Albemarle County, Virginia

Albemarle County is located in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia and is bordered by seven counties. To the north lies Madison County, while Greene County borders it to the east. Nelson and Buckingham Counties are to the south, and Fluvanna County lies to the west. Albemarle is also bordered by Louisa County to the northwest and Orange County to the northeast. This area of Virginia is known for its rolling hills, lush green valleys, and spectacular mountain views. See Countryaah – Counties in Virginia. The county seat of Albemarle is Charlottesville, which is home to the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. The area also includes several small towns such as Scottsville, Ivy, Troy, and Free Union.

Albemarle County has a wide variety of outdoor activities available for visitors including hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park, fishing spots on nearby rivers and lakes, golf courses, camping sites, wineries for tasting tours, and more. There are also several historical sites throughout the county including Monticello (Jefferson’s estate) and Ash Lawn-Highland (home of James Monroe). Visitors can also experience a variety of festivals throughout the year such as Taste of Albemarle or WinterFest at Monticello. All in all Albemarle County offers an abundance of attractions for visitors to explore.

Demographics of Albemarle County, Virginia

Albemarle County, Virginia is located in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia and has a population of 109,391 people. According to the 2019 United States Census, the racial makeup of Albemarle County is 77.7% White, 13.8% Black or African American, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 2.5% Asian, 0.2% Native American, and 0.2% Pacific Islander or other races. The median household income for Albemarle County is $68,093 with 16.6% of households living below the poverty line as compared to 11.3% statewide in Virginia.

The largest employers in Albemarle County are the University of Virginia (UVA), Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and Medical Center (SMJH), and Monticello Wine Company (MWC). UVA employs over 10,000 people while SMJH employs over 2200 and MWC employs over 400 people making them the three largest employers in the county by far.

There are also several other large employers such as Northrop Grumman Corporation which employs over 500 people and Target Corporation which has a distribution center employing around 700 people in nearby Zion Crossroads area of Louisa County just south of Albemarle County’s border.

Albemarle County also has a high percentage of residents with college degrees with 48 percent holding at least a bachelor’s degree compared to 36 percent statewide in Virginia making it one of the most educated counties in the state.

Places of Interest in Albemarle County, Virginia

Albemarle County, Virginia is home to a variety of places of interest for visitors and locals alike. The county is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, camping, and more. There are several national parks within driving distance including Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest as well as numerous state parks such as James River State Park.

For those looking to explore the area’s historical sites there are several options such as Monticello (Jefferson’s estate), Ash Lawn-Highland (home of James Monroe), and Michie Tavern (a colonial-era tavern). There are also several wineries in the area that offer tours and tastings such as Early Mountain Vineyards or Keswick Vineyards.

If you’re looking for a more urban experience there’s plenty to do in Charlottesville which is only about 20 minutes away from Albemarle County. Here you can find a variety of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, music venues, and more. For art lovers there’s the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection at UVA or the Charlottesville City Market which is held every Saturday from April through December.

Albemarle County also hosts several festivals throughout the year such as Taste of Albemarle or WinterFest at Monticello where visitors can sample local food and drinks while enjoying live music and entertainment. All in all Albemarle County offers an abundance of attractions for visitors to explore.

Notable People of Albemarle County, Virginia

Albemarle County, Virginia has been home to a variety of notable people throughout its history. One of the most famous is Thomas Jefferson who was born and raised in the county and went on to become the third President of the United States. Other famous residents include James Monroe who was born in Albemarle County and served as the fifth President of the United States, Edgar Allan Poe who lived in Charlottesville while attending school at UVA, and Meriwether Lewis who lived in Albemarle County while serving as Governor of Louisiana Territory.

In more recent times, Albemarle County has been home to many other well-known figures such as author John Grisham, actor David Alan Grier, singer-songwriter Dave Matthews, former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, former MLB pitcher Roy Halladay, and former NBA player Bryant Stith.

Albemarle County is also home to many prominent political figures such as Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman Robert Hurt. The county is also home to a variety of business leaders such as Dominion Energy CEO Tom Farrell II, C&F Financial Corporation Chairman William Beale Jr., and CoStar Group Chairman Andrew Florance.

Overall, Albemarle County has produced a variety of notable people from all walks of life over the years.