Rockingham County, Virginia

Rockingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,757.[1] Its county seat is the independent city of Harrisonburg.[2]

Rockingham County
County
Rockingham County Courthouse in Court Square, Harrisonburg
Rockingham County Courthouse in Court Square, Harrisonburg
Flag of Rockingham County
Flag
Official seal of Rockingham County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Rockingham County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°31′N 78°53′W
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1778
Named forCharles Watson-Wentworth
SeatHarrisonburg
Largest townHarrisonburg
Area
 • Total853 sq mi (2,210 km2)
 • Land849 sq mi (2,200 km2)
 • Water4.3 sq mi (11 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total83,759
 • Density98/sq mi (38/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.rockinghamcountyva.gov

Along with Harrisonburg, Rockingham County forms the Harrisonburg, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also home of the Rockingham County Baseball League.

History

Settlement of the county began in 1727, when Adam Miller (Mueller) staked out a claim on the south fork of the Shenandoah River, near the line that now divides Rockingham County from Page County.[3][4][5][6] On a trip through eastern Virginia, the German-born Miller had heard reports about a lush valley to the west which had been discovered by Governor Alexander Spotswood's legendary Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition, and then moved his family down from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.[7][8][9] In 1741, Miller purchased 820 acres (3.3 km2), including a large lithia spring, near Elkton, Virginia, and lived on this property for the remainder of his life.[10][11]

Much-increased settlement of this portion of the Colony of Virginia by Europeans began in the 1740s and 1750s. Standing between the Tidewater and Piedmont regions to the east in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley and the area beyond (known in old Virginia as the "Transmountaine") were the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rather than cross such a formidable physical barrier, most early settlers came southerly up the valley across the Potomac River from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Many followed the Great Wagon Trail, also known as the Valley Pike (U.S. Route 11 in modern times).

Rockingham County was established in 1778 from Augusta County. Harrisonburg was named as the county seat and incorporated as a town in 1780.[12] Harrisonburg was incorporated as a city in 1916 and separated from Rockingham County (all cities in Virginia are independent of any county), but it remains the county seat.[13]

The county is named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, a British statesman (1730–1782). He was Prime Minister of Great Britain twice, and a keen supporter of constitutional rights for the colonists. During his first term, he brought about the repeal of the Stamp Act of 1765, reducing the tax burden on the colonies. Appointed again in 1782, upon taking office, he backed the claim for the independence of the Thirteen Colonies, initiating an end to British involvement in the American Revolutionary War. However, he died after only 14 weeks in office. By 1778, it was unusual to honor British officials in Virginia, fighting for its independence. The same year, immediately to the north of Rockingham County, Dunmore County, named for Virginia's last Royal Governor, John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, an unpopular figure, was renamed. The new name, Shenandoah County, used a Native American name. However, long their political supporter in the British Parliament, the Marquess of Rockingham was a popular figure with the citizens of the new United States. Also named in his honor were Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Rockingham County, North Carolina, and the City of Rockingham in Richmond County, North Carolina.

Rockingham County is the birthplace of Thomas Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's father.[14] In 1979 when the Adolf Coors Brewing Company came to Rockingham County it caused an uproar; some citizens thought it would corrupt the morals of the area while others wanted the new jobs.[15]

In 2018, a series of strikes and protests were held in Dayton's Cargill plant.[16][17]

View of Rockingham County from Massanutten Mountain (looking west)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 853 square miles (2,210 km2), of which 849 square miles (2,200 km2) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) (0.5%) is water.[18] It is the third-largest county in Virginia by land area. Large portions of the county fall within the Shenandoah National Park to the east and George Washington National Forest to the west, and therefore are subject to development restrictions. The county stretches west to east from the peaks of easternmost Alleghany mountains to the peaks of the Blue Ridge mountains, encompassing the entire width of the Shenandoah Valley. Rockingham is bisected by another geographic formation, Massanutten Mountain stretching from just east of Harrisonburg, VA to a few miles southwest of Front Royal, VA in Warren County, VA. Massanutten Mountain splits the central Shenandoah Valley as the German River and the North Fork Shenandoah River flow on its western side and the South Fork flows on the eastern.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17907,449—
180010,37439.3%
181012,75322.9%
182014,78415.9%
183020,68339.9%
184017,344−16.1%
185020,29417.0%
186023,40815.3%
187023,6681.1%
188029,56724.9%
189031,2995.9%
190033,5277.1%
191034,9034.1%
192030,047−13.9%
193029,709−1.1%
194031,2895.3%
195035,07912.1%
196040,48515.4%
197047,89018.3%
198057,03819.1%
199057,4820.8%
200067,72517.8%
201076,31412.7%
202083,7579.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[19]
1790–1960[20] 1900–1990[21]
1990–2000[22] 2010[23] 2020[24]

2020 census
Rockingham County, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[23] Pop 2020[24] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 69,640 71,367 91.25% 85.21%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,216 1,768 1.59% 2.11%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 83 80 0.11% 0.10%
Asian alone (NH) 454 920 0.59% 1.10%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 8 9 0.01% 0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 44 243 0.06% 0.29%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 793 2,277 1.04% 2.72%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4,076 7,093 5.34% 8.47%
Total 76,314 83,757 100.00% 100.00%

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 can be of any race.

Census 2000

As of the census[25] of 2000, 67,725 people, 25,355 households, and 18,889 families resided in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile (31 people/km2). There were 27,328 housing units at an average density of 32 units per square mile (12 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.58% White, 1.36% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. About 3.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of 25,355 households, 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.40% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.50% were not families. About 21.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was distributed as 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,748, and for a family was $46,262. Males had a median income of $30,618 versus $21,896 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,795. About 5.30% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.

Education
For public schools, see Rockingham County Public Schools.

Colleges and universities

Transportation

Railroads

Rockingham County is principally served by Norfolk Southern Railway, a (major) Class 1 railroad and additionally, by the Shenandoah Valley Railroad, a short-line railroad.

Highways
I-81 in Rockingham County

Interstate 81 runs north–south and meets east–west Interstate 64 near Staunton to the south in adjacent Augusta County.

There are three major Primary State Highways in the county. (A primary road provides service which is relatively continuous and of relatively high traffic volume, long average trip length, high operating speed and high mobility importance).[26] Interstate highways and primary highways in Virginia are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

These primary state highways are:

Secondary roads: As provided by the Byrd Road Act of 1932, secondary roads in Rockingham County are also maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Communities

(Population according to the 2020 United States Census)

Towns
  1. Bridgewater (6,596)
  2. Broadway (4,170)
  3. Dayton (1,688)
  4. Elkton (2,941)
  5. Grottoes (2,899)
  6. Mount Crawford (439)
  7. Timberville (2,963)
 Census-designated places (CDP)
  1. Belmont Estates (1,263)
  2. Keezletown (369), new in 2020
  3. Linville (355), new in 2020
  4. Massanetta Springs (6,384)
  5. Massanutten (2,164)
  6. McGaheysville (978), new in 2020
  7. Port Republic (408), new in 2020
  8. Singers Glen (195), new in 2020
Unincorporated Communities

Independent city

Since becoming an independent city in 1916, Harrisonburg is no longer politically located in Rockingham County, despite its status as the county seat.

Law enforcement
Rockingham County Sheriff's Office
AbbreviationRCSO
Agency overview
Employees170+
Jurisdictional structure
Constituting instrument
  • Yes
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersHarrisonburg, Virginia
Deputys170
Agency executive
Facilities
Sheriff's Offices1
Regional Jails1
Website
Official Website

The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) is the primary law enforcement agency in Rockingham County, and also serves Harrisonburg.[27] The agency is currently headed by Sheriff Bryan F. Hutcheson. On May 26, 2005, the RCSO was accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC). On September 9, 2021, the VLEPSC Executive Board granted re-accreditation status to the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office.[28]

Since the establishment of the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office, two deputies have died while on duty.[29]

Politics
United States presidential election results for Rockingham County, Virginia[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 30,349 69.27% 12,644 28.86% 818 1.87%
2016 25,990 69.33% 9,366 24.98% 2,131 5.68%
2012 24,186 69.37% 10,065 28.87% 615 1.76%
2008 22,468 67.40% 10,453 31.36% 413 1.24%
2004 21,737 74.40% 7,273 24.89% 206 0.71%
2000 17,482 72.86% 5,834 24.31% 678 2.83%
1996 14,035 64.66% 5,867 27.03% 1,805 8.32%
1992 13,016 60.56% 5,407 25.16% 3,070 14.28%
1988 13,241 72.59% 4,716 25.85% 284 1.56%
1984 13,480 75.70% 4,220 23.70% 107 0.60%
1980 11,397 63.82% 5,294 29.64% 1,168 6.54%
1976 9,768 61.87% 5,349 33.88% 672 4.26%
1972 10,025 81.67% 2,026 16.51% 224 1.82%
1968 7,779 66.40% 2,111 18.02% 1,825 15.58%
1964 4,155 49.68% 4,205 50.28% 3 0.04%
1960 4,829 70.27% 2,026 29.48% 17 0.25%
1956 4,324 71.74% 1,605 26.63% 98 1.63%
1952 4,350 73.11% 1,591 26.74% 9 0.15%
1948 3,219 62.12% 1,680 32.42% 283 5.46%
1944 3,714 63.61% 2,104 36.03% 21 0.36%
1940 2,922 52.71% 2,569 46.34% 53 0.96%
1936 2,834 48.91% 2,916 50.33% 44 0.76%
1932 2,194 42.96% 2,750 53.85% 163 3.19%
1928 3,822 73.16% 1,402 26.84% 0 0.00%
1924 1,982 47.97% 2,040 49.37% 110 2.66%
1920 2,464 53.71% 2,068 45.07% 56 1.22%
1916 1,322 43.89% 1,650 54.78% 40 1.33%
1912 937 29.36% 1,761 55.19% 493 15.45%

See also

References
  1. "Rockingham County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Wayland, John, "A History of Rockingham County, Virginia," 1912: Ruebush-Elkins Co, Dayton, Va., pp 33–37
  4. "The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography" Vol X – No 1, July 1902, The Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Va., pp 84–86
  5. Strickler, Harry, "A Short History of Page County Virginia" 1952: The Dietz Press, Richmond Va., pps 50–51
  6. Wayland, John, "The German Element in the Shenandoah Valley," 1907: Michie Company Printers, Charlottesville, Va., p 38-39
  7. Wayland, John "A History of Rockingham County, Virginia," p 37
  8. " The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography," pp 84–86
  9. Wayland, "The German Element in the Shenandoah Valley," (The Michie Company, Charlottesville, Va., 1907)p 38-39
  10. Wayland, John, "Virginia Valley Records," 1996: Clearfield Co, Baltimore, Md., pp 311–312
  11. Wayland, "The German Element in the Shenandoah Valley," p 42
  12. "RootsWeb.com Home Page". www.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  13. "rockinghamcountyva.gov".
  14. Thomas Lincoln
  15. Ringle, Ken (March 25, 1979). "'Invasion' by Coors..." The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  16. Barnett, Marina (November 21, 2017). "Community Solidarity with Poultry Workers call for changes at Cargill". WHSV-TV. Gray Television. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  17. Wood, Victoria (April 5, 2018). "Nine protesters arrested outside Cargill in Dayton". WHSV-TV. Gray Television. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  18. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  19. "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  20. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  21. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  22. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  23. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Rockingham County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  24. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Rockingham County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  25. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  26. "TRANSPORTATION". www.highlandcova.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  27. "About Us". www.rcso-va.com. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  28. "Accreditation". www.rcso-va.com. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  29. "In Memoriam". www.rcso-va.com. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  30. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
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