Henrico County, Virginia

Henrico County
The Old Henrico County Courthouse in Richmond.
The Old Henrico County Courthouse in Richmond.
Flag of Henrico County
Official seal of Henrico County
Map of Virginia highlighting Henrico County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°33′N 77°24′W / 37.55°N 77.40°W / 37.55; -77.40
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1611[1]
Named forthe settlement of Henricus
SeatLaurel
Largest cityTuckahoe
Government
 • ManagerJohn Vithoulkas
Area
 • Total245 sq mi (630 km2)
 • Land237.65 sq mi (615.5 km2)
 • Water7.35 sq mi (19.0 km2)  3 (approx)[2]%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total334,389
 • Density1,400/sq mi (530/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts4th, 1st
Websitehenrico.us

Henrico County /hɛnˈrk/, officially the County of Henrico, is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 334,389[3] making it the fifth-most populous county in Virginia. Henrico County is included in the Greater Richmond Region. There is no incorporated community within Henrico County; therefore, there is no incorporated county seat either. Laurel, an unincorporated CDP, serves this function.

Named after the settlement of Henricus, Henrico was first incorporated as the City of Henrico. In 1634, Henrico was reorganized as Henrico Shire, one of the eight original Shires of Virginia.[1] It is one of the United States' oldest counties. The City of Richmond was officially part of Henrico County until 1842, when it became a fully independent city.[4]

The present-day Henrico County curves around the City of Richmond, surrounding it to the west, the north, and the east. The county is bounded by the Chickahominy River to the north and the James River and Richmond to the south.[5]

Richmond International Airport is located in the eastern portion of Henrico County in Sandston. Top private employers in the county include Capital One, Bon Secours, and Elevance Health.[6]

  1. ^ a b Henrico County. "Henrico Becomes a Shire". Archived from the original on May 10, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference 5thGradeSS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Henrico County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  4. ^ Henrico Historical Society. "Henrico History".
  5. ^ "See this map". Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  6. ^ Virginia Employment Commission. "Virginia Community Profile: Henrico County" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2014.