Editing Henrico County, Virginia

{{short description|County in Virginia, United States}}
{{distinguish|Henry County, Virginia}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Henrico County
 | state                = Virginia
 | type                 = [[County (United States)|County]]
 | seat                 = [[Laurel, Virginia|Laurel]]
 | largest city         = [[Tuckahoe, Virginia|Tuckahoe]]
 | flag                 = Flag of Henrico County, Virginia.png
 | seal                 = Seal of Henrico County, Virginia.png
 | founded year         = 1611<ref name=shireFounding>{{cite web|last1=Henrico County|title=Henrico Becomes a Shire|url=http://henrico.us/about-henrico/history/ourhistory/henrico-becomes-a-shire/|access-date=October 28, 2014|archive-date=May 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510014425/http://henrico.us/about-henrico/history/ourhistory/henrico-becomes-a-shire/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | coordinates          = {{Coord|37.55|-77.40|display=inline,title|type:adm2nd_region:US-VA_source:UScensus1990}}
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 245
 | area_footnotes       = <ref name=5thGradeSS />
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 237.65
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 7.35
 | area percentage      = 3 (approx)<ref name=5thGradeSS />
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 334,389
 | pop_est_footnotes    = 
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 338,696 {{gain}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | district             = 4th
 | district2            = 1st
 | named for            = [[Henricus]]
 | web                  = http://henrico.us
 | ex image             = Henrico-Courthouse.jpg{{!}}border
 | ex image cap         = The Old Henrico County Courthouse in [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]].
 | ex image size        = 225px
 | leader type          = Manager
 | leader_name          = John Vithoulkas
}}

'''Henrico County''' {{IPAc-en|h|ɛ|n|ˈ|r|aɪ|k|oʊ}}, officially the '''County of Henrico''', is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Virginia]] in the United States. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 334,389<ref>{{Cite web|title=Henrico County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US51087|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}</ref> making it the [[List of cities and counties in Virginia#List of counties|fifth-most populous county in Virginia]]. Henrico County is included in the [[Greater Richmond Region]]. There is no incorporated community within Henrico County; therefore, there is no incorporated county seat either. [[Laurel, Virginia|Laurel]], an unincorporated [[Census Designated Place|CDP]], serves this function.

Named after the [[Henricus|settlement of Henricus]], Henrico was first incorporated as the City of Henrico. In 1634, Henrico was reorganized as Henrico Shire, one of the eight original [[Shires of Virginia]].<ref name=shireFounding /> It is one of the United States' oldest counties. The [[Richmond, Virginia|City of Richmond]] was officially part of Henrico County until 1842, when it became a fully [[independent city]].<ref name=HistoricalSociety>{{cite web|last1=Henrico Historical Society|title=Henrico History|url=http://www.henricohistoricalsociety.org/henricohistory.html}}</ref>

The present-day Henrico County curves around the City of Richmond, surrounding it to the west, the north, and the east. The county is bounded by the [[Chickahominy River]] to the north and the [[James River]] and Richmond to the south.<ref>{{cite web|title=See this map|url=http://www3.co.henrico.va.us/interactivemap/|access-date=October 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028202548/http://www3.co.henrico.va.us/interactivemap/|archive-date=October 28, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Richmond International Airport]] is located in the eastern portion of Henrico County in [[Sandston, Virginia|Sandston]]. Top private employers in the county include [[Capital One]], [[Bon Secours (Virginia & South Carolina)|Bon Secours]], and [[Elevance Health]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Virginia Employment Commission|title=Virginia Community Profile: Henrico County|url=http://virginialmi.com/report_center/community_profiles/5104000087.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://virginialmi.com/report_center/community_profiles/5104000087.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref>

==History==
In 1611, [[Thomas Dale]] founded the [[Henricus|Citie of Henricus]] on a peninsula in the [[James River]] that is now called [[Farrar's Island]].<ref name=Henricus>{{cite web|last1=Henrico County|title=Henricus|url=http://henrico.us/about-henrico/history/ourhistory/henricus/|access-date=October 28, 2014|archive-date=October 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028220910/http://henrico.us/about-henrico/history/ourhistory/henricus/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Henricus was named for [[Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales]], but it was destroyed during the [[Indian massacre of 1622]], during which local Native American warriors of the Powhatan confederacy attacked the English settlers to drive them from the area.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Henricus Historical Park |title=1611 Settlement |url=http://www.henricus.org/history/1611-settlement.asp |access-date=October 31, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025210416/http://www.henricus.org/history/1611-settlement.asp |archive-date=October 25, 2014 }}</ref>[[File:Henry Frederick, 1594-1612, Prince of Wales RMG L9773.jpg|thumb|[[Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales]]]]In 1634, Henrico Shire was one of the eight original [[Shires of Virginia]] established in the [[Virginia Colony]].<ref name=shireFounding /> Since then, 10 counties and three independent cities have been formed from the original territory of Henrico Shire.<ref name=HistoricalSociety />

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! County/City
! Year Founded
|-
| [[Goochland County, Virginia|Goochland County]]
| 1728
|-
| [[Albemarle County, Virginia|Albemarle County]]
| 1744
|-
| [[Chesterfield County, Virginia|Chesterfield County]]
| 1749
|-
| [[Cumberland County, Virginia|Cumberland County]]
| 1749
|-
| [[Amherst County, Virginia|Amherst County]]
| 1761
|-
| [[Buckingham County, Virginia|Buckingham County]]
| 1761
|-
| [[Fluvanna County, Virginia|Fluvanna County]]
| 1777
|-
| [[Powhatan County, Virginia|Powhatan County]]
| 1777
|-
| [[Nelson County, Virginia|Nelson County]]
| 1807
|-
| [[Richmond, Virginia|City of Richmond]]
| 1842
|-
| [[Appomattox County, Virginia|Appomattox County]] (part)
| 1845
|-
| [[Charlottesville, Virginia|City of Charlottesville]]
| 1888
|-
| [[Colonial Heights, Virginia|City of Colonial Heights]]
| 1948
|}In 1776, Richard Adams and Nathaniel Wilkenson participated in the Fifth Virginia Convention, which voted to send delegates to the Continental Congress to propose separation from the British. That proposal led to the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]].During the Revolutionary War, when Benedict Arnold's invading army occupied Richmond in January 1781, the Henrico militia was called to active duty. During the brief British occupation of Richmond, many Henrico court records were destroyed. Three months later when Arnold's men, now part of British forces led by General William Phillips, approached Richmond for a second time, the British were stopped by the sight of local militiamen and American Continental troops led by a young Frenchman, the Marquis de Lafayette. Outnumbered, Lafayette abandoned Richmond when General Charles Cornwallis occupied the town in June 1781. Cornwallis then retired to Williamsburg and later to Yorktown. After being surrounded there by General George Washington and his French allies, Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the American Revolution.<ref>{{cite web |title=Henrico's Beginnings |url=https://henrico.us/history/ourhistory/henricos-beginning/ |website=Henrico County VA }}</ref>

Since becoming independent in 1842, the [[Richmond, Virginia|City of Richmond]] has successfully [[Annexation|annexed]] portions of Henrico five times.<ref name="AnnexationMap">{{cite web|last1=Richmond Department of IT|title=Annexation History Map|url=https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=2c2cc30aec1b4c8b8ccdbdbfdc5b9116|access-date=November 3, 2014}}</ref> [[Chesterfield County, Virginia|Chesterfield County]] annexed the site of [[Henricus]] in 1922.<ref name="HistoricalSociety" />

Henrico was badly hurt in the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. During the [[Reconstruction era]], Virginia Estelle Randolph was a pioneer educator and humanitarian who lived from 1874 to 1958. She opened the old Mountain Road School in 1892 and was named the first Jeanes Supervisor Industrial Teacher in Henrico County Schools in 1908. She conducted the first Arbor Day program in Virginia.

The [[USS Henrico (APA-45)|USS Henrico]] was a Bayfield-class attack transport involved in World War Two and subsequent conflicts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the USS Henrico - Henrico County, Virginia |url=https://henrico.us/history/recent-history/history-of-the-uss-henrico/ |access-date=April 19, 2022 |website=henrico.us}}</ref>

Richmond attempted to completely merge with Henrico in 1961, but 61% of the votes in a referendum in Henrico county voted against the merger.<ref name="IrreconcilableDifferences">{{cite web|last1=Kollatz|first1=Harry|title=Irreconcilable Differences|date=November 19, 2012|url=http://richmondmagazine.com/news/irreconcilable-differences-11-19-2012/|access-date=November 2, 2014}}</ref> In 1965, Richmond attempted to annex 145 square miles of Henrico County. However, after a lengthy court battle, the city was given permission to annex only 17 square miles. Since the city would have had to reimburse Henrico a hefty $55 million, Richmond opted against annexing the 17 square miles.<ref name="5thGradeSS">{{cite web|last1=Henrico County Public Schools |title=Henrico and the Land Around Us |url=http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/Pdf/Instruction/Elementary%20Pacing%20Guides/%20Curr%20Frame%20Gr%205.pdf |access-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028234409/http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/Pdf/Instruction/Elementary%20Pacing%20Guides/%20Curr%20Frame%20Gr%205.pdf |archive-date=October 28, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="IrreconcilableDifferences" />

In 1981, the [[Virginia General Assembly]] placed a moratorium on all annexations throughout the state.<ref name="ChesterfieldAnnexation">{{cite web|last1=Adkins|first1=Sandy|title=Countdown to Jamestown #9|url=http://www.chesterfieldtourism.com/pdfs/countdown9.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.chesterfieldtourism.com/pdfs/countdown9.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|access-date=November 3, 2014}}</ref> Henrico's borders have not changed since Richmond's 1942 annexation.

[[File:VARINA FARMS, HENRICO COUNTY, VA.jpg|thumb|Varina Farms Plantation]] [[File:Malvern Cannons , Civil War Battlefield, RIchmond National Battlefield - Stierch.jpg|thumb|right|Cannons at the site of the [[Battle of Malvern Hill]]]]The original [[county seat]] was at [[Varina, Virginia|Varina]], at the [[Varina Farms]] [[Plantations in the American South|plantation]] across the James River from Henricus. Colonist [[John Rolfe]] built this plantation, where he lived with his wife, [[Pocahontas]].<ref name="VarinaMagisterialDistrict">{{cite web|last1=Henrico County|title=Varina Magisterial District|url=http://henrico.us/about-henrico/history/government/names-places-in-henrico/#VARINA%20MAGISTERIAL%20DISTRICT|access-date=October 30, 2014}}</ref> Henrico's government was located at Varina from around 1640 until 1752.<ref name="5thGradeSS" />

In 1752, Henrico relocated its seat to a more central location inside the city of Richmond, between [[Church Hill, Richmond, Virginia|Church Hill]] and what is now [[Tobacco Row, Richmond|Tobacco Row]]. The county seat remained at 22nd and Main St in Richmond even after the city's government became fully independent of the county in 1842.<ref name="HistoricalSociety" /> It was not until 1974 when the county moved out of the [[Henrico County Courthouse]] to a complex in the western portion of the county at the intersection of Parham Road and Hungary Springs Road in [[Laurel, Virginia|Laurel]].<ref name="5thGradeSS" />

In addition to the 1974 complex, in 1988 the county opened its Eastern Government Center to be more convenient to county residents in the eastern portion of the county. It is located on Nine Mile Road.<ref name="5thGradeSS" />

===American Civil War battle sites===
During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], in 1862 Henrico County was the site of numerous battles during the [[Peninsula Campaign]], including:
* [[Battle of Seven Pines]],
* [[Battle of Savage's Station]],
* [[Battle of Oak Grove]],
* [[Battle of Garnett's & Golding's Farm]],
* [[Battle of White Oak Swamp]],
* [[Battle of Glendale]], and
* [[Battle of Malvern Hill]].

Additional significant battles took place in 1864 during the [[Overland Campaign]] prior to and during the [[Siege of Petersburg]], which led to the fall of Richmond. Confederate General [[J.E.B. Stuart]] was mortally wounded in Henrico County at the [[Battle of Yellow Tavern]] on May 12, 1864.

== Transportation ==
Henrico County is one of only two counties in Virginia that maintains its own roads, with the other being [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington County]]. This special status was due to the existence of county highway departments prior to the creation in 1927 of the state agency that is now [[Virginia Department of Transportation|VDOT]]; and the assumption by that agency in 1932 of local roads in most counties. (Henrico and Arlington were grandfathered and allowed to continue pre-existing arrangements.) The control of the roads system is considered a powerful advantage for community urban planners, who can require developers to contribute to funding needed for road needs serving the planners' and developers' projects.

Henrico County is the site of [[Richmond International Airport]]. It hosts an [[Amtrak]] rail passenger station, [[Richmond Staples Mill Road station]]. It purchases public bus route services from [[Greater Richmond Transit Company]], an FTA-funded public service company that is owned equally by the City of Richmond and neighboring Chesterfield County.

After [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]], Henrico County used [[convict leasing]] to build roads in 1878.<ref name="Virginia1878">{{cite book|author=Virginia|title=Acts Passed at a General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P8M_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA436|year=1878|pages=436–442}}</ref>

Some old roads continue to be in use today, such as Horsepen Road, [[Three Notch'd Road#In Henrico County, Richmond|Three Chopt Road]], and Quiocassin Road.

===Major highways===
====Interstates====
* {{Jct|state=VA|I|64}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|I|95}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|I|195}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|I|295}}

====US Highways====
* {{Jct|state=VA|US|1}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|US|33}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|US|60}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|US|250}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|US|301}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|US|360}}

====State routes====
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|2}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|5}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|6}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|33}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|73}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|76}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|147}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|150}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|156}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|157}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|161}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|197}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|271}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|356}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|VA|895}}

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|245|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|234|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|11|sqmi}} (4.6%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Charles City County, Virginia|Charles City County]] (southeast)
* [[Chesterfield County, Virginia|Chesterfield County]] (south)
* [[Goochland County, Virginia|Goochland County]] (west)
* [[Hanover County, Virginia|Hanover County]] (north)
* [[New Kent County, Virginia|New Kent County]] (northeast)
* [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]] (south)
* [[Powhatan County, Virginia|Powhatan County]] (southwest at James River)

===National protected area===
* [[Richmond National Battlefield Park]] (part)

===Climate===
Henrico County is located within the [[humid subtropical climate]] zone and has hot and humid summers with moderately cold winters. Henrico County on average has 8 snow days. Henrico County has 88 days when the low falls below freezing, 50 days when the high exceeds 90 degrees, and 8 days when the high does not exceed freezing.

{{Weather box/concise F
| location=Tuckahoe, Virginia (1980-2010)
| source=USA.com<ref name="USA">
 "Climatological Information for Tuckahoe, Virginia",
  USA.com, 2003. Web: [http://www.usa.com/tuckahoe-va-weather.htm].</ref>
| 46.9| 50.8| 59.4| 70.1| 77.4| 85.1| 88.5| 87.1| 80.9| 70.7|60.7| 50.1 <!--highs-->
| 25.2| 27.4| 33.6| 42.9| 51.8| 61.3| 65.6| 64.4| 56.8| 45.1|36.0| 28.1 <!--lows-->
|3.2|2.9|3.9|3.3|3.9|3.5|4.3|4.2|3.7|3.3|3.6|3.4 <!--rain-->
}}
Source: Climate-data.org

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 12000
|1800= 14886
|1810= 19680
|1820= 23667
|1830= 28797
|1840= 33076
|1850= 43572
|1860= 61616
|1870= 66179
|1880= 82703
|1890= 103394
|1900= 30062
|1910= 23437
|1920= 18972
|1930= 30310
|1940= 41960
|1950= 57340
|1960= 117339
|1970= 154364
|1980= 180735
|1990= 217881
|2000= 262300
|2010= 306935
|2020= 334389
|estyear=2023
|estimate=334760
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url= https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|access-date=December 8, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing from 1790|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 2, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2014}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2014}}</ref> 2000-2010<ref name=CensusQuickfacts>{{cite web|last1=U.S. Census Bureau|title=Henrico County Quickfacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51087.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607061500/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51087.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref><br>2010-2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Henrico County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Henrico County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US51087&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Henrico County, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US51087&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|174,799
|167,030
|56.95%
|49.95%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|89,449
|96,332
|29.14%
|28.81%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|844
|888
|0.27%
|0.27%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|19,956
|32,175
|6.50%
|9.62%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|112
|127
|0.04%
|0.04%
|-
|Some Other Race alone (NH)
|792
|1,955
|0.26%
|0.58%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|5,982
|13,797
|1.95%
|4.13%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|15,001
|22,085
|4.89%
|6.60%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''306,935'''
|'''334,389'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010 Census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 306,935 people, 127,111 households, and 69,846 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1,252|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. As of 2019, there were 139,274 housing units at an average density of {{convert|568|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. In 2018, the racial makeup of the county was 57% (185,772) [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 29.5% (96,112) [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.2% (728) [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 8.2% (26,557) [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% (95) [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.98% (3,106) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.1% (10,232) from two or more races. About 5.5% (17,959) of the population was [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.<ref>{{cite web |title=ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US51087&d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Data%20Profiles&tid=ACSDP5Y2018.DP05&moe=true&hidePreview=true |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>

The largest ancestry groups in Henrico County are: [[African American|Black or African American]] (25%), [[English American]] (14%), [[German American|German]] (11%), [[Irish American|Irish]] (10%) and [[Italian American|Italian]] (4%)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genealogyInfo.php?locIndex=22915|title=Henrico County, VA - Henrico County, Virginia - Ancestry & family history - ePodunk|website=www.epodunk.com|access-date=December 2, 2017}}</ref>

In 2000, there were 108,121 households, out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.40% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 19, 7.80% from 20 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females there were 90.11 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.60 males.

In 2019, the median income for a household in the county was $68,024, and the median income for a family was $91,956. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $40,222. 9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]].<ref>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts Henrico County |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/henricocountyvirginia |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref>

== Government and politics ==
{{PresHead|place=Henrico County, Virginia|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=December 2, 2017}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|62,882|115,040|3,567|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|63,440|116,572|3,140|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|59,857|93,935|9,744|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|70,449|89,594|2,198|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|67,381|86,323|1,262|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|71,809|60,864|745|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|62,887|48,645|2,720|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|54,430|41,121|6,441|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|56,910|36,807|15,151|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|62,284|26,980|623|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|63,864|21,336|248|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|50,505|21,023|4,023|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|45,405|21,729|1,847|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|52,536|8,420|948|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|34,212|8,600|11,914|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|29,286|12,779|17|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|19,446|9,626|163|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|12,702|5,032|3,367|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|10,682|5,339|14|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,092|2,321|557|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,263|3,056|12|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,005|3,993|29|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,285|3,610|24|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,291|2,458|126|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,887|1,349|0|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|416|1,052|137|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|338|1,078|37|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|140|690|20|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|93|952|130|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|215|627|4|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|248|890|29|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,049|2,189|53|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,817|2,332|61|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,849|2,374|135|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|2,326|1,712|0|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1884|Republican|2,174|1,755|6|Virginia}}
{{PresFoot|1880|Democratic|1,032|1,180|0|Virginia}}Henrico County is managed by an appointed county manager who answers directly to the board of supervisors. The current county manager is John A. Vithoulkas.

The Board of Supervisors are:
* Brookland District – Dan Schmitt (R)
* Fairfield District – Roscoe Cooper III (D)
* Three Chopt District – Misty Whitehead (D)
* Tuckahoe District – Jody Rogish (D)
* Varina District – Tyrone E. Nelson (D)

In 2014, Henrico County won 'Best in Government' from ''Richmond Magazine''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best & Worst: Game Changers|url=http://richmondmagazine.com/best-of-richmond/richmond-game-changers/|website=Richmond Magazine|date=August 21, 2014|access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref>

There are several elected constitutional officers.
* Clerk of the Circuit Court – Heidi S. Barshinger (R)
* Commonwealth's Attorney – Shannon Taylor (D)
* Sheriff – Alisa Gregory (D)

There are also several legislative representatives.

In the U.S. House of Representatives:
* Republican [[Rob Wittman]]
* Democrat [[Jennifer McClellan]]

In the Virginia Senate:
* Democrat [[Lamont Bagby]]
* Republican [[John McGuire (Virginia politician)|John McGuire]]
* Democrat [[Lashrecse Aird]]
* Democrat [[Schuyler VanValkenburg]]

In the Virginia House of Delegates:
* Republican [[David Owen (Virginia politician)|David Owen]]
* Democrat [[Rodney Willett]]
* Republican [[Buddy Fowler]]
* Democrat [[Destiny LeVere Bolling]]
* Democrat [[Delores McQuinn]]

===National politics===

From the 1950s until the early 2000s, Henrico County was solidly Republican in presidential elections, and was considered a classic bastion of suburban conservatism. However, [[Barack Obama]] won the county in 2008, becoming the first Democrat to do so since [[Harry Truman]] in 1948, and it has voted for the Democratic nominee in every subsequent presidential election. Mirroring the shift towards Democrats seen in many affluent suburban counties across the country, [[Joe Biden]] won Henrico County by nearly 30 points in 2020.

===Law enforcement===
[[File:1862 Harper's Weekly Civil War View of Richmond, Virginia - Geographicus - Richmond-harpersweekly-1862 (cropped) jail.jpg|thumbnail|Henrico County Jail, circa 1861]]
The Henrico County Sheriff's Office and Henrico County Police are Henrico County's county-level law enforcement agencies. [[Thomas Dale]] led the county militia and was the first law enforcement officer in the county: the sheriff's department considers him the first sheriff of Henrico County.<ref name=sheriff>{{Cite web |title=History of the Henrico Sheriff's Office |url=https://henrico.us/sheriff/history-of-the-henrico-sheriffs-office/ |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=Henrico County, Virginia}}</ref> The county police were founded in 1915. In 1938, the board of supervisors put the police under the direct control of the county manager, rather than under the sheriff.<ref name=police>{{Cite web |title=Police - About Us |url=https://henrico.us/police/about/ |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=Henrico County, Virginia}}</ref>

The elected Sheriff's primary duties are managing the jail, court security, and the service of civil process. In 1880, the first courthouse and jail was constructed and housed the Sheriff's Office and Jail until 1980. In 1980, in the need for a more technological advanced and more spacious area, the Jail West at the Henrico County Government Complex was constructed. In 1996, Henrico's Sheriff's Office opened Jail East in [[New Kent County]].<ref name=sheriff />

The Henrico County Police Division is fully accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies and Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.<ref name=police />

=== Fire and EMS ===
The Division of Fire is responsible for fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, water rescue, fire prevention, fire investigation, public education, disaster preparedness and emergency management. The Henrico County Fire Department includes 548 members, of whom 526 are sworn firefighters. The division operates 68 [[Firefighting apparatus|fire apparatus]] at 20 community fire stations. The division is rated ISO class 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://henrico.us/fire/|title=Fire - Henrico County, Virginia|website=henrico.us}}</ref>

Additionally, the department encompasses several specialized units, including a Water Rescue Team, Technical Rescue Team, Hazardous Incident Team, and special events resources. In 2014, the Division of Fire responded to 41,759 emergency incidents.

The department was awarded the 2024 Governor's Fire Service Award by Glenn Youngkin, who, in a press release, praised it for its work in training and regional partnerships, particularly in supporting statewide training events.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-22 |title=Henrico Division of Fire earns 2024 Governor's Fire Service Award |url=https://www.henricocitizen.com/henrico-division-of-fire-earns-2024-governors-fire-service-award/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Henrico Citizen |language=en}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Philip Morris Ads.JPG|thumb|An advertisement for Philip Morris, now known as [[Altria]], which is headquartered in Henrico.]]
[[Altria Group]] (formerly Philip Morris) had its corporate headquarters in an [[unincorporated area]] in Henrico County.<ref>"[http://www.altria.com/contact_us/default.asp?src=home Contact Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011130347/http://www.altria.com/contact_us/default.asp?src=home |date=2009-10-11 }}."<!-- Select "Contact Information" and "Corporate Communications Contacts"--> [[Altria Group]]. Retrieved on October 19, 2009.</ref> In 2003 Philip Morris announced that it would move its headquarters from New York City to Virginia. The company said that it planned to keep around 750 employees in its former headquarters. Brendan McCormick, a spokesperson for Philip Morris, said that the company estimated that the move would save the company over $60 million each year.<ref>"[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8620036_ITM Philip Morris to Move Headquarters from New York City to Richmond, Va.]." ''[[New York Daily News]]''. March 5, 2003. Retrieved on October 19, 2009.</ref> This relocation was made with the help of the Henrico County Economic Development Authority and the Greater Richmond Partnership,<ref>{{cite web|last=Lyne |first=Jack |title=Philip Morris Relocating NYC Headquarters to Native Virginia Area |url=https://www.siteselection.com/ssinsider/bbdeal/bd030324.htm |work=Site Selection |access-date=August 16, 2013 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106094244/http://www.siteselection.com/ssinsider/bbdeal/bd030324.htm |archive-date=November 6, 2013 }}</ref> regional economic development organizations who also helped locate [[Aditya Birla Minacs]], [[Alfa Laval]], [[Genworth Financial]], and Blue Bell Ice Cream to the county.

===Top employers===
According to the county's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://henrico.us/pdfs/finance/pdfs/2014CAFR.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://henrico.us/pdfs/finance/pdfs/2014CAFR.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=County of Henrico CAFR|access-date=December 2, 2017}}</ref> the top employers in the county are:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of employees
! Community
|-
|1
|[[Henrico County Public Schools]] (Henrico County Government)
|5,000–9,999
|
|-
|2
|[[Capital One]]
|5,000–9,999
|
|-
|3
|Henrico County Government
|1,000–4,999
|[[Laurel, Virginia|Laurel]]
|-
|4
|[[Hospital Corporation of America|Henrico Doctors' Hospital]]
|1,000–4,999
|
|-
|5
|[[Anthem (company)|Anthem]]
|1,000–4,999
|
|-
|6
|[[Bank of America]]
|1,000–4,999
|
|-
|7
|[[Wells Fargo]]
|1,000–4,999
|[[Innsbrook, Virginia|Innsbrook]]
|-
|8
|[[Walmart]]
|1,000–4,999
|
|-
|9
|[[United States Postal Service]] (The US Government)
|1,000–4,999
|[[Sandston, Virginia|Sandston]]
|-
|10
|[[Genworth Financial]]
|1,000–4,999
|
|-
|11
|[[Kroger]]
|1,000–4,999
|
|-
|12
|[[SunTrust Banks]]
|500–999
|
|-
|13
|Apex Systems
|500–999
|
|-
|14
|[[Markel Corporation|Markel]]
|500–999
|
|-
|15
|Virginia Department of Social Services (Commonwealth of Virginia Government)
|500–999
|
|-
|16
|[[Dominion Resources]]
|500–999
|
|-
|17
|[[C&P Telephone|Verizon Virginia]]
|500–999
|
|-
|18
|[[J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College]]
|500–999
|
|}

==Education==

The [[school division]] known as [[Henrico County Public Schools]] consists of 45 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 10 high schools and two technical centers within one school division. In 2001, HCPS began distributing [[Apple Computer|Apple]] [[iBook]]s to every high school student. In 2003, they extended the program to middle schools. In 2005, the HCPS School Board decided to replace the iBooks with [[Dell]]'s [[Dell Inspiron|Inspiron 600M]] at the high school level. In 2006, the HCPS School Board decided to continue using Apple iBooks at the middle school level, purchasing nearly 13,000 laptops in a contract worth $15.8 million. In 2010, HCPS School Board opened a new middle school, Holman Middle School, and opened a new high school, [[Glen Allen High School]].

==Communities==

There are no existing incorporated towns, and no new municipalities can be created within the county. Henrico was the third Virginia county (after [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington]] and [[Fairfax County, Virginia|Fairfax]] counties) to be affected by a state law that prohibits the creation of any new towns or cities within the boundaries of a county with a [[population density]] of 1,000 or more per square mile.<ref>{{cite web|title=Code of Virginia § 58.1–3260|url=http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/58.1-3260/|publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia|access-date=April 23, 2016}}</ref>

===Census-designated places===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Chamberlayne, Virginia|Chamberlayne]]
* [[Dumbarton, Virginia|Dumbarton]]
* [[East Highland Park, Virginia|East Highland Park]]
* [[Glen Allen, Virginia|Glen Allen]]
* [[Highland Springs, Virginia|Highland Springs]]
* [[Innsbrook, Virginia|Innsbrook]]
* [[Lakeside, Virginia|Lakeside]]
* [[Laurel, Virginia|Laurel]]
* [[Montrose, Virginia|Montrose]]
* [[Sandston, Virginia|Sandston]]
* [[Short Pump, Virginia|Short Pump]]
* [[Tuckahoe, Virginia|Tuckahoe]]
* [[Wyndham, Virginia|Wyndham]]
{{div col end}}

===Other communities===
* [[Fair Oaks, Henrico County, Virginia|Fair Oaks]]
* [[Varina, Virginia|Varina]]

===Former towns===
Prior to 1870, the Town and later City of Richmond was located within Henrico County. Under a new Virginia state constitution in 1870, and as further clarified by the rewritten one in 1902, Richmond became an [[independent city]].

At the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century, several small incorporated towns were chartered by Acts of Assembly, primarily in areas of the county near to, but outside of, the city limits. As listed by the secretary of the Commonwealth, these included:
* Barton Heights, incorporated 1896, annexed by the City of Richmond in 1914<ref name="dls.state.va.us">{{cite web |url=http://dls.state.va.us/lrc/charters/richmond.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325033751/http://dls.state.va.us/lrc/charters/richmond.pdf |archive-date=March 25, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/testing/richmond/TownBartonHeights.html |title=--Richmond: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary |website=www.nps.gov |access-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924170856/http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/testing/richmond/TownBartonHeights.html |archive-date=September 24, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Fairmount, incorporated 1902, annexed by the City of Richmond in 1914<ref name="dls.state.va.us"/>
* Ginter Park, annexed by the City of Richmond
* Highland Park, annexed by the City of Richmond in 1914<ref name="dls.state.va.us"/>
* North Richmond, annexed by the City of Richmond

==Notable people==
* [[Van T. Barfoot]], Medal of Honor recipient
* [[Carter Family]], folk and country music group
* [[Georgia May Jobson]], social reformer
* [[Daniel Lynch IV]], baseball player
* [[Debbie Matenopoulos]], television personality
* [[Gabriel Prosser]], Revolutionary
* [[Schuyler VanValkenburg]], State Senator
* [[Constance Wu]], actress

==Trivia==
[[File:A soybean field in eastern Henrico County, VA.jpg|thumb|A soybean field in eastern Henrico County, VA. Though the county is one of Virginia's largest suburban localities, parts of it also remain under cultivation.]]
For many years, the [[United States Postal Service]] considered most of Henrico County to be unincorporated Richmond, and the majority of locations in the county had a Richmond address. However, in 2008 county residents won the right to recognize Henrico County as the locality to which they pay the majority of their taxes. As of October 1, 2008, the primary mailing address for the majority of the county was officially changed to Henrico. It was estimated that the county would recover $5 million in misdirected tax dollars due to the address change.<ref name="GR10">{{cite web|url=http://www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/pr/news-releases/news-releases-archive/2008/may/|access-date=May 29, 2008|title=Henrico Virginia}}</ref> This move has set a precedent causing many other localities in Virginia who are officially recognized by the United States Postal Service as the nearest major city to consider petitioning the United States Postal Service for their own official mailing address bearing the name of the locality to which residents actually pay their taxes.

Henrico County is the location of [[Richmond Raceway]], which is home to [[NASCAR Cup Series]] races twice a year.

Henrico County is the county that handles hazardous material spills and related problems (with three HAZMAT Teams) for the entire Central Virginia Region. Partly because of this, Central Virginia has total interoperability of Emergency Communications (Police, Fire, Recreation and Parks, Volunteer Rescue Squads, etc.) between the cities and more than ten counties.
[[File:William Byrd II.jpg|thumb|[[William Byrd II]], the founder of Richmond, was born in Henrico.]]
Henrico County has the highest bond rating (Triple, triple-A) from the three bond rating agencies in the United States, which means Henrico is known nationwide for its solid fiscal responsibility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/finance/divisions/accounting|access-date=April 25, 2011|title= Henrico Finance Department, Accounting Division}}</ref>

Henrico County residents are served by the Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services, which has a CARF three-year accreditation.<ref>{{cite web|title=CARF|url=http://henrico.us/mhds/carf/|website=Henrico County|access-date=June 11, 2015}}</ref> All fees for services rendered are based on financial need, providing mental health and recovery support services to thousands who otherwise would not be able to afford this due to their own limited financial resources. Nobody is denied service due to an inability to pay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/mhmr/ |access-date=March 7, 2011 |title=Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318090941/http://www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/mhmr/ |archive-date=March 18, 2011 }}</ref>

[[Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden]] was founded in 1984 and has {{cvt|80|acre|m2}}. It is one of only two independent public botanical gardens in Virginia, and designated a state botanical garden. A public place for the display and scientific study of plants, it features a glass conservatory, rose garden, healing garden, and accessible-to-all children's garden.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Factsheet |url=http://www.lewisginter.org/about/documents/GardenFactsheetAugust2008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012171750/http://www.lewisginter.org/about/documents/GardenFactsheetAugust2008.pdf |archive-date=October 12, 2011 |access-date=November 1, 2011}}</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[Henrico Citizen]]''
* [[Henrico County Public Schools]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Henrico County, Virginia]]
* [[Henrico County Public Library]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://henrico.us/}}
* [http://www.henricohistoricalsociety.org Henrico County Historical Society]
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970629011554/http://www.co.henrico.va.us/ |date=June 29, 1997 |title=County of Henrico }}
{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Henrico County, Virginia
|North     = [[Hanover County, Virginia|Hanover County]]
|Northeast = [[New Kent County, Virginia|New Kent County]]
|East      =
|Southeast = [[Charles City County, Virginia|Charles City County]]
|South     = [[Chesterfield County, Virginia|Chesterfield County]] and [[Richmond, Virginia|City of Richmond]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Goochland County, Virginia|Goochland County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Greater Richmond Region}}
{{Henrico County, Virginia}}
{{Virginia}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Henrico County, Virginia| ]]
[[Category:1634 establishments in the Colony of Virginia]]
[[Category:1643 establishments in the Colony of Virginia]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1634]]
[[Category:Virginia counties]]
[[Category:Counties on the James River (Virginia)]]
[[Category:Virginia shires]]
[[Category:Geography of Richmond, Virginia]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1634]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties and independent cities in Virginia]]
[[Category:Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales]]