Caroline County, Virginia

Caroline County
Caroline County Courthouse (built 1803–1809) in Bowling Green
Caroline County Courthouse (built 1803–1809) in Bowling Green
Flag of Caroline County
Official seal of Caroline County
Map of Virginia highlighting Caroline 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°02′N 77°21′W / 38.03°N 77.35°W / 38.03; -77.35
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1727
Named forCaroline of Ansbach
SeatBowling Green
Largest townBowling Green
Area
 • Total537 sq mi (1,390 km2)
 • Land528 sq mi (1,370 km2)
 • Water9 sq mi (20 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total30,887
 • Density58/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.co.caroline.va.us

Caroline County is a United States county located in the eastern part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The northern boundary of the county borders on the Rappahannock River, notably at the historic town of Port Royal. The Caroline county seat is Bowling Green.[1]

Caroline County was established in 1728 and was named in honor of the British queen Caroline of Ansbach. Developed in the colonial and antebellum years for tobacco and later mixed crops, worked by generations of enslaved African Americans, such agriculture gradually became less important. In the 20th century it was known for thoroughbred horse farms. It is the birthplace of the renowned racehorse Secretariat, winner of the 1973 Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

As of the 2020 census, the county population was 30,887.[2] It has doubled in the last fifty years.[3] Caroline is now considered part of the Greater Richmond Region and benefited by suburban and related development.

  1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ^ "Caroline County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2014.