Stafford County

History

For thousands of years, various native cultures succeeded each other in their territories along the Potomac River and its tributaries. By the time of English colonization, there were 32 Algonquian-speaking Native American tribes in the present-day coastal Tidewater Virginia area, including those of the Patawomeck and numerous tribes that were part of the Powhatan Confederacy. The former small tribe, still centered in Stafford County, was recognized by the state of Virginia in 2010.

The Indigenous' first recorded encounter with Europeans in this area was in 1608, with John Smith of the Jamestown Settlement. During a time of recurring tension between the early English colonists and the local natives, the colonists led by Samuel Argall captured Chief Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas, while she was living with her husband, Kocoum, at the Patawomeck town of Passapatanzy. The colonists took her from Passapatanzy, located in the eastern part of what is now Stafford County, to a secondary English settlement, known as Henricus (or Henrico Town). During her captivity there, Alexander Whitaker converted Pocahontas to Christianity. She took the name "Rebecca" at her baptism. Rebecca/Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe on April 5, 1614, in Jamestown. Their mixed-race descendants were among the First Families of Virginia.

The English colonial government of Virginia imposed its own order on the land and peoples. In 1664 it established Stafford County from territory previously part of Westmoreland County (which had been created from Northumberland County in 1653). It was named after Staffordshire, England.

As originally delineated, Stafford County included a much larger area than its current borders. As population grew, the following counties and jurisdictions were created: Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties, and the City of Alexandria. It is part of the area now considered Northern Virginia.

George Washington spent much of his childhood in the lower part of the county at his family's home Ferry Farm, which at the time was part of King George County and was along the Rappahannock River across from Fredericksburg. Colonial Forge High School was built on a tract of land owned in colonial times by his father Augustine Washington. George Mason, another Founding Father, also lived in Stafford during his formative years.

20th century to present

Stafford County has developed to be one of the core counties of the Washington metropolitan area and Northern Virginia, the seat of government and numerous major defense installations. Marine Corps Base Quantico occupies northern areas of the county. The FBI Academy, FBI National Laboratory and NCIS HQ are located on the Stafford side of MCBQ. Many residents commute north to work there and in other defense and federal facilities, as well as private companies, in Washington and its environs on Interstate Highway 95, U.S. Route 1, and by Virginia Railway Express. Stafford County is suburban and home to many Washington, D.C., commuters and workers who work for the federal government. It is also home to many military families because of its proximity to MCBQ. Theoe facts contribute to the high-income of families in Stafford County and the high number of home-ownership and college graduates. Stafford County is also one of the few counties in America where black households make more than white households. In recent years Stafford County has experienced major suburbanization, and growth as more and more workers move to the suburbs for their families. Thus, many developers are currently active in Stafford County in housing and retail projects.

In the early morning hours of May 9, 2008, a tornado touched down in the southern part of the county, severely damaging about 140 suburban homes.

The county was severely affected by "Snowmageddon," the massive blizzards of December 2009 and February 2010, and received some of the heaviest snow in the D.C. metropolitan area, with about 25 inches of snow in December, and 19 inches in February.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 280 square miles (730 km2), of which 269 square miles (700 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (3.9%) is water. The independent city of Fredericksburg developed at the fall line of the Rappahannock, supporting mills run by water power. To the northwest of there is the Piedmont area. Aquia Creek empties into the tidal segment of the Potomac River at Brent Point. Its location and proximity to Washington, D.C., has caused many federal government workers and commuters to live in the county. Stafford County's location, close to Washington, D.C., and MCB Quanico, are one of the major reasons for the county's suburbanization and growth.

Major bodies of water

Rappahannock River

Potomac River

Aquia Creek

Government and politics

The county is divided into seven magisterial districts: George Washington, Hartwood, Falmouth, Griffis-Widewater, Aquia, Garrisonville, and Rockhill. The magisterial districts, roughly equal in population, each elect one supervisor to the Board of Supervisors which governs Stafford County. The county operates under the county form of the County Executive system of government, with an elected Board of Supervisors. The Board hires a professional, nonpartisan County Administrator to manage government agencies. The current County Administrator is Thomas C. Foley. Stafford County is currently a battleground county politically which leans Republican. Due to its rapid suburbanization and growth of families, and Federal Government employees from D.C. and being a part of Northern Virginia it has trended Democratic; however, it has stayed Republican at the state and local level. The Board of Supervisors currently has a Republican majority, that is also true of the Stafford School Board (although they are elected on a bipartisan basis). In 2020, Joe Biden became the first Democratic candidate to carry Stafford County since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Stafford County is represented by Congressman Eugene Vindman of Virginia's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. On the state level, it is represented by Republican Tara Durant and Democrat Jeremy McPike in the Virginia State Senate. Democrats Candi King, Joshua G. Cole and Republican Paul Milde in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Past composition of the Board

Republican incumbent Robert Gibbons from the Rockhill District won re-election after a failed state legislature race in which he lost in the primary. Democrat Peter Fields from the George Washington district won re-election to his second term. Independent Jack Cavilier ran for re-election and won in the Griffis-Widewater district, keeping the Board of Supervisors at a gridlock 3-3-1 partisan split.

Growth being a main concern of residents four incumbents lost re-election bids. Gary Snelings, a Republican from the Hartwood district lost re-election by 36 votes to Independent Joe Brito. Republican incumbent Mark Osborn lost re-election in the Falmouth district for a second term, to Democratic political newcomer George Schwartz. Democrats in the northern part of the county were replaced by Republicans. Gary Pash, a Democrat representing the Garrisonville District and Kandy Hillard a Democrat representing the Aquia District were replaced by Republicans Mark Dudenhefer and Paul Milde, respectively.

Peter Fields, the Democratic incumbent from the George Washington District declined to run for a third term. Harry Crisp, a Democrat who ran for the George Washington District beat, Tom Coen a Republican who also ran last election cycle against Peter Fields. Jack Cavilier, an Independent incumbent from the Griffis-Widewater district ran for re-election as a Republican and lost to Democratic newcomer Bob Woodson. Woodson made history as being the first black American ever elected to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. Republican Incumbent Robert Gibbons declined to run for another term. Republican Cord Sterling who worked for Senator John McCain (R-AZ) ran for the Rockhill District and won against a Democrat.

Independent incumbent Joe Brito lost a rematch with Republican Gary Snellings in a three-way race with another independent. Democratic incumbent George Schwartz from the Falmouth District, declined to run for re-election. Former Republican Supervisor Mark Osborn ran for the seat as an independent, in a three race against Democrat Doug Filler, and Republican Susan Stimpson who ultimately won. Republican Mark Dudenhefer won re-election against Democrat Laura Sellers and Republican Paul Milde won re-election against two Independents in a three-way race.

Republican incumbent Mark Dudenhefer from the Garrisonville District ran for state legislature and won. Republican Ty Schieber was named Interim supervisor and won a special election to finish out Mark Dudenhefer's term. Democratic Incumbent Bob Woodson from the Griffis-Widewater district declined to run for a second term. In a three-way race former Independent Supervisor Jack Caviler won. Republican incumbent Cord Sterling won re-election in the Rockhill district. In the George Washington District Harry Crisp declined time run for re-election. Bob Thomas, a Republican won the race against a Democrat in the George Washington District.

Stafford County School Board

Though the school board in Stafford County, and the Commonwealth of Virginia is officially nonpartisan, candidates are endorsed by parties and tend to hold views similar to these parties.

Law enforcement

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) is the primary law enforcement agency in Stafford County. According to the department, it is the first agency in Virginia to use drones solely for law enforcement purposes.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 156,927. The median age was 36.0 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 57.5% White, 19.4% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.0% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 6.0% from some other race, and 12.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 15.1% of the population.

81.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 18.6% lived in rural areas.

There were 50,869 households in the county, of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 52,793 housing units, of which 3.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.2% were owner-occupied and 22.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.2%.

2010 Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 128,961 people, 38,237 households, and 24,481 families residing in the county. The population density was 342 inhabitants per square mile (132/km2). There were 31,405 housing units at an average density of 116 units per square mile (45 units/km2). Due to the rapid suburbanization of the county the demographics have increasingly changed in the past 20 years and will continue to change in the near future as Stafford County continues to grow.

By 2005, Stafford County's population was 72.8% non-Hispanic whites. black Americans were 17.0% of the total population. Native Americans were 0.4% of the county total, Asians 2.3%, and Native Hawai'ians and other Pacific islanders 0.2%. Latinos were 6.4% of the population. This was higher than the total for all of Virginia.

As of 2000 there were 38,187 households, out of which 46.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.90% were non-families. 13.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 31.60% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 33.70% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 5.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $75,546, and the median income for a family was $78,575 (these figures had risen to $85,793 and $95,433 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $47,080 versus $31,469 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,762. About 2.40% of families and 3.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.30% of those under age 18 and 5.30% of those age 65 or over. Stafford County is also one of the seven counties in America where black households make more than white households. Between 2010 and 2014 the typical black household made $105,628 in the county. The highest out of all the seven counties, while white households made an average $99,533.

Media

Stafford County being a part of the D.C. area and Northern Virginia is covered by D.C. cable news stations. These include FOX 5(WTTG), NBC 4(WRC-TV), ABC 7(WJLA-TV), CBS 9(WUSA), and PBS 26(WETA-TV). Stafford County is covered by northern Virginia newspapers and Fredericksburg newspapers.

Newspapers

The Free Lance–Star

InsideNoVa - North Stafford

The Washington Post

Potomac Local

Education

Colleges

Germanna Community College

Strayer University

University of Mary Washington

K-12 schools

Stafford County Public Schools serves most of the county. However, places on Marine Corps Base Quantico are zoned to Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.

County high schools include:

Brooke Point High School

Colonial Forge High School

Hartwood High School

Mountain View High School

North Stafford High School

Stafford Senior High School

The zoned schools for areas on-post at MCB Quantico are Crossroads Elementary School and Quantico Middle/High School.

Private schools

Holy Cross Academy

Merit School

Fredericksburg Christian School

Saint William of York Catholic School

Fredericksburg Academy

Grace Preparatory School

Alternative schools

Phoenix Center for Innovative Learning

Transportation

Stafford County is approximately 40 miles south of Washington D.C. Stafford County is the southern terminus of the I-95 Express lanes, which start in the southern portion of the county north of Exit 133, and go to Washington D.C. The Express lanes originally terminated in the north-central portion of the county; the extension to its current length was fully completed in December 2023.

A 2017 study done by INRIX Roadway Analytics awarded Southbound I-95 from D.C. to the southern tip of Stafford County the worst single traffic hotspot in the nation. A stretch of Northbound I-95 from Northern Spotsylvania County to the Northern tip of Stafford County was ranked the seventh worst traffic hotspot in the nation. Due to booming growth in the county, and Northern Virginia, Stafford County experiences regular gridlock and has one of the worst traffic situations in Northern Virginia, Virginia, and the nation. Thus, the Commonwealth of Virginia has poured big amounts of money in road infrastructure in Stafford County. Major U.S. Routes also pass through, such as U.S. 1, and U.S. 17.

Major highways

I-95

US 1

US 17

SR 3

SR 212

SR 218

Mass transportation

Leeland (VRE station)

Brooke (VRE station)

Airport

Stafford Regional Airport

Points of interest

Ferry Farm

Belmont

Aquia Church

Chatham Manor

White Oak Church

Central Rappahannock Regional Library

Aquia Park, Government Island

Widewater State Park,

Communities

Census-designated places

Aquia Harbour

Boswell's Corner

Camp Barrett

Falmouth

Quantico Base

Southern Gateway

Stafford Courthouse

Notable people

Palmer Hayden, American painter who depicted black American life, landscapes, seascapes, and African influences during the Harlem Renaissance.

Erin Cahill, actress

Peter Vivian Daniel, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 1842–1860

James Garrard, Governor of Kentucky 1796–1804

Mark Lenzi, Olympic medalist in diving, 25th (Barcelona, 1992) and 26th (Atlanta, 1996) Olympic Games

Arlene Limas, Olympic medalist in taekwondo, 24th Olympic Games (Seoul, 1988)

John Maine, former pitcher for the New York Mets, born in Fredericksburg, graduated from North Stafford High School

Jessica Player, child actress, graduated from Stafford High School

Pocahontas, Pamunkey princess who resided here with her Patawomeck husband, Kocoum at the time of her abduction

Gregg Ritchie, former Major League Baseball player and coach, and head coach of the George Washington University baseball team

Jeff Rouse, Olympic medalist in swimming, 25th (Barcelona, 1992) and 26th (Atlanta, 1996) Olympic games

Torrey Smith, National Football League wide receiver

George Mason III, Father of George Mason and member of Virginia House of Burgesses.