View source for Albemarle County

[[File:AlbemarleCountySeal.jpg|alt=Albemarle County Seal|right|200x200px]]
'''Albemarle County''' is located in Central Virginia. The county seat is in [[Charlottesville]], though the two jurisdictions are separate under Virginia law. A portion of the [[University of Virginia]]'s Central Grounds is also located within Albemarle County. Albemarle County is birthplace and home of [[Thomas Jefferson]]. 

Formed in [[1744]] from [[Goochland County]], Albemarle County celebrated its 275th anniversary in [[2019]]. <ref>{{cite web|title=Albemarle County prepares to celebrate 275th anniversary|url=https://www.cbs19news.com/content/news/Celebrate-Albenmarle-Countys-275th-anniversary-561556381.html|author=Staff reports|work=News Article|publisher=CBS19|location=|publishdate=September 27, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019}}</ref> 

Albemarle County is within the [[Charlottesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)]] as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the City of Charlottesville with Albemarle County for statistical purposes. 

Albemarle County is bordered by [[Greene County]] (north), [[Orange County]] (northeast), [[Louisa County]] (east), [[Fluvanna County]] (southeast), [[Buckingham County]] (south), [[Nelson County]] (southwest), [[Augusta County]] (west), [[Rockingham County]] (northwest).

The population of Albemarle County was estimated to be 114,424 on [[July 1]], [[2021]]. <ref name="wc2021">{{cite web|title=Virginia Population Estimates|url=University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group. (2020)|author=|work=|publisher=University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group|location=|publishdate=|accessdate=May 31, 2022}}</ref> <ref>{{cite-infocville|title=Population growth up 12.8 percent|url=https://infocville.com/2022/01/29/population-growth-up-12-8-percent-in-region/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=|location=|publishdate=January 29, 2022|accessdate=May 31, 2022}}</ref>

{{Wikipedia link|Albemarle_County,_Virginia|whylink=wellcovered|linktext=Albemarle County, Virginia}}

==History==
'''See also:''' ''[[Territorial evolution of Albemarle County]]''

The first patents for land in what would become Albemarle County were granted in [[1727]]. Eight years later, settler [[Abraham Lewis]] secured 800 acres of land, including the area that would become the [[University of Virginia]]. [[Nicholas Meriwether II]] obtained 1,020 acres in the [[Southern Mountains]] west of what would become the [[City of Charlottesville]]. In [[1737]], [[William Taylor]] received patents for land that become the village of [[Charlottesville]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Charlottesville Urban Design and Affordable Housing|url=http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/schwartz/cville/cville.history.html|author=Kenneth A. Schwarz|work=|publisher=Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities|location=|publishdate=|accessdate=November 29, 2012}}</ref>

In [[1744]], by an act of the Virginia General Assembly, Albemarle County was formed from the western portion of [[Goochland County]] and named after the Crown's Governor of Virginia [[Willem Anne van Keppel]], 2nd Earl of Albemarle (appointed 1737; died in office December 22, 1754). <ref>Rainville, Lynn. "LoCoHistory » Blog Archive » The Earl and the Queen." LoCoHistory. 3 Feb. 2007. Web. 21 July 2010. <http://www.locohistory.org/blog/albemarle/2007/02/03/the-earl-and-the-queen/>.</ref> He never lived in the county that bears his name; governors at that time remained in London.

In [[1761]], Albemarle County was split three ways, creating the new counties of [[Buckingham]] and [[Amherst]]. Later, [[Nelson County]] was split off from [[Amherst County]] and parts of [[Buckingham County]] was split off to help create the counties of [[Campbell]] and [[Appomattox]]. In 1761 the western most portion of [[Louisa County]] was added to Albemarle. The current borders were established in 1777 when [[Fluvanna County]] was split off. 

The original county seat was located at [[Scott's Ferry]] which was west of the present day town of [[Scottsville]], but was moved to Charlottesville in [[1762]].

In [[1963]], [[Landon D. Birckhead]] filed a petition in Albemarle Circuit Court to divide the Charlottesville Magisterial District in half, to create a seventh member of the Board of Supervisors. <ref>{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=Petition Asks District Split|url=https://search.lib.virginia.edu/sources/uva_library/items/uva-lib:2674650|author=|pageno=17|printdate=September 30, 1963|publishdate=September 30, 1963|accessdate=September 29, 2022}}</ref>

Several county departments moved into new offices in [[Court Square]] in [[1939]]. <ref>{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=New County Office Building|url=http://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/uva-lib:2760777/view#openLayer/uva-lib:2760781/2789.5/1258.5/3/1/0|author=Staff Reports|pageno=4|publishdate=July 14, 1939|printdate=July 14, 1939|accessdate=July 14, 2016 from University of Virginia Library}}</ref>

==Population and demographics==
The population of Albemarle was estimated to be at 114,424 on July 1, 2021 by the Weldon Cooper Center. <ref name="wc2021">===2010===
The 2010 U.S. Census counted 98,970 people in Albemarle, making it the 10th largest county in Virginia. That represents a 17.6% increase from 2000.<nowiki><ref></nowiki>{{cite-progress|title=Analyzing area's growth will be key for future planning|url=http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2011/feb/05/analyzing-areas-growth-will-be-key-future-planning-ar-823178/|author=|pageno=|printdate=February 6, 2011|publishdate=February 5, 2011|accessdate=February 9, 2011|cturl=}}</ref> The population topped 100,000 for the first time in 2011.<ref>{{cite-progress|title=Albemarle population tops 100K for first time|url=http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2012/jan/30/albemarle-population-tops-100k-first-time-ar-1651431/|author=Daily Progress Staff Reports|pageno=|printdate=January 30, 2012|publishdate=January 30, 2012|accessdate=January 31, 2012|cturl=}}</ref>

{{as of|2011|1|1|alt=Nearly}} 78% of the population is white, 9.6% is African-American, and 5.5 is  Hispanic.<ref name="econ-data">{{cite web|title=Albemarle County Demographic & Economic Data, 2010|url=http://www.albemarle.org/upload/images/forms_center/departments/community_development/forms/PC_Reports/COMP_PLAN_UPDATED2.pdf|author=Elaine Echols et. al. |work=|publisher=County of Albemarle|location=|publishdate=|accessdate=October 10, 2011}}</ref>
		
Weldon Cooper projects the population increasing to 124,016 in [[2030]], 138,523 by [[2040]] and 155,102 by [[2050]]. <ref>{{cite web|title=Virginia Population Projections|url=https://demographics.coopercenter.org/virginia-population-projections|author=|work=|publisher=Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia|location=|publishdate=|accessdate=November 19, 2023}}</ref>

==Geography==
The county has a total area of 725.9 square miles.<ref name="Land Area Estimates">"Albemarle County Comprehensive Plan Area as of December 2011." Community Development Department Albemarle County. PDF. 24 October 2013. <http://www.cvillepedia.org/mediawiki/images/Land_Area_Estimates_12-2011.pdf>.</ref> Much of it can be explored using the County's [http://gisweb.albemarle.org/ Geographic Information Service].

==Zoning and development==
36.6 square miles (~5%) of Albemarle County has been set aside as [[Designated Growth Areas]] while the remainder of the County, totaling 687.9 square miles, lies in the [[Rural Area]]s.<ref name="Land Area Estimates" /> The County conducts planning efforts to channel growth into Development Areas in order to maintain the rural character of the County, facilitate economical service delivery and to promote neighborhood-style development as the preferred design.

Each of the County's designated growth areas is either master planned, or a master plan is pending. These are for [[Crozet Master Plan|Crozet]], [[Places29 Master Plan|the area surrounding U.S. 29]], the [[Pantops Master Plan]], and the [[Village of Rivanna Master Plan]]. 

Oversight of land use issues is performed by staff in the [[Albemarle County Department of Community Development|Department of Community Development]].

== County Government ==
[[image:Orgchart.jpg|right|thumb|An organizational chart taken from the 2018 community report]]Albemarle adopted a county-executive form of government in [[1933]]. <ref>{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=Seth Burnley Decides to Remain as City Manager|url=https://search.lib.virginia.edu/sources/uva_library/items/uva-lib:2642692|author=|pageno=1|printdate=December 1, 1933|publishdate=December 1, 1933|accessdate=December 1, 2022}}</ref> <ref name="2018cafr">{{cite web|title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Year Ended June 2018|url=https://albemarle.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=6801069&GUID=FF97AB5F-BA98-4E99-BA78-1A0772B24493|author=County of Albemarle|work=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Year Ended June 2018|publisher=Albemarle County|location=|publishdate=November 26, 2018|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> Around this time, the county eliminated the constitutional officers of Treasurer and Commissioner of the Revenue. <ref>{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=Hamm Adamant in Refusal to Give Up Ofice|url=https://search.lib.virginia.edu/sources/uva_library/items/uva-lib:2738683|author=|pageno=1|printdate=January 2, 1934|publishdate=January 2, 1934|accessdate=February 11, 2023}}</ref> Treasurer [[G. Stuart Hamm]] refused and as [[1934]] began, county checks needed to be signed by both Hamm and new County Executive [[Henry A. Haden]]. <ref>{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=Checks Signed by Hamm, Haden|url=https://search.lib.virginia.edu/sources/uva_library/items/uva-lib:2738694|author=|pageno=1|printdate=January 3, 1934|publishdate=January 3, 1934|accessdate=February 11, 2023}}</ref>

The County's legislative body is the [[Albemarle County Board of Supervisors]]. Various boards and commissions help provide guidance to the Board as well as to the County Staff.  A [[County Executive]] is hired by the Board of Supervisors to implement their policies, prepare and execute the [[Albemarle County Budget|budget]], and to direct day-to-day operations of the County government. [[Jeffrey Richardson]] became executive on [[October 30]], 2017. 

All planning in the County is guided by the [[Albemarle County Comprehensive Plan|Comprehensive Plan]], which was adopted in 1980. Capital improvement projects are managed by the County's [[Office of Facilities Development]].

For electoral representation, the county is split into six [[Magisterial Districts]]: [[White Hall Magisterial District|White Hall]], [[Scottsville Magisterial District|Scottsville]], [[Samuel Miller Magisterial District|Samuel Miller]], [[Jack Jouett Magisterial District|Jack Jouett]], [[Rio Magisterial District|Rio]], and [[Rivanna Magisterial District|Rivanna]]. A full map is available [http://www.albemarle.org/upload/images/forms_center/departments/community_development/forms/county_maps/Magisterial_Districts_and_Voting_Precincts.pdf here].

County government is guided by the [http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=ctyexec&relpage=4413 County's Strategic Plan] which sets benchmarks for key goals. 

Albemarle is also a member of the [[Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission]]. 

In August 2010, the county was awarded a AAA bond rating by Standard & Poor's.<ref>Albemarle County. County Receives AAA Bond Rating From Standard & Poors. Albemarle County. Albemarle County, 19 Aug. 2010. Web. 20 Aug. 2010. <http://www.albemarle.org/navpages.asp?info=release&ID=11713>.</ref>

Albemarle established an Office of Equity and Inclusion in December 2018. <ref>{{cite web|title=Albemarle County creates Office of Equity and Inclusion|url=https://www.cbs19news.com/content/news/office-of-equity-and-inclusion-502184521.html|author=News Staff|work=News Article|publisher=CBS19 News|location=|publishdate=December 7, 2018|accessdate=December 9, 2018}}</ref>

In the 2010's, supervisors elevated the business development position into a full-blown [[Albemarle County Economic Development|Economic Development]]  office. 

On [[July 1]], [[2020]], the Department of Finance and the Office of Management and Budget merged into a new [[Albemarle Department of Finance and Budget]]. <ref>{{cite web|title=Two county offices merge in Albemarle County|url=https://www.cbs19news.com/story/42317869/two-county-offices-merge-in-albemarle-county|author=News Staff|work=News Article|publisher=CBS19|location=|publishdate=July 1, 2020|accessdate=July 2, 2020}}</ref>

====Organizational history====
At their meeting on [[October 16]], [[1957]] &ndash; Albemarle Board of Supervisors learn that staff is preparing a retirement plan for county employees that they will review in the near future. At this time, Albemarle has 39 full-time non-school employees. This would be the first in Virginia if adopted. <ref>{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=County to Study Retirement Plan|url=|author=|pageno=19|printdate=October 17, 1957|publishdate=October 17, 1957|accessdate=October 17, 2022}}</ref>	


===Mission statement===
"To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all citizens through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds"

=== Vision statement ===
"Albemarle County will feature walkable and self sufficient communities. The Countryside will be rural. The County's natural resources and natural beauty will be maintained. The County's educational system will be world class and the County's quality of life will be exceptional."

== Communities ==

=== Established communities ===
[[Scottsville]] is an independent town located along the James River in the southern part of the County. As such, it has its own town council and police force. 

{{Main|List of Albemarle communities}}

While Albemarle County only has one independent town, (Scottsville), there are several distinct [[Communities|communities]] in the County. 

Unincorporated areas include: [[Crozet]], [[Batesville]], [[Earlysville]], 
[[Free Union]], [[Ivy]], [[Keene]], [[North Garden]], [[Keswick]] and [[Covesville]].

=== Formerly-proposed communities ===
Several plans for distinct towns to be established within the county were formulated by the Legislature in the early nineteenth century but ultimately went unrealized.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Albemarle_County_in_Virginia/oX3hxtr5L24C?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover|title=Albemarle County in Virginia|last=Woods|first=Edgar|publishdate=1901|publisher=C.J. Carrier Company}}</ref> These include:

* [[Barterbrook]]
* [[Morgantown]]
* [[New York]]
* [[North Milton]]
* [[Traveller's Grove]]
* [[Warren]]

== Infrastructure ==
The County's water supply is managed by the [[Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority]]. The County Executive serves as one of five voting members of the RWSA's Board of Directors. Albemarle County residents on public water pay their bills to the [[Albemarle County Service Authority]], which maintains the delivery to its customers. 

The County does not currently build its own roads, and state funding for transportation projects has declined steeply in the last decade.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transportation Fund Gives Little Money to Central Virginia|url=http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/2013-Transportation-Fund-Gives-Little-Money-to-Central-Virginia-193146181.html |author=|work=|publisher=Newsplex|location=|publishdate=25 Feb 2013|accessdate=9 July 2013}}</ref> The County has a priority list for how [[Virginia Department of Transportation]] funding should be spent on both primary and [[Albemarle County Secondary Six-Year Priority List|secondary roads]]. Two members of the Board of Supervisors participate on the [[MPO Policy Board]], a regional body that plans for area transportation. In November 2014, supervisors agreed to restore the position of transportation planner. <ref>{{cite web|title=Albemarle to hire transportation planner|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/19468-albemarle-to-hire-transportation-planner/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=|accessdate=November 11, 2014}}</ref>

The County has its own [[Albemarle County Fire and Rescue Department|Fire and Rescue Department]].

For much of the mid 2010's, Albemarle County considered enacting a [[stormwater utility fee]].<ref>{{cite-progress|title=County public works plan for stormwater mandate|url=http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/county-public-works-plan-for-stormwater-mandate/article_4a21f494-95c3-11e2-bf6e-001a4bcf6878.html|author=Aaron Richardson|pageno=|printdate=March 25, 2013|publishdate=March 25, 2013|accessdate=March 27, 2013|cturl=}}</ref>  However, supervisors ended consideration of this idea in the spring of 2018. <ref>{{cite-progress|title=Albemarle supervisors direct staff to abandon stormwater utility fee|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/county/albemarle-supervisors-direct-staff-to-abandon-stormwater-utility-fee/article_5ae6e090-3df8-11e8-81aa-93d7150b9ea1.html|author=Allison Wrabel|pageno=|printdate=April 11, 2018|publishdate=April 11, 2018|accessdate=November 20, 2018}}</ref>

Albemarle is also exploring [[Public-Private Partnerships|public-private partnerships]] to fund redevelopment of commercial spaces on U.S. 29 in the urban ring. <ref>{{cite web|title=Albemarle eyes public-private partnership for new government complex|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/27551-albemarle-eyes-public-private-partnership/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=Sean Tubbs|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=June 14, 2017|accessdate=June 26, 2017}}</ref>

===Transportation history===
====20th Century====
In 1933, Albemarle County was concerned they were not getting enough funding from state government. <ref>{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=County To Investigate Byrd Road Plan Operation|url=https://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/uva-lib:2641665/view#openLayer/uva-lib:2641668/4959.5/1669.5/3/1/0|author=|pageno=3|printdate=August 16, 1933|publishdate=August 16, 1933|accessdate=May 5, 2019}}</ref>

====21st century====
=====Pedestrian safety=====
One concern is whether the county's urban areas provide sufficient opportunities for pedestrians. <ref>{{cite web|title=Recent Death Spotlights Pedestrian Safety Issues in Albemarle County|url=http://www.nbc29.com/story/20121218/recent-death-spotlights-pedestrian-issues-in-albemarle-county|author=|work=|publisher=NBC29|location=|publishdate=16 Nov 2012|accessdate=9 July 2012}}</ref>

== External Links ==

*[http://www.albemarle.org/ Albemarle County website]
*{{OnWikipedia|Albemarle_County,_Virginia}}
*[http://gisweb.albemarle.org/ Albemarle County Geographic Information Systems]
*[http://www.albemarle.org/upload/images/webapps/boards/bc/allrecs.asp County list of Boards and Commissions]
*[http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=ctyexec&relpage=8004 Albemarle County Strategic Plan FY07 - FY10]
*[http://albemarle.org/upload/images/forms_center/departments/community_development/forms/Land_Use_and_Planning_Glossary.pdf Land Use and Planning Glossary]
*[http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=ctyatty&relpage=2784 Zoning code]

''See also:'' [[Albemarle County population]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Geographic location
|Center=[[Albemarle County]]
|South=[[Buckingham County]], across the [[James River]]
|North=[[Greene County]]
|Northeast=[[Orange County]]
|East=[[Louisa County]]
|Southeast=[[Fluvanna County]]
|Southwest=[[Nelson County]]
|West=[[Augusta County]]
|Northwest=[[Rockingham County]]
}}

[[Category:Albemarle County|*]]
[[Category: TJPDC Jurisdictions]]
[[Category: 1744 establishments]]