Hanover
County
Hanover is an excellent environment in which to live, for it offers
a taste of rural America (it is the home of the internationally renowned
Hanover Tomato) in the greater Richmond area. Hanover County also
is great horse country and boasts some of the finest livestock farms
in central Virginia. The County continues to be an exciting community
where history is preserved for the future.
Hanover County is ranked among the top 50 localities in the United
States for quality of life by the American City Business Journals. It
openly shares with curious visitors a unique glimpse of history.
Patrick Henry, one of the more vocal leaders of the American Revolution
and famous for his "Give me liberty or give me death" speech, was
born in Hanover and lived at his Scotchtown home in Hanover, one
of the oldest plantations dating back to 1736. The Hanover Courthouse
is more than 250 years old and is the second oldest continuously
used courthouse in America. The Civil War era, with preserved Civil
War battlefields, holds memories of historic moments such as the
Seven Days Battle and the Battle of Cold Harbor.
Hanover's contemporary life is that of a vibrant rural and suburban
locality. It has two interstate highways, I-95 and I-295, which are
among the busiest in the eastern United States. The County has a
population of approximately 97,000. This includes those residing
in the Town of Ashland, an authentic railroad town.
Trains still rumble through the center of town, past Randolph-Macon
College, lovely Victorian homes, and various shops. Randolph-Macon
College is the oldest Methodist College in the United States.
The area abounds with a wide spectrum of cultural, recreational
and entertainment activities. Our moderate, four-season climate allows
for a variety of outdoor enjoyment and sensory excitement.
Prior to English colonization what is today Hanover County was hunting
ground for the Pamunkey and Chickahominy Indians. In the late 17th
century it was settled by plantation owners and others involved in
the tobacco related economy. At that time it was part of New Kent
County. Hanover County was officially formed on November 26, 1720
from the area of New Kent County called St. Paul's Parish. It was
named for King George I of England, who was Elector of Hannover in
Germany when he came to the throne. Two early port towns on the Pamunkey
River were Hanovertown and Newcastle. Both were mercantile villages
from which tobacco was shipped to England. Neither exists today.
Hanover County enjoys a reputation as one of the best-run counties
in the country. The County has maintained a strong bond rating of
AA1/AA/AA+, with only 35 counties nationwide and 5 counties in Virginia
having higher bond ratings.
Hanover County Public Schools is a growing, national award-winning
suburban school district. Approximately 19,000 students attend
the twenty-one comparably successful schools--thirteen elementary,
four middle, and four high schools. Hanover County’s
less-than-one-percent student drop-out rate (0.44 %) coupled with
standardized test scores among the very best in Virginia illustrate
the district’s philosophy to find the wealth in every child.
The editors of the Richmond-Times Dispatch have said, “Hanover
County has reason to think of itself as the jewel in the crown
of Richmond-area localities. With low taxes, little
crime, good schools, and a bucolic atmosphere only a few minutes
from downtown Richmond, it enjoys the best of both the
urban and rural worlds.” (October 26, 1999)
Hanover County has approximately 21 departments and 1,200 employees.
For more information about employment with Hanover County, please
visit our career site at www.hanovercountyjobs.com.
Hanover County offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.
Hanover: People, Tradition & Spirit