Essex County is a United States county located in the Middle Peninsula of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is bordered by the Rappahannock River on the north and King and Queen County on the south. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 10,599. The county seat is the historic town of Tappahannock.
The county was created in 1692, when the old Rappahannock County was dissolved to form the new Essex and Richmond counties, and was named to honor Essex in England. Due to the region's location on the Rappahannock River, it was one of the early areas visited by English explorer John Smith. Smith's three trips led to him being captured, attacked and finally making peace with the resident indigenous Powhatan people.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (10.1%) is water. Its main town, Tappahanock, is focused at the Rappahanock River.
Adjacent counties
- Westmoreland County – north
- Richmond County – northeast
- Middlesex County – southeast
- King and Queen County – south
- Caroline County – west
- King George County – northwest
Major highways
National protected area
- Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (part) Hutchinson unit, Thomas unit