Loudoun County, Virginia
Encyclopedia : L : LO : LOU : Loudoun County, Virginia
Loudoun County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of July 2005, the county is estimated to be home to 255,518 people, a 50 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fastest growing in the United States during that period. Its county seat is Leesburg6.
History
Loudoun County was established in 1757 from Fairfax County. The county is named for John Campbell, Fourth Earl of Loudoun and Governor of Virginia 1756-59. During the Civil War, the Battle of Balls Bluff took place in the county October 21, 1861. (See Loudoun). James Monroe constructed and resided at Oak Hill in Aldie, VA Loudoun after his presidency. George C Marshall resided at Dodona Manor in Leesburg, VA. Waterford in Loudoun County was a Quaker village that sided with the North in the Civil War. It was burned by Sherman on his return to the North.Recent development
In recent years Loudoun has become one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. The once rural county now has a mecca of industry centered around Dulles International Airport. $1,000,000+ homes are springing up throughout the countryside. In light of this the county has placed many building restrictions in an attempt to retain the rural feel. Loudoun has rich soil and was in the late 1800's the fourth largest wheat provider in the U.S.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Loudoun County has a total area of 1,350 km² (521 mi²). 1,346 km² (520 mi²) of it is land and 3 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.24%) is water. It is bounded on the North by the Potomac River; across the river are Frederick and Montgomery Counties in Maryland; it is bounded on the south by Prince William and Fauquier Counties, on the west by Jefferson County, West Virginia and Clarke County, and on the east by Fairfax County.Street addresses
Block numbers in the unincorporated areas of Loudoun County are assigned in the following manner. On north-south streets, block numbers increase from north to south and range from 10000 to 29900. On east-west streets, block numbers increase from west to east and range from 30000 to 49900.Demographics
| Historical populations | |
|---|---|
| Census year | Population |
| 1790 | 18,962 |
| 1800 | 20,523 |
| 1810 | 21,338 |
| 1820 | 22,702 |
| 1830 | 21,939 |
| 1840 | 20,431 |
| 1850 | 22,079 |
| 1860 | 21,774 |
| 1870 | 20,929 |
| 1880 | 23,634 |
| 1890 | 23,274 |
| 1900 | 21,948 |
| 1910 | 21,167 |
| 1920 | 20,577 |
| 1930 | 19,852 |
| 1940 | 20,291 |
| 1950 | 21,147 |
| 1960 | 24,549 |
| 1970 | 37,150 |
| 1980 | 57,427 |
| 1990 | 86,129 |
| 2000 | 169,599 |
| 2005 | 255,518 |
As of the census² of 2000, there were 169,599 people, 59,900 households, and 45,044 families residing in the county. The population density was 126/km² (326/mi²). There were 62,160 housing units at an average density of 46/km² (120/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.79% White, 6.89% Black or African American, 5.35% Asian, 0.21% Native American, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.26% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. 5.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 59,900 households out of which 43.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.30% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 18.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the county, the population was spread out with 29.80% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 38.90% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 5.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $80,648, and the median income for a family was $88,387. Males had a median income of $58,869 versus $40,107 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,530. About 1.70% of families and 2.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.60% of those under age 18 and 4.70% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Traditionally a quiet, rural county, Loudoun's population has exploded since the 1980s. Having undergone heavy suburbanization in the past few decades, Loudoun has a full-fledged service economy. It is home to world headquarters for several Internet-related and high tech companies, including MCI, Orbital Sciences Corporation, and America Online. Like Fairfax County's Dulles Corridor, Loudoun County has economically benefited from the existence of Washington Dulles International Airport, the majority of which is located in the county along its border with Fairfax. Loudoun does retain a strong rural economy in the western part of the county. The Equine Industry has an estimated revenue of $78 Million dollars. It is home to the Morven Park International Equistrian Center which hosts national horse trials. Loudoun has 12 wineries and over 25 active farms.Towns
Incorporated Towns
Unincorporated Communities
Education
The county is served by Loudoun County Public Schools.
External links
- [Loudoun County Government Site]
- [Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association]
- [Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce]
- [Loudoun County Public Schools]
- [Loudoun County Public Library]
- [Loudoun Valleys Office of Rural Economic Development]
- [Main Street Loudoun]
- [African American Communities of Loudoun County]
- [Free eBook: History and Comprehensive Description of Loudoun County, Virginia, by James W. Head, 1908] at Project Gutenberg
- [Fairfax Underground] - a message board designed to improve communication between residents of Northern Virginia
- [Fairfax Crime] - a crime map of most of Northern Virginia and sex offender locations
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