Charlotte County is a county located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Virginia. Its county seat is the town of Charlotte Court House. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 11,529. Charlotte County is predominantly rural with a population density of only 26.5 persons per square mile.
The county was formed in 1764 from Lunenburg County, and it is named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England. Founding Father Patrick Henry was one of its most famous residents, and his grave and the national memorial dedicated to him are located in Charlotte County.
History
thumb|left|[[Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial in Charlotte County, the final resting place of Patrick Henry]]
European settlement of the future county began in the early 18th century, and early settlers included mostly English people, with some French Huguenots, Scotch-Irish, and a modest population of Germans. After approximately fifty years of European settlement, the House of Burgesses established and incorporated Charlotte County in 1764 from part of Lunenburg County. The new county was named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Queen and wife of King George III of Great Britain. The county residents later became staunch supporters of independence and the American Revolution and Founding Father Patrick Henry was one of its most famous residents. His grave and the national memorial dedicated to him are located in Charlotte County. Residents of Charlotte County were heavily involved in the American Revolution. County delegates supported resolutions against the Stamp Act of 1765,
Charlotte County has also played a role in other wars on American soil. An artillery company from Charlotte played a key role in the Battle of Craney Island during the War of 1812. The county is bounded on the southwest by the Roanoke River, locally known as the "Staunton River". The terrain is hilly.
Adjacent counties
- Prince Edward County – north
- Lunenburg County – east
- Mecklenburg County – southeast
- Halifax County – southwest
- Campbell County – west
- Appomattox County – northwest
Major highways
- (Farmville Rd on the extreme northside of the county; joins US 360 in Keysville and separates in Wylliesburg
- (Kings Hwy)
- (Lunenburg County Rd on the extreme eastside; Front St & Church St in Keysville; George Washington Hwy; joins SR 47 in Charlotte Court House and becomes David Bruce Ave; Patrick Henry Hwy)
- (Thomas Jefferson Hwy; forks from SR 40 and becomes LeGrande Ave; Tollhouse Hwy; Drakes Main St in Drakes Branch; Craftons Gate Hwy
- (Highway Fifty-Nine)
- (Jeb Stuart Hwy)