Stafford County, Virginia

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Stafford County, Virginia
County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Country	United States
State	Virginia
Founded	1664
County seat	Stafford
Area
• Total	280 sq mi (700 km2)
• Land	269 sq mi (700 km2)
• Water	11 sq mi (30 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	156,927
• Density	560/sq mi (220/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (Eastern)

Stafford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 156,927. Its county seat is Stafford.

History

Stafford County was established in 1664 from parts of Westmoreland County. The county is named after Staffordshire, England. It has a rich history, including significant events during the American Civil War.

Geography

Stafford County is located in the northern part of Virginia, bordered by the Potomac River to the east. The county covers a total area of 280 square miles, of which 269 square miles is land and 11 square miles is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Stafford County had a population of 156,927. The county has seen significant growth due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. and the presence of several military installations.

Government

Stafford County is governed by a Board of Supervisors, consisting of seven members elected from each of the county's districts. The county also has a County Administrator who oversees the day-to-day operations.

Education

Stafford County Public Schools operates the public school system, which includes several elementary, middle, and high schools. The county is also home to the University of Mary Washington's Stafford Campus.

Transportation

Stafford County is served by several major highways, including Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, and Virginia State Route 610. The county also has access to the Virginia Railway Express for commuter rail service to Washington, D.C.

Economy

The economy of Stafford County is diverse, with significant employment in government, retail, and education sectors. The presence of military installations such as Marine Corps Base Quantico also contributes to the local economy.

Notable People

• George Washington, the first President of the United States, spent part of his childhood in Stafford County.
• Moncure D. Conway, an abolitionist and writer, was born in Stafford County.

See also

• List of counties in Virginia
• Fredericksburg, Virginia
• Prince William County, Virginia