Farmville, Virginia
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| Farmville, Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Farmville, Virginia |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Pushpin label | Farmville |
| Coordinates | 37, 18, 3, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Virginia |
| Subdivision type2 | Counties |
| Subdivision name2 | Prince Edward, Cumberland |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1798 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1912 |
| Government type | Council-Manager |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Brian Vincent |
| Area total sq mi | 7.20 |
| Area land sq mi | 7.10 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.10 |
| Elevation ft | 364 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 7,473 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 23901 |
| Area code | 434 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 51-27440 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1498470 |
| Website | www.farmvilleva.com |
Farmville, Virginia. Farmville is a town in Prince Edward County, Virginia and Cumberland County, Virginia, serving as the county seat of the former. Situated along the Appomattox River, it is a central commercial and educational hub for the surrounding Southside Virginia region. The town is historically significant for its role in the American Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, and is home to two institutions of higher learning, Longwood University and Hampden–Sydney College.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Monacan people before European settlement. Farmville was established in 1798 at the intersection of the Appomattox River and the Bush River, growing as a commercial center for the tobacco and agricultural trade. During the American Civil War, it was a strategic point; the Battle of High Bridge and the subsequent Battle of Cumberland Church occurred nearby in the final days of the Appomattox campaign before Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. In the 20th century, Farmville and Prince Edward County, Virginia became a national focal point during the Civil Rights Movement when the county's Board of Supervisors closed its entire public school system from 1959 to 1964 to avoid desegregation following the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, an event commemorated by the Robert Russa Moton Museum.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.2 square miles, of which 7.1 square miles is land and 0.1 square miles is water. Farmville is located in the Piedmont region of Virginia, primarily on the north bank of the Appomattox River. The town's geography is characterized by rolling hills, and it is bisected by U.S. Route 15 and U.S. Route 460. Key geographic features include the High Bridge Trail State Park, which features a historic, 2,400-foot-long railroad trestle over the Appomattox River, and the Farmville Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 7,473. The racial makeup was approximately 55.5% White, 35.5% African American, 3.0% Asian American, and 4.5% identifying as two or more races; Hispanic and Latino Americans of any race comprised 5.8% of the population. The population is notably youthful due to the presence of Longwood University and Hampden–Sydney College, with a median age significantly lower than the state average. The town has experienced steady growth, influenced by its educational institutions and its role as a regional center for Southside Virginia.
Economy
Farmville's economy is anchored by education, healthcare, and retail. Longwood University and Hampden–Sydney College are major employers and economic drivers. The town serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding agricultural counties, with a revitalized downtown centered around Main Street. Key employers include Centra Health, which operates the Southside Community Hospital, and various retail and service businesses catering to the student population and local residents. The Green Front Furniture complex, a large home furnishings retailer housed in historic tobacco warehouses, is a notable destination drawing customers from across the region.
Education
Public education is provided by Prince Edward County Public Schools. Farmville is the home of Longwood University, a public liberal arts university founded in 1839, and Hampden–Sydney College, a private liberal arts college for men founded in 1775, located just outside the town limits. The Robert Russa Moton Museum, located at the former Robert Russa Moton High School, is a National Historic Landmark that educates visitors on the history of the county's school closings and the fight for educational equality. The town also hosts the Farmville-Prince Edward Community Library.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with Farmville include civil rights activist Barbara Johns, who led a student strike at Robert Russa Moton High School in 1951; former Major League Baseball player and manager Jimy Williams; and United States Army general William R. Peers. Author and historian Virginius Dabney had strong ties to the area. Former National Football League player Wali Lundy and NASA astronaut Leland D. Melvin, who also served as NASA Associate Administrator, are alumni of the University of Richmond but have connections to the broader region.
Category:Towns in Virginia Category:Prince Edward County, Virginia Category:Cumberland County, Virginia Category:County seats in Virginia