New Kent County is served locally by a five-member elected Board of Supervisors, a five-member elected School Board, and elected Constitutional Officers (Clerk of Circuit Court, Commissioner of the Revenue, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer).
At the State level, the County is entirely in the 3rd Senatorial District and in the 97th District of the House of Delegates.
At the Federal level, New Kent County is served by Virginia's two senators and is completely within the 3rd Congressional District.
Click here to contact local elected officials at the local, state and federal level.
ECONOMICS
The economy of New Kent is vital and growing. The predominant economic sectors are services, government, construction, trade and manufacturing. The County of New Kent’s civilian labor force is roughly 9,555 2008) and its unemployment rate of 6.6% (2009). For more information visit our Economic Development website.
For a list of major employers and other area business information and statistics, click here for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership website
COUNTY FACTS
Click here for more Demographic Information from our
Community Development Department
Location
New Kent is strategically located in Central Virginia, along Interstate 64, between Richmond and Tidewater. It is bounded on the north by the Pamunkey and York Rivers, and on the south by the Chickahominy River. Adjoining localities include Charles City County, Henrico County, Hanover County, the Town of West Point, and James City County.
Brief History
New Kent County was formed in 1654 by the House of Burgesses when it was carved from what was then York County. New Kent’s original land area included what is now the Counties of King William, King and Queen, Spotsylvania, Louisa and parts of Caroline, Hanover and James City Counties. In fact, in the very early years of our country, New Kent County extended to the “edges of the frontier” and therefore, theoretically speaking, to the Pacific Ocean. New Kent is the birthplace of two First Ladies – Martha Washington and Letitia Christian Tyler. It was also the location of the longhouses of Chief Powhatan and his daughter, Pocahontas. Bacon’s Rebellion ended on New Kent soil in 1676. Civil War troops marched and camped in New Kent, and the Washington-Rochambeau route winds through the New Kent countryside.
Climate
New Kent County is located in the Piedmont Climate Region, and enjoys an average January temperature of 37º (F) and an average July temperature of 78º (F), with average annual rainfall of 43.77 inches and average annual snowfall of 14.4 inches.
Population
At the time of the 2000 census, the population of New Kent County was approximately 13,462. The County's December 2009 population was estimated at 18,602. New Kent has been ranked among the 100 fastest growing counties in the U. S. in terms of new dwelling units as well as in terms of percent population change.
Tax rates
County revenues from local sources are derived primarily from taxes on real estate, personal property, sales and use, consumer utility, business licenses and pari-mutuel betting. The personal property tax, which is levied on items such as boats, trailers, and cars, is $3.75 per $100 of assessed value. The real estate tax is $.73 per $100 of assessed value. Tax payments are due yearly on December 5. The sales tax in New Kent County is 5% (1% to New Kent and 4% to the State) and is collected at the point of sale. In 2005, New Kent County implemented a 4.0% Meals Tax that is collected at restaurants and at stores that sell already prepared foods such as boxed lunches, as well as a 2% Transient Occupancy (lodging) tax.
Transportation
New Kent is served by its own general aviation airport, and is in close proximity to major commercial airports in Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk. Also conveniently nearby are two major shipping ports -- the Richmond Deepwater Terminal and the Port of Hampton Roads. Over nineteen million travelers annually drive through New Kent along Interstate 64 (53,400 travelers daily), which runs through the entire length of the County and provides four interstate interchanges in New Kent. There is also easy access to both Interstates 95 and 295. Amtrak stations are easily accessed in nearby Williamsburg and Richmond, and Norfolk Southern and CSX provide transport for goods and merchandise.
Education
New Kent County is home to New Kent High School (AA), New Kent Middle School, George G. W. Watkins Elementary and New Kent Elementary School. Within an hour’s drive are several college and university campuses, including the College of William & Mary, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, Christopher Newport University, and several community college campuses, including Rappahannock, J. Sargeant Reynolds, Thomas Nelson and John Tyler.
Public Safety
New Kent is served by both career and volunteer fire & rescue companies, as well as a nationally recognized Sheriff's Department.
RECREATION
Park facilities in New Kent County are maintained by the Parks and Recreation Division of New Kent’s General Services Department. Wahrani Nature Trail, located off Route 33, consists of 100+ acres of hiking and nature trails. Quinton Community Park, located at the corner of Henpeck Road and Quinton Park Trail, provide balls fields, a playground, basketball courts, pavilion and picnic area, as well as a fitness trail. Tennis courts are available in the Courthouse village, next to New Kent Elementary. Private facilities for boating, fishing and other water activities are available along New Kent’s three rivers and large reservoir. New Kent is also home to Colonial Downs, the State’s first pari-mutuel horse track, offering seasonal thoroughbred and harness racing. Golfers will find plenty of opportunities to test their swings at New Kent’s three local courses, which include the Traditions Golf Course at Royal New Kent, the Golf Club at Brickshire, and the Brookwoods Golf Club. Within a short driving distance are a myriad of family recreation and entertainment opportunities, including Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, the monuments of Richmond, and several theme parks. Also offered in New Kent are a wide variety of youth and adult programs provided through Parks & Recreation. For more information, call Parks & Recreation at (804) 966-8502. For more information about what tourism opportunities are available in New Kent, visit our Touirism website.
MAJOR HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS
St. Peter’s Parish Church
St. Peter's Parish was established in 1679. Construction on the present church building began in 1701 and was completed by 1703. A parish with a rich and interesting history, St. Peter’s has been a church home to countless people through the years, including some as well known as George and Martha Washington, who were married in this parish (and possibly in the church building itself) in 1759. Robert E. Lee and his family worshipped here and helped rebuild the church after the War Between the States. The parish has known peace and prosperity, war and poverty, happiness and tragedy. Far from being merely a shrine to George and Martha Washington, St. Peter's is now an active and thriving parish with many activities for all ages. Tours of the church must be arranged in advance by calling the church office at ( 804) 932-4846. St. Peter's link
Old New Kent Courthouse
After a three-building courthouse complex was partially destroyed by fire during Civil War hostilities in 1862, one of the buildings was repaired and used as the courthouse until the building now known as the old courthouse was built in 1909. The old New Kent Courthouse building now serves as office space for Voter Registration, Juvenile and Domestic Relations and Court Services. Located at 12003 New Kent Highway (Route 249).
Historic Jail
Located in the Courthouse village, the Historic Jail was built in 1910 and is open daily to the public.
Cedar Grove Cemetery
Cedar Grove Cemetery is the grave site of Letitia Tyler Christian, wife of President John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States. Letitia Christian died on September 10, 1842, while her husband was serving as President, and was buried in the family cemetery on her family’s plantation. The cemetery is open to the public for visitation and is located on Emmaus Church Road.
QUICK FACTS
- Population of 18,602 (2009 estimate);
- 212 square miles of land and water;
- Located in the coastal plain, consisting mostly of flat land with some rolling hills;
- Average elevation 80 feet above sea level;
- Temperate climate, annual average temperature is 58º F;
- Average annual rainfall 43 inches, snowfall 14 inches;
- Governed by a five member Board of Supervisors, with daily operations handled by a County Administrator;
- Electricity supplied by Dominion Virginia Power with three-phase service available to industrial sites;
- Digital telephone service;
- Richmond International Airport only 10 minutes away, Newport News - Williamsburg International Airport is 30 minutes away and Norfolk International Airport just 60 minutes; locally, New Kent and West Point airports support corporate, private and hobbyist aircraft; ;
- County water & sewer service is available, or will soon be available at the I-64 interchanges, Bottoms Bridge and along the Route 33 industrial corridor;
- 66% of the County covered in pine and hardwood trees;
- Long-standing forestry conservation;
- Abundant recreational activities including hunting, fishing, boating, nature trails, golf, team sports, pari-mutuel horse racing;
- Newly constructed high school, recently renovated elementary schools, and new campus for middle school;
- Home of Cumberland Hospital for Children & Adolescents; the community is served by local medical and dental offices;
- Protected by emergency 911 service, Sheriff's Dept., paid and volunteer fire and rescue squads, full-time patrolling state troopers;
- Cable television and high speed internet available in many areas;
- Daily and weekly newspapers;
- Established residential neighborhoods; wooded acreage for home building.
