Amelia County, Virginia is located in the southeastern region of the state, and is part of the Richmond-Petersburg Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county covers an area of approximately 298 square miles and is home to an estimated population of 13,000 people. Amelia County is bordered to the north by Appomattox County, to the east by Nottoway County, to the south by Lunenburg County and to the west by Prince Edward County.
The terrain in Amelia County is mostly flat with rolling hills along its western border. The county also contains several large forests including Briery Creek Wildlife Management Area and High Bridge Trail State Park which offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation such as camping, hiking and fishing. Additionally, there are numerous rivers and creeks running through Amelia such as Briery Creek, Flat Creek and Shoe Creek that provide excellent opportunities for canoeing or kayaking.
The climate in Amelia is typically classified as humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from a low of 25 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months to a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months. Rainfall averages around 45 inches per year with snowfall being relatively rare occurring only a few times each year on average.
Economically, Amelia County relies heavily on agriculture with major crops grown in the area including tobacco, cotton and soybeans. Additionally, there are many small businesses located throughout Amelia such as restaurants, shops and service providers that help contribute to its economy. Finally, tourism also plays an important role in Amelia’s economy with many visitors coming each year to take advantage of its outdoor recreation opportunities or visit local attractions like High Bridge Trail State Park or Rives Theatre which dates back to 1921.
Country Seat and Other Main Cities of Amelia County, Virginia
The county seat of Amelia County is the town of Amelia Court House, located in the center of the county. This small town is home to a population of around 950 people and serves as the administrative center for the county. It was originally established in 1735 and named after Queen Amelia of Great Britain. The town features several historical sites such as Rives Theatre, an old movie theater that dates back to 1921, as well as a courthouse built in 1870.
According to countryaah.com, other cities located within Amelia County include Jetersville, Rice and Paineville. Jetersville is located in the northern part of the county and is home to about 400 people. It was originally settled by German immigrants in 1730 and named after early settler Colonel Peter Jeter. Rice is located near the eastern border with Nottoway County and is home to around 250 people. It was established in 1820 by brothers John and Thomas Rice who were veterans of the Revolutionary War. Finally, Paineville is located near Flat Creek Wildlife Management Area and has a population of around 200 people. It was established shortly after Jetersville in 1740 by early settler John Paine who also served as a justice on Amelia County’s first court in 1745.
History of Amelia County, Virginia
Amelia County, Virginia, is located in the south-central part of the state and has a rich history that dates back to 1735 when it was established from parts of Prince George and Brunswick Counties. The county was named after Queen Amelia of Great Britain and was originally home to many Native American tribes such as the Monacan, Nottoway, Meherrin and Tutelo.
The earliest settlers in Amelia were mainly German immigrants who began arriving in the region in the early 1700s. During the Revolutionary War, Amelia County sent many men to fight for independence with some of them even serving under General George Washington at Valley Forge. Following the war, many freed slaves also moved to Amelia County where they found work on local farms or in small businesses.
By 1810, Amelia had become an agricultural hub with many crops being grown including tobacco, cotton and soybeans. This period also saw an increase in small businesses throughout Amelia such as restaurants, shops and service providers which helped contribute to its economy. Finally, during this time period several major transportation routes were built through Amelia including the Richmond & Danville Railroad which connected Richmond to Danville via Jetersville.
Today Amelia continues to be an important agricultural center with many crops still being grown in its fertile valleys while also relying heavily on tourism for its economy with visitors coming each year to take advantage of its outdoor recreation opportunities or visit local attractions like High Bridge Trail State Park or Rives Theatre which dates back to 1921.
Economy of Amelia County, Virginia
Amelia County, Virginia has a strong and diverse economy. It has a mix of industries, including manufacturing, retail trade, health care, education, and professional services. The county is home to several large employers such as Walmart, Food Lion, and PepsiCo. Manufacturing is the largest sector in the county with over 8,000 employees working in the industry in 2018. The county is also home to many small businesses such as restaurants and shops which provide jobs for local residents. The unemployment rate in Amelia County is below the national average at 4.2%. The median household income for Amelia County is $53,908 which is slightly higher than the national median of $53,482. Education is also an important part of the economy with several universities and colleges located within the county. Virginia State University (VSU) has its main campus located in Amelia County providing educational opportunities for local residents as well as students from around the region. VSU also provides research and development opportunities for businesses located within Amelia County creating jobs and economic growth for the region. There are also many cultural attractions located within Amelia County including museums, historic sites and outdoor recreation areas which attract tourists to the region each year creating additional economic activity in the area.