| Surry 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 | 1652 |
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| Seat | Surry |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
279 sq mi (723 km²) 31 sq mi (80 km²), 10.06% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
6,829 23/sq mi (9/km²) |
| Website: www.surrycounty.govoffice2.com | |
Surry County is a county located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of 2000 census, the population was 6,829. Its county seat is Surry[1].
In 1652, Surry County was formed from a portion of James City County in the Royal Colony of Virginia south of the James River. In 1676, a local Jacobean brick house was occupied as a fort or "castle" during Bacon's Rebellion against the Royal Governor, Sir William Berkeley, later becoming known as the current landmark of Bacon's Castle. One hundred years later, Surry County became part of the new Commonwealth of Virginia, one of the first 13 United States after winning independence from Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Confederate Army had units called the Surry Light Artillery and the Surry Cavalry.
It is known for raising hogs processed at nearby Smithfield and harvesting lumber, notably Virginia Pine. In over 350 years of existence, Surry County has carefully guarded both its heritage and rural nature. However, it is located only a short ride on the Jamestown Ferry from Virginia's Historic Triangle of the colonial era, featuring the major tourist attractions of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, linked by the National Park Service's Colonial Parkway. The county itself hosts several small towns, several of the James River plantations, and a state park.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 310 square miles (804 km²), of which, 279 square miles (723 km²) of it is land and 31 square miles (81 km²) of it (10.06%) is water.
Adjacent Counties
- Charles City County - northwest
- James City County - northeast
- Isle of Wight County - southeast
- Southampton County - south
- Sussex County - southwest
- Prince George County - west
History and transportation
Surry County was formed from a portion of James City County in the Royal Colony of Virginia in 1652. It was named for the English County of Surrey. It included all of the portion of James City County (itself formed in 1634) which was located south of the James River. Surry County initially consisted of Lawne's Creek Parish and Southwark Parish (of the Church of England).
Nearby, in 1665, Arthur Allen built a Jacobean brick house which later became known as Bacon's Castle because it was occupied as a fort or "castle" during Bacon's Rebellion against the Royal Governor, Sir William Berkeley in 1676. (Contrary to popular folklore, the rebellious Nathaniel Bacon never lived at Bacon's Castle, but rather, resided at Curles Neck Plantation in Henrico County about 30 miles upriver on the northern bank of the James River).
The first town, Cobham, was established in 1691 where Gray's Creek empties into the James River. Neighboring Sussex County was formed from the southwestern end of Surry County in 1754.
In over 350 years of existence, Surry County has carefully guarded both its heritage and rural nature. However, it is located only a short ride on the Jamestown Ferry from Virginia's Historic Triangle of the colonial era, featuring the major tourist attractions of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, linked by the National Park Service's Colonial Parkway. The county itself hosts several small towns, several of the James River plantations, and a state park.
The county is bisected by State Route 31 and State Route 40, as well as its major artery, the historic path of State Route 10 which follows the general line of the south bank of the James River between Prince George County and Isle of Wight County.
Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 6,829 people, 2,619 households, and 1,917 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 3,294 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 46.87% White, 51.60% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,619 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 14.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,558, and the median income for a family was $41,234. Males had a median income of $31,123 versus $21,143 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,682. About 9.70% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.40% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.
Points of interest
- Bacon's Castle
- Chippokes Plantation State Park
- Claremont Manor Plantation
- Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
- Surry Nuclear Power Plant
- Surrey House Restaurant & Country Innlink title
- Michael Vick's former house and property (sold recently) that housed an alleged dog fighting ring
Communities
Incorporated towns
Incorporated towns in Surry County include:
Unincorporated communities
Unincorporated communities in Surry County include:
- Cabin Point
- Scotland
- Spring Grove
- Carsley
- Elberon
Current events
Michael Vick - Dog fighting investigation
Beginning on April 25, 2007, Surry County Sheriff Harold D. Brown and part-time County Commonwealth's Attorney (prosecutor) Gerald G. Poindexter found themselves in embroiled in a high profile dog fighting investigation after authorities investigating Davon T. Boddie, 26, searching for narcotics found evidence of dog fighting activities at a home and property in Surry County where he lived which is owned by his cousin, Atlanta Falcons NFL football player Michael Vick. They confiscated 66 dogs, 55 of which were pit bulls, and other evidence. A ESPN source later alleged that Vick was a "heavyweight" in dog fighting and had been known to wager $40,000 on the outcome of a single bout.
By August 20, 2007, all the defendants on the initial federal charges including Vick had agreed to guilty pleas under plea bargain agreements, and were sentenced to terms ranging from 6 to 23 months, to be served in Federal prisons.
On 26 February 2009, Vick was approved for release to home confinement, and ws released on 21 May 2009 to be confined for the remainder of his 23 month term of imprisonment under home confinement. The dogs who were abused in the case have been placed in foster or adoptive homes.
References
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
External links
Coordinates: 37°07′N 76°53′W / 37.12°N 76.89°W
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Charles City County | James City County | |
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| Prince George County |  |
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 Surry County, Virginia  |
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| Sussex County | Southampton County | Isle of Wight |
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