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Crozet is a
census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counterparts of incorporated places, suc ...
(CDP) in
Albemarle County Albemarle County is a county located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is Charlottesville, which is an independent city and enclave entirely surrounded by the county. Albemarle County is part of the Char ...
in the
Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...
of
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...
, United States. It sits along the
I-64 Interstate 64 (I-64) is an east–west Interstate Highway in the Eastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. Route 40 (US 40), and US 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchang ...
corridor, about west of
Charlottesville Charlottesville, colloquially known as C'ville, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is the county seat of Albemarle County, which surrounds the city, though the two are separate legal entities. It is named after Queen ...
and east of Staunton. Originally called "Wayland's Crossing," it was renamed in 1870 in honor of
Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...
Claudius Crozet Claude "Claudius" Crozet (December 31, 1789 – January 29, 1864) was a soldier, educator, and civil engineer. Crozet was born in France and trained as an artillery officer and civil engineer. After the defeat of Napoleon's army, he emigrated t ...
, the
French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
-born
civil engineer A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering – the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructure while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing ...
who directed the construction of the
Blue Ridge Tunnel The Blue Ridge Tunnel (also known as the Crozet Tunnel) is a historic railroad tunnel built during the construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad in the 1850s. The tunnel was the westernmost and longest of four tunnels engineered by Claudius Crozet ...
. The cornerstone of Crozet is believed to have been Pleasant Green, a property also known as the Ficklin-Wayland Farm, located yards from the actual Wayland Crossing. Claudius Crozet is said to have lodged in that property while surveying the land that today honors his name. The population of Crozet was 5,565 at the 2010 census. Crozet is part of the Charlottesville
Metropolitan Statistical Area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally incorporated as a city or tow ...
. The
Crozet Historic District The Crozet Historic District is a national historic district located in Crozet, Albemarle County, Virginia Albemarle County is a county located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is Charlottesvill ...
was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
in 2012.


Geography

Crozet is located at (38.069922, −78.701576). According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of th ...
, the CDP has a total area of 9.7 km (3.7 mi), all land.


Demographics

As of the
census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses inc ...
of 2010, there were 5,565 people, 2,119 households, and 1,522 families residing in the CDP. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopu ...
was 1,504.1 people per square mile (573.7/km). There were 2,229 housing units at an average density of 602.4/sq mi (229.8/km). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.2%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White ...
, 4.1%
African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 0.1% Native American, 3.3% Asian, 0.6% from
other races Other often refers to: * Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy Other or The Other may also refer to: Film and television * ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack * ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 1.8% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...
or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population. There were 2,119 households, out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were
married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.15. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 88 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $68,608, and the median income for a family was $85,976. Males had a median income of $53,415 versus $41,292 for females. The
per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...
for the CDP was $32,266. About 4.6% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.


Education


Schools

Crozet is served by
Western Albemarle High School Western Albemarle High School is a public high school located in Crozet, Virginia. Western Albemarle is often simply referred to as Western or WAHS (pronounced "wAz") by students and locals. The school opened in September 1977. Due to the COVID-1 ...
, J. T. Henley Middle School, Brownsville Elementary School, Meriwether Lewis Elementary School, Murray Elementary School and Crozet Elementary School. All schools in Crozet are part o
Albemarle County Public Schools
They are situated along
Highway A highway is any public or private road or other public way on land. It is used for major roads, but also includes other public roads and public tracks. In some areas of the United States, it is used as an equivalent term to controlled-access ...
250 and nearby to
Interstate 64 Interstate 64 (I-64) is an east–west Interstate Highway in the Eastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. Route 40 (US 40), and US 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchang ...
.
Western Albemarle High School Western Albemarle High School is a public high school located in Crozet, Virginia. Western Albemarle is often simply referred to as Western or WAHS (pronounced "wAz") by students and locals. The school opened in September 1977. Due to the COVID-1 ...
is a
public In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individual people, and the public (a.k.a. the general public) is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociology, sociological concept of the ''Öf ...
high school A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...
serving the central area of Albemarle County. The school was opened in September 1977. It is situated at the foot of the
Blue Ridge Mountains The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. The mountain range is located in the Eastern United States, and extends 550 miles southwest from southern Pennsylvania through Maryland, West Virg ...
on a site and has an approximate enrollment of 1,100 students. The school's athletic mascot is the Warrior. The school is known for its strong academic, as well as athletic performances. J. T. Henley Middle School is a
middle school A middle school (also known as intermediate school, junior high school, junior secondary school, or lower secondary school) is an educational stage which exists in some countries, providing education between primary school and secondary school. ...
, located on approximately of land, that feeds into Western Albemarle High School. It was first opened in 1966. The school was built using the same blueprints as Journey Middle School. However, after a renovation/addition in 1999, the two schools differ slightly in design. Henley has a capacity of 690 students, although as of 2006 only 597 students were enrolled with 72 faculty members. By 2020, the student enrollment neared 1,000. The school's
athletics Athletics may refer to: Sports * Sport of athletics, a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking ** Track and field, a sub-category of the above sport * Athletics (physical culture), competi ...
mascot is the Hornets, and the current principal is Ms. LaRuth Ensley. Directly opposite from Henley Middle School, on the same side of Route 250, is Brownsville Elementary, which shares an entrance from the highway with the middle school. Brownsville Elementary students graduate from the school to attend Henley Middle School. Crozet Elementary School (the newer building) is located in rural Crozet on Crozet Avenue, across the street from the original Crozet Elementary building. Named after Claudius Crozet, the school feeds into J. T. Henley Middle School. Crozet Elementary teaches kindergarten-5th grade. It has about 402 students. Other schools that feed into Henley are Meriwether Lewis Elementary and Murray Elementary, both of which are located in the vicinity of Ivy, Virginia. Crozet is represented on the Albemarle County School Board by two elected members, David Oberg, who represents the White Hall Magisterial District and Jonathan Alcarro, the At-Large member of the School Board. Both Mr. Oberg and Mr. Alcarro were elected to four year terms in November 2015.


Library

Crozet is also home to a branch of th
Jefferson-Madison_Regional_Library
_System.html" ;"title="Jefferson-Madison Regional Library">Jefferson-Madison Regional Library
System">Jefferson-Madison Regional Library">Jefferson-Madison Regional Library
System The Crozet Library was housed in a railway depot which was built in 1923 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. Th
new Crozet Library
i
now open. The Crozet/Western Albemarle Library, now open 52 hours each week, is a permanent public space that encourages and nurtures intellectual freedom and curiosity, and supports JMRL’s mission to help its communities grow, learn and connect. The building is designed to provide a collection of over 75,000 books. In addition to being an anchor for an active, growing community, the library stands as a permanent testament to the County and citizenry's dedication to lifelong learning.


Recreation

Because of Crozet's location in the foothills

of the
Blue Ridge Mountains The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. The mountain range is located in the Eastern United States, and extends 550 miles southwest from southern Pennsylvania through Maryland, West Virg ...
, its natural scenery is one of its distinguishing features. Outdoor activity is popular among residents and visitors.
Claudius Crozet Park
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community-owned and operated park open to the public. The Park's expansive green spaces support a variety of activities. Amenities include beautifully maintained athletic fields for soccer, baseball, softball, and t-ball. The Park also offers Quickstart tennis and pickleball courts, playgrounds, par-course systems, a fenced-in dog park, an .85-mile paved perimeter trail, outdoor basketball courts, two large covered pavilions, a one-acre pond stocked with fish, and an 8-lane, 25M all-season swimming pool as part of th
Crozet Park Aquatics and Fitness Center
(CPAFC). The CPAFC offers members year-round aquatics amenities, indoor fitness, group exercise classes, youth programming including after-school and summer camps. The facility, located inside Claudius Crozet Park, is operated by acac Fitness & Wellness Centers. The CPAFC also hosts several competitive swim teams including th
Crozet Gators Swim Team
(CGST) and th
Shenandoah Marlins Aquatic Club
(SMAC). The CGST which regularly attracts over 300 swimmers, was the Jefferson Swim League champions for the first time in 2013. The CPAFC is also the home pool for the Western Albemarle High School swim team which has won numerous regional and state titles.
Mint Springs Valley Park
contains three lakes and of land, and boasts an extensive network of hiking trails which offer beautiful views of the surrounding area. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the park's artificial Beach#Artificial beaches, beach is opened to the public and staffed with lifeguards.
Beaver Creek Lake
consists of land and water. Though no swimming is allowed, electric powered boats and crafts are welcomed. Beaver Creek Lake is stocked with sunfish, channel catfish, and largemouth bass.


Economy

Historically, Crozet was strategically important as a depot and transportation hub for the local apple and peach growing industries. Morton Frozen Foods had its flagship manufacturing plant in Crozet from August 1, 1953, until the late 1990s. In 2000, the plant was closed by food packaging company
ConAgra Foods Conagra Brands, Inc. (formerly ConAgra Foods) is an American consumer packaged goods holding company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Conagra makes and sells products under various brand names that are available in supermarkets, restauran ...
, which owned the brand, laying off more than 600 employees. As of 2016,
Musictoday Musictoday is an entertainment marketing company located in Crozet, Virginia, near Charlottesville. It was founded and run by Coran Capshaw, the manager of Dave Matthews Band. Musictoday is a pioneer in pre sales of concert tickets, by starting f ...
, acquired in 2014 by San Francisco-base
Delivery Agent Inc.
an interactive entertainment-commerce firm, operates out of the building, as does
Starr Hill Brewery Starr Hill Brewery was founded in 1999 in the town of Charlottesville, Virginia, by Mark Thompson and Kristin Dolan. The brewery takes its name from the neighborhood where it was originally located. In 2005, the brewery moved to nearby Crozet, Vir ...
, which moved from Charlottesville in 2006. From 1990 to 2005, Crozet saw increasing
housing development A housing estate (or sometimes housing complex or housing development) is a group of homes and other buildings built together as a single development. The exact form may vary from country to country. Popular throughout the United States ...
, in part because of nearby Charlottesville's reputation as a desirable location, but also because Albemarle County named Crozet as a designated growth area. Some 95% of the County remains designated as rural. In 2001, the Albemarle County
Board of Supervisors A board of supervisors is a governmental body that oversees the operation of county government in the U.S. states of Arizona, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as 16 counties in New York. There are equivalent agen ...
approved a framework dubbed the "Crozet Master Plan", developed by a local architect and regional planning firm,
http://www.nbwla.com/] to regulate development patterns and provide a Forum (legal), public forum for discussing the topic. The Master Plan allows the population of Crozet, then around 3,000, to quadruple to more than 12,000 by the 2020s. These numbers alarmed some long-time residents who are accustomed to the
rural In general, a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities. Typical rural areas have a low population density and small settlements. Agricultural areas and areas with forestry typically are de ...
tranquility of Crozet; more than a thousand people petitioned the county to reduce the number of planned households. In 2006, a plan was approved to redevelop the old Barnes Lumber property, which encompasses much of the downtown section. In 2007, the population passed 7,000. Around 2017, a complex of luxury apartments and various restaurants and shops was built in downtown Crozet. Called the Piedmont Place, it houses restaurants like Smoked Kitchen and Tap and The Rooftop. It also houses Morsel Compass and Crozet Creamery.


Culture

Traditionally a railroad town with farming and orchards, Crozet has become much more culturally diverse since the turn of the century (2000). Many of the new residents are outdoor enthusiasts. Home based, online employment is common and many work professional jobs in nearby Charlottesville. Wineries and breweries have blossomed in the area providing tourism and employment. Crozet is home to several popular festivals all taking place at community-owned Crozet Park. These festivals include the award-winning semi-annua
Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival
on
Mother's Day Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, most commonly in th ...
weekend and the second weekend of October. Now in its 42nd year, the Arts and Crafts festivals feature over 120 artists from along the east coast, local wines, ciders and beers, live entertainment and local food trucks. In early July, Crozet holds an
Independence Day An independence day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or more rarely after the end of a military occupation. Many ...
celebration, which consists of a parade through the downtown area ending at Crozet Park where attendees gather to watch fireworks. Additionally, Crozet Park hosts the Winter Brews Festival the first Saturday of December. This event features locally crafted dark beers, live entertainment, local food trucks and a winter market. Proceeds from the Arts and Crafts and Winter Brews festivals support Crozet Park. The 2007
comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending ( black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the o ...
'' Evan Almighty'' (the sequel to ''
Bruce Almighty ''Bruce Almighty'' is a 2003 American fantasy comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and written by Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe and Steve Oedekerk. The film stars Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan, a down-on-his-luck television reporter who complains to God ...
'') was partially filmed in Crozet. The ark seen in the movie, as well as the
set Set, The Set, SET or SETS may refer to: Science, technology, and mathematics Mathematics *Set (mathematics), a collection of elements *Category of sets, the category whose objects and morphisms are sets and total functions, respectively Electro ...
for Evan's neighborhood, was constructed there.Evan Almighty wraps up in Crozet
. ''The Hook''. June 15, 2006. The film set was situated on a plot of land across from Western Albemarle High School, Old Trail, which later became a popular housing subdivision. Author
Rita Mae Brown Rita Mae Brown (born November 28, 1944) is an American feminist writer, best known for her coming-of-age autobiographical novel, ''Rubyfruit Jungle''. Brown was active in a number of civil rights campaigns and criticized the marginalization of le ...
has written a mystery series commonly called the 'Mrs. Murphy series' that takes place in Crozet.


Notable people

*
Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali (; born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer and activist. Nicknamed "The Greatest", he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century, ...
, boxer, owned a farm outside Crozet. *
Billy Wagner William Edward Wagner (born July 25, 1971), nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He pitched for the Houston Astros (1995–2003), Philadelphia Ph ...
, baseball player. *
Rita Mae Brown Rita Mae Brown (born November 28, 1944) is an American feminist writer, best known for her coming-of-age autobiographical novel, ''Rubyfruit Jungle''. Brown was active in a number of civil rights campaigns and criticized the marginalization of le ...
, author and activist *
Ellis Paul Ellis Paul (born Paul Plissey; January 14, 1965) is an American singer-songwriter and folk musician. Born in Presque Isle, Aroostook County, Maine, Paul is a key figure in what has become known as the Boston school of songwriting, a literate, ...
, singer\songwriter and leading figure in the Boston Folk movement. * Remedy Rule, Olympian, swimmer


References


External links


Albemarle County website

''Crozet Gazette''
monthly newspaper
Crozet Volunteer Fire Department
fire department website

Mrs. Murphy mysteries set in Crozet {{authority control Crozet, Virginia, Census-designated places in Virginia Census-designated places in the Charlottesville, Virginia metropolitan area Census-designated places in Albemarle County, Virginia