City of Hampton, Virginia

City of Hampton Education, Geography, and History

Hampton is an independent city in Virginia. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 137,436.

As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula.

Hampton traces its history to the city's Old Point Comfort, the home of Fort Monroe for almost 400 years, which was named by the 1607 voyagers, led by Captain Christopher Newport, who first established Jamestown as an English colonial settlement. Since consolidation in 1952, Hampton has included the former Elizabeth City County and the incorporated town of Phoebus, consolidating by mutual agreement.

Etymology - Origin of City of Hampton Name

It takes its name from the Hampton Creek, earlier called Southampton River in honor of the earl of Southampton, an important figure in the Virginia Company of London

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: City of Hampton

Hampton City History

Hampton was located in Elizabeth City County, which is now extinct. It takes its name from the Hampton Creek, earlier called Southampton River in honor of the earl of Southampton, an important figure in the Virginia Company of London. An Indian village stood on the site in 1607, when John Smith visited the area. The English established a village there in 1601 and a trading post in 1630. Hampton was established by an act of assembly in 1680 and was designated as a port in 1708. It was first incorporated as a town in 1849, then it was incorporated again in 1852, but the act of incorporation was repealed in 1860. The General Assembly again incorporated the town of Hampton in 1887, and it became a city by court order in 1908. It was greatly enlarged in 1952 by a merger with Elizabeth City County and the town of Phoebus; the county and town thereby became extinct. The population is 146,437 according to the 2000 census.

Hampton, Virginia was already an Indian village when founded as a village by the English in 1610. The English erected a trading post in Hampton in 1630. [Virginia Genealogy, Sources & Resources, by Carol McGinnis, Genealogical Publishing Inc., Baltimore, MD, 1993.]

Hampton, Virginia designated a port in 1708. [Virginia Genealogy, Sources & Resources, by Carol McGinnis, Genealogical Publishing Inc., Baltimore, MD, 1993.]

Hampton, Virginia was incorporated as a town in 1849 and incorporated as a city in 1908. Established by an Act of Assembly in 1680. Elizabeth City County and the town of Phoebus merged with Hampton on 1 July 1952, englarging the size of the city of Hampton. Formerly established in 1680. Designated a port in 1708. [Virginia Genealogy, Sources & Resources, by Carol McGinnis, Genealogical Publishing Inc., Baltimore, MD, 1993.]

Hampton, Virginia chartered on 1 July 1952 from all of Elizabeth City County, Virginia. [County Courthouse Book, by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Inc., Baltimore, MD, 1990.]

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 352.8 square kilometers (136.2 sq mi). 134.1 square kilometers (51.8 sq mi) of it is land and 218.7 square kilometers (84.4 sq mi) of it (61.99%) is water.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• York County, Virginia (north)
• Poquoson, Virginia (northeast)
• Norfolk, Virginia (south; border within the waters of Hampton Roads)
• Newport News, Virginia (south and west)
• Portsmouth, Virginia south, water boundary only, across Hampton Roads
• Northampton County, Virginia - east, water boundary only, across Chesapeake Bay
  

Education

Colleges and universities

Hampton University
Thomas Nelson Community College
Bryant and Stratton College has a branch campus at the Peninsula Town Center.
Public universities that are outside but near Hampton include Christopher Newport University, Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, and The College of William and Mary

Compare More Colleges and Universities

Find more schools to match to your needs.

Start Now