Onley (, "only") is a town in Accomack County,

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...

, United States. The population was 516 at the 2010 census.

History

The community was named after Onley, the estate of Governor

Henry A. Wise Henry Alexander Wise (December 3, 1806 – September 12, 1876) was an American attorney, diplomat, politician and slave owner from Virginia. As the 33rd Governor of Virginia, Wise served as a significant figure on the path to the American Civil ...

Geography

Onley is located at (37.690352, −75.716759). According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.98%, is water. It lies at an elevation of 43 feet.

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 496 people, 223 households, and 144 families living in the town. The population density was 607.9 people per square mile (233.5/km). There were 271 housing units at an average density of 332.1 per square mile (127.6/km). The racial makeup of the town was 83.27% White, 13.91% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 1.61% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41%. Of the 223 households 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 32.7% of households were one person and 20.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.72. The age distribution was 18.8% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% 65 or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 78.3 males. The median household income was $36,750 and the median family income was $42,891. Males had a median income of $28,854 versus $21,964 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,115. About 8.3% of families and 12.5% 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 13.4% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the

Köppen Climate Classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

system, Onley has a

humid subtropical climate A humid subtropical climate is a subtropical -temperate climate type, characterized by long and hot summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between ...

, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Elected and appointed officials and staff

As of 2023, the Mayor of Onley is Henry E. "Ned" Finney. The Town Council consists of Vice Mayor William R. Ferguson, Daniel K. Bloxom Jr., A. Brian Corbin, Katelyn L. Hill, Rodney C. Lang and Woody W. Zember. The Town Manager is Susan M. Rillo, Jamye L. Salazar is the Town Clerk/Treasurer, Carl Bundick is the Town Attorney and Edwin J. Long is the Onley Chief of Police.

Transportation

Major highways

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Public transportation

STAR Transit A star transit is the passage of a star across the field of view of a telescope eyepiece. The precise observation of star transits is the basis of many methods in astronomy and in geodesy. The measurements can be done in different ways: # v ...

provides

public transit Public transport (also known as public transit, mass transit, or simply transit) are forms of transport available to the general public. It typically uses a fixed schedule, route and charges a fixed fare. There is no rigid definition of wh ...

services, linking Onley with Cape Charles, Oak Hall, and other communities in Accomack and

Northampton Northampton ( ) is a town and civil parish in Northamptonshire, England. It is the county town of Northamptonshire and the administrative centre of the Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority of West Northamptonshire. The town is sit ...

counties on the Eastern Shore.

Railroads

Before going out of business in 2018, Onley was previously served by the

Bay Coast Railroad The Bay Coast Railroad was a Class III short-line railroad that ran trains on the former New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad line on the Delmarva Peninsula between Pocomoke City, Maryland, and Norfolk, Virginia, interchanging with the N ...

References

{{authority control Towns in Accomack County, Virginia Towns in Virginia