1. Stafford County An Analysis of Change Has the County kept up with the changing times? Any Student Ms. McClain May 29, 2008 SAMPLE

2. Research Questions 1. What is Stafford County’s history? 2. What was Stafford County’s population like ten years ago? 3. How much growth has the County seen over the past ten years? 4. How has the County responded to change? 5. What steps does the County need to take in order to improve or catch up with change? 6. How does the County’s growth match that of surrounding counties? SAMPLE

3. Introduction Stafford County is one of the oldest counties in Virginia. Founded in 1664, Stafford has been home to many famous people (“Stafford”). Stafford was originally founded as a industrial town. While many of the old businesses are still present today, Stafford has become much more than that. It has become a place of comfort, good living and a central hub for people traveling north and south of Washington, D.C. However, has Stafford County done an adequate job of keeping up with the changing times? SAMPLE

4. http://www.co.stafford.va.us/About_Stafford/Ind ex.shtml “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.... 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.” Annotation: Stafford County began as an industrial town. Many famous people, including George Washington once called Stafford County home. Aquia Harbor, one of the oldest subdivisions in the county, got its humble beginnings as a sandstone quarry which supplied stone for the White House and other prominent buildings in the greater Washington, D.C. area (“Stafford”). 1.What is Stafford County’s history? SAMPLE

5. http://www.co.stafford.va.us/About_Stafford/Ind ex.shtml “During the Civil War, more than100,000 troops, drawn by the county's proximity to the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad to Aquia Creek, occupied Stafford for several years.” “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.” Annotation: Stafford County was once the home of many soldiers during the Civil War. People can tour such famous places as Ferry Farm, Belmont and Chatham Manor (“Stafford”). 1.What is Stafford County’s history? SAMPLE

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stafford_County,_Virginia “As of the census[7] of 2005, there were 117,874 people, 38,237 households, and 24,481 families residing in the county. The population density was 342 people per square mile (132/km²). There were 31,405 housing units at an average density of 116 per square mile (45/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.00% Stoners, 15.6% [[Race (United States Census) [[Race (United States Census)African American, 0.45% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.21% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. 5.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.] By 2005 Stafford County's population was 72.8% non-Hispanic whites. African-Americans were 16.1% of the total population. Native Americans were 0.4% of the county total. Asians 2.3%. Native Hawai'ians and other pacific islanders 0.2%, thus making Stafford County one of the high percentage NHPI population counties in the country. Latinos were 6.4% of the population, above the percentage of Latinos in all of Virginia, put far below Stafford County's northern neighbors. As of 2000 there were 38,187 households out of which 46.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.90% were non-families. 13.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.32.” Annotation: Stafford County has seen 33.9% growth since the year 2000 (“Stafford County”). SAMPLE

7. Works Cited “Stafford County Virginia”. 9 Apr 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stafford_County,_Virginia\ “Stafford Virginia”. 9 May 2008 http://www.co.stafford.va.us/About_Stafford/Index.shtml SAMPLE