Page County

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 314 square miles (810 km2), of which 311 square miles (810 km2) is land and 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) (1.0%) is water. The highest point in Page County is Hawksbill Mountain, which is located along the border with Madison County within Shenandoah National Park.

Adjacent counties

Shenandoah County – northwest

Warren County – north

Rappahannock County – east

Madison County – southeast

Greene County – southeast

Rockingham County – south

National protected area

George Washington National Forest (part)

Shenandoah National Park (part)

Major highways

US 211

US 340

Skyline Drive

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 23,709. The median age was 46.4 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.4 males age 18 and over.

20.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 80.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 9,866 households in the county, of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 11,751 housing units, of which 16.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.8% were owner-occupied and 28.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%.

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,177 people, 9,305 households, and 6,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 74 people per square mile (29 people/km2). There were 10,557 housing units at an average density of 34 units per square mile (13 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.65% White, 2.61% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,305 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,359, and the median income for a family was $39,005. Males had a median income of $27,199 versus $19,821 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,321. About 10.10% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 14.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Towns

Luray

Shenandoah

Stanley

Education

K-12

Page County has a total of 8 public schools: 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools.

In addition to the public schools, Page County has a Technical Center with programs in:

Automotive Technology

Cosmetology

Electricity

Welding

Health Sciences

Higher education

Laurel Ridge Community College's Luray-Page County Center is located in Luray, which provides college and workforce development classes. Jenkins Hall features more than 13,000 square feet of educational space, including classrooms, science and health labs, a trades lab, student commons, and administrative offices.

The college in Luray is a satellite site for a physical therapy assistant degree program, plus phlebotomy, medical office assistant, HVAC, and heavy equipment operator classes.

Students can earn an Associate Degree in many different subjects, or can take general education classes to transfer into a four-year university.

Politics

Since 1940, Page County has been a stronghold for the Republican Party in presidential elections.

The Page County Board of Supervisors has six members, one from each voting district and one at-large chairman.

Notable people

Arthur William Aleshire (February 15, 1900 – March 11, 1940) was a U.S. representative from Ohio.

Edward Mallory "Ned" Almond (December 12, 1892 – June 11, 1979) was a controversial United States Army general best known as the commander of the Army's X Corps during the Korean War.

Floyd Wilson Baker (October 10, 1916 – November 17, 2004) was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns (1943–1944), Chicago White Sox (1945–1951), Washington Senators, (1952–1953), Boston Red Sox (1953–1954) and Philadelphia Phillies (1954–1955).

William Randolph Barbee (January 17, 1818 – June 16, 1868) was an American sculptor recognized for creating idealized, sentimental classical figures.

Herbert Barbee (October 8, 1848 – March 22, 1936) was an American sculptor.

Peter Bouck Borst (June 23, 1826 – April 24, 1882) was an active participant in the mid-19th century development of Page County, Virginia, serving as a lawyer, county delegate to Virginia's Secession Convention of 1861, and president of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad.

Patrick Henry Brittan (September 21, 1815 – March 18, 1868) was quartermaster general of Alabama (1857–59) and 10th Secretary of State for Alabama (1860–65).

Wayne Comer (February 3, 1944 – October 4, 2023) is a former Major League Baseball player.

Charles Frederick Crisp (January 29, 1845 – October 23, 1896) was a United States political figure. A Democrat, he was elected as a Congressman from Georgia in 1882, and served until his death in 1896. From 1890 until his death, he was leader of the Democratic Party in the House, as either the House Minority Leader or the Speaker of the House. He was also the father of Charles R. Crisp who also served in Congress.