COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
II.
CHAPTER II
COMMUNITY PROFILE
A. HISTORY
When John Smith was stung by a stingray in 1608 off what is now known as Stingray
Point, Middlesex County was inhabited by Indians. The Piankatank (or Payankatank, or
Peanketan) Indians had a town on the Piankatank River downriver of Scoggins Creek.
Smith estimate their population to be 40 men in 1612, which increased to 50 or 60 in his
1624 account. The Opiscopank (or Opiscatumek; anglicized to Piscataway) had a town
on the Rappahannock River down river of Lagrange Creek. There were other Indian
towns, notably Old and New Nimcock on the Rappahannock east of Urbanna Creek.
These tribes were a part of the Powhatan Confederation, an Alliance of Algonian
speaking people of the Virginia coastal plain. By 1650, it is believed that no Indians
remained in Middlesex County, although the Pamunkey Indians of King William County
used the Dragon Run Swamp as a hideaway during Bacon's rebellion of 1676.
English settlement began in the 1640's; the first land patent of 1900 acres on the
Piankatank River near Stamper Landing was granted to John Matrum (or Mattrom).
Matrum may have been the first settler to bring cattle to Middlesex in order to graze.
Settlement was stunted by a treaty between the Colony and the Indians which
acknowledged Middlesex as Indian domain. However, in 1648, all restrictions to
settlement were removed and settlement began in earnest. By the end of the 1660's,
approximately 90% of the County was claimed.
In 1649, Ralph Wormeley received a patent for over 3000 acres and founded Rosegill.
Rosegill in the late 17th century extended uninterrupted from the Rappahannock to the
Piankatank. Other patents along the two rivers resulted in a settlement pattern whereby
homes were miles apart. However, the need for workers to grow and harvest tobacco
required large estates to be broken up and sold to laborers and indentured servants upon
securing their freedom. By the end of the 17th century, the average plantation in
Middlesex was 406 acres in size.
Laborers in the 17th century were primarily poor white men, both free and indentured.
Some indentured servants sent to Middlesex were individuals condemned to death in
England who, when given the choice, came to the Colony. They were not well received in
Middlesex and its leading citizens successfully petitioned the General Court to issue an
order forbidding the importation of "any jail birds or such others who for notorious
offenses have deserved to die in England."
In 1680, the first African slaves arrived in the Colony. Near the end of the 17th century,
Ralph Wormeley received a land patent for 13,500 acres (outside Middlesex) in return for
accommodating 249 laborers: 149 white and 100 black. From 1687 to 1699, the
percentage of black versus the total population of Middlesex grew from 8% to 22%. By
1701, 85 laborers at Rosegill were black and only 8 were white.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
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LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
Until 1651, the land, which was to become Middlesex County, was part of York County.
In that year, Lancaster County was formed and included Middlesex. The inconveniences
associated with crossing the Rappahannock River to conduct business at the Lancaster
Courthouse led the citizens south of the Rappahannock (Southsiders) to petition the
Colony to create a new and separate county. Sometime between September 1667 and
February 1773, Middlesex County was established. The bounds of the County were
identical to the limits of Christ Church Parish.
Law Court was first held at the home of Richard Robinson on Town Bridge Road between
Saluda and Urbanna. In 1695, a house at Stormont was used for Court. In 1705, a new
courthouse and jail were constructed at Stormont and used until 1748 when Court was
moved to a new building in Urbanna. Today that building is the home of the Middlesex
County Woman's Club.
Urbanna, named after Queen Anne, was created by a "Tobacco Act." Port facilities and a
tobacco warehouse were constructed at Colony expense to facilitate export and import
activities. This 50-acre town soon grew to become a thriving center of commerce.
Travel to Court was slow for the residents of the eastern sections of the County, which
included the Village of Unionville (now known as Deltaville), due to slow ferry service
across Urbanna Creek. Pressure grew to relocate the County seat to a more convenient
central location. When the Urbanna Courthouse fell into a state of disrepair and became
inadequate for efficient Court business, County residents, by a majority of one, voted to
relocate the courthouse and in 1849, the General Assembly authorized the relocation.
Land for a new Courthouse and a road to a landing on Urbanna Creek were provided by
Mr. John Bristow. He and Mr. Thomas Fauntleroy divided parts of their property into
building lots for the growth of what has become the Village of Saluda.
During the Civil War, Union gunboats patrolled the Rappahannock and Piankatank
Rivers. Unionville was pillaged by federal troops. Urbanna for a period of time was used
as a training camp for Confederate soldiers. Some Courthouse records were burned
during the War but fortunately, Mr. W. Woodward, Clerk of the Court, stored the older
non-current records in an unknown location in the Dragon Run Swamp, instead of
following the usual practice of sending them to Richmond for safekeeping (where records
were ultimately burned in 1865). As a result, Middlesex County has one of the most
complete sets of Court records of any Virginia county.
Middlesex County has been and remains a rural community dependent upon the gifts of
the earth: productive farmland and timberland, and tremendous access to the bountiful
waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-2
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
B. HISTORIC RESOURCES
Middlesex County contains an abundance of significant buildings of historic and
architectural value. Antebellum homes can be found on almost every road in the County.
There are many other significant structures which are over 50 years old.
The cultural history of the County is rooted in agriculture, which accounts for its current
agrarian environment. This culture and the rural nature of the landscape is the County's
most significant historical resource. See EXHIBIT II-1.
Excluding Urbanna, which has eight structures of landmark status within the Urbanna
Historic District, there are seven structures in Middlesex which are recognized as historic
sites by both the Federal and State governments. They are described below:
CHRIST CHURCH "THE MOTHER CHURCH" c. 1714
•
built of Flemish bond brick; members of the Wormeley family of Rosegill are buried
in its graveyard
"That a Mother Church be built in ye Small Indian Field next ye head of Captain
Brocas his ground. It being adjudged by us to be about ye Middle of ye Parish."
"That ye Mother Church be called by the name of Christ Church"
General Vestry meeting at Rosegill, January 1666
DEER CHASE c. 1725 to 1740
•
built of Flemish bond brick, clipped gables, three dormers, 1½-story residence
•
acreage patented to Captain Oswald Cary in 1685
•
an 18th century outbuilding also remains which was used for Deer Chase Academy
in the 19th century
HEWICK c. 1678
•
built of Flemish bond brick; a 2-story residence 5 bays wide with a center hall
•
ancestral home of the Robinson family; constructed by Christopher Robinson on
Robinson Creek west of Urbanna
•
house said to be inhabited by two ghosts: one a big man dressed in black, the other
is "The Lady in Pink" who appears every seven years and is expected to appear
again in 2001
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-3
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
MAP II-1
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
HISTORICAL SITES
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-4
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
LOWER CHURCH c. 1715
•
built of English bond brick, clipped gables; walls are over two feet thick
•
located on the site of the first church built as early as 1650 and originally known as
Peanckatanck Church
MIDDLESEX COUNTY COURTHOUSE c. 1852
•
2½-story rectangular building built of Flemish bond brick; front characterized by a
pedimented gable façade containing a five arch open arcade
•
brick-walled courtyard contains many monuments and mature shade trees
•
Courtroom walls decorated with many oil portraits of important Middlesex County
leaders
•
The Old Clerk's Office adjacent to the Courthouse formerly housed the Middlesex
County Museum, the first County museum in the state; the Museum is now located
on Business Rt. 17 within walking distance from the Courthouse Square.
ROSEGILL c. 1650
•
original structure was 1½-story brick residence; the home has been significantly
enlarged over the years into an 11 bay, 2 story structure with a stuccoed brick first
floor and horizontal wood siding on the second floor
•
there are many outbuildings
•
home faces the Rappahannock River east of Urbanna
•
originally located on 3200 acres patented to Ralph Wormeley in 1649
•
formerly home to 5 generations of Wormeleys
WILTON c. Late 17th or early 18th century, addition dates to 1763
•
T-shaped residence 4000 square feet in size; 1 ½ story gambrel built of Flemish
bond brick
•
home to the Churchill family for 150 years
•
located on Wilton Creek
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-5
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
C. ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Given its position in the Coastal Plain, the known existence of Indian villages, and a 350
year record of English/American settlement, Middlesex County is quite likely a treasure
trove of significant archaeological sites. However, very little archaeological excavation
has occurred thus far in the County. Archaeological finds have included vestiges of
Indian artifacts to the remains of a corduroy road along the Piankatank.
D. POPULATION
EXHIBIT II-1 provides population figures for Middlesex County from 1699 to 2000.
Findings:
•
•
•
County population peaked in 2000 (9,932) representing an increase of 1,279
persons since 1990 (8,653).
Population in 2000 (9,932) is over twice the County population of 1790 (4,140).
Population has risen and fallen in cycles over the years.
EXHIBIT II-1
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
POPULATION: 1699-2000
YEAR
1699
POP.
1,771
YEAR
1680
POP.
4,364
YEAR
1940
POP.
6,673
1790
4,140
1870
4,981
1950
6,715
1800
4,203
1880
6,252
1960
6,319
1810
4,414
1890
7,458
1970
6,295
1820
4,057
1900
8,220
1980
7,719
1830
4,122
1910
8,852
1990
8,653
1840
4,392
1920
8,157
2000
9,932
1850
4,394
1930
7,273
SOURCES: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census of Population.
1699 Population from A Place in Time: Middlesex County, Virginia, 1650-1750,
Darrett B. and Anitah Rutman, 1984.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-6
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-2 compares population changes for Middlesex County and the Middle
Peninsula Planning District.
Findings:
•
County population growth has not kept up with the growth of the Middle Peninsula
Planning District as a whole.
•
The County has grown by over 2,200 persons since 1980.
EXHIBIT II-2
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
POPULATION CHANGES: 1950-2000
MIDDLESEX COUNTY AND THE MIDDLE PENINSULA
PLANNING DISTRICT (MPPD)
YEAR
MIDDLESEX
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
SOURCE:
6,715
6,319
6,295
7,719
8,653
9,932
% CHANGE
-5.9 %
-0.4 %
22.6 %
12.1 %
14.8 %
MMPD
% CHANGE
44,624
45,501
47,609
59,987
73,023
89,116
2.0 %
4.6 %
26.0 %
21.7 %
22.0 %
U.S. Census 1950-2000 and 2010 Population Projections from Virginia Statistical Abstract,
2000 Edition. Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. University of Virginia.
Charlottesville, 1999.
EXHIBIT II-3 depicts population changes by Magisterial District.
Findings:
•
The population of the Jamaica, Pinetop, and Saluda Magisterial Districts grew from
1990 – 2000, although growth in Jamaica leveled off.
•
The population of the Jamaica Magisterial District has dropped since 1920.
•
The population of the Pinetop and Saluda Magisterial District are twice as great as
the Jamaica Magisterial District.
•
The County population has increased 57.2 percent since 1950.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-7
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-3
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
POPULATION BY MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: 1920–2000
YEAR
1920
1930
1940
1950
1950
1970
1980
1990
2000
JAMAICA
2,144
1,641
1,383
1,319
1,076
1,074
1,272
1,645
1,665
DISTRICT
SALUDA
2,841
2,731
2,748
2,699
2,744
2,674
2,820
3,432
3,773
PINETOP
3,172
2,901
2,542
2,697
2,499
2,547
3,627
3,576
4,494
TOTAL
8,157
7,273
6,673
6,715
6,319
6,295
7,719
8,653
9,932
URBANNA
387
432
482
505
512
475
518
529
543
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census of Population.
EXHIBIT II-4 depicts retirement age (65+) population as a percent of total population.
The Rappahannock River shoreline, particularly in Lancaster County, has been referred
to as the "Gold Coast" because of the number of affluent retirees who have located there.
Findings:
•
Of the five counties which were surveyed on the Rappahannock River, Middlesex
County had the second highest percentage (21.96 percent) of retirement age
individuals in 1990.
•
With 10.74 percent of its population retired, Middlesex has twice the percentage of
retirees as the State average.
•
Comparative data for 2000 not available for use in this update.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-8
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-4
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
RETIREMENT AGE POPULATION
PERCENT OF TOTAL POPULATION: 1970-1990
COUNTIES ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER
COUNTY
Middlesex
Lancaster
Richmond
Westmoreland
Essex
VIRGINIA
1970
1980
1990
17.47%
16.15%
12.43%
12.68%
11.33%
7.87%
19.96%
21.41%
15.12%
16.30%
15.60%
9.45%
21.96%
25.86%
19.32%
18.98%
17.85%
10.74%
% Change
(1970-1990)
72.73%
91.18%
93.53%
90.78%
92.91%
81.54%
SOURCE: Economic Analysis, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 1992.
Other findings of importance regarding the existing population of the County include:
•
The 2000 racial composition of the County is 78.5 percent white, 21.5 percent nonwhite.
•
The median age is 43 years.
•
Approximately 13.9 percent of the County's citizens fall below the poverty level.
EXHIBIT II–5 presents population projections for Middlesex County and the Middle
Peninsula Planning District.
Findings:
•
Population projections for rural communities tend to be conservative; in this case the
projection simply adds 900 people to the County's population each decade.
•
There is so much vacant land in Middlesex and so much opportunity for development
that the County should not be led to believe that it will only grow 2,700 people
between the year 2000 and 2030.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-9
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II–5
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
POPULATION PROJECTIONS: 2010–2030
MIDDLESEX COUNTY AND THE MIDDLE PENINSULA PLANNING DISTRICT (MPPD)
YEAR
2010
2020
2030
MIDDLESEX
Number
Percent
10,800
9.0%
11,700
8.3%
12,600
7.7%
MPPD
Number
98,100
109,400
120,700
Percent
13.0%
11.5%
10.3%
SOURCE: Virginia Statistical Abstract, 2000 Edition. Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.
University of Virginia. Charlottesville, 1999.
E. HOUSING
EXHIBIT II-6 through II-11 provide data on housing stock and occupancy characteristics
in 1990 since comparative detailed housing data for 2000 had not been released in time
for use in this update. Where noted, some of the housing information from 1990 has
been updated using County building permit information.
Findings:
•
There were 7,099 housing units in Middlesex County in 2000.
•
In 1990, a very high number of units (28.8 percent) are seasonal. This is
significantly higher than other nearby communities surveyed and 28 times higher
than the state average.
•
Over 70% of the housing stock was built since 1960.
•
39% of the housing stock has been newly occupied since 1980, indicating the
existence of an increasing number of new residents in the County.
•
The median value of a home in Middlesex County in 1990 was $77,500. Over 80
percent of the housing in the County is owner-occupied.
•
A very low 3.5 percent of the housing stock is multi-family, which is significantly
lower than the state average of 22.7 percent. However, over 15 percent of the
housing units are mobile homes, which is much greater than the state average of 6.4
percent.
•
The average household in 2000 had 2.3 persons.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-10
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-6
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
YEAR HOUSING UNIT BUILT: PRE-1940–2000
YEAR BUILT
NUMBER
% OF TOTAL
1990-2000
1980-1989
1970-1979
1960-1969
1950-1959
1940-1949
Pre-1940
1,613
1,156
1,335
959
648
454
934
22.7%
16.3%
18.8%
13.5%
9.1%
6.4%
13.2%
TOTAL
7,099
100.0%
SOURCES: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census of Population,1990; 1990-2000 Data from the
Middlesex County Planning Department includes new structures, new manufactured
homes, and new multi-family dwelling units.
EXHIBIT II-7
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
HOUSING LACKING UTILITIES: 1990
Number lacking a telephone
Number lacking complete plumbing
Number lacking a complete kitchen
NUMBER
% OF TOTAL
265
195
166
4.8%
3.6%
3.0%
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census of Population, 1990.
EXHIBIT II-8
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
HOUSING UNIT USE: 1990
Occupied Housing Units
Vacant Housing Units
Seasonal Housing Units
TOTAL
NUMBER
% OF TOTAL
3,530
378
1,578
5,486
64.3%
6.9%
28.8%
100.0%
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census of Population, 1990.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-11
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II–9
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
PERCENT SEASONAL HOUSING UNITS
OF TOTAL HOUSING UNITS: 1970–1990
COUNTY
1970
1980
1990
Middlesex
Essex
Lancaster
Richmond
22.48%
10.02%
5.74%
4.26%
0.59%
29.11%
15.41%
11.67%
7.38%
1.10%
28.76%
14.14%
13.25%
9.50%
NA
VIRGINIA
SOURCE: Economic Analysis, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 1992
EXHIBIT II-10
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
YEAR HOUSING OCCUPANT MOVED INTO UNIT: PRE-1959–1990
TIME
NUMBER OF HOMES
% OF TOTAL HOMES
1985-1990
1980-1984
1970-1979
1960-1969
Pre-1959
1,451
553
612
364
550
3,530
41%
16%
17%
10%
16%
100.0%
TOTAL
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census of Population,1990.
EXHIBIT II-11
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
HOUSING VALUES: 1990
VALUE RANGE
% OF TOTAL HOUSING
Less than $15,000
$15,000 - $24,999
$25,000-$49,999
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000-$149,999
$150,000-$199,999
$200,000-$299,999
$300,000-$399,999
$400,000-$499,999
$500,000 or more
2.0%
2.2%
18.9%
42.8%
15.4%
8.3%
7.5%
1.7%
0.4%
0.8%
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census of Population, 1990.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-12
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
F.
CHAPTER II
ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS
EXHIBITS II-12 through II-18 present information on income and employment in the
County.
Findings:
•
Real per capita personal income increased by 23.4 percent from 1992 ($18,842) to
1998 ($23,255). This may be accounted for in part by higher incomes of new
residents, particularly retirees.
•
In 1997, Middlesex had a Per Capita Personal Income (PCPI) of $23,137. This
PCPI ranked 25th in the State, and was 89 percent of the State average, $26,109,
and 91 percent of the national average of $25,288. The 1997 PCPI reflected an
increase of 3.2 percent from 1996. The 1996-97 State change was 4.6 percent and
the national change was 4.7 percent.
•
In 1997, Middlesex had a Total Personal Income (TPI) of $220,775,000. This TPI
ranked 89th in the State and accounted for 0.1 percent of the State total. The 1997
TPI reflected an increase of 5.1 percent from 1996. The 1996-1997 State change
was 5.7 percent and the national change was 5.7 percent.
•
Total Personal Income (TPI) includes the earnings (wages and salaries, other labor
income, proprietors’ income); dividends, interest, and rent; and transfer payments
received by the residents of Middlesex. In 1997, earnings were 48.1 percent of TPI;
dividends, interest, and rent were 29.7 percent; and transfer payments were 22.2
percent. From 1996 to 1997, earnings increased 5.2 percent; dividends, interest,
and rent increased 4.4 percent; and transfer payments increased 5.7 percent.
•
Earnings by persons employed in Middlesex increased from $68,858,000 in 1996 to
$72,745,000 in 1997, an increase of 5.6 percent. The largest industries in 1997
were state and local government, 23.4 percent of earnings; services, 22.7 percent;
and retail trade, 13.2 percent. Of the industries that accounted for at least 5 percent
of earnings in 1997, the slowest growing from 1996 to 1997 was durable goods
manufacturing (8.4 percent of earnings in 1997), which increased 0.7 percent; the
fastest was construction (11.9 percent of earnings in 1997), which increased 15.1
percent.
•
Employment in the manufacturing, farm, forestry, and fishing sectors has been on a
steady decline for 20 years.
•
Government (29 percent), services (22 percent), and retail trade (22 percent) are the
leading employment sectors.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-13
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-12
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
PER CAPITA INCOME: 1992-1998
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
Statewide
$21,280
$22,133
$23,031
$23,943
$24,950
$26,109
$28,063
Middlesex
$18,842
$19,842
$21,023
$21,449
$22,421
$23,137
$23,255
Middlesex
Statewide
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-14
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-13
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE BY INDUSTRY: 1999
1,000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Middlesex
Statewide
All Industr.
Agricul.
Mining
Const.
Manuf.
T.C.P.U.*
Trade-Wholesale
Trade-Retail
F.I.R.E.**
Service
Middlesex
367
436
0
381
449
339
457
258
524
300
Gov't
432
Statewide
635
385
826
602
688
896
905
330
841
675
660
T.C.P.U.* – Transportation, Communication, Public Utilities
F.I.R.E.** – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
SOURCE: VEC, Covered Employment and Wages, 1999 annualized data.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-15
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-14
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
TOTAL EMPLOYMENT BY SIZE OF ESTABLISHMENT: 1999
0-04
14%
100-249
24%
05-09
14%
50-99
15%
10-19
15%
20-49
18%
0-04
05-09
10-19
20-49
50-99
100-249
Note: Employment range is based on the total number of employees per establishment.
SOURCE: VEC Covered Employment and Wages, 1999 annual data, VEC 2000.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
II-16
LandMark Design Group
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-15
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
TOTAL EMPLOYERS BY SIZE OF ESTABLISHMENT: 1999
20-49
6%
50-99 100+
2% 1%
10-19
11%
05-09
18%
0-04
62%
0-04
05-09
10-19
20-49
50-99
100+
Note: Employment range is based on the total number of employees per establishment.
SOURCE: VEC Covered Employment and Wages, 1999 annual data, VEC 2000.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
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COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-16
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
UNEMPLOYMENT TRENDS: 1990-1999
8
7
6
Middlesex
5
Statewide
United States
4
3
2
1
0
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
Middlesex
3.2
3.9
5.1
4.7
5.2
3.9
3.5
3.1
2.1
2.2
Statewide
4.3
5.9
6.4
5.1
4.9
4.5
4.4
4.0
2.9
2.8
United States
5.5
6.7
7.4
6.8
6.1
5.6
5.4
4.9
4.5
4.2
SOURCE: VEC Local Area Unemployment Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
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COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-17
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY: 1999
Construction
6%
Manufacturing
11%
F.I.R.E.**
4%
Services
22%
Trade
22%
T.C.P.U.*
5%
Agriculture
1%
Mining
0%
Construction
Agriculture
T.C.P.U.*
Government
29%
F.I.R.E.**
Government
Trade
Services
Mining
Manufacturing
T.C.P.U.* – Transportation, Communication, Public Utilities
F.I.R.E.** – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
SOURCE: VEC, Covered Employment and Wages, 1999, VEC 2000.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
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COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
EXHIBIT II-18
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
WORKFORCE COMMUTING PATTERNS: 1999
2,192 people LIVE and WORK in Middlesex
SOURCE: 1990 Census of Population and Housing, VEC 1999.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
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COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, VIRGINIA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
CHAPTER II
•
Construction, retail trade, and services sector jobs have increased due primarily to
new housing starts, increased retail sales associated with population growth and
greater disposable incomes, and the service requirements of a retirement population
in combination with service sector increases experienced nationwide.
•
Unemployment rates for Middlesex County are consistently below State and
National rates and consistent with other communities within the region.
G. TOURISM
Spending by tourists and seasonal visitors is an important part of the local economy.
Tourism is primarily experienced in Middlesex in two ways:
•
Seasonal visitors "summering" in Middlesex (28.76% of housing stock is seasonal).
•
Visitors passing through the County on the way to the waters of the Chesapeake
Bay. (There are over 3,500 boat slips in marinas and other places where boats are
moored in Middlesex.)
Local merchants benefit from increased retail sales and the County benefits in the form of
personal property taxes on boats, real estate taxes on seasonal homes not requiring
extensive county services, and sales tax revenue on retail sales.
County of Middlesex, Virginia
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