Location & Topography Located in the Central Piedmont physiographic province and just 20 miles outside the state capital of Richmond, Powhatan is within 130 miles of the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., and within 100 miles of the world's largest natural deep-water harbor, the Port of Hampton Roads. The County has 272 square miles of water area. Elevations range from 150 to 400 feet above sea level. The entire area lies in the James River Basin. The Appomattox and James rivers provide drainage. Back to Top History In 1608 a band of approximately 120 men Ied by Christopher Newport made an expedition up the James River to a point as far west as Maidens Bridge. They were forced to turn back because of a confrontation with the Monacan Indians who occupied the area at the time. Between the years of 1699-1705, some 500 to 700 Huguenot refugees fleeing from persecution in France settled on the James River near Manakin in the then-abandoned Monacan Indian villages. They soon scattered throughout the area, building fine homes, some still standing in the County. In May 1777, the Virginia General Assembly created the County of Powhatan out of land from the eastern portion of Cumberland County between the Appomattox and James rivers. In 1850, a small portion of Chesterfield County was annexed, creating what today is the 272 square-mile County of Powhatan. In Virginia, nine counties bear Indian names. Only one, Powhatan, is named for an Indian Chief "King Powhatan," father of the famous Indian princess, Pocahontas, was one of the greatest and is, today, one of the best known of the Indian chiefs. The original courthouse was constructed in 1778, and the area was named Scottville after General Charles Scott, a revolutionary war hero. The name of the County seat was changed to Powhatan in 1836. The present courthouse building was erected in 1848, and an addition and renovation were completed in 1992. Powhatan's heritage is rich. lts hold on the treasured memories of a life-long past is secure because of the excellent records in the courthouse, as well as the interest of its citizens in restoration and preservation . Back to Top Climate A generally moderate climate prevails. Temperatures average 57.7 degrees annually. January's average temperature is 36.6 degrees, and July's is 77.8. Annual average rainfall is 44.07 inches, and annual average snowfall is 3.75 inches. Prevailing winds are from the south. Back to Top Natural Resources The County has 132,471 acres of land that are classified as commercial forest. Primary species of trees are natural pine, upland hardwoods, and bottomland hardwoods. Water is plentifui with the James River and its tributary, the Appomattox River, flowing through the County. lgneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks with commercial quantities of monazite, graphite and asbestos underlie Powhatan. Back to Top Agriculture Powhatan County has 208 farms, which is a slight increase from the previous five-year census period. The average farm size is 207 acres. Principal crops include corn, small grains, soybeans, tobacco, and hay. Principal livestock includes cows (dairy and beef), poultry and horses. The total market value of agricultural products in 1997 was $6.9 million. Back to Top Local Taxes Taxes are evaluated each year along with the County's budget and are adjusted as needed. A primary attraction for new business growth in the County is the absence of a gross receipts-based business, professional, and occupational license tax. Back to Top Population & Employment According to the 199X Weldon Cooper Center estimates from the University of Virginia, the population of Powhatan County is 21,800, a 42 percent increase from the 1990 population of 15,328. Powhatan ranks as the fifth fastest growing locality in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The projected population for the year 2010 is 31,000. Back to Top Economy/Employment The County's economy relies heavily on government, construction, and retail trade and service industries. Powhatan has a civilian labor force of 10,615. Approximately 4,300 people are employed in the County with nearly 76 percent of the County's labor force commuting to surrounding localities for work. With a current 1.7 percent unemployment rate, the County has one of the lowest unemployment levels in the state. Median family income in Powhatan County is $52,700, about 11 percent above the state average. Taxable retail sales in 1998 were $63,062,319. Back to Top Housing Powhatan offers a wide variety of housing choices. Affordably priced houses are available. as well as homes valued at $600,000 and above. Available also are Revolutionary War-period homes and modern houses with the latest amenities. The predominant lot size ranges from two to ten acres. The recently adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan specifies a five-acre lot average and a two-acre lot minimum throughout most of the County. Smaller lot sizes are permitted in Village Preservation and Village Service Areas. Back to Top Recreation There are two 18-hole golf courses within the County. One is public and the other is private. Construction has begun on the new Virginia State Golf Association statewide golf center in Powhatan. The facility, scheduled for completion in 2002, will contain 27 holes of golf, clubhouse, museum, library, administration office, education center, dormitory and turfgrass research area. The Powhatan Youth Athletic Association, the Powhatan Recreation Advisory Committee, and the Powhatan Soccer Association provide recreational activities for people of all ages. The County owns several baseball, softball, and soccer fields. Playgrounds and athletic fields are located at three public schools. Under construction in the Powhatan Courthouse Village area is Fighting Creek Park. This 200-acre park will contain several athletic fields, playgrounds, hiking trails, a new library, a YMCA facility and National Guard Armory. The Midlothian Family YMCA provides a Before and After School Program serving students in grades kindergarten through five from Powhatan Elementary, Pocahontas Elementary and Pocahontas Middle schools. This service is provided at Powhatan and Pocahontas Elementary schools Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. until the start of school and from dismissal until 6:30 p.m. The YMCA also provides Camp Saponi, which serves children, ages 4-3/4 to 12, and has a Counselor in Training Program for teens ages 13 to 15. For more information on these and other YMCA programs, call 379-5668. All swimming pools in the County are privately owned and operated. Pools include Cozy Acres Family Campground (598-2470), Oakwood Club (598-9876), Federal Hill (598-7772), Country Village Pool, and The SevenEleven Club (598-4052). The Powhatan Wildlife Management Area (4,991 acres), under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, provides hunting and fishing. The department also maintains two public boat landings on the James River at Maidens and Watkins Landing. There are an estimated 225,000 horses in Virginia of which an estimated 1,750 live in Powhatan County. The horse industry accounts for approximately 24,450 jobs statewide with 90 in Powhatan. There are several clubs as well as many horse related businesses within the County which include veterinary services, trailer sales, farm and feed stores, barn sitting services, and independent riding instructors. Back to Top Community Activities Community events include a Labor Day Parade, Christmas Parade/Christmas Tree Lighting, Bateau Festival, Powhatan County Fair, craft shows, Powhatan County Historical Society Tours, Powhatan Chamber of Commerce Annual Auction, Steer Roast and Dove Festival. Education Powhatan public schools include elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as a vocational school. Back to Top Colleges & Universities The Richmond metropolitan area is home to several colleges and universities, including the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University, and Randolph-Macon College. Longwood College and Hampden-Sydney are located in Farmville (40 miles), John Tyler Community College (10 miles) and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (12 miles) provide college transfer and technical and vocational educational programs. Back to Top Medical Services Within the County are six medical doctors, four dentists and two chiropractic centers. Four veterinary hospitals service the area. The Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad provides service to nearby hospitals including Columbia Johnston-Willis Hospital (330-2273/20 miles), Columbia Chippenham Medical Center (330-3911/27 miles) and The Medical College of Virginia (828-9000/30 miles). Other hospitals in the Richmond area are Columbia Henrico Doctors' Hospital (289-4500/31 miles), Columbia Retreat Hospital (254-5100/32 miles), and St. Mary's Hospital (285-2011/27 miles). A new hospital. Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, is planned for western Chesterfield, only five miles away, with a projected 2003 completion date. The County's health department provides all immunizations, family planning, home health care, maternity care, and well-child care. Back to Top Transportation by Air Richmond International Airport, 35 miles from Powhatan, provides commercial service from Air Ontario, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Trans World, United, and U. S. Airways. Freight service is available. Also located approximately 15 miles to the east is Chesterfield County Airport, a full-service general aviation airport without commercial service. Back to Top Transportation by Highways U.S. primary Routes 60 (east west), 522 (north south). and State Route 13 (east west) provide access to Interstates 64 and 95, both within 20 miles. Route 288 is scheduled ior completion in 2003 and will provide access from both Route 711 in northeastern Powhatan and Route 60 in western Chesterfield to Interstates 64, 95 and 295. Back to Top Transportation by Rail Norfolk-Southern provides freight service in the County. Back to Top Transportation by Waterways The Richmond Deepwater Terminal located on the James River (30 miles from Powhatan) provides shipping. The international Port of Hampton Roads is within 130 miles. Back to Top Radio Numerous stations are received from the Richmond, Charlottesville and Farmville areas. Back to Top Telephone Verizon is the phone company which services Powhatan County. Cellular phone capability exists throughout the County, and fiber optic facilities are also present. Back to Top Television County residents receive all major networks, an independent station and PBS from the Richmond and Charlottesville areas. Adelphia Communications, LLC supplies cable television. Satellite television is provided by Direct TV and Southside Communications Cooperative, a subsidiary of Southside Electric Cooperative. Back to Top Parcel United Parcel Service and Federal Express service the Powhatan area. Back to Top Electricity Electricity is supplied by Dominion Virginia Power and distributed by Dominion Virginia Power and Southside Electric Cooperative. Back to Top Drinking Water Area - Courthouse Supplier - Sydnor Hydrodynamics Source - Well Capacity - 83,600 gpd Area - Mill Quarter Lake Supplier - Sydnor Hydrodynamics Source - Well Capacity - 44,000 gpd Area - Lake Shawnee Supplier - Sydnor Hydrodynamics Source - Well Capacity - 46,400 gpd Area - Academy Road Supplier - Sydnor Hydrodynamics Source - Well Capacity -34,000 gpd Area - Anderson Highway Supplier - Powhatan County Source - Chesterfield County Capacity - 500,000 gpd Back to Top Sewerage Area - Courthouse Supplier - Powhatan County Capacity - 100,000gpd The County is currently upgrading the sewerage system in the Courthouse area to address both growing public and private commercial demands. Also, recently completed is a water and sewer study of the Eastern Route 60 Business Service area. Back to Top Solid Waste Disposal Powhatan County has a transfer station, which serves the entire County. The station accepts household debris and construction debris (for a fee) and provides recycling services. Back to Top |