Elections
Charles City County, VA had about 5,200 residents with approximately 3,800 registered voters in 2023. The county holds general, primary, and local elections, with major polling locations including the Charles City Social Center and Ruthville Center. In the 2023 general election, Democrats received 62% of the vote countywide. Key issues include education funding and rural infrastructure. Elections are administered by the Charles City County Electoral Board and Registrar. The county leans Democratic, with both Democratic and Republican parties active. Voter turnout in the 2023 election was about 46%.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Charles City County, VA had a population of 6,773. The median age was 47.3 years. Gender distribution was nearly even, with 50.2% female and 49.8% male. Racially, the county was 47.2% Black or African American, 37.0% White, 2.2% Native American, and 6.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race. Other races and multiracial individuals made up the remainder.
County Crime & Safety
Charles City County, VA, is known for its relatively low crime rates compared to state and national averages. According to recent FBI data, the county reported a violent crime rate of 73.5 per 100,000 residents in 2022—significantly lower than Virginia’s average of 200 per 100,000. Property crime is also sparse, with only about 75 incidents reported annually. The Charles City County Sheriff’s Office actively encourages public reporting and community engagement to ensure safety, contributing to a generally safe environment for residents.
Education, Employment and Housing
Charles City County, VA, has a small public school system with 3 schools: Charles City High School, Charles City Middle School, and Charles City Elementary School. In 2023, the county had a high school graduation rate of 78% and a bachelor's degree attainment of 15% among adults. Average school ratings are 4/10 on GreatSchools. Adult education programs include GED and workforce training. School safety measures are in place, with 0 reported major incidents in 2022. The district offers STEM, arts, and vocational programs, serving approximately 600 students overall.
As of 2023, Charles City County, VA, had an employment rate of around 57% for residents aged 16+, with a labor force of approximately 3,000. The largest employment sectors are Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance (22%), Construction (13%), and Manufacturing (11%). About 60% of workers commute outside the county, primarily to Richmond and Williamsburg, with an average commute time of 34 minutes. Most common occupations include Management, Business, Science, and Arts (28%), followed by Sales and Office (22%), and Production, Transportation, and Material Moving (16%).
Charles City County, VA, has a homeownership rate of about 78%, with the median home value around $212,000 in 2023. Rents average $1,000 per month. The county is predominantly rural, with single-family homes and some manufactured housing; apartments are rare. Neighborhoods are dispersed, with principal areas including Charles City, Ruthville, and Roxbury. Property values have seen modest annual growth of 2-3% over the past few years. Real estate taxes are approximately $0.71 per $100 assessed value, making property taxes relatively low compared to nearby counties.
Popular names
- Ivan Martinez
- Robert Bradby
- James Johnson
- Lisa Jones
- Brandon Jones
- Charles Brown
- Charles Tench
- Darlene Bradby
- David Adkins
- Sharon Brown
- Thomas Jones
- Alton Washington
- Angela Smith
- Anthony Washington
- Arthur Jones
- Audrey Jones
- Beverly Miles
- Brandon Babb
- Brenda Jones
- Brittney Jones
- Byron Adkins
- Cherrell Miles
- Clarence Greene
- Craig Jones
- Delia Ruiz
- Eric Charity
- Gilbert Smith
- Harvey Smith
- Hilda Barbour
- Ivan Marquez
- James Crewe
- James Jones
- James Rhodes
- Jamie Johnson
- Jasmine Brown
- John Banks
- John Hicks
- John Martin
- Justin Moore
- Justin Tench
- Kristen Jones
- Lucas Beatty
- Michael Jones
- Miranda Crawley
- Phillip Banks
- Robert Carter
- Sandra Bradby
- Sarah Hodges
- Shannon Whitehead
- Stacie Barnes
- Stanley White
- Teri Tench
- Tiffany White
- Timmy Charity
- Trevor Kelly
- Tyler Spencer
- Velda Johnson
- William Christian
- William Smith
- Aaron Jones
Other Counties in Virginia
- Accomack
- Albemarle
- Alexandria City
- Alleghany
- Amelia
- Amherst
- Appomattox
- Arlington
- Augusta
- Bath
- Bedford
- Bland
- Botetourt
- Bristol City
- Brunswick
- Buchanan
- Buckingham
- Buena Vista City
- Campbell
- Caroline
- Carroll
- Charlotte
- Charlottesville City
- Chesapeake City
- Chesterfield
- Clarke
- Colonial Heights Cit
- Covington City
- Craig
- Culpeper
- Cumberland
- Danville City
- Dickenson
- Dinwiddie
- Essex
- Fairfax
- Fairfax City
- Falls Church City
- Fauquier
- Floyd
- Fluvanna
- Franklin
- Franklin City
- Frederick
- Fredericksburg City
- Galax City
- Giles
- Gloucester
- Goochland
- Grayson