Virginia

Charles City

6,773

2020 population

1790

first census record

census records

About Charles City

Charles City, Virginia, first appears in the United States federal census in 1790, when it recorded a population of 5,588. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 6,773.

Its recorded population peaked at 7,256 in 2010, and has since declined by roughly 7 percent.

On the ground today, 40 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Powhatan Network Formation Conflict, Powhatan Massacre — First Anglo-Powhatan War (1622), Powhatan Massacre (First Anglo-Powhatan War) 1622, and 31 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census Year	Population	Chart
2020	6,773
2010	7,256
2000	6,926
1990	6,282
1980	6,692
1970	6,158
1960	5,492
1950	4,676
1940	4,275
1930	4,881
1920	4,793
1910	5,253
1900	5,040
1890	5,066
1880	5,512
1870	4,975
1860	5,609
1850	5,200
1840	4,774
1830	5,500
1820	5,255
1810	5,186
1800	5,365
1790	5,588

Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Charles City

Military engagements that took place in Charles City, Virginia.

Powhatan Network Formation Conflict

1400

Powhatan Massacre — First Anglo-Powhatan War (1622)

1622

Powhatan Massacre (First Anglo-Powhatan War) 1622

1622

Powhatan Raid on Berkeley Hundred 1622

1622

Siege of Henricus (Powhatan War 1622)

1622

Destruction of Henricus (Powhatan Massacre 1622)

1622

Powhatan Massacre of 1644

1644

Indian Massacre of 1644 (Opechancanough)

1644

Pocahontas Uprising / Anglo-Powhatan War skirmishes

1644

Third Anglo-Powhatan War - Opechancanough Attack 1644

1644

Third Anglo-Powhatan War 1644-1646

1644

Battle of Dragon Swamp

1676

Battle of Hood's Point

1781

Battle of Glendale / Frayser's Farm Jun 30 1862

1862

Harrison's Landing — Probe (August 5, 1862)

1862

Evelington Heights Artillery Action (July 3, 1862)

1862

Battle of Harrison's Landing / Westover

1862

Skirmish at Charles City Court House

1862

Battle of Savage's Station

1862

Second Battle of Malvern Hill

1862

Battle of White Oak Swamp (Glendale)

1862

Skirmish at Malvern Hill (Post-Seven Days 1862)

1862

Battle of Oak Grove Jun 25 1862

1862

Engagement at Malvern Cliff (Malvern Hill secondary)

1862

Stuart's Ride Around McClellan

1862

Battle of Malvern Hill

1862

Battle of Malvern Hill Jul 1 1862

1862

Skirmish at Malvern Cliff

1862

Williamsburg Road Skirmish

1862

James River Squadron operations 1864

1864

Battle of Wilson's Wharf

1864

City Point – Confederate Bomb Explosion

1864

Battle of Bermuda Hundred

1864

James River Torpedo (Mine) Attacks on Union Vessels

1864

James River Crossing – Wilcox's Landing

1864

Cavalry Fight at Black's and Byrd's Creek

1864

Action at Bermuda Hundred (James River)

1864

Long Bridge cavalry engagement

1864

Skirmish at Charles City Court House

1864

Battle of New Market Road (August 1864)

1864

Historic places in Charles City

National Register of Historic Places listings in Charles City, Virginia.

Glebe of Westover Parish

Charles City County Courthouse

Nance-Major House and Store

Cary, Lott, Birth Site

Browse all Virginiahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Virginia

Explore census history and historic records for more Virginia counties.

Warwick Washington Waynesboro Waynesboro city Westmoreland Williamsburg Williamsburg city Winchester Winchester city Wise Wythe York Accomack Albemarle Alexandria Alexandria city Alleghany Amelia Amherst Appomattox

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Charles City County, Virginia

This page charts the census history of Charles City County, Virginia. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Charles City County, Virginia report

Or see a real report first

Explore Virginia records

Virginiahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Virginia›

Frequently asked about Charles City

When does Charles City first appear in the US census?

Charles City, Virginia first appears in the federal census in 1790, with a recorded population of 5,588.

What is the population of Charles City?

At the most recent federal census (2020), Charles City had a recorded population of 6,773.

When did Charles City's population peak?

Charles City's recorded population peaked at 7,256 in 2010.

Were any battles fought in Charles City?

40 documented military engagements took place in Charles City, including Powhatan Network Formation Conflict, Powhatan Massacre — First Anglo-Powhatan War (1622), Powhatan Massacre (First Anglo-Powhatan War) 1622.

How many historic places are in Charles City?

31 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Charles City, Virginia.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your location View a free sample report