Stafford Virginia Area
Serving Stafford Virginia and the entire Northern Virginia area, including Quantico, Fredericksburg Virginia, Spotsylvania, Prince William County, and Fairfax County Virginia:
Recreational opportunities abound in more than 1,000 acres of County, regional, state and national parks. Stafford offers numerous sports amenities including 5 private marinas, 2 public fishing lakes, 7 County parks, 188 acres of athletic fields and 3 golf courses. The Rappahannock River, once a popular shipping route to the historic port of Falmouth, flows along the southern boundary of the County. The Rappahannock has been designated as a State Scenic River, and offers abundant wildlife habitat and scenic recreational opportunities.
Founded in 1664, Stafford has strong connections to events that shaped our nation's history. It was here, at Marlborough Point in the eastern part of the county, that Indian Princess Pocahontas was kidnapped and taken to Jamestown. Another historical figure also made Stafford his home. The county's prosperous iron industry attracted Augustine Washington, with the rest of his family, including a six-year-old son named George, to Ferry Farm. The future first president spent his formative years there until he reached young adulthood. Mining and quarrying were important industries in colonial Stafford. Iron works furnished arms for the American Revolution. Aquia sandstone, quarried in abundance on Government Island in northern Stafford, provided stone for the White House, the U.S. Capitol and trim for private homes.
During the Civil War, more than100,000 troops, drawn by the county's proximity to the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad to Aquia Creek, occupied Stafford for several years.
Stafford continues to maintain a strong connection with its rich historical tradition. Visitors can tour Ferry Farm and other compelling historical sites such as Chatham Manor, the Union Headquarters during the Battle of Fredericksburg; Belmont, the 18th century home of American artist Gari Melchers; and Aquia Church, one of the oldest colonial churches in the United States.
(ALL of the above information was obtained from the site http://www.co.stafford.va.us/About_Stafford/Index.shtml)
About Fredericksburg, VA.
|
"3rd Best Small City in the Country" as named by "Life in America's Small Cities" | ||||||
 Fredericksburg, located just one hour south of Washington DC and 45 minutes north of Richmond (state capital), is actually an old Colonial town with a strong Civil War background. Though the town itself only covers a few square miles, the urban areas surrounding the city are where the growth and development is located. Fredericksburg is closely linked to Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties both of which spread out many miles in all directions. In fact most people living in the surrounding area will tell you that they live in Fredericksburg (including the staff at SimplyFredericksburg). The Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and Stafford area is reported to be one of the fastest growing areas in the CommonWealth and in the top 20 in the nation. The growth can be attributed to several facts:
Tax Situation: Current tax rates are $1.16/$100 assessed at 100% for real estate (collected in May and Nov.), $2.99/$100 assessed at 90% for personal property. Sales tax: 4.5% (3.5% state + 1% local). Meals are taxed at 4.5% while lodging is taxed at 4%. Auto decals cost $10.00 for all vehicles. All decals must be purchased within 60 days of establishing residence in the city, if moving from another state. You have 30 days, if moving from within the state. All decals are purchased at City Hall with a deadline of April 1. If stickers are not placed on the vehicles by the deadline a fine of $100.00 may be levied. Form of Government: City government offices are located at City Hall, 715 Princess Anne Street. The Fredericksburg City Council , the longest running governing body in Virginia, is composed of seven members including the Mayor. One half of the council is elected to four year terms every even numbered year. The mayor conducts the council meetings, which often deal with long term issues such as the city's emphasis on tourism and economic development. The City Council members are paid $7,000 a year and the mayor is paid $8,000. Public Transportation: There is a wide array of transportation available in and around the City. Public Facilities and Services: Electricity supplied by Dominion Virginia Power and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. Natural gas available through Columbia Gas of Virginia. Water rates are $1.00 for 100 cubic feet with sewer fees being $2.44 for 100 cubic feet. Contact the utilities office at (540)372-1182. Trash and recycling are collected twice a week. There is one landfill in the county (joint with Stafford County), which residents can use free of charge. Fredericksburg is policed by both the Fredericksburg Sheriffs Department and Fredericksburg Police Department. The City has 50+ paid firefighters and 100 volunteers. 911 emergency service is operational in the City and surrounding counties. Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles website will provide newcomers to the area with all the details pertaining to vehicle operation and when to obtain a drivers license. A branch of Central Rappahannock Regional Library system 480,000+ volumes circulate among 7 libraries in system (and one bookmobile). Library information: (540) 372-1144. The library system was rated one of America's best public libraries in a nation-wide study. Visit our Utilities page for further information. TV/Radio and entertainment: There is one local cable TV station but numerous radio stations to choose from. Lodging: There are a variety of hotels/motels available to stay at in Fredericksburg and the surrounding area. Public Schools: There are many schools in the 2 surrounding counties (Spotsylvania and Stafford) so the best thing to do outside of speaking with your neighbors is to call the school board to find out what school your child will attend. Currently your child may attend a school that is far from your place of residence. They may also pass by several other schools on their way to school everyday. The area school systems are under a constant state of re-districting, due to the rapid area growth. Colleges: Closest colleges include Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Germanna Community College with a campus in Fredericksburg, and Rappahannock Community College with campuses nearby. There is a listing of other Virginia colleges here. Recreational Facilities: There is a number of activities that are available to do whether with friends of family. Sports: The professional teams are listed with phone numbers to call for information. Local college and high school sports will available soon. Shopping: Spotsylvania Mall, off of I-95 exit 130, contains over 120 stores, including major department stores (Sears, JCPenney, Belk, Costco and Hecht's), boutiques and specialty shops. Central Park shopping area is located across from Spotsylvania Mall and is growing every day. Central Park includes Kohl's, Lowes, Target, PetsMart, Shoppers Club, Office Depot, Best Buy, Sports Authority, Men's Warehouse, Super WalMart and Borders Books. Massaponax Factory Outlet Stores, off I-95 exit 126, has approximately 20 outlet stores, including Bugle Boy, Corning Reeve and Rackroom Shoes. There are mall "general" stores located throughout the area. Statistics & Facts
Zip Codes: 22401 Area Code: 540 Phone Prefix: 220, 226, 295, 310, 318, 361, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373 Sister City: Frejus, France |
(ALL of the above information was obtained from the site http://www.simplyfredericksburg.com/fredericksburg/fredericksburg.shtml)
About Prince William County
Prince William County is located in Northern Virginia
approximately 35 miles southwest of Washington, DC. It
is bounded on the north by Fairfax and Loudoun Counties,
on the east by the Potomac River (Maryland), on the south
by Stafford County and on the west by Fauquier County.
Prince William County encompasses a total area of 348
square miles (222,615 acres) and a total land area of
338 square miles. Prince William County includes within
its boundaries the independent cities of Manassas and
Manassas Park. The combined area of Prince William
County and the independent cities is 360 square miles
(230,594 acres). Federal land accounts for approximately
41,600 acres or 18.7% of the total area, and includes
Quantico Marine Corps Base, Manassas National Battlefield
Park, Prince William Forest Park, Occoquan Bay
National Wildlife Refuge, and Featherstone National
Wildlife Refuge. Prince William County includes four
incorporated towns and fourteen census designated places
(CDPs), that is, unincorporated population centers designated
by the U.S. Census Bureau for data collection
purposes.
OVERVIEW POPULATION
According to Census 2000, the population of Prince
William County was
280,813 persons as of April 1, 2000.This equates to a population density of approximately
831persons per square mile
of land area. Between 1990 and2000, the population of the County increased by 65,127
persons (30.2%). Even though this represents relatively
rapid growth, it is not as fast as in some previous decades.
Source:
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Census 1950- Census 2000
.Prince William County Population
1950-2000
Source:
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Census 2000.Note:
The population of Prince William County includes the towns ofDumfries, Haymarket, Quantico, and Occoquan, but does not
include the independent Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Population of PWC, Cities, and Incorporated Towns
April 1, 2000
Prince William County .......................................... 280,813
Manassas City .......................................................... 35,135
Manassas Park City ................................................. 10,290
Town of Dumfries...................................................... 4,937
Town of Haymarket ...................................................... 879
Town of Quantico ......................................................... 561
(ALL of the obove information was obtained from the site http://www.pwcgov.org/default.aspx?topic=040023000130003925)
About Fairfax County
Springfield, Falls Church, Tysons Corner
Equal Housing Opportunity. This material is based on information which we consider reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete and should not be relied on as such. This offering is subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice.