King George County is ranked as one of the top 25 military communities with military populations under 10,000 in the United States in 2006 by Expansion Management magazine and was ranked first in public educational systems, third in spouse employment opportunities, eleventh in crime and safety and thirteenth in community standard of living. The largest employer in the county is the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, employing about 10,000 full-time employees. King George County is a great place for family and recreation, considered the "Gateway to the Historic Northern Neck,” and sandwiched on the north and south sides of the county with 131 miles of accessible shoreline on the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers. King George covers approximately 113,920 acres (183 square miles), of which 72,718 acres are forested, and 38,105 acres are agricultural. The county is home to approximately 20,637 citizens who are proud of their past and excited about the community's future. King George County is a transitioning rural county steeped in history that places a high priority on quality of life through the protection of natural, cultural and historical resources as well as by being a regional leader in pro-active and progressive planning, development and governmental services. Some of the most beautiful waterfront homes and real estate can be found along the river of the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers in the county. The County's location as part of the Fredericksburg region and between the Washington/Richmond metropolitan area and the serenity of Virginia's scenic Northern Neck offers a unique perspective of a changing Virginia. The County is also traversed by two major thoroughfares (US Routes 3 and 301), includes a growing state of the art fiber optics and telecommunications network and serves as home of one of the world's premier research and development centers, the Naval Surface Warfare Center - Dahlgren Division, one of the region's largest employers. The County has recently created the King George County Wireless Authority to enhance citizens' and businesses ability to enjoy high speed internet access and enjoy reasonably low tax rates while experiencing a high median family income ($66,800) for the region.  Colonial Beach often called the “Boardwalk on the Potomac” is part of the Northern Neck of Virginia and is located in the Westmoreland County Virginia. Colonial Beach is some of the most affordable waterfront real estate and is one of the area's best kept secret! Lower utility and real estate costs make this an attractive retirement and recreational opportunity. A popular summer destination for many from Southern Maryland, my husband’s family frequently visited this waterfront community during his adolescents. Colonial Beach is a great little resort town situated along the Potomac River and only a short boat ride from the bigger water of the Chesapeake Bay.
Recreational opportunities abound in more than 1,000 acres of Stafford County. Regional, state and national parks abound including 5 private marinas, 2 public fishing lakes, 7 County parks, 188 acres of athletic fields and 3 golf courses. The Rappahannock River, once a popular shipping route to the historic port of Falmouth, flows along the southern boundary of the County. The Rappahannock has been designated as a State Scenic River, and offers abundant wildlife habitat and scenic recreational opportunities. Stafford is located midway between the metropolitan areas of Washington, D. C. and Richmond, the capital of Virginia. The County encompasses 277 square miles, 65% of which is still forested. Our population in 2000 was approximately 92,000 people. Marine Corps Base Quantico, the “Crossroads of the Marine Corps”, occupies 30,527 acres in the northern end of the County and is the counties largest employer. Stafford offers excellent public services to its citizens, including one of the best school systems in the Commonwealth. Founded in 1664, Stafford has strong connections to events that shaped our nation's history. It was here, at Marlborough Point in the eastern part of the county, that Indian Princess Pocahontas was kidnapped and taken to Jamestown. Another historical figure also made Stafford his home. The county's prosperous iron industry attracted Augustine Washington, with the rest of his family, including a six-year-old son named George, to Ferry Farm. The future first president spent his formative years there until he reached young adulthood. Mining and quarrying were important industries in colonial Stafford. Iron works furnished arms for the American Revolution. Aquia sandstone, quarried in abundance on Government Island in northern Stafford, provided stone for the White House, the U.S. Capitol and trim for private homes. Stafford continues to maintain a strong connection with its rich historical tradition. Visitors can tour Ferry Farm and other compelling historical sites such as Chatham Manor, the Union Headquarters during the Battle of Fredericksburg; Belmont, the 18th century home of American artist Gari Melchers; and Aquia Church, one of the oldest colonial churches in the United States. Stafford is also the site of many businesses, including several Fortune 500 companies. A new regional airport opened in 2001, which provides new opportunities for business development. Spotsylvania Virginia is located on Interstate 95 just 56 miles south of our Nation's Capitol, Washington DC and 56 miles north of the Virginia State Capitol, the City of Richmond Virginia. Spotsylvania is a great place to live and visit and has a little of something for everyone. Outdoor activities include Lake Anna, wineries, parks and marinas. Indoor activities include Spotsylvania Town Center, bowling alleys, Central Park all of which are conveniently located off of exit 126 Interstate 95. Spotsylvania Virginia area is a great halfway stopping point if you are traveling from New England to Florida, and area hotel and lodging rates are generally less expensive then in Washington DC and Richmond Virginia. The traffic situation is also a lot less hectic in the Spotsylvania Virginia area than it is in Washington DC or Richmond Virginia. Historic Historic and Civil War attractions like the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Confederate Cemetery, and the Civil War Life Museum are greater historic Future additions to Spotsylvania The Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, proposed by Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Virginia, was approved August 25, 2006 by Robert B. Stroube, the State Health Commissioner at that time. In his explanation, Dr. Stroube noted that: “The establishment of the Spotsylvania hospital should introduce an element of beneficial competition and offer an additional, local choice of acute care services for residents of PD 16 (Planning District 16, which includes Spotsylvania, Caroline, Fredericksburg, King George and Stafford) without posing substantial harm to any existing provider of health care services. The Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors initiated and welcomes the future addition of this hospital to increase service for the ever-expanding medical needs of County citizens and area residents. Projected to open in 2010, the Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center will provide a wide range of diagnostic, medical and surgical services, including emergency care. The hospital will also enhance customer choice, bring in good jobs for residents, add tax revenue to further support state and local services, offer treatment of uninsured patients with fairness and sensitivity, and serve to invest in the future of the Spotsylvania community.Fishing, historic roots, winery cruises, antiques and historic walking tours! Reads a little like Williamsburg, but it’s not. It’s Essex County Located on Virginia's Middle Peninsula, Essex County is centrally situated just outside the Washington to Norfolk urban crescent. Nearby cities include:
Washington, DC: 100 miles North
Norfolk: 95 miles South
Richmond: 45 miles SW
I-95 / Exit #12: 47 miles
I-295 / Exit #37: 38 miles
The historic cities of Fredericksburg (40 miles north) and Williamsburg (56 miles SE) are within an hour's drive. Bounded on the northeast by the Rappahannock River, Essex County has water access to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries including major port facilities at Hampton Roads. Essex’s principal town, Tappahannock, dates back to a 17th century port settlement. Originally part of Old Rappahannock County, Essex County was formed in 1692 and named for either the English County or the Earl of Essex. |