| Albemarle
County, Virginia
nestles at the foothills of the majestic Blue
Ridge Mountains. Albemarle County lies approximately 70
miles west of the bustling capital city of Richmond
and 110 miles southwest of Washington,
D.C., our nation's
capital. Willem
Anne van Keppel, the 2nd Earl of Albemarle and Virginia's
titular Governor at the time of the area's founding, is the
inspiration for the name of Albemarle County.
The towns of Crozet,
Keene,
Scottsville
and the independent city of Charlottesville
make up Albemarle County, where nearly 80,000 citizens reside
(Census
2000 data). Scottsville, population 555, is Albemarle
County's only incorporated town. This scenic town, found along
the banks of the James
River, played a vital role in central Virginia's history.
Keene is a tiny town with less than 15 residents and Crozet,
known for Crozet
Pizza, reported a population of 2,820.
Charlottesville, whose population was just over 45,000 in
the 2000 Census, is an independent city that lies within the
confines of Albemarle County. Although considered independent,
Charlottesville serves as the seat of Albemarle County. For
four years in a row, Charlottesville earned the distinction of
a prominent listing among Money
Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live and it has been
Virginia's highest ranked city in each of those four years.
Charlottesville and the Albemarle County area is a vital
economic hub for the region, where major employers such as the
Inova
Corporation and the Martha
Jefferson Hospital draw employees from a seven-county
area. Dominant sectors include agriculture, education,
manufacturing, retail, services, trade and travel. The median
income for a household is near the national average at $50,749
per year. Charlottesville, Virginia is also home to the
prestigious University
of Virginia, founded by Thomas
Jefferson. Together, the University
of Virginia Health Systems and the Martha Jefferson
Hospital provide a wealth of jobs and a dynamic healthcare
system to serve the community.
The extraordinary quality of life available to residents of
Albemarle County, VA makes the area one of Virginia's most
enviable places to live. The area contributes to a
well-balanced lifestyle through its excellent
schools, healthy economy and its wide range of
recreational opportunities. A low crime rate blends security
with a wealth of housing possibilities that range from
Jeffersonian-style estates to Colonial farmhouses. In
addition, residents enjoy a balanced climate with four full
seasons of scenic beauty. Winters are mild with an average
temperature of 37 and the mild, humid summers average 75
degrees.
Blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, Albemarle
County, Virginia also offers a wide array of cultural,
historical and recreational attractions.
The lush countryside teems with art galleries, museums, parks,
shops and wineries
that provide a balance to the areas numerous historical
attractions. Stately presidential homes include Thomas
Jefferson's Monticello, James
Monroe's Ash-Lawn Highland and James
Madison's Montpelier. Other popular sites include the
Court Square Area and Michie
Tavern.
Albemarle
County, VA
includes nearly 730 square miles of striking beauty
characterized by a vibrant skyline that illuminates the vast
rolling hills. Cultural and educational advantages blend well
with a prosperous economy to rank Albemarle County among America's
premier communities for business and living.
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