CPPC 03-08-21 Meeting Agenda1.Comprehensive Plan Update
1.A.Comprehensive Plan Update
The CPPC will review:
A. The Plan (Draft Section Review - Part 1) – Purpose of the Plan, Core Values, Code
of Virginia, Implementing the Plan, Supporting Planning Documents, Comprehensive
Plan Amendments and Section I - Urban Areas.
B. Appendix II – Historical Background, Geography and Demographics
2.Other
AGENDA
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS AND PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021
7:00 PM
FIRST-FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
FREDERICK COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
CPPC03-08-21ComprehensivePlanUpdatePart1.pdf
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Comprehensive Plans and Programs Committee
Agenda Item Detail
Meeting Date: March 8, 2021
Agenda Section: Comprehensive Plan Update
Title: Comprehensive Plan Update
Attachments:
CPPC03-08-21ComprehensivePlanUpdatePart1.pdf
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Item 1 - Comprehensive Plan Update
At the March 2021 meeting, the Comprehensive Plans and Programs Committee (CPPC) will begin
working on the update to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan. The current 2035 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in
January of 2017. The Code of Virginia requires localities to review and update their plan every five years;
therefore, the updated Plan would need to be adopted by January of 2022. Due to the size of the document and
the two appendices, the updates are planned to be sent in blocks over the next few months to ensure adequate
time for committee members to review the materials prior to each scheduled meeting.
Please find attached the following sections for the Part 1 review:
1. The Plan (Draft Section Review - Part 1) – Purpose of the Plan, Core Values, Code of Virginia,
Implementing the Plan, Supporting Planning Documents, Comprehensive Plan Amendments
and Section I - Urban Areas.
2. Appendix II – Historical Background, Geography and Demographics
The attached documents show the existing ordinance with the proposed changes (with additions shown
in red and deletions in strikethrough; please note that the demographics section of Appendix II needed
to be completely updated and therefore does not show the changes. Staff is seeking comments and
recommendations from the CPPC on the attached sections.
Please contact staff if you have any questions or need additional information.
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INTRODUCTION
THE 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN i
INTRODUCTION
• PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
• CORE VALUES
• THE CODE OF VIRGINIA – LEGAL BASIS FOR THE PLAN
• IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
• COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS
“THE 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS THE GUIDE
FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF FREDERICK
COUNTY.”
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INTRODUCTION
THE 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ii
PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
The 2035 Frederick County Comprehensive Plan (The Plan) addresses the future growth of
Frederick County for its citizens, highlights its rich history, and strives to further this great
community. The Plan is guided by the Vision Statement and Core Values crafted and adopted
by the Frederick County Board of Supervisors.
The Comprehensive Plan is a vital tool that provides direction for future growth, aimed at
ensuring orderly well-planned development to promote, preserve and protect the health,
safety, general welfare, and quality of life for the citizens and businesses of Frederick County.
Comprehensive Plans are general in nature. Their purpose is not to regulate, but rather to
guide land use, transportation, public facilities, infrastructure, and resources decisions. The
Comprehensive Plan is a living document that focuses on the next twenty years by providing
guidance for development decisions. The Plan should be amended in response to new
information or changes in circumstances, without straying from its underlying vision and
goals.
The 2035 Comprehensive Plan is the guide for the future growth of Frederick
County.
PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS, INPUT, AND OUTREACH
2030, 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLANS & THE 2021 UPDATE
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan was a significant and rewarding undertaking in 2010 and 2011;
this document provided a foundation for the 2035 Comprehensive Plan (update adopted in
2017) The County’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan was guided by the Frederick County Planning
Commission, through the efforts of the Comprehensive Plans and Programs Committee (CPPC)
and with the assistance of the BlueRibbon Panel and the Frederick County Department of
Planning and Development Staff.
In 2010 the County began a complete rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan, which was
completed and adopted 2011 (2030 Comprehensive Plan). This endeavor involved public
outreach meetings and collaboration with citizen volunteers who assisted with drafting new
chapters. This document provided a foundation for the 2035 Comprehensive Plan (update
adopted in 2017) and this 2021 update. This updated Comprehensive Plan was guided by the
Frederick County Planning Commission, through the efforts of the Comprehensive Plans and
Programs Committee (CPPC) and the Frederick County Department of Planning and
Development Staff. This Plan will continue to guide the County as it seeks to implement the
County’s vision as expressed by the Board of Supervisors.
The public outreach for this project included: a project webpage, County social media which
provided on-going updates, and traditional public input meetings and public hearings held in
the June of 2016. The purpose of these meetings was to present elements of the Plan to the
public for their information, and to seek additional public input and perspective. In addition
to Staff, members of the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors were in attendance
to hear feedback first-hand and engage in a direct dialogue with citizens.
The Comprehensive Plans and Programs Committee (CPPC) members collaborated with a
large group of citizen volunteers whose goal was to update the various chapters of the
Comprehensive Plan. Following an initial kick-off meeting in June 2015, the working groups
met frequently throughout the winter of 2015-2016. For the 2035 Plan update, the Frederick
County Sanitation Authority (FCSA) was involved to provide additional input. A series of public
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INTRODUCTION
THE 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN iii
informational and input meetings was held in June 2016 at various locations around the
Community.
The purpose of these meetings was to present draft elements of the Plan to the public for
their information, and to seek additional public input and perspective through a facilitated
discussion using targeted questions and open dialogue. In addition to Staff, members of the
Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors were in attendance to hear feedback first-
hand. Public feedback was also solicited throughout the update through the project page on
the County website. Online, citizens and stakeholders were also able to review draft
documents, maps and respond to targeted questions regarding the future of their Community.
Based upon the work of all of the participants, the 2035 Comprehensive Plan was updated
and presented to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors during a joint meeting
in August 2016 and subsequently through the public hearing process in January of 2017.
The updated 2035 Comprehensive Plan will continue to guide the County as it seeks to
implement the County’s vision as expressed by the Board of Supervisors.
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INTRODUCTION
THE 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN iv
CORE VALUES
The Frederick County Board of Supervisors provided the framework for the 2035
Comprehensive Plan. The Plan’s future focus, goals, and strategies were crafted to reflect the
Vision Statement and Core Values of the Board of Supervisors, approved on December 9,
2009.
Board of Supervisors Vision Statement:
“Ensuring the quality of life of all Frederick County Citizens by preserving the past and
planning for the future through sound fiscal management.”
Board of Supervisors Core Values:
• A government that is accountable and dedicated to providing responsible
stewardship for County funds and to insure the citizens receive the best services
possible for the funds expended.
• A government concerned with long range planning that protects our rural heritage
and directs its future growth through planned infrastructure.
• A government concerned with expanding commercial and industrial tax base in
order to insure a viable and thriving economy.
• A government that looks to the future and implements plans to insure that the
quality of life for future generations is preserved.
• A government that emphasizes a quality education through a cooperative effort
with the school board.
• A government that recognizes the importance of maintaining a highly trained public
safety program to provide efficient services and protection to County citizens.
• A government that promotes the spirit of cooperation with its regional local
government partners and, in particular, the City of Winchester.
• A government unit based on honesty, trust, integrity, and respect that understands
the importance of clear communication and a willingness to listen.
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INTRODUCTION
THE 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN v
THE CODE OF VIRGINIA - LEGAL BASIS FOR THE PLAN
The Code of Virginia (Section 15.2-2223) requires localities to adopt a comprehensive plan
for the physical development of jurisdictions. The Code requires that consideration be given
to existing conditions and growth trends. The purpose of a plan is to guide and accomplish a
coordinated development of the jurisdiction to promote the health, safety, prosperity, and
general welfare of the community. The plan should be used to protect and enhance the high
quality of life our citizens enjoy today, and the probable needs of future county citizens, in
order to maintain that quality of life in the foreseeable future.
A comprehensive plan provides a blueprint for the future by laying out a framework for growth
and development. It establishes goals, objectives, policies and implementation techniques
that will provide the tools to help the decision makers guide the County’s future development.
The plan coordinates transportation, utilities, schools and other public infrastructure needs
with anticipated growth and development.
As required by the Code, the plan must be reviewed at least every five years and may be
amended as necessary.
IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
The Plan contains chapters that focus on particular aspects of the County’s Vision for the
Future. The chapters of The Plan address: Urban Areas, Rural Areas, Residential
Development, Business Development, Transportation, Public Facilities, Natural
Resources, and Historic Resources.
The chapters of The Plan are simple, each describes where we are today and where we want
to be in 2035 we see ourselves in the future. The Chapters they provide goals and strategies
of implementation, and they illustrate the benefits of the implementation of this focus for the
future.
Each of the chapters that make up the Plan have been structured to provide goals for where
we desire the Community to be in 2035 and strategies that provide guidance on how to get
there. The ultimate goal is to make the Plan implementable, and by extension, achieve the
Community’s vision for the future of Frederick County.
In determining the focus of the Plan, the stakeholder working groups evaluated the current
conditions in their area of expertise, and then looked to the future; 2035. They evaluated
potential community benefits of various approaches and revised goals and strategies
accordingly.
Working with community partners and a variety of key stakeholders in the creation of the
Plan has resulted in a well-crafted, insightful, and much improved Plan. The continued
involvement of a variety of relevant community partners, key stakeholders, and the public in
the future will ensure the successful implementation of the Plan.
The Plan is supported by two Appendices:
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INTRODUCTION
THE 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN vi
Appendix I includes the County’s Area Plans, these area plans are the key land use planning
documents which implement the policies of the Comprehensive Plan in specific, geographic
areas of the County. The Area Plans, Appendix I of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, will be a
are the primary implementation tool and are will be instrumental in future planning efforts of
the County. Developed over the past couple of decades, the individual Area Plans have helped
to guide the growth and development of areas of the County experiencing growth pressures.
In the future, the Area Plans will be used as a guide in making land use decisions that meet
anticipated growth demands, assure a viable community, and maintain a high quality of life
for its citizens.
Appendix II provides background analysis and studies in support of The Plan.
SUPPORTING PLANNING DOCUMENTS
In addition to the comprehensive plan, other tools utilized to manage the County’s growth
and development include, but are not limited to the Official Zoning Map, the Zoning and
Subdivision Ordinances, Rezonings, Subdivision and Site Plan Regulations, and the Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP).
Frederick County will utilize all available planning tools. To ensure that as new areas of urban
uses are established, roads and public facilities of sufficient capacity are provided to serve the
new urban areas.
Rezoning requests should be evaluated to determine their potential impacts on transportation
and public facilities. Applicants will be expected to contribute a reasonable portion of the
costs of new or expanded infrastructure needed to serve their proposed development. Costs
to the County should be estimated in terms of what impact the development, which could
result from the proposed rezoning, would have on public facilities and infrastructure. Such
contributions can be in the form of cash, dedicated land, or constructed improvements or in
any other manner consistent with the Code of Virginia.
Rezoning requests should not be approved unless the net impacts on public facilities are
positive, or unless the negative impacts can be adequately mitigated through proffered
contributions or other acceptable means. A request for rezoning may also be turned down
even though all fiscal impacts appear to be addressed.
The Plan is also a key resource for developing the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
The CIP is a capital facilitates planning document which consists of a schedule of major capital
expenditures for the County for the ensuing five years. The CIP is updated each year as
projects are completed, priorities change, or new projects are added. The CIP is based on the
guidelines outlined by the Comprehensive Plan and uses those guidelines to implement a
balanced approach for the planning and development of capital projects. The scheduling of
projects needs to be coordinated with the 2035 Comprehensive Plan. The CIP helps to guide
development, and to maintain a stable financial program. The Comprehensive Plan may be
used as a tool to aid in determining priorities among projects, for estimating required funding,
and for scheduling projects. Adopted annually, the Capital Improvements Plan becomes a
component part of the Comprehensive Plan.
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INTRODUCTION
THE 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN vii
THE CODE OF VIRGINIA
The Code of Virginia requires that the Comprehensive Plan be reviewed every five years. The
local Planning Commission is responsible for drafting and developing the plan, while the local
governing body is required to adopt a Comprehensive Plan.
The Code calls for the comprehensive plan to be drafted for the purpose of:
“guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the
territory which will, in accordance with present and probable future needs and resources, best
promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the
inhabitants.”
Frederick County meets this requirement of the Code of Virginia and, further, believes that
the planning process should be a continuous and evolving effort. The Comprehensive Plan
may be revisited from time to time through the Comprehensive Policy Plan Amendment
process or, as directed by the Board of Supervisors, through the individual Area Plans or
specific studies.
Frederick County will continue to meet, and strives to exceed, those requirements of the Code
of Virginia that pertain to Urban Development Areas; 15.2-2223.1. The Frederick County
Board of Supervisors has reaffirmed that the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, and its supporting
documents, accommodates growth in a manner consistent with the requirements for Urban
Development Areas as described in the Code of Virginia.
In addition, the transportation elements of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan have been reviewed
by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in accordance with 15.2-2222.1.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT PROCESS
The Code of Virginia, Section 15.2-2229, states that the Board of Supervisors may consider
amendments to its Comprehensive Plan. If an application is determined to be inconsistent
with the Comprehensive Plan, an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan may be considered.
The application will be reviewed by the Planning Commission for consistency with the elements
contained within the Plan.
With requests to amend the Plan, applicants should demonstrate any change in land use
designation, density, or intensity:
• Would benefit the public health, safety, and welfare.
• Is consistent with the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Will not be detrimental to uses of property in the immediate vicinity of the subject
property.
• Has merit and value for the community as a whole.
• Will result in benefits (fiscal, aesthetic, employment, etc.) that will outweigh any
significant impact of the change.
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URBAN AREAS
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR FREDERICK COUNTY 1
I. URBAN AREAS
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URBAN AREAS
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR FREDERICK COUNTY 2
URBAN AREAS
CURRENT CONDITIONS
The Urban Development Area (UDA) of Frederick County includes those areas anticipated for
higher intensity development which are located within the limits of the Sewer and Water
Service Area (SWSA). The SWSA designates the limit of where public sewer and water could
be extended.
Frederick County established the initial UDA boundary in 1987. In 2007, recognizing the
importance of utilizing urban growth boundaries such as the UDA, the Virginia General
Assembly adopted legislation requiring certain larger and higher growth jurisdictions to
incorporate UDA’s into their Comprehensive Plans (Code of Virginia §15.2-2223.1). Frederick
County continues to meet the requirements of the Code of Virginia that pertain to Urban
Development Areas.
This Plan recognizes the need to direct new residential, commercial, and industrial growth
into the Urban Areas and discourage growth in the Rural Areas; the UDA and SWSA provide
a clear boundary between these two areas between the Urban Areas and the Rural Areas.
Using the UDA and SWSA as urban growth boundaries, Frederick County seeks to focus growth
in strategic areas where community facilities and public services are more readily available.
It is expected that development within the UDA and SWSA will be served by public water and
sewer. The UDA defines the general area in which more intensive forms of residential
development will occur. Commercial, industrial, and institutional land uses are also identified
within the UDA in designated areas. While the boundaries of the UDA and the SWSA are
consistent in many locations, the SWSA does extend beyond the limits of the UDA to promote
commercial, industrial, and institutional land uses in areas where residential land uses are not
desirable.
Future planned land uses are depicted in the various Area Plans which are compiled in
Appendix I. These Area Plans contain both guiding text and future land use maps that provide
a detailed land use guide for the designated area. The plans have been created over time,
through a community planning process, and are incorporated as part of the Comprehensive
Plan. The individual Area Plans make up the Eastern Frederick County Long Range Land Use
Plan.
Historically, Suburban development within the Urban Areas continues to be the predominate
land use pattern for residential use, with an average residential density between two to four
units per acre. The average gross residential density within the UDA has been between two
(2) to three (3) units per acre. More recently, the densities of for new residential development
in Frederick County have been increasing. The County should continually monitor the intensity
and density of new development and its associated impacts. While the County will continue
to see suburban growth, residential densities higher than those previously experienced in the
UDA would be appropriate within specifically designated areas within the UDA, known as
strategic growth areas (further described on page 4). identified as Neighborhood Villages and
Urban Centers (further described on page 3).
Frederick County established the initial UDA boundary in 1987. In 2007, recognizing the
importance of utilizing urban growth boundaries such as the UDA, the Virginia General
Assembly adopted legislation requiring certain larger and higher growth jurisdictions to
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URBAN AREAS
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR FREDERICK COUNTY 3
incorporate UDA’s into their Comprehensive Plans. Frederick County continues to meet the
requirements of the Code of Virginia that pertain to Urban Development Areas.
The boundary of Frederick County’s UDA should be examined regularly to ensure that it is
adequately sized to accommodate current and projected future growth. Policies should also
be regularly reviewed to ensure that the UDA encourages a mixture of housing types. and
housing types. It should be recognized that the size of the Urban Areas (both UDA and SWSA)
will also be affected by the ability to provide water and sewer service to accommodate future
development.
Historically, Frederick County has sought to achieve a balanced ratio between commercial,
industrial and residential growth in terms of both available areas of land use and taxable value
of the land uses. Residential development, although necessary to accommodate population
growth, on average does not pay for itself. To offset this and mitigate any increased tax
burdens on current residents, a fiscally balanced amount of commercial and residential
development is achieved through land use planning. The target ratio for the Urban Area shall
be 25 percent commercial and industrial land uses and within the Urban Areas to 75 percent
residential and other land uses throughout the County as a whole. The purpose of this target
is to achieve fiscal balance through land use planning. Maintaining a healthy and balanced
ratio will help the County maintain its low tax rate, while continuing to enhance the services
provided to residents.
To encourage future development of commercial and industrial uses to help achieve the
targeted ratio, Frederick County has designated certain areas solely for that are
predominately planned for future commercial and industrial type uses. These include such
areas as the Route 11 North corridor, Kernstown area, Round Hill, and in the vicinity of the
Winchester Regional Airport.
FOCUS FOR THE FUTURE
The UDA Study of 2006 for Frederick County evaluated current land use patterns,
comprehensive plan language, development trends, and contemporary planning practices.
Using the UDA Study, The Urban Areas will continue to be designated for more compact and
intense development patterns. The location of new and expanded public facilities, services
and utilities will be focused in these areas. Improvements to the utility system, road
networks, and public facilities may be required to support land development in these areas.
New residential suburban development should be designed with high-quality residential
standards and mitigate potential impacts. Opportunities for providing pedestrian and biking
connections to existing neighborhoods should be encouraged where appropriate. Section III
of this Plan provides additional policies and guidance for future residential development.
The strategic growth areas, identified as Neighborhood Villages and Urban Centers shall
Frederick County has identified locations which promote higher urban densities, mixed uses,
and a more compact form of development. These strategic growth areas within the Urban
Areas are known as Neighborhood Villages and Urban Centers. Neighborhood Villages and
Urban Centers will be the building blocks of the urban fabric of Frederick County’s urban areas.
Neighborhood Villages
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URBAN AREAS
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR FREDERICK COUNTY 4
Neighborhood Villages are envisioned to be compact centers that focus and
complement the surrounding neighborhoods, are walkable, designed at a
human scale, and supported by existing planned road networks.
Urban Centers
Urban Centers are larger than the Neighborhood Village and are envisioned to
be a more intensive, walkable urban area with a larger commercial core, higher
densities, and designed around some form of public space or focal point. Urban
Centers should be located in close proximity to major transportation routes and
intersections.
Development of these strategic growth areas would aid in attracting new skilled, creative, and
entrepreneurial workers to the County. To attract new workers, the County needs to facilitate
the creation of desirable, well-planned places in which they will want to reside. A variety of
community choices, settings and prices needs to be fostered to accommodate a wide range
of resident preferences. By fostering high quality communities centered around attractive
social gathering spaces in mixed use environments, the County can attract new worker
residents along with their employers. These areas should also provide for land uses that are
connected by an attractive, efficient, transportation system designed for all users.
Future development within the Urban Areas will be based upon the following:
• Mix and integration of a variety of uses and housing opportunities
• Increased density, walkability and connectivity
• High quality architecture, community focal points, enhanced urban design and
planning
• Environmental quality
• Transportation policies for all users
The application of these development principles throughout the Urban Areas, and most
importantly within strategic growth areas, seeks to ensure that the UDA of the County will be
made up of walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. These areas should feature a variety of
housing choices, high quality retail, community facilities as focal points, employment
opportunities, and provide for land uses that are connected by an attractive, efficient,
transportation system designed for all users. The mixing of uses provides a greater choice in
mobility. Further, focusing development around walkable centers affords people the
opportunity to work, live, shop, and play in locations that are near each other.
For any new use proposed within the Urban Areas, adequate roads, infrastructure, and public
facilities with sufficient capacities to accommodate the new uses should be provided.
Development proposals such as rezonings, are expected to identify and appropriately mitigate
their impacts to ensure that they are not placing an undue burden on the community.
Proposed uses should also seek to further implement the goals identified in this Plan.
For any proposed rezoning to be approved, applicants will be expected to contribute a
reasonable portion of the costs, relative to the scale of the development, of new or expanded
public facilities and infrastructure needed to serve the proposed development. It is important
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THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR FREDERICK COUNTY 5
that anticipated impacts of proposed developments are mitigated to ensure that they are not
placing an undue burden on the community and to further implement the goals of the
Comprehensive Plan.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
There are numerous benefits to the community when focusing new growth in the urban areas.
The benefits of focusing new growth within the urban areas are numerous.
Residential Development
When residential growth occurs outside of the designated growth boundaries, such as and
into the rural areas, the County has to must extend public services such as schools and
emergency services further distances. These expanded service areas increase the costs of
operation while decreasing effectiveness. Focused growth areas also reduce limit
development pressures within the rural areas, thus thereby helping to preserve the
environment and agricultural land and open spaces. promote agribusiness and tourism.
Neighborhood Villages and Urban Centers
Incorporating planned Neighborhood Villages and Urban Centers, which are designated for
higher densities and utilize Neighborhood Design principles such as those identified in this
chapter,will help to improve the sense of community and promote close knit, walkable areas
communities where residents have greater opportunities to live, work, and play in the same
area. The transportation systems encouraged by this plan de-emphasizes the automobile,
allowing residents to walk or bike to destinations.
Commercial and Industrial
Dedicated areas for commercial and industrial development helps to ensure a strong tax base
to provide public services and community facilities and also provide for retail opportunities for
the benefit of local residents.
In general, these principles are more efficient, more viable and ultimately more economical
for the Community.
GOALS/STRATEGIES
GOAL 1: AS FREDERICK COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE VISION OF
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE URBAN AREAS BE IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER TO
ACCOMMODATE GROWTH IN A VIABLE MANNER. GROWTH SHOULD PRIMARILY BE
FOCUSED WITHIN THE URBAN AREAS.
STRATEGIES:
• Focus new residential growth within the Urban Development Area (UDA). growth in
the Urban Development Area (UDA) and Sewer and Water Service Area (SWSA).
• Monitor the size of UDA and the Sewer and Water Service Area (SWSA) to ensure
appropriate land area is made available to accommodate future residential growth as
well as and commercial and industrial opportunities.
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URBAN AREAS
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR FREDERICK COUNTY 6
• Ensure adequate water and sewer service capacity is available to accommodate new
residential and commercial/industrial growth.
• Provide for various densities within the Urban Areas to encourage concentrated
growth. while also accommodating consumer choice for a variety of housing options.
Support a range of housing options in suburban areas, Neighborhood Villages and
Urban Centers.
GOAL 2: PROMOTE THE NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN PRINCIPLES AS IDENTIFIED IN THIS CHAPTER
WITHIN THE URBAN AREAS. FOR NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGES AND URBAN CENTERS.
STRATEGIES:
• Ensure land use applications incorporate the principles of Neighborhood Design
identified in this chapter where appropriate. for Neighborhood Villages and Urban
Centers.
• Further develop the Neighborhood Village and Urban Center concepts which promote
strategic growth areas within the Urban Areas. Community Area Plans could be utilized
to identify potential locations for these concepts.
• Promote the location of community facilities as focal points within identified strategic
growth areas. Neighborhood Villages and Urban Centers.
• Support high quality and innovative community designs within Neighborhood Villages
and Urban Centers.
GOAL 3: PROVIDE FOR TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL USERS WITHIN THE
URBAN AREAS.
STRATEGIES:
• Ensure the Bicycle Plan included as part of the Comprehensive Plan provides for trail
facilities in the desired locations.
• Encourage new developments to provide interconnected trail networks and on street
shared travel ways.
• Connect “missing links” across existing developments to the extent possible.
GOAL 4: OBTAIN 25/75 RATIO OF COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL USES TO RESIDENTIAL AND
OTHER LAND USES WITHIN THE URBAN AREAS OF THE COUNTY.
STRATEGIES:
• Ensure adequate services, including water and sewer infrastructure, are available to
obtain target business users in a competitive market.
• Continue to work with Frederick Water to monitor the location of the SWSA and
determine areas that could be modified to attract targeted users and continue to
implement the Long-Range Land Use Plan.
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THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR FREDERICK COUNTY 7
• Monitor location of SWSA and consider expansions when necessary, to accommodate
demand or a highly desirable business user, and to implement the Long-Range Land
Use Plan.
• Continue to evaluate the availability of land for that will specifically accommodate
desired amount of commercial and industrial land uses and incorporate sufficient
acreage into Area Plans.
• Seek to attract uses that will generate the desired tax revenue and employment
opportunities for the County.
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THE FREDERICK COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
APPENDIX II – BACKGROUND ANALYSIS
AND SUPPORTING STUDIES
(DRAFT)
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APPENDIX II – BACKGROUND ANALYSIS AND SUPPORTING STUDIES
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - DRAFT
• HISTORICAL BACKGROUND (attached)
• GEOGRAPHICAL IMPACTS (attached)
• DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS (attached)
• ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
• LAND USE ANALYSIS
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APPENDIX II – BACKGROUND ANALYSIS AND SUPPORTING STUDIES
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - DRAFT
1
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Early European Settlement:
For 12,000 years prior to English Settlement of the Shenandoah Valley, a sparse population
of Native Americans lived in the area, but many more traveled through these valleys on the
“Indian War Path” from New York and Pennsylvania to winter in Georgia and South Carolina.
The first Europeans to come through the Shenandoah Valley were Jesuit missionaries in
1632, and the details of this wilderness area were first mapped by French explorer, Samuel
de Champlain.
The first private English ownership of Frederick County was the Virginia Company, which
was tasked with the settlement of the Virginia Colony by King James I. Ownership of the
area returned to the Crown in 1624 when the Virginia Company’s charter was revoked. In
1649, King Charles II granted seven royalist supporters the land "bounded by and within
the heads" of the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers. By 1681, Thomas, the Second Lord
Culpepper, owned most of this original land grant. After he died in 1689, his daughter
married Thomas, the Fifth Lord Fairfax, and later, their son Thomas, the Sixth Lord Fairfax,
inherited the entire land grant.
Englishmen settled the Piedmont, then pushed west by foot and horse through passes in the
Blue Ridge, and many more German and Scots-Irish settlers came down through the valleys
from Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Some of the earliest settlers of this area
were Quakers who built the Hopewell Friends Meeting House, which still stands near
Clearbrook and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These settlers were
attracted by the fertile soils and the abundant forest and water resources.
Initial Settlement and Organization:
The Colonial government of Virginia wanted this wilderness settled as quickly as possible, as
a buffer against the Native Americans; but Robert "King" Carter, Lord Fairfax's agent, was
settling Fairfax's land slowly in large plantations. The government of Virginia had chartered
counties in the Fairfax land grant as settlement spread up the Northern Neck and west.
Virginia argued that Fairfax's land grant ended at the Blue Ridge and began granting up to
1,000 acres each to settler families west of the Blue Ridge.
Abraham Hollingsworth settled near the site of Abrams Delight, now located within the
Winchester City limits, in about 1729. Owen Thomas and Jeremiah Smith came to Back
Creek in 1730 and settled on 806 acres granted in Thomas' name. Smith left and returned
with a wife before 1741. His log cabin is now part of a house west of Back Creek and south
of Route 50. In 1732, Jost Hite settled 16 families on his 5,000 acre "grant" and built Hite's
Fort at Bartonsville, located on Route 11, approximately two miles south of Winchester.
The “Indian Path” became the Great Wagon Road to Philadelphia and Native Americans were
dispossessed westward by treaty and force of arms. Frederick County was created from
western Orange County by the House of Burgesses on December 21, 1738, and was named
after Frederick Louis, the Prince of Wales and son of King George II, and originally spanned
from the Blue Ridge Mountains to current day Ohio. In 1744, James Wood, County Surveyor
for Orange County, platted a town at the County seat, which he named Winchester, after his
birthplace. It consisted of 26 half-acre lots and three streets within 1300 acres, which he
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claimed as wilderness land owned by Virginia. Those streets are now Loudoun, Boscawen,
and Cameron. Winchester was officially chartered in 1752.
County government in Virginia was originally by self-perpetuating courts. Frederick
County's Court was proclaimed and organized in 1743, and its officials took their oaths of
office on November 11th of that year. The Frederick County Court first met at the surveying
office of its clerk, James Wood, at the site on which he later built his estate, Glen Burnie.
By the mid-1740s, the Frederick County Court had
acknowledged that Lord Fairfax's land grant did
include Frederick County, despite previous arguments
that the Fairfax lands ended at the Blue Ridge
Mountains. At the age of 16, George Washington was
a member of a surveying party that came to Frederick
County for Lord Fairfax in 1748. In 1749, Lord Fairfax
moved to Frederick County and built his home,
Greenway Court, at White Post, in present-day Clarke
County. He accepted Wood's 1,300 acre claim and
other additional lots at Winchester. Eventually, 11
other counties would be created from the 3,824
square miles included in the original Frederick County.
George Washington maintained a relationship with
Winchester and Frederick County during and after his
surveying expedition for Lord Fairfax. Early during
those years, Washington operated his surveying office
in Winchester and oversaw the construction of Fort
Loudoun. Washington’s first elected office was as a
representative of Frederick County in the House of
Burgesses 1758. He served in this post for 15 years.
During the French and Indian War, he was given a Commission by Governor Dinwiddie of
Virginia and was later promoted to Commander in Chief of the colonial forces with
headquarters in Winchester. The location of the headquarters for the western campaign
helped to stimulate growth in Winchester throughout the French and Indian War which in
turn led to improvements along trade/travel roads, the creation of additional lots in
Winchester, and the formation of Stephensburg, which is now Stephens City.
The American Revolution in Frederick County:
Although there were no battles or military engagements in Frederick County during the
Revolutionary War, the area was very important in the effort. Prior to the drafting of the
Declaration of Independence, a group of protesters met in Winchester to protest King
George’s taxes on the colonies. They drafted the Frederick County Resolves and promised
not to purchase English wares until their grievances were resolved. During the war, General
Daniel Morgan, who lived in eastern Frederick County (now Clarke County), and his "Long
Rifles" played a prominent role in many battles of the Revolutionary War, including the
Battle at Cowpens in South Carolina. His regiment of expert riflemen was one of two from
Virginia. Several local citizens furnished the troops with food and supplies, including Isaac
Zane Jr. who supplied the army with ammunition made at his ironworks in Marlboro. Many
prisoners captured during the War were held in Winchester and Frederick County. By 1779,
the number of British prisoners held in Winchester had increased beyond the capacity of the
The original Frederick County
has since been divided into the
following Counties*:
In Virginia:
Dunmore (now Shenandoah) -
1772
Page – 1831
Warren – 1836
Clarke – 1836
In West Virginia:
Hampshire – 1753
Berkeley – 1772
Hardy – 1776
Jefferson – 1801
Morgan – 1820
Mineral – 1866
Grant – 1866
*from “Frederick County, Virginia:
History through Architecture” by
Maral S. Kalbian
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existing prison and a larger one was built. A barracks was built four miles west of
Winchester to hold these prisoners whose number had increased to 1,600 by the year 1781.
After the Revolution, the trade routes established during the French and Indian War
continued to develop and provide avenues for trade between farmers in Frederick County
and those in Eastern Virginia. Winchester grew as a travel and commercial hub in Western
Virginia.
Early National Period:
During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, life in Frederick County centered
on small family farms and transportation and trade routes. By the 1770s, the Indian
Warpath through Frederick County had transformed into the Great Wagon Road and forms
what is now US Route 11. In addition to Route 11, other major roads were established
through Winchester including what are now Route 50 West, 522 South, and Route 7 East.
These four major roads provided avenues of transportation and made trade possible across
the state of Virginia as well as major cities North and South of Virginia. As a result,
Winchester and the surrounding area grew in terms of residential occupants and commercial
occupants.
Economic life was centered around Winchester and other local towns including Stephens
City, Middletown, Kernstown, Gainesboro and Gore, which remain centers of economic and
community growth today. The number of craftsmen and merchants in these towns was
large and diverse. The strongest influence on the local economy was the Great Wagon Road
which carried settlers and travelers from Philadelphia, south through the Valley and to the
west. Activity associated with this road made Winchester one of the largest towns in
western Virginia.
Farming in this region focused on several main crops which grew well in the soils of the
area. During this period, wheat production became the center of the local economy, along
with cattle farming, and by 1810, Frederick County was one of the largest producers of
wheat in Virginia. Economic growth in the area was predominantly encouraged by
agricultural activities and their industrial counterparts, such as milling and transporting of
the locally grown products. By 1820, there were 54 grain mills in Frederick County along
with numerous sawmills, tanneries, and other business activities.
Growth in the area continued into the mid-nineteenth century, when the County was faced
with Civil War and the turbulence that this area felt as a consequence of its location at the
crossroads of many major roads and railroads.
The American Civil War:
In the early to mid-nineteenth century, issues were brewing in Frederick County which
mirrored those across the Nation. As agriculture developed in the County, a clear division
formed areas east of the Opequon (current day Clarke County), where slave labor
constituted most of the population and areas west of the Opequon, where small family-
owned farms were the agricultural trend. In 1836, Clarke County split from Frederick
County, largely over this issue.
During the Civil War, Frederick County played a significant role, primarily due to its location
at the intersection of many major roads. The northern Shenandoah Valley supplied food,
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livestock, horses, and soldiers to the southern cause. The Valley was also important
because of its strategic location in relation to Washington D.C. The t/own of Winchester
changed hands about 70 times during the course of the war, an average of once every three
weeks, for four years.
Major local battles included the First Battle of Kernstown in March of 1862, during which
General Stonewall Jackson suffered his only tactical defeat during the Valley Campaign.
However, Jackson did succeed in keeping Union troops in the Valley from leaving to
reinforce McClellan on the peninsula. This was the first major encounter of the War in this
area. In May of 1862, Jackson's army defeated the Union troops at the First Battle of
Winchester.
In the Second Battle of Winchester in 1863, Confederate troops successfully attacked and
defeated Union troops occupying forts on the western side of Winchester. The most critical
effort of the campaign was the battle at Stephenson’s Depot and a portion of the battlefield
remains intact today. Union troops were again defeated at the second battle of Kernstown
in 1864.
At the Third Battle of Winchester, General Philip
Sheridan's Union troops successfully attacked
Confederate troops at Winchester. With the high
numbers of losses on both sides, a new war of
attrition began in the Valley from which the
southern forces would never recover. For three
weeks in 1864, Sheridan's troops undertook the
infamous "Burning" to end Confederate strength in
the Valley. Virginia's richest valley was left
desolate.
In October of 1864, Jubal Early's Confederate
troops were entrenched south of Cedar Creek.
General Sheridan’s Union troops were encamped
just north of Cedar Creek. A surprise attack by
the Confederates drove the Union troops to the
north. General Sheridan, arriving from Winchester
upon hearing of the attack, rallied his troops and
launched a massive counterattack which drove
Early’s troops back across Cedar Creek. The Confederate defeat at the Battle of Cedar
Creek meant the loss of Confederate control of the crucial Shenandoah Valley for the
remainder of the war. Thomas Bucannan Read wrote a poem, “Sheridan’s Ride,” to
memorialize the general’s horseback dash from Winchester to the battlefield. This Union
victory, in combination with General Sherman’s victory in Georgia, helped to secure
President Lincoln’s reelection.
The Civil War took both a physical and economic toll on Frederick County and the
surrounding area. As the primary “breadbasket” of Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley was
affected more by the Civil War than any other war fought on American soil.
Belle Grove and Cedar Creek
Battlefield National Historic Park:
In 2002, the National Park Service
created the Belle Grove and Cedar
Creek Battlefield National Historic Park
to protect the integrity of this
important battle of the Civil War.
All park land remains under the
operation of the Cedar Creek
Battlefield Foundation and the Belle
Grove Plantation or private ownership.
The Battlefield Foundation sponsors
reenactments of the Battle of Cedar
Creek and other battles of importance
throughout the year. Belle Grove
operates as a historic house museum
and guided tours are available.
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Reconstruction:
Through six major battles and countless minor skirmishes, the Civil War brought much
destruction to Frederick County. Many farms, mills, and dwellings were damaged or
destroyed by the cannon fire from the battlefields or by soldiers raiding for food and
supplies. The county's economic productivity was greatly reduced. This period was
characterized by a slow economic recovery, but by the 1880s, economic stability gradually
returned. After the war, previous economic activities resumed, and new activities began.
New businesses included the emergence of apple production, tanning, dairying, machinery
production, and the shipping industry. These new avenues of commercial growth allowed
the county’s economy to rebound at a steady rate and by the 1880s, some of the county’s
agricultural crop production had returned to pre-war levels. By 1890, Frederick County had
37 mills, eight woolen factories, a steam elevator, two iron foundries, four glove factories, a
boot and shoe factory, ten broom factories, four tanneries, a large paper mill, three
newspapers, a book bindery, eight cigar factories, three marble yards, and two furniture
factories.
There was also a tremendous building boom in the county between 1880-1900. In addition
to new construction, older structures were often enlarged and updated using modern
building techniques and styles. This growth occurred in both rural areas and in small
communities that had previously developed in the 18th and 19th centuries. New
communities were also formed as a result of newer, more advanced transportation systems.
Among the communities that experienced growth during this period were Meadow Mills,
Hayfield, Gore, Mountain Falls, Mount Williams, Gravel Springs, Gainesboro, Albin,
Brucetown, White Hall and Armel.
Centers of African American culture also developed during this period as a result of the
segregation which followed the end of the Civil War. Communities such as Cedar Hill,
Freetown, and Leetown became cores of the African American culture in Frederick County.
To mediate the impact of segregation on daily activities, these communities developed
public buildings and facilities such as schools and churches, for their own use.
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GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING
LOCATION
Frederick County is the northernmost jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It lies at
the northern, lower end of the Shenandoah Valley west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and
east of the Alleghenies.
Located in the mid-Atlantic region of the
United States, Frederick County’s
location on the eastern seaboard is a
valuable asset to companies serving the
US markets and Europe. It places local
businesses halfway between the
markets of the north and south, within
one-day haul of 50% of the U.S.
population. Over 60% of the goods
manufactured in the United States are distributed from the 750-mile (1,207 kilometers)
area. For national and international companies being in the Eastern Time Zone maximizes
their hours of operations, which helps to improve efficiencies. In addition to being halfway
between Boston and Atlanta, Winchester-Frederick County is well positioned equidistant
between Los Angeles and London. Excellent road, rail, inland ocean port and Dulles World
Cargo Center provide access to the major markets in North America, Latin America, and
globally.
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TOPOGRAPHY
Generally, the topography of Frederick County is characterized by the rolling Shenandoah
Valley, 8 to 10 miles wide, and on its west flank, mountains, ridges and valleys of the
Appalachian system. Frederick County and the City of Winchester comprise 436 square
miles, or 279,000 acres. Winchester City occupies 9.3 square miles within the County’s
boundaries. The average altitude of the broad valley is about 700 feet and that of the
ridgetops and mountaintops is about 1,950 feet. The most prominent mountains are along
the Virginia-West Virginia boundary, with Pinnacle Knob (2,844 feet) the highest point in the
County. The lowest point in the County is about 500 feet. Handley Library, in the center of
Winchester, is at 714 feet.
Three aspects of the topography provide the area with a highly favorable visual
environment. The Blue Ridge Mountains on the east serve both as a barrier to overly
ambitious development from the mid-Atlantic metropolitan area and provide a backdrop to a
verdant landscape of farms and orchards. The easy rolling topography also provides
character but is not an impediment to development. The easily traversed Valley and the
fabled Shenandoah River defined the outstanding network of modern transportation
providing easy accessibility to the most important North American cities.
GEOPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The County has three geophysical areas as shown on the Physical Characteristics and
Geologic Formations map.
The eastern area of the County is underlain by the Martinsburg shale which consists of a
band running north-south along the length of the County, generally east of Interstate 81. It
consists of broad, level ridges separated by steep stream valleys. The soils derived from
the shales tend to be thin, poorly fertile, and have high seasonal water tables. The soils are
highly compacted and not well suited for intensive agriculture or onsite sewage disposal
systems. Primarily the historical use of this land is pasture and has in recent years been
developed for residential and urban uses. Substantial suburban development served by
public water and sewer is located within this area.
The central area is located between Interstate 81 and Little North Mountain. It consists of a
band approximately five miles wide that also trends southwest to northeast, is underlain by
limestone/carbonate bedrock, and displays gently rolling karst topography. This area
contains the bulk of the prime agricultural soils in the County and supports apple and other
fruit production, beef cattle operations, and some crop production, primarily hay and corn.
The western area is the Ridge and Valley which is underlain by a variety of shale,
sandstone, and limestone formations. This mostly forested area consists of alternating
valleys and ridges that run southwest to northeast.
The western area is the Ridge and Valley which is underlain by a variety of shale,
sandstone, and limestone formations. This mostly forested area consists of alternating
valleys and ridges that run southwest to northeast. Ridges are often very steep and are the
highest elevations in the County. Some stress fractures are present along the fold lines of
the highly folded vertical beds. The vertical bedrock layers provide a barrier to most
groundwater movement across the beds. Groundwater moves laterally along the folded
bedrock, with little movement through the fold system.
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These three geographic regions can be further divided into four distinct drainage areas. The
southern third of the county drains towards the south and east to Cedar Creek and
Stephens Run and is in the Shenandoah River basin. The northern two-thirds of the County
are divided north-south by Apple Pie Ridge, Round Hill and Little North Mountain forming the
boundary between the Back Creek and Opequon Creek watersheds. These areas drain
toward the north and the east, respectively, and are in the Potomac River Basin. The
limestone-carbonate geology drains to the east, but includes random flow patterns
throughout this topography, including some areas that are internally drained. Drainage
areas provide a good basis for planning sewer and water service areas through gravity flow
design. The movement of public sewage flow between the limestone-carbonate and the
Ridge and Valley area requires pumping.
Regional geophysical characteristics influence suitability for more intensive forms of
development. Urban development is predominant in the eastern shale belt and uses public
sewer and water facilities. Rural residential development is predominantly in the limestone
belt west of Winchester, Interstate 81 and Route 37. Despite the presence of prime soils,
agricultural land use in this area has decreased due to development pressures. The
relatively steep areas in the western portions of the County remain rural; however,
development is increasing.
CLIMATE
There are four distinct seasons. Few days fall near zero. Nine years in ten will have growing
seasons from 148 to 219 days, depending on daily minimum temperature. The average
number of growing degree days is 6,989.4, and the latest freeze (one year in ten; 28o or
lower) is April 15th. Only two years in ten will have extreme temperatures of more than
103o or less than -10o F.
Average January temperature 32oF
Average July temperature 77oF
Average annual precipitation 35.3" inches
Average annual snowfall 26.5" inches
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DEMOGRAPHIC AND TREND ANALYSIS
OVERVIEW
Demographic information is an important component in planning for future needs and
services of the community. It is important to understand the state of the county today,
what has shaped it through the years, and how it is likely to change over time.
Demographic data is gathered from a range of Federal, State and local agencies. While the
U.S. decennial census is the best-known survey method, the American Community Survey
(ACS) and the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia (Weldon
Cooper Center) are also significant resources. The ACS is an ongoing nationwide survey
conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau that collects annual data such as age, sex, race,
family and relationships, income, and housing for jurisdictions with population above
65,000. The Weldon Cooper Center develops and releases the official population estimates
for Virginia, its counties, and independent cities every year between decennial censuses.
This section provides general information regarding historical, current, and projected
populations, income, education, age, and diversity.
HISTORICAL POPULATION
Over the past three decades, Frederick County has experienced significant population
growth. Between 1980 and 1990, the County saw a 40 percent increase in its population.
Between 1990-2000 and 2000-2010, the County’s population continued to grow but at a
slower rate of 24% and 32% respectively. Since 2010 Frederick County has grown by 14.7
percent, more than double the state average growth of 7.3 percent for the same period.
Source: Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service: July 1, 2020 Population Estimates for Virginia and its Counties
and Cities (January 29, 2021)
Frederick County Population by Decade 1960-2020
12,941
24,107 34,150
47,723
59,209
78,305
89,790
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
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Source: 2010 Decennial Census and 2019 Weldon Cooper Center County and City Population Estimates
POPULATION ESTIMATES
The 2020 population estimated for County is approximately 89,790 persons. Future
projected growth, as shown by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, shows an
estimated increase of 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, and 12 percent from 2030 to 2040.
This trend is shown in the following graph.
Population Projections 2020-2040
117,452
104,60889,790
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
2020 2030 2040
Source: Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, *2030 & 2040 Population Projections (2019)
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service: July 1, 2020 Population Estimates for Virginia and its Counties and Cities
(January 29, 2021)
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AGE GROUPS – TRENDS AND PROJECTIONS
An important trend to note is the increasing age of people living in Frederick County.
Between 2000 and 2020, the median age has increased from 36 to 40.7. Overall, Frederick
County’s population is slightly older than the state (38.5) and the country (38.1).
As the median age rose, the percentage of the population in the older age groups has also
increased. The population of individuals in Frederick County 65 and over is projected to
continue increasing at a much higher percentage than other age groups. This age group
increased 58 percent from 2000 to 2010 and 46 percent from 2010 to 2019. The population
under the age of 18, while increasing by 26 percent from 2000 to 2010 is estimated to have
a substantially smaller increase from 2010-2019 of only 1.4 percent. The percentage
increase for the major workforce age group, 25-44, has also seen a significant slowing with
only a 2.3 percent increase estimated from 2010 to 2019. The fact further emphasizes the
need to analyze our regional labor force market to meet future employment needs including
job retention and job recruitment for this age group. These trends are further shown in the
table and graph below. It should be noted that the 2019 figures are derived from the 2019
American Community Study (US Census, 5-year data) and more accurate data will be
shown in the 2020 Census.
Population Distribution: Frederick County
Percent
Change
Percent
Change
Age Groups
2000 Census 2010 Census 2019 ACS
5 yr. Estimate 2000 to 2010 2010 to 2019
0 - 4 6.4% 6.3% 6.0% 29.9% 3.6%
5 -17 19.8% 18.8% 17.1% 24.8% .6%
18-24 7% 7.9% 7.8% 48.4% 9.8%
25-44 31.8% 26.3% 24.4% 9.3% 2.3%
45-64 24.1% 28% 27.9% 53.3% 13.3%
65 and over 10.6% 12.7% 16.8% 57.9% 45.8%
Median Age 36.7 39.1 40.7
Population by Age Group
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
2000 Census 2010 Census 2019 Est.2030*2040*
65 and over
45-64
25-44
18-24
5-17
Under 5
Source: *Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, 2019 Population Estimates: Age and Sex (Virginia Localities)
*American Community Survey, Demographic and Housing Estimates, 5-year estimates, U.S. Census
Bureau.
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RACE AND ETHNICITY
Frederick County’s population has become more diverse since 2010. As of 2019, the
County’s population was primarily white (82.3% not including individuals of Hispanic origin)
and there was an almost equal proportion of males and females. It should be noted that
the Hispanic/Latino group has seen a 61 percent increase from 2010 to 2020. This group is
projected to continue increasing at a higher rate than other groups.
The following summarizes ethnicity characteristics from 2000, 2010, estimated figures for
2019 and projected increases for 2030 and 2040.
Source: 2019 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau.
(The category “Other” includes American Indian and Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander)
*2030 & 2040 Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service Projections, 2019 Estimates by Race
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000
Hispanic/Latino
Other
Asian
Black
White
Race & Ethnicity Trends
2040*2030*2019
2010 2000
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EDUCATION
The following chart depicts the percentage of Frederick County’s residents 25 years or older
by their highest educational achievement, compared to surrounding counties and the State
as a whole.
2019 ESTIMATES FREDERICK
COUNTY
CLARKE
COUNTY
WARREN
COUNTY
SHENANDOAH
COUNTY
STATE OF
VIRGINIA
Less than 9th Grade 4% 4.8% 3.3% 4.9% 4.1%
9th - 12th no diploma 6.8% 6.1% 9.8% 8.1% 6.2%
High School Graduate 32.4% 29.6% 35.9% 37.9% 24%
Some College 19.7% 18% 22.1% 20.3% 19.2%
Associate degree 8.9% 9.3% 7.2% 8.3% 7.8%
Bachelor's Degree 16.2% 17.3% 15.1% 14% 22%
Graduate/Professional
Degree
12% 14.8% 6.7% 6.6% 16.8%
Source: 2019 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau
INCOME CHARACTERISTICS
Frederick County’s gross median household income is $78,002 which exceeds that of the
state at $74,222. The current percentage breakdown for income in Frederick County shows
that just over 11 percent of households earn less than $25,000, 37 percent earn between
$25,000 and $74,002. Over 37 percent of county households earn between $75,000-
$149,00 per year and just over 15 percent earn more than $150,000. Poverty is another
important economic indicator to consider. As of 2019, Frederick County had a poverty rate
of 4.3 percent, which is less than the state average of 7.1%.
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
Less Than
$25,000
$25,000 to
$50,000
$50,000 to
$100,000
$100,000 to
$150,000
$150,000 to
$200,000
Greater than
$200,000
Income 2000-2019
2000
2010
2019
Source: 2010 and 2019 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census
32