Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 11,998. It is the county seat of James City County, although it is itself an independent city. Williamsburg is best known for the restored colonial area of the city, Colonial Williamsburg.

Contents

1 History 1.1 Shire to county to city 1.2 College of William and Mary, Capital of Virginia Colony 1.3 20th century restoration: Colonial Williamsburg 1.4 Anheuser-Busch: brewery, theme park, development 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Transportation 4.1 Highways and ferry 4.2 Bus 4.3 Rail 4.4 Airports 5 External links

History

Shire to county to city

During the 17th century, shortly after establishment of the Jamestown Settlement in 1607, English settlers and explored and began settling the areas adjacent to Hampton Roads. In 1634, by order of the King of England, eight shires or counties with a total population of approximately 5,000 inhabitants were established in the colony of Virginia.

James City Shire, as well as the James River and Jamestown took their name from King James II. About 1642-43, the name of the James City Shire was changed to James City County.

In 1752, the Lewis Hallam theater troupe arrived in Williamsburg, signifying the birth of professional theater in the United States.

Williamsburg became an independent city from James City County in 1884. However, it is still the county seat of James City County, and they share a school system, courts, and some consitutional officers.

College of William and Mary, Capital of Virginia Colony

The town was first called "Middle Plantation", but was renamed Williamsburg in honor of King William III of England. The College of William and Mary was established in the town in 1693. Williamsburg was the capital of the British colony of Virginia from 1699 when it was relocated from Jamestown. The town was granted a royal charter as a city in 1722.

In 1780, during the American Revolutionary War, the capital was moved to Richmond at the urging of then-Governor Thomas Jefferson, who was afraid that Williamsburg's location made it vulnerable to a British attack.

During the American Civil War, the Battle of Williamsburg was fought nearby on May 5, 1862, during the Peninsula Campaign.

20th century restoration: Colonial Williamsburg

In the early 20th century, one of the largest historic restorations ever undertaken, was championed by the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin of Williamsburg's Bruton Parish Church to celebrate the patriots and the early history of America. He enlisted the financial support of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. who financed a project to restore a large portion of the city's 18th century buildings to their original condition. The restored area is known as Colonial Williamsburg, and forms part of the Historic Triangle with Jamestown and Yorktown.

Anheuser-Busch: brewery, theme park, development

Anheuser-Busch has large operations in James City County, just outside the city. The company operates a large brewery there, and a subsidiary of the company operates two of its Busch Gardens theme parks near the brewery. Anheuser-Busch's subsidiary Busch Properties operates a commerce park, McLaw's Circle and Kingsmill on the James a residential neighborhood that contains a resort of the same name.

Geography

Williamsburg is located at 37°16'29" North, 76°42'30" West (37.274882, -76.708339)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.5 km² (8.7 mi²). 22.1 km² (8.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.50% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 11,998 people, 3,619 households, and 1,787 families residing in the city. The population density is 542.4/km² (1,404.1/mi²). There are 3,880 housing units at an average density of 175.4/km² (454.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 79.54% White, 13.34% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 4.58% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 2.52% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,619 households out of which 16.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% are married couples living together, 9.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 50.6% are non-families. 35.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.07 and the average family size is 2.66.

The age distribution, which is heavily influenced by the College of William and Mary, is: 9.6% under the age of 18, 46.0% from 18 to 24, 17.7% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 23 years. For every 100 females there are 81.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $37,093, and the median income for a family is $52,358. Males have a median income of $28,625 versus $26,840 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,483. 18.3% of the population and 9.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 29.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Transportation

Highways and ferry

Williamsburg is served by east-west Interstate 64 which parallels U.S. Highway 60 in the area. State Highway 199 surrounds the city in a semicircle and is occasionally humorously called the Williamsburg Beltway. Virginia State Highway 5 links the city with the James River Plantations along the north shore of the river, Interstate 295 and Richmond. Virginia State Highway 31 links the city to Jamestown and the toll-free Jamestown Ferry which connects to Virginia State Highway 10 at Surry, offering access to plantations south of the river as well as Hopewell, City Point, and Smithfield, Virginia.

The Colonial Parkway provides a bucolic low-speed link between the points of the Historic Triangle which in addition to Colonial Williamsburg, included Jamestown and Yorktown.

Bus

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines. Local public transit bus and paratransit services are provided by James City County Transit.

Rail

Williamsburg is served by several Amtrak trains a day, with direct service to Newport News, Richmond, and points along the Northeast Corridor from Washington DC through New York City to Boston.

Airports

Williamsburg is officially served by Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, in nearby Newport News. However, residents and visitors often fly out of Norfolk International Airport or Richmond International Airport which are larger; both airports have considerably more flights, and Williamsburg is roughly equidistant from the two.

External links

• Colonial Williamsburg home page
• City of Williamsburg official home page
• College of William and Mary home page
• Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools home page
• Providence Classical School home page
• Colonial Williamsburg site
• Welcome to James City County, Virginia
• Williamsburg Area Covention and Visitors Bureau - The Official Web Site