About Spotsylvania County

Spotsylvania County contains a mix of beautiful rural and urban landscapes and is one of Virginia’s fastest-growing counties. Within its boundaries, the County possesses the scenic beauty of Lake Anna, rural vistas, suburban amenities and a wealth of historical attractions from the Colonial and Civil War eras. The growing Spotsylvania community has attracted many dynamic commercial and retail businesses which serve area residents and visitors.  These resources also make the County a favorite tourist destination.

Our History

  • Spotsylvania County was established in 1721.
  • The County was named for Alexander Spotswood, Colonial Governor of Virginia, who founded an ironworks in the early 1700s. His “‘Iron Mines Company”, a mining and smelting operation, was founded in 1725 at Germanna. Remnants of the ironworks are still found in the County.
  • Known as the “Crossroads of the Civil War,” four major Civil War battles were fought on Spotsylvania soil including one of the bloodiest of the war, the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, in May 1864. It was during this battle that the clash between the armies of Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee (known as the “Bloody Angle”) took place. The three other major battles occurring in Spotsylvania County were at Wilderness, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.

Our Location and Some Highlights

  • Spotsylvania County is located along Interstate 95, midway between the Nation’s capital of Washington DC and the Commonwealth’s capital of Richmond.
  • The County’s area is 414.25 square miles.
  • Elevations range from sea level to 540 feet.
  • A VRE commuter rail station is located southwest of Route 17 and Crossroads Parkway.
  • Spotsylvania’s Technology Zone program serves both new and existing qualified businesses in its two designated Technology Zones to encourage continued growth in the County’s high-technology sector.
  • County retail, restaurants, and other businesses offer nearly 6 million square feet of shopping center space.
  • Beautiful Lake Anna offers 13,000 acres of swimming, sailing, water-skiing, and sport fishing. At the Lake Anna State Park, visitors and the community enjoy picnicking, horseback riding, bicycling, hiking, trails, and camping.
  • In the Spotsylvania Courthouse area, the historic Courthouse, Civil War-era Old Jail, and Berea Church are among the scenic and informative attractions.
  • The Spotsylvania County Museum is home to the county’s history, beginning with early Native Americans and continuing through the Civil War. The museum also provides a research library that is open to the general public.
  • The National Park Service maintains more than 4,400 acres of Civil War battlefields in various locations throughout the County.
  • Other natural and recreational attractions include the Ni River Reservoir and the Hunting Run Reservoir.
  • Additional amenities include:
    • 14 parks including the County’s award-winning Patriot Park with its walking trails and unique Amphitheater, and the popular Loriella Park, with its lighted sports fields and swimming pool.
    • 4 Community Centers
    • 1 Outdoor Amphitheatre (at Patriot Park)
    • 1 Senior Center
    • 1 Visitor Center
  • The County partners with 41 Regional Agencies including:
    • Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FRED), which provides safe, courteous, and efficient public transportation throughout the Fredericksburg Region
    • Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL), which operates two branches located in Spotsylvania County
    • Fredericksburg Regional Alliance (FRA), which provides a wide array of information and free services designed to help market the Fredericksburg region to outside businesses looking to expand or relocate their operations
  • The County operates one landfill (the Livingston Landfill) and 13 convenience centers.
  • The County operates and maintains, on a 24/7 basis, three dams and reservoirs, two river intakes, two water treatment plants, and three wastewater treatment plants.

Our Population and Demographics

  • The estimated population as of January 1, 2019 is 135,000.
  • Population has grown 8.7% since 2010.
  • Population forecast for 2040 is 167,088.
  • Population density is 336 persons per square mile.
  • As of July 1, 2017, the racial makeup of the County was White 68%, Black or African American 17%, Hispanic or Latino 10%, Asian 3%, other 2%.
  • For 2017, 13% of the County’s population was estimated to be 65 or older, 53% was estimated to be 25 to 64 years of age, 6% was estimated between the ages of 20 and 24, and 28% was estimated to be 19 or younger.
  • Spotsylvania’s median household income was $85, 743 in 2017 and ranked as 86th highest of approximately 3,200 localities nationwide.

Our Education System

  • Spotsylvania County Public Schools are governed by a seven-member elected School Board.
  • There are 31 public schools and centers including 17 elementary schools, seven middle schools, five high schools, one alternative learning center, and one Career and Technical Center.
  • The County Schools’ on-time graduation rate is approximately 91%.
  • About 82% of high school graduates pursue higher education.
  • 82% of Spotsylvania County Schools staff = Spotsylvania County residents.
  • Nearby Germanna Community College offers opportunities for affordable pathways to higher or continuing education. The County partners with Germanna to provide support for student activities, student projects, local scholarships, and facilities.
  • The University of Mary Washington, located in Fredericksburg, is one of Virginia’s outstanding public liberal arts universities and is routinely named a “best buy” among public schools by numerous publications.

Our County Government

  • County Vision: We will set the standard for Virginia counties. Through mutual cooperation, we are committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation, collaboration and creativity. We will exercise effective stewardship to create and sustain an educated, vibrant, dynamic community in a secure and healthy environment.
  • Spotsylvania County is governed by a seven-member Board of Supervisors, elected for staggered four-year terms.
  • The Board of Supervisors sets County policies, adopts ordinances, appropriates funds, approves land rezoning and special exceptions to the zoning ordinance, and carries out other responsibilities as set forth by the State and County codes.
  • The County’s elected Constitutional Officers are the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Commissioner of the Revenue, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff and Treasurer.
  • The County functions under the traditional form of government with a Board-appointed County Administrator who acts as the Board’s agent overseeing the administration and operation of County departments and agencies.
  • The Sheriff’s Office has been accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) since 2006 and provides law enforcement services to the citizens of the County through five divisions: Patrol Operations, Criminal Investigations, Courts Security/Civil Process, Administrative Services, and Animal Control.
  • Fire and EMS services are provided 24/7 from 11 fire and EMS stations located throughout the County using both career and volunteer personnel.
  • Spotsylvania has earned the following general obligation bond ratings from Fitch, Moody’s, and Standard & Poor’s, respectively: AAA/Aa1/AA+.

Come explore Spotsylvania County!

Stop by www.visitspotsy.com for information about events in our dynamic County!

NOTE:  Data updated as of June 2019