Poquoson, Virginia

Poquoson, Virginia
Boats parked at the Poquoson Marina. Boating has been an important part of Poquoson's economy since its inception.
Boats parked at the Poquoson Marina. Boating has been an important part of Poquoson's economy since its inception.
Official seal of Poquoson, Virginia
Nickname: 
Bull Island
Map
Interactive map of Poquoson
Coordinates: 37°7′59″N 76°22′25″W / 37.13306°N 76.37361°W / 37.13306; -76.37361
Country United States
State Virginia
CountyNone (Independent city)
Founded1631
Government
 • MayorGordon C. Helsel Jr.
Area
 • Independent city78.46 sq mi (203.20 km2)
 • Land15.36 sq mi (39.77 km2)
 • Water63.10 sq mi (163.43 km2)
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Independent city12,460
 • Density811.20/sq mi (313.21/km2)
 • Metro
1,799,674
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
23662
Area code(s)757, 948
FIPS code51-63768[2]
GNIS feature ID1479363[3]
Websitehttp://www.poquoson-va.gov

Poquoson (/pəˈksən/), informally known as Bull Island, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,460.[4] The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Poquoson with surrounding York County for statistical purposes.

Poquoson is located on the Virginia Peninsula, in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.

Poquoson, which was formerly part of York County, became an incorporated town in 1952 and an independent city in 1975. (In Virginia, municipalities incorporated as independent cities are not part of any county.) However, the ties remain close. Over 30 years after Poquoson became a politically independent entity, some constitutional services such as the courts, sheriff and jail continue to be shared with neighboring York County.

Poquoson is one of the oldest continuously named cities in Virginia. It is also one of the few to retain a name which derived from the Native Americans who inhabited the area before colonization by the English began in the 17th century.

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Poquoson city, Poquoson city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.