Emporia, Virginia

Emporia, Virginia
Independent city

Downtown Emporia

Seal
Nickname(s): "E-Town"

Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Coordinates: 36°41′34″N 77°32′17″W / 36.69278°N 77.53806°W / 36.69278; -77.53806
Country United States
State Virginia
County None (Independent city)
Chartered 1967
Government
 • Mayor Mary L. Person
Area
 • Total 7.0 sq mi (18 km2)
 • Land 6.9 sq mi (18 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation 128 ft (39 m)
Population (2013)
 • Total 6,170
 • Density 859/sq mi (332/km2)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 23847
Area code(s) 434
FIPS code 51-25808[1]
GNIS feature ID 1498475[2]
Website http://www.ci.emporia.va.us/

Emporia is an independent city located within the confines of Greensville County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,927,[3] making it the second-least populous city in Virginia. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Emporia with surrounding Greensville county for statistical purposes. It is the county seat of Greensville County.[4]

History

The Town of Hicksford (also sometimes called Hick's Ford) was settled in 1710 in the Virginia Colony, where the Fort Road of eastern Virginia crossed the Meherrin River en route to Fort Christanna. After statehood, the Town of Belfield was established in 1798 on the north bank of the river. The two Greensville County towns merged in 1887 to form the new incorporated town of Emporia, which was named after the town of Emporia, Kansas. The Town Emporia was re-chartered by the Virginia General Assembly as an independent city in 1967.

Emporia has long been a transportation crossroads. Currently, a major north-south railroad line of CSX Transportation crosses with an east-west line of Norfolk Southern. U.S. Route 58 crosses east-west and Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 301 cross north-south.

The Belfield-Emporia Historic District, Hicksford-Emporia Historic District, Greensville County Courthouse Complex, Greensville County Training School, H. T. Klugel Architectural Sheet Metal Work Building, Old Merchants and Farmers Bank Building, and Village View, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[5]

Geography

Emporia is located at 36°41′34″N 77°32′17″W / 36.69278°N 77.53806°W / 36.69278; -77.53806 (36.693018, -77.53809).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.0 square miles (18.1 km2), of which 6.9 square miles (17.9 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (1.1%) is water.[6] The city is located about 65 miles south of Richmond, about 80 miles west of Norfolk and about 60 miles north of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The City of Emporia is very close to Gaston, North Carolina. The City of Emporia also has the high school, Greensville County High School and the Emporia branch of Southside Virginia Community College.

Climate

Climate data for Emporia, Virginia.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 81
(27)		 82
(28)		 89
(32)		 95
(35)		 95
(35)		 103
(39)		 109
(43)		 103
(39)		 100
(38)		 96
(36)		 85
(29)		 80
(27)		 109
(43)
Average high °F (°C) 49.4
(9.7)		 53.2
(11.8)		 61.2
(16.2)		 70.7
(21.5)		 78.1
(25.6)		 85.9
(29.9)		 89.5
(31.9)		 87.9
(31.1)		 81.9
(27.7)		 72.0
(22.2)		 62.9
(17.2)		 52.8
(11.6)		 70.5
(21.4)
Average low °F (°C) 27.2
(−2.7)		 29.3
(−1.5)		 36.1
(2.3)		 44.7
(7.1)		 54.0
(12.2)		 63.1
(17.3)		 68.0
(20)		 65.9
(18.8)		 59.0
(15)		 46.8
(8.2)		 37.7
(3.2)		 30.1
(−1.1)		 46.8
(8.2)
Record low °F (°C) −4
(−20)		 0
(−18)		 12
(−11)		 21
(−6)		 32
(0)		 41
(5)		 50
(10)		 44
(7)		 34
(1)		 23
(−5)		 12
(−11)		 −10
(−23)		 −10
(−23)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.31
(84.1)		 3.04
(77.2)		 3.76
(95.5)		 3.27
(83.1)		 3.85
(97.8)		 3.68
(93.5)		 5.23
(132.8)		 4.73
(120.1)		 4.05
(102.9)		 2.90
(73.7)		 2.92
(74.2)		 3.21
(81.5)		 43.96
(1,116.6)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 2.4
(6.1)		 1.9
(4.8)		 0.9
(2.3)		 0.1
(0.3)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.1
(0.3)		 1.2
(3)		 6.6
(16.8)
Source: The Western Regional Climate Center[7]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18901,088—
19001,027−5.6%
19102,01896.5%
19201,869−7.4%
19302,14414.7%
19402,73527.6%
19505,664107.1%
19605,535−2.3%
19705,300−4.2%
19804,840−8.7%
19905,3069.6%
20005,6656.8%
20105,9274.6%
Est. 20145,462[8]−7.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12]
2013 Estimate

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,927 people residing in the city. 62.5% were Black or African American, 32.7% White, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.1% of some other race and 1.5% of two or more races. 4.4% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 5,665 people, 2,226 households, and 1,406 families residing in the city. The population density was 821.9 people per square mile (317.5/km²). There were 2,412 housing units at an average density of 349.9 per square mile (135.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 42.45% White, 56.15% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. 1.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,226 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 21.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 83.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,333, and the median income for a family was $35,743. Males had a median income of $27,772 versus $21,657 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,377. About 11.4% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

Festivals

The Emporia Bicycling Club hosts regular group rides, including the annual Great Peanut ride which attracts hundreds of bicyclists who ride to visit a peanut farm and are treated to hearty meals and live entertainment at camp. The Virginia Pork Festival is held each second Wednesday in June.

Traffic enforcement

The city is perhaps best known, along with surrounding Greensville County, for rigorous enforcement of speeding laws; local law enforcement patrols 3.0 miles of Interstate 95 and 3.7 miles of U.S. Route 58. Enforcement of traffic laws, most notably speed limits, supports local government; in FY 2013-4 court fines and courthouse fees, paid mostly through traffic citations, are expected to total $1.32 million, or 10.4% of all of Emporia's locally raised revenue.[14]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Emporia has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[15]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ↑ Staff (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  6. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. ↑ "Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Information". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  13. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  14. ↑ "Proposed FY15-General and Utility Fund Budgets" (PDF). ci.emporia.va.us. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  15. ↑ Climate Summary for Emporia, Virginia

External links

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Coordinates: 36°41′35″N 77°32′17″W / 36.693018°N 77.53809°W / 36.693018; -77.53809

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