Hamilton, Virginia

{{for|the Cumberland County location|Hamilton, Cumberland County, Virginia}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Hamilton, Virginia |official_name = Town of Hamilton |settlement_type = Town |nickname = |motto =

| subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{nowrap|{{flag|United States}}}} |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Virginia|size=23px}} |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Loudoun

|unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_51.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> |area_magnitude = |area_total_sq_mi = 0.21 |area_land_sq_mi = 0.21 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00

|population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_total = 619 |population_density_sq_mi = 3009.57

|timezone = Eastern (EST) | utc_offset = −5 |timezone_DST = EDT | utc_offset_DST = −4 |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_ft = 512 |coordinates = {{coord|39|8|2|N|77|39|51|W|region:US-VA_type:city|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = ZIP codes |postal_code = 20158-20159 |area_code = 540 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 51-34240<ref name="GR2" /> |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 1499516<ref name="GR3-u">{{cite gnis|1499516|Hamilton|2026-02-20}}</ref> |website = {{URL|https://hamiltonva.gov}} |footnotes = |pop_est_as_of = 2019 |pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> |population_est = 629 |area_total_km2 = 0.54 |area_land_km2 = 0.54 |area_water_km2 = 0.00 |population_density_km2 = 1161.67 }} '''Hamilton''' is a town in the Loudoun Valley of Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2020 census, Hamilton had a population of 619.<ref name="Census2020PLLede">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N&for=place%3A34240&in=state%3A51|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 9, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

==Geography== Hamilton is located six miles west of the county seat of Leesburg at {{coord|39|8|2|N|77|39|51|W|type:city}} (39.133889, −77.664151),<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> near the western base of Catoctin Mountain.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.6 km2), all land.

==History== The present Town of Hamilton was once occupied by several native tribes.<ref name="compplan">{{cite web| title =Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Hamilton| date =2001| url =http://www.town.hamilton.va.us/documents/Comp-plan-draft-071001-small.pdf| access-date =January 24, 2008| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20061230221153/http://www.town.hamilton.va.us/documents/Comp-plan-draft-071001-small.pdf| archive-date =December 30, 2006}}</ref> European settlers arrived in the 1730s.<ref name="compplan"/> In 1768, George and Tabitha Roach Tavenner built the first house in the Hamilton area.<ref name="compplan"/> Their son, Richard and his wife Ann Hatcher, built an estate called ''Harmony''<ref name="compplan"/> and the surrounding area was thereafter known as Harmony.<ref name="visitloudoun">{{cite web | title = Town of Hamilton | publisher = Loudoun Association | url = http://www.visitloudoun.org/visitors-guide/towns/hamilton/ | access-date = January 24, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071217114221/http://www.visitloudoun.org/visitors-guide/towns/hamilton/  |archive-date = December 17, 2007}}</ref>

The Leesburg and Snickers Gap Turnpike Company opened a road connecting Leesburg and Snickersville in 1831.<ref name="compplan"/> Growth ensued and by 1833, the area had enough population to sustain Harmony Methodist Church, which was built on land donated by Richard and Ann Hatcher Tavenner.<ref name="compplan"/> The town also became known as ''Hamilton Store'' after a store founded there by Charles Bennett Hamilton.<ref name="compplan"/> In 1835, John Quincy Adams approved a post office located in Hamilton's store and the town's name was recorded as Hamilton.<ref name="compplan"/>

The last important Civil War action in Loudoun County, known as The Harmony Skirmish, took place on March 21, 1865, as confederate Colonel John S. Mosby and his troops surprised troops commanded by Colonel Marcus Reno.<ref name="compplan"/>

By 1868, a steam railroad from Alexandria had come to Hamilton along the future route of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad.<ref name="visitloudoun"/> Many tourists came to the town seeking relief from the city's heat.<ref name="visitloudoun"/> There was a {{frac|1|1|2}}-mile boardwalk that traversed the town and a dance hall.<ref name="compplan"/> By 1900, the Town of Hamilton was Loudoun County's second largest town.<ref name="compplan"/> The booming businesses in Hamilton included two newspapers, a butcher shop, a men's clothing store, a broom factory, a milliner, a dentist, two hardware stores, a stove shop, a flat racecourse, a livery stable and boarding houses.<ref name="compplan"/>

The advent of the automobile led to a slow decline in tourism.<ref name="compplan"/> In 1926, many of the town's central businesses were destroyed by fire and tourism thereafter declined sharply.<ref name="visitloudoun"/> Hamilton has since been known more as a residential community.<ref name="compplan"/>

During the town's history, it was the site of a vibrant Afro-American community.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loudounhistory.org/african-american-communities/ |title=An Introduction to Loudoun County's African American Communities |last=Lee |first=Deborah |date=2004 |website=The History of Loudoun County, Virginia |access-date=October 21, 2020}}</ref>

The Hamilton Masonic Lodge, Janney House, William Smith House, Spring Hill Farm, and Sunnyside Farm are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

thumb|left|SR 7 Bus in Hamilton

==Transportation==

=== Highways === The only primary highway directly serving Hamilton is Virginia State Route 7 Business. SR 7 Bus follows Colonial Highway west to east through central Hamilton, connecting to Purcellville to the west and Leesburg to the east. Virginia State Route 7, which originally followed Colonial Highway through Hamilton, now bypasses the town just to the north. Via SR 7, travelers may head westward to Winchester or turn eastward, eventually reaching Alexandria. SR 7 also interchanges with Interstate 66, Interstate 81, Interstate 395 and Interstate 495.

=== Public transportation === {{Infobox station | name = Harmony Park and Ride | address = 39464 East Colonial Highway<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2023 |title=Purcellville Park and Ride Lot to Close; Bus Service to Change July 3 |url=https://www.loudoun.gov/m/newsflash |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://www.loudoun.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=8427&ARC=15859 |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=Loudoun County, VA |language=en}}</ref> | coordinates = {{coord|39.1363603|-77.6365921}} | lines = {{bus icon}} Routes 483, 484, 883, 884, 885, and 391<ref name=":alpha" /> | bus_operators = Loudoun County Transit<ref name=":alpha" /><ref name=":beta" /> | parking = 250 spaces<ref name= ":charlie" /> | bicycle = Bike Lockers<ref name= ":charlie" /> | mapframe = yes | mapframe-custom = {{Maplink|frame=yes|type=point|coord={{coord|39.1363603|-77.6365921}}|display=inline|text=Harmony Park-and-Ride Lot|description=Harmony Park-and-Ride Lot|zoom=15|marker=bus}} | mapframe-zoom = 15 | location_state = collapsed }}{{See also|Loudoun County Transit}} The Harmony Park and ride lot is located in Hamilton. The lot serves commuter buses into and out of Washington, D.C.<ref name=":alpha">{{Cite web |title=Commuter Bus {{!}} Loudoun County, VA - Official Website |url=https://www.loudoun.gov/221/Commuter-Bus |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=www.loudoun.gov}}</ref><ref name=":beta">{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2026 |title=391 Harmony Park & Ride Lot {{!}} Ashburn Metro Station South Bus Bay R |url=https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/174808/391-effective-Jan-2-2024_english?bidId= |url-status=live |access-date=March 10, 2026 |website=Loudoun.gov}}</ref> The park-and-ride has free parking and EV stations. Overnight parking is not allowed.<ref name= ":charlie">{{Cite web |title=Harmony Park and Ride |url=https://www.loudoun.gov/facilities/facility/details/Harmony-Park-and-Ride-113 |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=Loudoun County, VA |language=en}}</ref>

The Purcellville Connector has a stop in the town near the church and post office; connecting the town to Leesburg and Purcellville.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2026 |title=Route-40-effective-December-8-2025_english |url=https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/112696/Route-40-effective-December-8-2025_english?bidId= |url-status=live |access-date=March 10, 2026 |website=Loudoun.gov}}</ref>

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1880= 248 |1890= 407 |1900= 364 |1910= 315 |1920= 287 |1930= 295 |1940= 409 |1950= 351 |1960= 403 |1970= 502 |1980= 598 |1990= 700 |2000= 562 |2010= 506 |2020= 619 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> }} As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 562 people, 216 households, and 157 families living in the town. The population density was 2,218.2 people per square mile (868.0/km2). There were 224 housing units at an average density of 884.1 per square mile (345.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.69% White, 1.42% African American, 0.53% Asian, 0.36% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 216 households, out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $59,688, and the median income for a family was $73,333. Males had a median income of $53,571 versus $32,857 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,474. About 2.4% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable people== * Jimmye Laycock, college football player and coach * Ashley Caldwell, 2010 US Ski Team Member US Olympic Team Member Aerials (youngest US Olympian in the 2010 Vancouver Games)<ref>[https://www.columbiamissourian.com/sports/ashley-caldwell-looks-to-prove-doubters-wrong-in-sochi/article_6376fbf6-fadc-5250-9d06-2b1d16b54b0b.html Ashley Caldwell looks to prove doubters wrong in Sochi | Sports | columbiamissourian.com] Retrieved May 7, 2018.</ref>

==References==

Category:Towns in Loudoun County, Virginia Category:Towns in Virginia