|
|
|
|
Centreville, Virginia
|
| |
|
| |
Centreville is an unincorporated community in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as a Census Designated Place (CDP), the community population was 48,661 as of the 2000 census and is approximately 20 miles from Washington, DC.
rding to a tourism pamphlet published by the Fairfax County government 1907 and preserved in the University of Virginia's libraries, Centreville was the first proper town within the modern boundaries of Fairfax County, settled under the name of Newgate or New Gate at some point in the 17th or 18th century.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Centreville, Virginia' Start a new discussion about 'Centreville, Virginia' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
Centreville is an unincorporated community in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as a Census Designated Place (CDP), the community population was 48,661 as of the 2000 census and is approximately 20 miles from Washington, DC.
History
Colonial
According to a tourism pamphlet published by the Fairfax County government 1907 and preserved in the University of Virginia's libraries, Centreville was the first proper town within the modern boundaries of Fairfax County, settled under the name of Newgate or New Gate at some point in the 17th or 18th century. The town never thrived, but its position on a relatively major road towards the Blue Ridge, the Shenandoah Valley, and other western destinations preserved its tavern and general store even after the town of Newgate became a memory. In later colonial times, presumably in the 18th century, when word came that a major new north-south road was to pass through the general vicinity, the few residents of the roadside locale came together and declared themselves the town of Centreville in hopes of attracting the road and becoming an important town at the intersection of north-south and east-west roads. Sadly, the road took another route; Manassas to the southwest became the local hub of transportation, and the town fell back into obscurity. The growing prosperity of the region, however, gave Centreville life enough to keep its identity to the present day.
Civil War
In the Civil War, several battles were fought nearby including the First Battle of Manassas, the Second Battle of Manassas, and the Battle of Chantilly. During the winter of 1861 and early 1862 the town was significantly fortified by the Confederacy and served as a supply depot for both sides at various points in the war, and is famous for being the site of the construction of the first railroad ever built exclusively for military use, the Centreville Military Railroad. Centreville was of significant strategic value due to its proximity to several important roads, while its position atop a high ridge provided a commanding view of the surrounding area. The town was frequently associated with Confederate Colonel John S. Mosby, whose partisan rangers used its hillsides and farms as a base of operations, leading to the sobriquet of Mosby's Confederacy.
Modern
In 1943, Centreville was still so small that a state map book individually, on a map of the entire county, indicated each building in the town (and also misspelled its name). In more recent times, Centreville has become a suburb of Washington, D.C. Most growth occurred in the late '90s and early 2000s due the influx of technology companies. Now, Centreville is quite a typical wealthy American suburb, composed of luxury townhomes, strip malls, a movie theater, and large housing developments.
Throughout Centreville's history, the correct spelling of the name has been accompanied by the corruption "Centerville", which appears on the occasional map of the region from the colonial period into the early 20th century. The latter spelling occurs in the index of the aforementioned pamphlet, but the correct spelling appear in both the text and the table of contents. The 1943 map lists the town as "Centerville", but evidence for a consistent "re" spelling before this date seems substantial.
A local newspaper, The CentreView, now records local events and happenings in the community and surrounding communities such as Clifton.
Geography
Centreville is located at (38.842470, -77.442621).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.2 kmē), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2006, there is a population as of 2005 of 49,789 people, 21,789 households, and has 16,096 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5,001.4 people per square mile (1,930.9/kmē). There were 18,176 housing units at an average density of 1,868.1/sq mi (721.3/kmē). The racial makeup of the CDP was 73.49% White, 14.25% Asian, 2.88% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.65% from other races, and 3.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.17% of the population.
There are 21,789 households, out of which 41.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the CDP, the population is spread out, with 28.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 43.7% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there are 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the CDP was $87,932, and the median income for a family was $94,803. Males had a median income of $70,123 versus $41,117 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $40,878. About 2.0% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.
Population history of Centreville CDP
From the U.S. Census Bureau:
- 1880: 96 (Z)
- 1980: 7,473
- 1990: 26,585
- 2000: 48,661
- 2005: 49,789
- 2007: 50,414
(Z): Population recorded when the census tabulated figures of unincorporated places for the first time. (Source: . Note: The link is a PDF file.)
Transportation
Centreville is served by three major roads. U.S. Route 29 enters Centreville from the west and is the main artery through the town. Virginia Route 28 enters from the south and interchanges with U.S. Route 29 in between Centreville's two main shopping centers. Braddock Road has several stretches of pavement in Centreville. Finally, Interstate 66 comes from the south-west and interchanges with both routes before heading off toward Washington, D.C. in the east or western Virginia. The three roads are part of an interesting, if not frustrating traffic pattern. Drivers heading north on SR 28 are able to exit onto Interstate 66 eastbound, but they must use a one-mile stretch of US 29 to access the westbound side of the Interstate. Likewise, Interstate 66's Exit 53 only provides access to SR 28 northbound; one must use Exit 52 and the same stretch of US 29 to reach SR 28 south.
List of notable people from Centreville
- Ormond Stone, an astronomer, mathematician, and educator who founded the Fairfax County Public Library. Stone Middle School and are both named in honor of him. Stone Road was also the site of Centreville's first traffic accident fatality.
- Jayson Blair, Former NY Times journalist who was accused of fabricating newspaper articles, attended Centreville High School
- Brandon Snyder MLB 1st round draft pick (Orioles)
- Seung-hui Cho, a twenty-three year old student who opened fire and killed thirty-two students and teachers before committing suicide in the Virginia Tech massacre on April 16, 2007.
- Caron Butler, NBA player for the Washington Wizards that currently resides in Centreville.
- Will Montgomery Played at VT and was drafted in 2006 to the Carolina Panthers
- Marcus Hamilton Played at Centreville HS, went to UVA and was signed to play with the Tampa Bay Bucs
- Reema Samaha and Erin Peterson, both victims of Virginia Tech shooting
Education
Residents are zoned to schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools.
Centreville has two middle schools, Liberty Middle School and Ormond Stone Middle School. Some Centreville middle school students also go to Rocky Run Middle School.
Centreville High School, located within the boundaries of the town of Clifton, serves much of Centreville. Some of Centreville is served by Chantilly High School and Westfield High School, which opened in 2000 in the community of Chantilly.
Nearby towns, communities, etc.
|
| |
|
|
