Albemarle County, Virginia

{{short description|County in Virginia, United States}} {{Redirect|Albemarle County|the North Carolina county abolished in 1739|Albemarle County, North Carolina}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Albemarle County | state = Virginia | seal = Albemarlecountyseal.png | founded = 1744 | seat = Charlottesville | largest city = Scottsville | city type = town | district = 5th | district2 = 7th | time zone = Eastern | area_total_sq_mi = 726 | area_land_sq_mi = 721 | area_water_sq_mi = 5 | area percentage = 0.7 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 112395 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 118356 {{increase}} | population_density_sq_mi = 155 | named for = Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.albemarle.org/page.asp?info=demog |title=County Overview |publisher=County of Albemarle |access-date=November 14, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081219185903/http://www.albemarle.org/page.asp?info=demog| archive-date= December 19, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> | web = www.albemarle.org | ex image = Albemarle_County_Office_Building.jpg | ex image cap = The Albemarle County Office Building | ex image size = 225px | flag = Flag_of_Albemarle_County.gif | }}

'''Albemarle County''' is located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its county seat is Charlottesville, which is an independent city entirely surrounded by the county.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> Albemarle County is part of the Charlottesville Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 112,395.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Albemarle County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US51003|website=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}</ref>

Albemarle County was created in 1744 from the western portion of Goochland County, though portions of Albemarle were later carved out to create other counties. Albemarle County was named in honor of Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle. Its most famous inhabitant was Thomas Jefferson, who built his estate home, Monticello, in the county.

==History== [[File:Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale, 1800.jpg|thumb|left|Thomas Jefferson lived most of his life in Albemarle County]] At the time of European encounter, the inhabitants of the area that became Albemarle County were a Siouan-speaking tribe called the Saponi.<ref name=swanton>{{citation| last=Swanton| first=John R.| title=The Indian Tribes of North America| publisher=Smithsonian Institution| year=2003| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vtHI5pkJOGMC| isbn=0-8063-1730-2| pages=72| oclc=52230544 | orig-date=1st Pub. 1952}}</ref> In 1744, the Virginia General Assembly created Albemarle County from the western portion of Goochland County.<ref>{{Citation | last=Pawlett | first=Nathaniel | title=An Index to Roads Shown in the Albemarle County Surveyors Books 1744-1853 | publisher=Virginia Highway & Transportation Research Council | place=Charlottesville, Virginia | year=1976 | url = http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/76-r45.pdf | access-date = October 11, 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081030024030/http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/76-r45.pdf| archive-date= October 30, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The county was named in honor of Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle and titular Governor of Virginia at the time.<ref name="vdot">{{cite news |first=Ace |last=Atkins |title=A county by any other name? |work=C-Ville Weekly |publisher=Portico Publications |date=March 27, 2007 |access-date=October 11, 2008 |url=http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat=121304064644348&z_Issue_ID=11042203071932370&ShowArchiveArticle_ID=11042303074210078&Year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708111038/http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat=121304064644348&z_Issue_ID=11042203071932370&ShowArchiveArticle_ID=11042303074210078&Year=2007 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref> The large county was partitioned in 1761, forming Buckingham and Amherst counties, at which time the county seat was moved from the formerly central Scottsville to a piece of newly central land, christened Charlottesville.<ref name="vdot"/> In 1777, Albemarle County was divided and Fluvanna County established, finalizing the boundaries of modern Albemarle County.

Albemarle County is well known for its association with President and Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, who was born in the county at Shadwell, though it was then part of Goochland County.<ref name="HSR">Henry Stephens Randall, ''The Life of Thomas Jefferson''</ref> However, his home of Monticello is located in the county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virginia.org/site/Cities.asp?locality=Albemarle |title=Albemarle County |access-date=October 11, 2008 |publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia |quote=Albemarle County is widely recognized as rich in history and beauty. Among its historic attractions are Monticello, home to President Thomas Jefferson... |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208034737/http://www.virginia.org/site/Cities.asp?locality=Albemarle |archive-date=December 8, 2006 }}</ref> When the American Revolutionary War started in 1775, Jefferson was made colonel of the Albemarle Militia.

During the Civil War, the Battle of Rio Hill was a skirmish in which Union cavalry raided a Confederate camp in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Until the Civil War, the majority of Albemarle County's population consisted of enslaved African Americans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/media_player?mets_filename=evm00002821mets.xml|title=Enslaved Population in Virginia|website=Encyclopedia Virginia|language=en|access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref> {{Clear}}

==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|726|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|721|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|5|sqmi}} (0.7%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

===Waterways=== The Rivanna River's south fork forms in Albemarle County and was historically important for transportation. The south fork flows in-between Darden Towe Park and Pen Park. Boat ramp access is available at Darden Towe Park. The James River acts as a natural border between Albemarle and Buckingham Counties.

===Major highways=== thumb|right|I-64 in Albemarle County * {{Jct|state=VA|I|64}} * {{Jct|state=VA|US|29}} * {{Jct|state=VA|US|250}} * {{Jct|state=VA|VA|6}} * {{Jct|state=VA|VA|20}} * {{Jct|state=VA|VA|22}} * {{Jct|state=VA|VA|53}} * {{Jct|state=VA|VA|240}}

===Protected areas=== Albemarle's western border with Augusta and Rockingham Counties is located within the Shenandoah National Park.

===Adjacent counties===

Albemarle County borders eight other counties, more than any other county in Virginia.

*Charlottesville (surrounded by Albemarle County) *Greene County (north) *Orange County (northeast) *Louisa County (east) *Fluvanna County (southeast) *Buckingham County (south) *Nelson County (southwest) *Augusta County (west) *Rockingham County (northwest)

===Parks and recreation=== * Beaver Creek Lake * Biscuit Run Park * Brook Hill Park * Chris Greene Lake Park * Darden Towe Park * Charlotte Humphris Park * Beaver Creek Park * Dorrier Park * Charlotte Y. Humphris Park * Ivy Creek Natural Area<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hastings |first=Jenette |date=2026-02-15 |title=From enslavement to ownership - the family story behind Ivy Creek’s River View Farm |url=https://www.29news.com/2026/02/15/enslavement-ownership-family-story-behind-ivy-creeks-river-view-farm/ |website=WVIR 29News |language=en}}</ref> * Mint Springs Valley Park * Patricia Ann Byrom Forest Preserve Park * Preddy Creek Park * Simpson Park * Totier Creek Park * Walnut Creek Park * Western Park <ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks |url=https://www.albemarle.org/government/parks-recreation/parks |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Albemarle County, VA}}</ref>

==Demographics==

{{US Census population |1790= 12585 |1800= 16439 |1810= 18268 |1820= 19750 |1830= 22618 |1840= 22294 |1850= 25800 |1860= 26625 |1870= 27544 |1880= 32618 |1890= 32379 |1900= 28473 |1910= 29871 |1920= 26005 |1930= 26981 |1940= 24652 |1950= 26662 |1960= 30969 |1970= 37780 |1980= 55783 |1990= 68040 |2000= 79236 |2010= 98970 |2020= 112395 |estyear=2025 |estimate=118356 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 17, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}} |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref> 1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> 1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/> | align = right }}

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Albemarle County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Virginia - Table 15 - Persons by Race: 1980 and Table 16 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980 |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980/1980censusofpopu80148uns_bw.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|page=13-24|via=WayBack Machine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260218082208/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980/1980censusofpopu80148uns_bw.pdf| archive-date=February 18, 2026}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Virginia: Tables 3-6 - Race and Hispanic Origin |website=United States Census Bureau|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-48.pdf|access-date=|page=13-51|via=WayBack Machine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624191618/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-48.pdf| archive-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Albemarle County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US51003&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Albemarle County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US51003&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Albemarle County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US51003&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |48,582 |58,700 |66,218 |77,130 |style='background: #ffffe6; |80,335 |87.09% |86.27% |83.57% |77.93% |style='background: #ffffe6; |71.48% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |6,145 |6,799 |7,586 |9,487 |style='background: #ffffe6; |9,793 |11.02% |9.99% |9.57% |9.59% |style='background: #ffffe6; |8.71% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |41 |72 |113 |150 |style='background: #ffffe6; |96 |0.07% |0.11% |0.14% |0.15% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.09% |- |Asian alone (NH) |504 |1,623 |2,267 |4,597 |style='background: #ffffe6; |8,186 |0.90% |2.39% |2.86% |4.64% |style='background: #ffffe6; |7.28% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> |6 |42 |style='background: #ffffe6; |44 |x |x |0.01% |0.04% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.04% |- |Other race alone (NH) |92 |60 |137 |173 |style='background: #ffffe6; |604 |0.16% |0.09% |0.17% |0.17% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.54% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> |880 |1,974 |style='background: #ffffe6; |4,884 |x |x |1.11% |1.99% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.35% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |419 |786 |2,029 |5,417 |style='background: #ffffe6; |8,453 |0.75% |1.16% |2.56% |5.47% |style='background: #ffffe6; |7.52% |- |'''Total''' |'''55,783''' |'''68,040''' |'''79,236''' |'''98,970''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''112,395 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 112,395. The median age was 38.8 years. 20.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.1 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A003&in=state%3A51|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 24, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A003&in=state%3A51|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 24, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

The racial makeup of the county was 72.8% White, 8.9% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 7.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.6% from some other race, and 7.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.5% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>

59.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 40.4% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A003&in=state%3A51|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 24, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 43,468 households in the county, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 47,291 housing units, of which 8.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.7% were owner-occupied and 35.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.0%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 Census=== The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Albemarle County are English 16.3%, German 16.0%, Irish 12.7%, "American" 11.4% and Italian 5.2%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |title=U.S. Census website |access-date=March 19, 2015 }}</ref>

As of the census<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2010, there were 98,970 people, 38,157 households, and 24,578 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|137|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 42,122 housing units at an average density of {{convert|58|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 80.6% White, 9.7% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 38,157 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females there were 92.69 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.59 males.

22% of Albemarle residents have a graduate or professional degree, compared with 10% nationwide.

The median income for a household in the county was $63,001, and the median income for a family was $98,934. Males had a median income of $55,530 versus $52,211 for females. The per capita income for the county was $36,718. About 3.8% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==

35% of people working in Albemarle live in the county, while 65% commute in. 19% of those commuting in live in Charlottesville, while the remainder live in the surrounding counties. 26,800 people commute out of Albemarle for work. 48% of which commute to Charlottesville, making up 51% of Charlottesville's in-commuters. In 2022, Albemarle had a 2.7% unemployment rate, compared with a national rate of 3.6%.<ref name="virginialmi.com">[https://virginiaworks.com/Portals/200/Local%20Area%20Profiles/5104000003.pdf Local Area Profiles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127082816/https://virginiaworks.com/Portals/200/Local%20Area%20Profiles/5104000003.pdf |date=November 27, 2020 }} virginiaworks.com</ref>

The top 10 employers as of Q4 2022 were:<ref name="virginialmi.com"/> # University of Virginia # Sentara Healthcare #U.S. Department of Defense #County of Albemarle #Crutchfield Corporation #Walmart #Piedmont Virginia Community College #Northrop Grumman Corporation #Boar's Head Inn # Atlantic Coast Athletic Club

==Government== Albemarle is governed by an elected six-member Board of Supervisors. Management of the county is vested in a Board-appointed County Executive.<ref>{{cite web|title=County Executive|url=http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=ctyexec|publisher=County of Albemarle, VA|access-date=June 21, 2015|archive-date=June 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620215153/http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=ctyexec|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable |+Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County<ref>{{cite web |title=Board Members|url=https://www.albemarle.org/government/board-of-supervisors/board-members |website=Albemarle County, VA |access-date=January 26, 2023}}</ref> |- ! colspan=2 align=center | Name ! valign=bottom| Party ! valign=bottom| First election ! valign=bottom| District |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |  | Jim Andrews (chair) |Dem |2021 |Samuel Miller |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |  | Diantha McKeel | Dem | 2013 | Jack Jouett |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |  | Mike Pruitt | Dem | 2023 | Scottsville |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |  | Ned Gallaway | Dem | 2017 | Rio |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |  | Ann Mallek | Dem | 2007 | White Hall |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |  | Bea LaPisto-Kirtley | Dem | 2019 | Rivanna |}

There are also several elected Constitutional Officers: * Clerk of the Circuit Court: John Zug (D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Circuit Court Clerk's Office|url=https://www.albemarle.org/government/circuit-court-clerk-s-office |website=Albemarle County, VA}}</ref> * Commonwealth's Attorney: James M. Hingeley (D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Staff|url=https://www.albemarle.org/government/commonwealth-s-attorney/staff |website=Albemarle County, VA |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref> * Sheriff: Chan Bryant (D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Albemarle County Sheriff's Office |url=https://www.albemarleso.org/ |website=Albemarle County Sheriff's Office |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref>

The nonpartisan School Board is also elected. Its members are:<ref>{{cite web |title=School Board Members |url=https://www.k12albemarle.org/school-board/school-board-members |website=Albemarle County School District |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref>

*Kate Acuff (Jack Jouett Magisterial District) *Chuck Pace (Rio Magisterial District) *Judy Le (Rivanna Magisterial District; chair) *Graham Paige (Samuel Miller Magisterial District) *Ellen Osborne (Scottsville Magisterial District) *Rebecca Berlin (White Hall Magisterial District) *Allison Spillman (At-Large)

===Emergency services=== thumb|Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company Engine 45 at the Independence Day Parade. thumb|Crozet Volunteer Fire Department Engine 52 truck during the same parade. Albemarle County has two branches of law enforcement, the Albemarle County Police Department, which handles criminal matters and is directed by the appointed police chief, Colonel Sean Reeves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Albemarle County Police Department|url=https://www.albemarle.org/government/police |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Albemarle County, VA |language=en}}</ref> The second branch is the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office, which handles civil service in the county, and they are directed by the elected Sheriff Chan Bryant.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Albemarle County Sheriff's Office |url=https://www.albemarleso.org/ |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Albemarle County Sheriff's Office |language=en-US}}</ref>

Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) provides essential emergency services to the residents and visitors of Albemarle County including, fire suppression, emergency medical treatment, and transport, technical rescue, water rescue, and hazardous materials mitigation. In addition, the department provides a wide array of non-emergency services such as investigations, business inspections, burn permits, child safety seat inspections, smoke detector installations, public education, and emergency management.

Services are provided through a combination of career staff, nine volunteer fire and rescue agencies, and regional partners. Fire and rescue stations are placed strategically throughout the county to ensure proper coverage:

====Fire stations==== * East Rivanna Volunteer Fire Company – Station 2 – (combination career/volunteer) * North Garden Volunteer Fire Company – Station 3 – (combination career/volunteer) * Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company – Station 4 – (combination career/volunteer) * Crozet Volunteer Fire Department – Station 5 – (combination career/volunteer) * Stony Point Volunteer Fire Company – Station 6 – (combination career/volunteer) * Scottsville Volunteer Fire Department – Station 7 – (volunteer) * Seminole Trail Volunteer Fire Department – Station 8 – (combination career/volunteer) * Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport Department of Public Safety – Station 9 – (career) * Monticello Fire Rescue – Station 11 – (career) * Hollymead Fire Rescue – Station 12 – (career) * Ivy Fire Rescue – Station 15 – (career) * Pantops Fire Rescue – Station 16 – (career) <ref name="fire">{{Cite web|url=https://www.albemarle.org/government/fire-rescue/organizational-information/station-information|title=Station Information|website=Albemarle County, VA|access-date=August 17, 2018}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gocho.com/dps|title=Public Safety|website=Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport|access-date=January 5, 2024}}</ref>

====Rescue squads==== * Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad – Rescue 1 – (volunteer) * Western Albemarle Rescue Squad – Rescue 5 – (volunteer) * Scottsville Rescue – Rescue 17 – (career) * Berkmar Rescue – Rescue 18 – (career) <ref name=fire />

# ''Combination career/volunteer – stations supplemented by career staff Monday - Friday, 6 AM - 6 PM. Volunteers operate these stations weeknights from 6 PM - 6 AM as well as weekends and holidays'' # ''Volunteer – stations that operate with an all-volunteer, 24/7 team.'' # ''Career – stations that operate with an all-career, 24/7 shift that work three distinct schedules''

===Law enforcement=== The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) and the Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) provide law enforcement services in the county.

The ACSO was created in 1745 when Joseph Thompson was appointed as the first sheriff. Then in 1895, citizens started electing sheriffs for 4-year terms. Lucian Watts was the first elected sheriff.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=http://www.albemarleso.org/Nhistory.html |title=Albemarle County Sheriff's Office - History |access-date=August 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627031218/http://www.albemarleso.org/Nhistory.html |archive-date=June 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{As of|2022}} the sheriff is Chan Bryant, the county's first woman sheriff.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bryant sworn in as Albemarle County Sheriff |url=http://www.cbs19news.com/story/41506256/bryant-sworn-in-as-albemarle-county-sheriff |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=CBS19 News |language=en}}</ref>

The ACPD was created in 1983. Prior to 1983, local county governments could create a police force by a simple vote held by their respective board of supervisors. In February 1983 the Virginia General Assembly restricted the authority of county governments to create police forces without a voter referendum. The law did not go into effect until July 1983: On May 11, 1983, before the law took effect, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance creating the Albemarle County Police Department. That original ordinance provided for a police chief and five full time officers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lfweb.albemarle.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1769&dbid=0&repo=CountyofAlbemarle&cr=1|title=Error|website=lfweb.albemarle.org|accessdate=May 20, 2023}}</ref> George W. Bailey was the first chief of police.<ref name="auto"/> {{As of|2022}} the chief of police is Sean Reeves. The ACPD currently has 140 sworn officers, 23 civilian employees, and 3 animal control officers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=police&relpage=10237|title=Albemarle County Police Department - Who are we|accessdate=May 20, 2023|archive-date=September 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929092205/http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=police&relpage=10237|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Representation and elections=== Albemarle is represented by Democrat Creigh Deeds in the Virginia State Senate; Democrats Katrina Callsen and Amy Laufer represent the county in the Virginia House of Delegates. Republican John McGuire represents most of the county in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrat Eugene Vindman represents a small sliver in the most northwestern portion of Albemarle County.

For much of the second half of the 20th century, Albemarle County was heavily Republican, like most of this part of Virginia. However, the Republican edge narrowed significantly in the 1990s, in part due to the influence of the University of Virginia. In 2004, John Kerry carried it by two points, becoming the first Democrat to win the county since 1948. It swung hard to Barack Obama in 2008, and since then, it has become one of the few Democratic bastions in central Virginia, though it is not as overwhelmingly Democratic as Charlottesville.

{{PresHead|place=Albemarle County, Virginia|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=August 17, 2018}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1880|Democratic|1,644|2,432|2|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1884|Democratic|2,587|2,941|0|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1888|Democratic|2,166|2,573|13|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,795|2,757|29|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,918|2,628|76|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,674|2,411|20|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1904|Democratic|309|1,069|15|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1908|Democratic|380|999|27|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|144|1,215|144|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|223|1,376|0|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1920|Democratic|541|1,587|0|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1924|Democratic|366|1,383|53|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1928|Democratic|846|1,571|0|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|508|1,949|34|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|635|1,825|7|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|804|1,648|6|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|964|1,725|12|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|984|1,178|281|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,523|1,642|18|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,508|1,412|466|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,135|2,102|35|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|3,251|3,062|2|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|4,512|2,255|1,674|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|8,447|4,303|201|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|9,084|7,310|238|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|10,424|7,293|1,865|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|14,455|7,982|93|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|15,117|10,363|273|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|13,894|13,886|4,024|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|15,243|14,089|1,896|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|18,291|16,255|2,300|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2004|Democratic|21,189|22,088|449|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|20,576|29,792|616|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2012|Democratic|23,297|29,757|853|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2016|Democratic|19,259|33,345|4,122|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2020|Democratic|20,804|42,466|1,387|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2024|Democratic|21,513|44,279|1,432|Virginia}} {{PresFoot}}

==Education== The Albemarle County Public School System operates public education in the county. It provides education to nearly 14,000 students including preschool through high school. The Albemarle County Public School System's mission is to "establish a community of learners and learning, through relationships, relevance and rigor, one student at a time."<ref name="Division Fact Sheet">{{Cite web|url=https://www2.k12albemarle.org/acps/division/Pages/default.aspx|title=Division Fact Sheet|website=Albemarle County Public Schools|language=en-us|access-date=November 7, 2017|archive-date=August 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812083208/https://www2.k12albemarle.org/acps/division/Pages/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> ACPS provides 25 school facilities<ref name="Division Fact Sheet"/> which include Community Lab School, a charter school that is located in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle High School, Western Albemarle High School, and Monticello High School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.k12albemarle.org/acps/schools/Pages/default.aspx|title=Our Schools|website=Albemarle County Public Schools|language=en-us|access-date=November 7, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107112949/https://www2.k12albemarle.org/acps/schools/Pages/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The School Board and the Superintendent, Matthew Haas, work closely together in operating the Albemarle County Public School System.

Many private schools in Albemarle serve the county and students from surrounding areas. These include:

*The Covenant School (upper campus) *Field School of Charlottesville *Free Union Country School *The Miller School of Albemarle *Montessori Community School *North Branch School *Peabody School *Charlottesville Catholic School *St. Anne's-Belfield School *Tandem Friends School

Some students attend several private schools in the City of Charlottesville.

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library is the regional library system that provides services to the citizens of Albemarle.

Portions of the University of Virginia are located within Albemarle County.<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st51_va/county/c51003_albemarle/DC20BLK_C51003.pdf|title=2020 Census - Census Block Map: Albemarle County, VA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|place=Suitland, Maryland|date=April 11, 2011|page=10 (PDF p. 11/26)|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>

==Communities== The city of Charlottesville is enclaved within Albemarle County. Under Virginia law in effect since 1871, all municipalities in the state incorporated as cities are legally and politically independent of any county.

(Population according to the 2020 United States census) right|579x579px {| class="toptextcells" | colspan="2" |

===Towns===

# Scottsville, the original county seat (524) (also in Fluvanna County) | colspan="2" |

===Census-designated places===

# Afton (313) new in 2020 (also in Nelson County) # Crozet (9,224) # Earlysville (1,153) new in 2020 # Esmont (491) # Free Union (187) # Hollymead (8,601) # Ivy (917) # Keswick (321) new in 2020 # North Garden (461) new in 2020 # Pantops (4,682) # Piney Mountain (1,880) # Rio (2,076) new in 2020 # Rivanna (east county) (2,174) # University of Virginia (7,704) | colspan="2" | |- | colspan="6" |

===Unincorporated communities=== |- valign="top" | * Advance Mills * Alberene * Ardwood * Arrowhead * Barracks * Barterbrook * Batesville * Bedford Hills * Bellair * Bentivar * Berkeley * Berkmar * Blenheim * Boiling Spring * Boonesville * Branchland * Briarwood * Brinnington * Brookwood * Brownsville * Browntown * Burnley | * Camelot * Campbell * Carrsbrook * Cash Corner * Cedarmere * Chapel Hills * Chestnut Grove * Cismont * Clover Hill * Cobham * Colthurst * Commonwealth * Country Green * Covesville * Damon * Davis Shop * Doylesville * Earlysville Heights * Eastham * Ednam * Ehart * Everettsville | * Fairgrove * Farmington * Flordon * Franklin * Freetown * Gilbert * Glenaire * Glendower * Glenmore * Glenorchy * Greenfields * Greenwood * Hatton * Heards * Howardsville * Hunters Hall * Hydraulic * Inglecress * Keene * Key West * Langford * Lexington | * Liberty Hill * Lindsay * Little Clover Hill * Loch Leigh * Mallard Lake * McCullough * Meriwether Hill * Midway * Midway * Mill Ridge * Mill Run * Millington * Milton * Milton Heights * Milton Hills * Miran Forest * Montvue * Mountfair * Newtown * Nob Hill * Northfields | * Nortonsville * Norwood * Oak Hill * Old Dominion * Overton * Owensville * Patterson Store * Peacock Hill * The Pines * Porters * Proffit * Queen Charlotte * Raintree * Redland * Rio Heights * Rivanna (north county) * Rose Hill * Rosena * Rugby * Shadwell * Simeon * Solaris | * Springfield * Squire Hill * Stillfield * Stonehenge * Stony Point * Tapscott * Terrybrook * Thurston * Townwood * Warren * Watts * Waverly * West Leigh * Westfield * Westmoreland * White Hall * Wildwood * Wilhait * Willoughby * Windrift * Woodbrook * Woodridge * Yancey Mills |} Many of these unincorporated areas have Charlottesville addresses.

==Notable people== [[File:Monticellofromgardens.jpg|thumb|United States President and Governor of Virginia Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, is located in Albemarle County.]] [[File:AshLawnHighland.jpg|thumb|United States President and Governor of Virginia James Monroe's home, Ash Lawn-Highland, is located in Albemarle County.]]

*Chilton Allan (1786–1858), born in Albemarle County, United States Congressman from Kentucky<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963}}</ref> *Rev Samuel Black, Albemarle County's first Presbyterian minister. Built Sam Black's Tavern<ref>{{cite report |date= April 7, 2003 |title= National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Mirador (Boundary Increase) |publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Historic Resources }}</ref> *Dabney Smith Carr (1802–1854), born in Albemarle County, founder of newspaper ''Baltimore Republican and Commercial Advertiser'', United States minister to Turkey<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Christopher Henderson Clark (1767–1828), United States Congressman from Virginia<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *George Rogers Clark (1752–1818), surveyor, soldier, and Revolutionary War hero and older brother of William Clark born in Albemarle County<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *William Coleman, Olympic equestrian team member 2012 *Edward Coles (1786–1868), born in Albemarle County, second Governor of Illinois<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Rita Dove (born 1952), former United States Poet Laureate and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, living in Albemarle County since 1989 *Greensville Dowell (1822–1876), born in Albemarle County, noted physician, professor, and author<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Kathryn Erskine, National Book Award-winning novelist *James T. Farley (1829–1886), born in Albemarle County, United States Senator from California<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *William D. Gibbons ({{Circa|1825}}–1886), Baptist minister, born in Albemarle County<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunnavant |first=Kellen |title=Behind Her Eyes: The Story of Isabella Gibbons |url=https://vpdiversity.virginia.edu/isabella-gibbons |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122153354/https://vpdiversity.virginia.edu/isabella-gibbons |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=July 4, 2021 |website=University of Virginia}}</ref> *James Walker Gons (1812–1870), born in Albemarle County, Baptist church clergyman, later converting to Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), editor and publisher of church's ''Christian Intelligencer'', educator<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896" /> *John Grisham, author of ''The Whistler''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/books/review/inside-the-new-york-times-book-review-john-grisham-on-the-whistler.html|title=Inside The New York Times Book Review: John Grisham on 'The Whistler'|date=November 4, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and ''A Time to Kill''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/25/grishams-time-to-kill-coming-to-broadway/?rref=collection/timestopic/Grisham,%20John&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=collection|title=Grisham's 'Time to Kill' Coming to Broadway|last=Healy|first=Patrick|work=ArtsBeat|date=June 25, 2013 |access-date=November 7, 2017|language=en}}</ref> *Claude Hall, historian who wrote definitive biography of Abel Parker Upshur<ref name=obit>Obituary of Claude Hampton Hall (1922-2001), ''Bryan-College Station, Texas, Eagle'', April 4, 2001</ref> *John Harvie (1742–1807), born in Albemarle County, member of the Continental Congress and mayor of Richmond, Virginia from 1785 to 1786<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Samuel Hopkins (1753–1819), born in Albemarle County, United States Army officer and United States Congressman from Kentucky<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States and former Governor of Virginia *Sarah Garland Boyd Jones (1866–1905), physician *Jack Jouett (1754–1822), born in Albemarle County, known as the "Paul Revere of the South", influential in organizing Kentucky as a separate state, Virginia and Kentucky state legislator<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Fiske Kimball (1888–1955), architectural historian, founder of the University of Virginia School of Architecture *Ben King (cyclist), professional cyclist *Walter Leake (1762–1825), born in Albemarle County, United States Senator from Mississippi and later governor of that state<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809), born in Albemarle County, explorer, governor of Louisiana, and one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clark Expedition<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Howie Long, former NFL player with the Oakland Raiders *Joseph Martin (1740–1808), Revolutionary War general and explorer; namesake of Martinsville, Virginia *Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band *David Meriwether, born in Albemarle County, Continental Army officer, member United States Congress, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, Major General - Georgia Militia *John Milbank, English philosopher and theologian *James Monroe, fifth President of the United States and former Governor of Virginia *James Monroe (1799–1870), born in Albemarle County, United States Congressman from New York<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Lottie Moon (1840–1912), Southern Baptist missionary to China; Southern Baptists worldwide take up a Christmas offering every year for international missions in her name *James Morris Page (1864–1936), mathematics professor and chairman of University of Virginia *Sissy Spacek, actress *Peter Threewits (1725–1770), born in Sussex County, Virginia state legislator<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *Bebe Williams, Xeric Award cartoonist/artist Art Comics Daily

==See also== {{Portal|Virginia}} *National Register of Historic Places listings in Albemarle County, Virginia

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book |date=1920 |editor1-last=Richey |editor1-first=Homer |title=Memorial History of the John Bowie Strange Camp, United Confederate Veterans: Including Some Account of Others Who Served in the Confederate Armies from Albemarle County, Together With Brief Sketches of the Albemarle Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the R. T. W. Duke Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans |url=https://archive.org/details/memorialhistoryo00richiala |location=Charlottesville, Va. |publisher=The Michie Co. |access-date=May 22, 2015}}

==External links== *{{commons category-inline}}  *{{Official website|http://www.albemarle.org/}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070918132635/http://repo2.lib.virginia.edu/cocoon/fedora/gdms/getDynamicView.html?behav=getBrowseSet&style=http%3A%2F%2Ftext.lib.virginia.edu%2Fxsl%2Fgdms%2Fgdms.xsl&coll=UVA-liB-ArchitOfJeffersonCountry&snum=20&titles=on&images=on&sblk=1 Architecture of Jefferson Country – images of historic buildings of Albemarle County (from UVA Libraries)]

{{Geographic location |Centre = Albemarle County, Virginia |North = Greene County |Northeast = Orange County |East = Louisa County |Southeast = Fluvanna County |South = Buckingham County |Southwest = Nelson County |West = Augusta County |Northwest = Rockingham County }}

{{Coord|38.03|-78.56|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-VA_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Albemarle County, Virginia Category:Virginia counties Category:1744 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies Category:Counties on the James River (Virginia) Category:Community Remembrance Project