Westmoreland

Formed January 1, 1653 (11^th county)

Westmoreland County (17,454), Montross (384), Colonial Beach (3,542)

The red brick Classical Revival courthouse was built in 1900 on Court Square at Kings Highway.  Kings Highway is Virginia State Highway 3.  The courthouse was remodeled in 1930.  Bartholomew Smith is the architect.  A Judicial Courthouse was built in 2014 and an Administration Center was added in 1976.  The veteran memorials are located at the old courthouse.  The county was formed on January 1, 1653 as the 11^th county.  Currioman was the first county seat until 1667 when Montross became the county seat.  The county is named for Westmoreland, England.  Montross was named for an Irish ship.  Westmoreland County is the birthplace to 1 Virginia Governor, James Monroe. 

Westmoreland County government consists of a sheriff and 5 Supervisors.  Eight Circuit Court Judges and Fifteen District Court Judges serve Westmoreland, Caroline, Essex, Hanover, King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties and Fredericksburg City and Sixty-two Magistrate Court Judges serve Westmoreland, Caroline, Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, Hanover, Henrico, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and York counties and Fredericksburg, Poquoson, Richmond, and Williamsburg cities.  The county is located on the eastern border with Maryland.  The Potomac River forms its northern border.  Alexandria, Virginia is northwest and Richmond, Virginia is southwest of the county.  The county center is 4.4 miles North-Northeast of Montross nearer Chiltons.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Maryland and Northumberland, Richmond, Essex, and King George counties. 

The area of the county is 253 square miles.  It is 83 out of 133 in the state.  It ranks 85 out of 133 in population in the state.  It has a density of 68.99 persons per square mile making it 81 out of 133 in the state.  Westmoreland County has 22.5% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  George Washington, 1^st President, was born in this county.  James Monroe, the 5^th President, was also born in this county.  The county is a backward small letter r tilting to the southwest.  Montross is located near the center of the county.  Colonial Beach is on the northwest corner of the county.  Montross is the county seat and Colonial Beach is the largest city.  Montross is 2.2% of the county population while Colonial Beach is 20.3% of the county population.