodist denomination had its roots in a Conference held in Fluvanna in 1779. The "Brick Union" Church was built in 1825 for the use of Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians. The village of Fork Union grew up around the Church.

When Palmyra was made the county seat in 1828 it quickly became a thriving town after the new courthouse was completed in 1830.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 27,249. The median age was 44.5 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 82.0 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 77.2% White, 13.7% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.6% from some other race, and 6.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.1% of the population.

36.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 63.9% lived in rural areas.

There were 10,280 households in the county, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 11,127 housing units, of which 7.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 85.2% were owner-occupied and 14.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.5%.

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,047 people, 7,387 households, and 5,702 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile (27 people/km2). There were 8,018 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.44% White, 18.41% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 1.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.60 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 82.20 males.

Between 1990 and 2000, the population grew 61.3%. It is projected to be over 28,000 by 2010. The average family size is 2.9 persons. The median income for a household in the county was $46,372, and the median income for a family was $51,141. Males had a median income of $32,346 versus $24,774 for females. In 2000, there were 1,121 individuals below the poverty line which consisted of 280 children below the age of 18. In 1990, there were 1,287 individuals below the poverty line which consisted of 439 children below the age of 18.

According to the 2000 Census, the County median home value is $111,000 and the median mortgage is $900.00.

The county's school system consists of 3,490 students. There are currently 1 high school, 1 middle school, and 2 elementary schools one of which is an upper elementary school. Student/teacher ratio is 22–1. 17% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. As of 2000, 4,657 individuals over three years old enrolled in school, including 827 residents in college or graduate school. According to the 2000 Census, 1,066 students were enrolled in grades 9–12 and 603 in nursery school and kindergarten.

Fluvanna County High School is famous for its unique nickname, 'The Flying Flucos'. The Flying Flucos nickname has been recognized by ESPN as one of the top 10 unique High School nicknames in the country.

Economy

Fluvanna has a workforce of 13,206 living in the county. 15% of the workforce lives and works inside the county borders. 84% of county residents work in another locality. In comparison, the equivalent of 22% are in-commuters.

In October 2020, Governor Ralph Northam announced Silk City Printing of Paterson, NJ would relocate to Fork Union, VA to occupy the plant vacated by Thomasville Furniture in 2007. This was Fluvanna's first economic development project announced by the Governor's Office. When fully operational, Silk City will be one of Fluvanna's top 10 employers.

Fluvanna County's Zion Crossroads Water and Sewer System water tower was named the top 10 best painted water towers in 2020 by Tnemec Corporation.

The top 10 employers in Fluvanna as of 2020:

Fluvanna School Board

Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women

County of Fluvanna

Fork Union Military Academy

AG Dillard Inc.

BFI Transfer Systems of Virginia (Republic Services)

Food Lion

Domino's Pizza

Lake Monticello Owners' Association

Fielders Choice Enterprises Inc

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 290 square miles (750 km2), of which 286 square miles (740 km2) is land and 4.1 square miles (11 km2) (1.4%) is water. Palmyra, is 54 miles (87 km) from Richmond and 80 miles (130 km) from Dulles International Airport. Lake Monticello, a private community, is 15 miles (24 km) from Charlottesville.

Adjacent counties

Louisa County – north

Goochland County – east

Cumberland County – southeast

Buckingham County – south

Albemarle County – west

Major highways

I-64

US 15

US 250

SR 6

SR 53

Government and infrastructure

The Virginia Department of Corrections operates the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women in unincorporated Fluvanna County, near Troy. The center houses the female death row.

Board of Supervisors

Columbia District: Mike Sheridan (I), Chair

Cunningham District: Chris Fairchild

Fork Union District: D. Michael Goad

Palmyra District: Patricia Eager (R)

Rivanna District: Tony O'Brien (I), Vice Chair

Constitutional officers

Clerk of the Circuit Court: Tristana Treadway (I)

Commissioner of the Revenue: Andrew M. "Mel" Sheridan Jr. (I)

Commonwealth's Attorney: Jeffrey W. Haislip (I)

Sheriff: Eric Hess (I)

Treasurer: Linda H. Lenherr (I)

Fluvanna is represented by Republican Mark Peake in the Virginia Senate, Republicans Robert B. Bell III and R. Lee Ware Jr. in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican John McGuire in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Notable people

Texas Jack Omohundro, a notable frontier scout, actor, and cowboy was born on the Pleasure Hill farm in Palmyra.

The singer Chris Daughtry, who came in fourth place on the fifth season of American Idol, resided in Fluvanna as a teenager; his parents still live there.

Eddie George, Heisman Trophy winner and FUMA Alumnus

Vinny Testaverde, Heisman Trophy winner and FUMA Alumnus

Kevin Plank, CEO and founder of Under Armour and FUMA Alumnus

Julia A. Wood (1840–1927), writer, composer

John Jasper, ex-slave and preacher

Communities

(Population according to the 2020 United States census)