Cumberland County is a rural United States county located near the geographic center of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county's population is 9,675, as of the 2020 census, and the county seat is the small town of Cumberland.
The county was created in 1749 from part of Goochland County, and was named in honor of Prince William Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland at the time. In April 1776, it became the first Virginia county to call for independence from Great Britain.
History
Cumberland County was established in 1749 from Goochland County. The county is named for William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, third son of King George II of Great Britain. Cumberland County was also home to the Fleming family, which included Judge John Fleming and his son Judge William Fleming.
From 1749 until 1777, when the eastern portion was detached to form Powhatan County, Mosby Tavern served as the county courthouse. The tavern subsequently became known as "Old Cumberland Courthouse". In 1778 the narrow triangular area bordering the southern bank of the James River was annexed from Buckingham County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.8%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Goochland County – northeast
- Powhatan County – east
- Amelia County – southeast
- Prince Edward County – south
- Buckingham County – west
- Fluvanna County – northwest
Major highways
Demographics
This rural county suffered a long decline in population from 1880 to 1970, as the number of workers needed for agriculture was reduced through mechanization. Since then its population has grown, reaching a peak in 2010 nearly equal to its 19th-century high.