Caledonia County is located in the central region of Virginia and is bordered by Caroline, Essex, King George, and Spotsylvania Counties. According to the 2019 U.S. Census, Caroline County has a population of 29,005. See top counties in Virginia.
The population of Caroline County is spread out over a large area with the majority living in rural areas. The largest city in the county is Bowling Green with a population of 1,876 people. Other main towns and cities include Port Royal, Ladysmith, and Carmel Church. The median age in Caroline County is 41 years old which is slightly lower than the median age for Virginia (40). The racial makeup of the county is 87% White, 9% Black or African American, 2% Asian and 0.5% Native American or Alaska Native. There are also small percentages of other races such as Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latino residents making up the remaining 1%.
Caroline County has an unemployment rate of 5%, higher than Virginia’s average rate of 3%. Most of the workforce is employed in manufacturing (20%), health care (14%), retail trade (13%) and educational services (10%). Agriculture also plays an important role in the economy with cattle farms being one of the main agricultural products produced in Caroline County.
History of Caroline County, Virginia
Caroline County, Virginia has a long and storied history dating back to the founding of the United States. The county was formed in 1727 from parts of King and Queen County and named for Caroline of Ansbach, the wife of King George II. It is one of the oldest counties in Virginia.
The county was an important center for tobacco production during colonial times and was home to many prominent families such as the Lees, Washingtons, Carters, and Randolphs. During the Revolutionary War, Caroline County provided many soldiers to fight for independence. After the war, many former slaves settled in Caroline County as freedmen with some becoming successful farmers or businessmen.
The Civil War had a major impact on Caroline County when Union troops occupied it in 1862. This led to a period of turmoil with skirmishes between Confederate forces and Union troops occurring throughout the county. After the war ended in 1865, Reconstruction brought new opportunities for African Americans who were able to vote and hold office in Caroline County.
In more recent years, Caroline County has become a major agricultural area with crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat and hay being grown on local farms. The county has also seen an influx of new residents from nearby cities seeking a rural lifestyle with access to outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting available in abundance throughout Caroline County’s natural areas.
Major cities and towns in Caroline County, Virginia
Caroline County, Virginia is home to a number of cities and towns that have been shaped by its long and storied history. The county seat of Bowling Green is the largest city in the county with a population of around 4,000. It was established in 1727 as a court town and was named for the bowling green that was located near the courthouse. It is home to many historic buildings including the Old Courthouse (1797) which houses the Caroline County Historical Society Museum.
The town of Port Royal is located along the Rappahannock River and has a population just over 1,000 people. It was founded in 1744 as a port for tobacco shipments and was once an important stop on the stagecoach line between Fredericksburg and Richmond. Today, it is known for its historic buildings such as Port Royal Presbyterian Church (1786) and Port Royal Tavern (1820).
Other cities in Caroline County include Ladysmith, with its historic Main Street lined with unique shops; Corbin which was once an important stop on the railroad line; Carmel Church which is home to St. Mary’s Catholic Church (1861); and Milford which has become known for its outdoor recreation opportunities such as fishing, boating, and camping at Lake Land’Or or exploring nearby Wilderness Battlefield Park.
Caroline County also has numerous small towns such as Ruther Glen which boasts a thriving downtown area with restaurants, boutiques, antique stores, art galleries; Woodford whose rural setting makes it popular among nature lovers; Doswell whose main street features several historic buildings; Ladysmith whose charming downtown offers unique shopping opportunities; Bowling Green whose picturesque downtown offers interesting sites like the Old Courthouse Museum; Corbin where visitors can explore nearby Lake Anna State Park; Carmel Church where visitors can visit St Mary’s Catholic Church or take part in one of their annual festivals like Red Bud Festival or Bluegrass Festival; Milford where visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like fishing or camping at nearby Lake Land’Or; and finally Partlow where visitors can take advantage of its unique attractions like Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary & Nature Center or visit nearby Wilderness Battlefield Park.
Population in Caroline County, Virginia
According to Iamaccepted, Caroline County, Virginia is located in the east-central region of the state and is home to a population of around 30,000 people. The county seat is located in the town of Bowling Green and other major towns include Ladysmith, Corbin, Carmel Church, Milford and Ruther Glen. The county has a diverse population with a mix of people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. According to the latest census data, the population in Caroline County is composed of 79.4% White Americans, 14.9% African Americans, 2.7% Asian Americans and 1.8% Hispanic or Latino Americans.
The median household income in Caroline County is $61,622 which is higher than the state average of $58,520 while the median property value is $231,000 which is lower than the state average of $254,500. The unemployment rate stands at 4%, which is lower than both the state average (3%) and national average (3.7%).
In terms of education attainment levels in Caroline County are slightly higher than both the state and national averages with 84% having at least some college education or higher compared to 81% for Virginia and 80% for America as a whole according to US Census Bureau data from 2019.
The county’s economy consists mainly of agriculture but also includes manufacturing and service industries such as tourism due to its proximity to Washington D.C., Richmond VA and other nearby cities such as Williamsburg VA, Charlottesville VA and Fredericksburg VA which provide many employment opportunities for residents living in Caroline County VA.
Caroline County provides its residents with a safe living environment that offers its citizens access to quality education opportunities along with an economy that provides employment opportunities within various industries making it an attractive place for individuals looking to make their home in this rural community located just outside Richmond VA.