Dinwiddie County, Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dinwiddie County, Virginia | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Virginia |
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 Virginia's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1752 |
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| Seat | Dinwiddie |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
507 sq mi (1,313 km²) 3 sq mi (8 km²), 0.65% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
24,533 49/sq mi (19/km²) |
| Website: www.dinwiddieva.us | |
Dinwiddie County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 24,533. Its county seat is Dinwiddie.[1]
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[edit] History
Dinwiddie County was formed May 1, 1752 from Prince George County. The county is named for Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, 1751-58. However the first inhabitants of the area were in fact Paleo Indians, prior to 8000 BC. They are believed to have been nomadic hunter-gatherers following animal migrations. Early stone tools have been discovered in various fields within the county. The county raised several militia units that would fight in the American Revolution. Dinwiddie County was the birthplace of Elizbeth (Burwell) Hobbs Keckly who worked for Mrs. Jefferson Davis and later Mrs. Lincoln as a free black dressmaker; of Thomas Day, later at Milton, NC, well noted there as a free black cabinetmaker within the state of NC and southern VA; and of Dr. Thomas Stewart, perhaps America's first free black 18th century rural physican.
During the Civil War the Battle of Lewis's Farm, fought along Quaker Road [Rt. 660] occurred on 29 March 1865, this was the first in a series of attempts by Grant's army to cut Lee's final supply line -- the South Side Railroad -- in spring 1865. Here the Union forces led by Brig. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain engaged Confederates under Maj. Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson. After sharp fighting, the Union troops entrenched nearby along the Boydton Plank Road and Johnson withdrew to his lines at White Oak Road. The Union army cut the rail line four days later, after capturing Five Forks on 1 April, 1865, at the Battle of Five Forks. Several other engagements were fought in Dinwiddie County including the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House, Battle of Sutherland's Station, and Battle of White Oak Road.
The Dinwiddie County Historical Society currently occupies the old historic Dinwiddie County Court House.
Further note, Dinwiddie is the first location of a Possum Kicking Tournament. The most recent winner is Wil Johnson
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 507 square miles (1,313 km²), of which 504 square miles (1,304 km²) is land and 3 square miles (9 km²) (0.65%) is water. Its located between two US Army Forts, Fort Lee to its East and Fort Pickett to its West.
[edit] Adjacent counties / independent city
- Nottoway County, Virginia - west
- Amelia County, Virginia - northwest
- Chesterfield County, Virginia - north
- Petersburg, Virginia - northeast
- Prince George County, Virginia - east
- Sussex County, Virginia - southeast
- Brunswick County, Virginia - southwest
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 24,533 people, 9,107 households, and 6,720 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 9,707 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.55% White, 33.66% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,107 households out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,582, and the median income for a family was $47,961. Males had a median income of $32,860 versus $24,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,122. About 6.60% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Towns
- Ammon
- Carson
- Church Road
- DeWitt
- Dinwiddie (County Seat)
- Edgehill (Petersburg)
- Ford
- McKenney
- Sutherland
- Wilsons
[edit] Civil War Battles
- Battle of Peebles' Farm
- Battle of Lewis's Farm
- Battle of Dinwiddie Court House
- Battle of White Oak Road
- Battle of Five Forks
- Battle of Sutherland's Station
[edit] References
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
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| Regional Divisions |
The West End · The Fan · Downtown · Southside · North Side · Mechanicsville · The East End · Tri-Cities / Petersburg · Varina-Enon |
| Surrounding Counties |
Chesterfield · Hanover · Henrico · Goochland |
| Other Counties |
Amelia · Caroline · Charles City · Cumberland · Dinwiddie · King and Queen · King William · Louisa · New Kent · Powhatan · Prince George · Sussex |
