Amherst County, Virginia

Amherst County is a county located in the state of Virginia in the United States. In 2000, the County had 31 894 inhabitants and a population density of 26 inhabitants per square kilometer. The administrative headquarters ( County Seat) is Amherst.

Geography

Amherst County is located in west-central Virginia, is located in the west about 80 miles from West Virginia and has an area of 1240 square kilometers, of which nine square miles are water. It is bordered clockwise to the following counties: Nelson County, Appomattox County, Campbell County, Bedford County and Rockbridge County.

History

Made it in 1758 from parts of Albemarle County. It was named for Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst, which is also called the Conqueror of Canada. He was also governor of Virginia called, even though he had never set foot in the colony. 1607 the Virginia colony was formed and the first English immigrants came to North America. End of the 17th century, the first pioneers and traders arrived on the James River in this area. The first trading posts were built 1710-1720. 1730 the first settlers came to this area in search of good land for growing tobacco. 1806 was formed from the northern part of the county, the Nelson County. Until then Cabelsville was (now Colleen ) seat of county government, which was in Nelson County now. New seat of the county government was Five Oaks, later renamed Amherst. The courthouse still in use was built in 1870.

Demographic data

1900-1990 2000

According to the census in 2000 lived in Amherst County 31 894 people in 11,941 households and 8,645 families. The population density was 26 people per square kilometer. The racial the population was made ​​up of 77.67 percent White, 19.79 percent Black or African American, 0.81 percent Native American, 0.35 percent Asian, 0.02 percent of residents from the Pacific Islander and 0.41 percent from other races groups; 0.94 percent were descended from two or more races. 0.96 percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 11,941 households out of which 31.7 percent have children under the age of 18 living with them. 56.0 percent were married couples living together, 12.4 percent were single mothers, 27.6 percent were non-families, 24.0 percent of all households and 9.9 percent had someone living alone at the age of 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95 persons.

Based on the county the population was spread from 23.5 percent population under 18 years, 9.7 percent between 18 and 24 years, 27.7 percent between 25 and 44 years, 25.3 percent between 45 and 64 years and 13.8 percent were 65 years old or older. The average age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 men statistically.

The median income for a household was $ 37,393, and the median income for a family was $ 42,876. Males have a median income of $ 31,493, women $ 22,155. The per capita income was $ 16,952. 8.0 percent of families and 10.7 percent of the population lived below the poverty line. Of these, 13.2 percent were children or adolescents under age 18 and 11.6 percent of those 65 years.

Cities and Towns

  • Amherst
  • Madison Heights
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