Page County, Virginia

{{short description|County in Virginia, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Page County | state = Virginia | flag = Flag of Page County, Virginia.png | seal = Pagecountyseal.png | logo = Logo of Page County, Virginia.svg | founded = 1831 | named for = John Page | seat wl = Luray | largest city wl = Luray | city type = town | area_total_sq_mi = 314 | area_land_sq_mi = 311 | area_water_sq_mi = 3.2 | area percentage = 1.0 | population_total = 23709 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_est = 23762 {{increase}} | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | pop_est_footnotes = | population_density_sq_mi = auto | web = http://www.pagecounty.virginia.gov/ | time zone = Eastern | district = 6th | ex image = PageCountyCourthouse 4921.jpg | ex image cap = Page County Courthouse in February 2014 | ZIP codes = 22650, 22827, 22835, 22849, 22851 | area codes = 540, 826 }}

'''Page County''' is located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,709.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Page County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US51139|website=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}</ref> Its county seat is Luray.<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}}</ref> Page County was formed in 1831 from Shenandoah and Rockingham counties and was named for John Page, Governor of Virginia from 1802 to 1805.

==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|314|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|311|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.2|sqmi}} (1.0%) 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> The highest point in Page County is Hawksbill Mountain, which is located along the border with Madison County within Shenandoah National Park.

===Adjacent counties=== * Shenandoah County – northwest * Warren County – north * Rappahannock County – east * Madison County – southeast * Greene County – southeast * Rockingham County – south

===National protected area=== * George Washington National Forest (part) * Shenandoah National Park (part)

===Major highways=== thumb|left|US 211 and US 340 run concurrently for several miles in Page County near Luray

* {{Jct|state=VA|US|211}} * {{Jct|state=VA|US|340}} * Skyline Drive {{clear|left}}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1840= 6194 |1850= 7600 |1860= 8109 |1870= 8462 |1880= 9965 |1890= 13092 |1900= 13794 |1910= 14147 |1920= 14770 |1930= 14852 |1940= 14863 |1950= 15152 |1960= 15572 |1970= 16581 |1980= 19401 |1990= 21690 |2000= 23177 |2010= 24042 |2020= 23709 |estyear=2025 |estimate=23762 |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=January 4, 2014}}</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=January 4, 2014}}</ref> 1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/> |align=right}}

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Page 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 – Page County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US51139&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) – Page County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US51139&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) – Page County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US51139&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |18,742 |21,055 |22,183 |22,871 |style='background: #ffffe6; |21,870 |96.60% |97.07% |95.71% |95.13% |style='background: #ffffe6; |92.24% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |491 |439 |501 |456 |style='background: #ffffe6; |436 |2.53% |2.02% |2.16% |1.90% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.84% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |10 |21 |32 |37 |style='background: #ffffe6; |49 |0.05% |0.10% |0.14% |0.15% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.21% |- |Asian alone (NH) |42 |67 |53 |71 |style='background: #ffffe6; |115 |0.22% |0.31% |0.23% |0.30% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.49% |- |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> |5 |7 |style='background: #ffffe6; |8 |x |x |0.02% |0.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.03% |- |Other race alone (NH) |6 |2 |11 |6 |style='background: #ffffe6; |40 |0.03% |0.01% |0.05% |0.02% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.17% |- |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> |141 |221 |style='background: #ffffe6; |694 |x |x |0.61% |0.92% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.93% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |110 |106 |251 |373 |style='background: #ffffe6; |497 |0.57% |0.49% |1.08% |1.55% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.10% |- |'''Total''' |'''19,401''' |'''21,690''' |'''23,177''' |'''24,042''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''23,709 ''' |'''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 23,709. The median age was 46.4 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.4 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%3A139&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%3A139&in=state%3A51|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 24, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

20.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 80.0% 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%3A139&in=state%3A51|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 24, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 9,866 households in the county, of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 11,751 housing units, of which 16.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.8% were owner-occupied and 28.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2000 Census=== 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 2000, there were 23,177 people, 9,305 households, and 6,634 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|74|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 10,557 housing units at an average density of {{convert|34|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.65% White, 2.61% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,305 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,359, and the median income for a family was $39,005. Males had a median income of $27,199 versus $19,821 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,321. About 10.10% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 14.70% of those age 65 or over. ==Communities== right|frameless|370x370px

===Towns=== * Luray * Shenandoah * Stanley

===Unincorporated communities=== {| border="0" |- |valign="top"| * Alma * Battle Creek * Blaineville * Cavetown * Comertown * Compton * Fleeburg |valign="top"| * Furnace * Grove Hill * Honeyville * Ida * Ingham * Leaksville |valign="top"| * Marksville * Mundellsville (former) * Newport * Overall * Rileyville * Stony Man |}

==Education== ===K-12=== Page County has a total of 8 public schools: 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Page County Public Schools |url=https://www.pagecounty.k12.va.us/ |access-date=September 22, 2022 |website=www.pagecounty.k12.va.us |language=en}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+ !High Schools !Middle Schools !Elementary Schools |- | rowspan="2" |Luray | rowspan="2" |Luray |Luray |- |Springfield |- | rowspan="2" |Page County | rowspan="2" |Page County |Shenandoah |- |Stanley |} In addition to the public schools, Page County has a Technical Center with programs in:

* Automotive Technology * Cosmetology * Electricity * Welding * Health Sciences<ref>{{Cite web |title=Page County Technical Center |url=https://www.pagecounty.k12.va.us/ |access-date=September 22, 2022 |website=www.pagecounty.k12.va.us |language=en}}</ref>

===Higher education=== Laurel Ridge Community College's Luray-Page County Center is located in Luray, which provides college and workforce development classes. Jenkins Hall features more than 13,000 square feet of educational space, including classrooms, science and health labs, a trades lab, student commons, and administrative offices.

The college in Luray is a satellite site for a physical therapy assistant degree program, plus phlebotomy, medical office assistant, HVAC, and heavy equipment operator classes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2021 |title=Laurel Ridge celebrates grand opening of Jenkins Hall in Luray ‣ Laurel Ridge Community College |url=https://laurelridge.edu/2021/09/15/lfcc-celebrates-grand-opening-of-jenkins-hall-in-luray/ |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=laurelridge.edu |language=en-US}}</ref>

Students can earn an Associate Degree in many different subjects, or can take general education classes to transfer into a four-year university.

==Politics== Since 1940, Page County has been a stronghold for the Republican Party in presidential elections.

The Page County Board of Supervisors has six members, one from each voting district and one at-large chairman. {| class=wikitable |+County Board of Supervisors | ! align="center" | Name ! align=center valign=bottom | Party ! valign=bottom align=center | District |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  | Keith Weakley, Chairman | style="text-align:center;" | Rep |At-Large |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  | D. Keith Guzy Jr. | style="text-align:center;" | Rep |District 1 - West Luray |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  | Allen Louderback | style="text-align:center;" | Rep |District 2 - East Luray |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  | Ryan Cubbage | style="text-align:center;" | Rep |District 3 - Marksville |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  | Vacant | style="text-align:center;" | TBD |District 4 - Newport |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  | Jeff Vaughan | style="text-align:center;" | Rep |District 5 - Shenandoah |- |}

{{PresHead|place=Page 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=December 8, 2020}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|340|703|174|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|613|842|22|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,126|846|10|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1924|Democratic|885|1,015|157|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,580|1,025|0|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,261|1,851|46|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,551|1,888|8|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,630|1,596|11|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,574|1,653|7|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,236|1,611|208|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,649|1,441|11|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,372|1,358|51|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,708|1,608|15|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|2,804|2,606|9|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,667|2,125|1,008|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,326|1,585|69|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,780|3,401|156|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,297|2,607|234|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,021|2,437|61|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,013|2,499|63|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|4,203|3,010|1,247|Virginia}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,876|2,868|735|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|5,089|2,726|181|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|6,221|3,324|58|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|6,041|4,235|113|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|6,344|3,724|160|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,831|2,514|395|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|9,345|3,007|162|Virginia}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|10,123|2,976|152|Virginia}} {{PresFoot}}

==Notable people== * Arthur William Aleshire (February 15, 1900 – March 11, 1940) was a U.S. representative from Ohio. * Edward Mallory "Ned" Almond (December 12, 1892 – June 11, 1979) was a controversial United States Army general best known as the commander of the Army's X Corps during the Korean War. * Floyd Wilson Baker (October 10, 1916 – November 17, 2004) was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns (1943–1944), Chicago White Sox (1945–1951), Washington Senators, (1952–1953), Boston Red Sox (1953–1954) and Philadelphia Phillies (1954–1955). * William Randolph Barbee (January 17, 1818 – June 16, 1868) was an American sculptor recognized for creating idealized, sentimental classical figures. * Herbert Barbee (October 8, 1848 – March 22, 1936) was an American sculptor. * Peter Bouck Borst (June 23, 1826 – April 24, 1882) was an active participant in the mid-19th century development of Page County, Virginia, serving as a lawyer, county delegate to Virginia's Secession Convention of 1861, and president of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad. * Patrick Henry Brittan (September 21, 1815 – March 18, 1868) was quartermaster general of Alabama (1857–59) and 10th Secretary of State for Alabama (1860–65). * Wayne Comer (February 3, 1944 – October 4, 2023) is a former Major League Baseball player. * Charles Frederick Crisp (January 29, 1845 – October 23, 1896) was a United States political figure. A Democrat, he was elected as a Congressman from Georgia in 1882, and served until his death in 1896. From 1890 until his death, he was leader of the Democratic Party in the House, as either the House Minority Leader or the Speaker of the House. He was also the father of Charles R. Crisp who also served in Congress. * William Alexander Harris Sr. (August 24, 1805 – March 28, 1864) was a U.S. representative from Virginia, father of William A. Harris. * William Alexander Harris (October 29, 1841 – December 20, 1909) was a United States representative and senator from Kansas. * Benjamin Franklin Huffman (July 18, 1914 – February 22, 2005) was a catcher in Major League Baseball. * Thomas Jordan (September 30, 1819 – November 27, 1895) was a Confederate general and major operative in the network of Confederate spies during the American Civil War. A West Point graduate and career soldier in the armies of three nations, he fought in numerous wars and rebellions in the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. Jordan was also a newspaper editor and author. * Donald Edward Keyhoe (June 20, 1897 – November 29, 1988) was an American Marine Corps naval aviator, writer of many aviation articles and stories in a variety of leading publications, and manager of the promotional tours of aviation pioneers, especially of Charles Lindbergh. * Robert Franklin Leedy (July 28, 1863 – January 12, 1924) was a lawyer, soldier, and Virginia state legislator. * William Milnes Jr. (December 8, 1827 – August 14, 1889) was a nineteenth-century congressman and industrialist from Virginia and Pennsylvania. * Kenneth R. Plum (November 3, 1941 – ) is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. * George Quaintance (June 3, 1902 – November 8, 1957) was an artist from Page County, Virginia. * Henry Ruffner (January 16, 1790 – December 17, 1861) was an educator and Presbyterian minister, who served as president of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). * Bethany Veney (c. 1813 – November 16, 1916), also known as Aunt Betty, was a Black American slave. Her autobiography was published 1889. * William Overall Yager (April 3, 1833 – 1904) was, during the American Civil War, the commanding officer of the 1st Texas Cavalry, and, in postwar years, member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia, Superintendent of Schools, and Treasurer for Page County, Virginia.

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

==External links== {{Commons category|Page County, Virginia}} * [http://www.vagenweb.org/page/ Page County, Virginia Genealogy] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080511141302/http://www.co.page.va.us/ Page County Government's official website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20101219044131/http://pagecountyblog.com/ Page County Blog] Page County's Official Blog Website * {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130131022053/http://pagecountyheritage.com/ Page County Heritage Association]}} Page County's non-profit historical society {{Page County, Virginia topics}}{{Page County, Virginia}}{{Geographic Location |Centre = Page County, Virginia |North = |Northeast = Warren County |East = Rappahannock County |Southeast = Madison County |South = Greene County |Southwest = Rockingham County |West = |Northwest = Shenandoah County }}{{Virginia}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|38.61|-78.48|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-VA_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Page County, Virginia Category:Virginia counties Category:1831 establishments in Virginia Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1831