Colonial Heights

Colonial Heights,

city (1990 pop. 16,064), in, but independent of, Chesterfield co., SE Va.; inc. as a city 1948. Chemicals, metal products, and whiskey are manufactured and peanuts, grain, soybeans, and tobacco are grown. Of particular interest is the Violet Bank Library and Museum and the giant cucumber tree in front of it. In 1864, during the Civil War, Gen. Robert E. Lee made his headquarters under the tree while directing the defense of besieged Petersburg (across the Appomattox River from Colonial Heights).

Colonial Heights (Independent City), Virginia

PO Box 3401
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Phone: (804) 520-9265
Fax: (804) 520-9207
www.colonial-heights.com

In southeastern VA on the heights overlooking the Appomattox River. Established 1910; incorporated as a town in 1926; as a city in 1948. Name Origin: For the Marquis de Lafayette's (1757-1834) artillery, known as the Colonials, which he placed here to shell British positions in Petersburg during the American Revolution

Area (sq mi):: 7.79 (land 7.48; water 0.31) Population per square mile: 2348.50
Population 2005: 17,567 State rank: 83 Population change: 2000-20005 4.00%; 1990-2000 5.20% Population 2000: 16,897 (White 88.30%; Black or African American 6.30%; Hispanic or Latino 1.60%; Asian 2.70%; Other 1.90%). Foreign born: 4.90%. Median age: 39.90
Income 2000: per capita $23,659; median household $43,224; Population below poverty level: 5.50% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $24,506-$26,729
Unemployment (2004): 3.90% Unemployment change (from 2000): 0.40% Median travel time to work: 20.70 minutes Working outside county of residence: 74.10% Cities with population over 10,000:

Colonial Heights County seat

(17,511)

See other counties in Virginia.