Northumberland

Formed January 1, 1648 (7^th county)

Northumberland County (12,330), Heathsville* (142)

The Modern white brick structure was built in 1997 to replace the 1900 courthouse.  The facility is on Judicial Place at Northumberland Highway.  United States Highway 360 is Northumberland Highway.  William C. Newman is the building architect.  The structure is located in a complex of buildings.  The old courthouse continues to house some county offices.  The county was created on January 1, 1648 as an original county (7^th county.)  Hull Neck (1649), Coan (1679), Northumberland Court House (1680), and Heathsville (1798) have all served as the county seat.  Northumberland County is named for Northumberland, England.  The county seat is presumably named for a settler. 

Northumberland County government consists of a sheriff and 5 Supervisors.  Eight Circuit Court Judges and Fifteen District Court Judges serve Northumberland, Caroline, Essex, Hanover, King George, Lancaster, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Westmoreland counties and Fredericksburg City and Sixty-two Magistrate Court Judges serve Northumberland, Caroline, Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, Hanover, Henrico, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Westmoreland, and York counties and Fredericksburg, Poquoson, Richmond, and Williamsburg cities.  The county is on the northeast border with Maryland.  The Chesapeake Bay forms its eastern border and the Potomac River forms its northern border.  Richmond, Virginia is southwest and Virginia Beach, Virginia is southeast of the county.  The county center is 6.4 miles East-Southeast of Heathsville nearer Downings Corner.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Maryland and Accomack, Lancaster, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties. 

The area of the county is 286 square miles.  It is 77 out of 133 in the state.  It ranks 109 out of 133 in population in the state.  It has a density of 43.11 persons per square mile making it 103 out of 133 in the state.  Northumberland County has 0.5% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 360 originates and heads west into Richmond County.  The county resembles a tiger lying down facing southeast.  Heathsville is located near the center of the county.  Heathsville is the county seat and the largest populated area.  It is 1.2% of the county population.