Charles City County, Virginia

Charles City County
County of Charles City
Iona Whitehead-Adkins Courthouse
Iona Whitehead-Adkins Courthouse
Flag of Charles City County
Official seal of Charles City County
Official logo of Charles City County
Map of Virginia highlighting Charles City 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°21′N 77°04′W / 37.35°N 77.06°W / 37.35; -77.06
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1619
Named forCharles I of England
SeatCharles City
Area
 • Total204 sq mi (530 km2)
 • Land183 sq mi (470 km2)
 • Water21 sq mi (50 km2)  10.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,773
 • Density33/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.charlescityva.us
Charles City County, Virginia from 1895 state map

Charles City County is a county located in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. The county is situated southeast of Richmond and west of Jamestown. It is bounded on the south by the James River and on the east by the Chickahominy River.

The area that would become Charles City County was first established as "Charles Cittie" by the Virginia Company in 1619. It was one of the first four "boroughs" of Virginia, and was named in honor of Prince Charles, who would later become King Charles I of England. After Virginia became a royal colony, the borough was changed to "Charles City Shire" in 1634, as one of the five original Shires of Virginia. It acquired the present name of Charles City County in 1643.

In the 21st century, Charles City County is part of the Greater Richmond Region of the state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 6,773;[1] it is still relatively rural and one of smaller counties in Virginia by population. Its county seat is the community of Charles City.[2]

Notable natives include the 9th and 10th presidents of the United States, William Henry Harrison and John Tyler.

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