Accomack County, Virginia

Accomack County
County
Accomack County Courthouse
Accomack County Courthouse
Official seal of Accomack County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Accomack 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°46′N 75°46′W / 37.76°N 75.76°W / 37.76; -75.76
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1671
SeatAccomac
Largest townChincoteague
Area
 • Total
1,310 sq mi (3,400 km2)
 • Land450 sq mi (1,200 km2)
 • Water861 sq mi (2,230 km2)  65.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
33,413
 • Density26/sq mi (9.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.accomack.va.us

Accomack County is a United States county located in the eastern edge of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Together, Accomack and Northampton counties make up the Eastern Shore of Virginia, which in turn is part of the Delmarva Peninsula, bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Accomac is the county seat.[1]

The Eastern Shore of Virginia was known as "Accomac Shire," until it was renamed Northampton County in 1642. The present Accomack County was created from Northampton County in 1663. The county and the original shire were named for the Accawmack Indians, who resided in the area when the English first explored it in 1603.

As of the 2020 census, the total population was 33,413 people.[2] The population of Accomack has remained relatively stable over the 20th century, though Accomack is one of the poorest parts of Virginia.[3]

  1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ^ "Accomack County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rural was invoked but never defined (see the help page).