Culpeper | |
|---|---|
| Motto: "Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future" | |
Interactive map of Culpeper | |
| Coordinates: 38°28′19″N 77°59′57″W / 38.47194°N 77.99917°W / 38.47194; -77.99917 | |
| Country | |
| State | |
| County | Culpeper |
| Founded | 1759 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| • Mayor | Frank Reaves Jr. (Ind.) |
| • Vice Mayor | William M. Yowell |
| Area [1] | |
• Town | 7.32 sq mi (18.96 km2) |
| • Land | 7.28 sq mi (18.85 km2) |
| • Water | 0.042 sq mi (0.11 km2) |
| • Urban | 9.4 sq mi (24 km2) |
| Elevation | 413 ft (126 m) |
| Population (2020)[2] | |
• Town | 20,062 |
• Estimate (2025) | 21,575 |
| • Density | 2,756/sq mi (1,064.2/km2) |
| • Urban | 22,834 |
| • Urban density | 2,436/sq mi (941/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 22701, 22735 |
| Area code | 540 |
| FIPS code | 51-20752[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1498471[4] |
| Major roadways | |
| Public transit | Amtrak, Virginia Regional Transit, Virginia Breeze |
| Airport | Culpeper Regional Airport |
| Website | www.culpeperva.gov |
Culpeper (formerly Culpeper Courthouse, earlier Fairfax) is an incorporated town in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. It is the county seat and part of the Washington–Baltimore combined statistical area. At the 2020 United States Census, the population was 20,062, an increase from 16,379 in 2010. Culpeper is located along U.S. Route 15, U.S. Route 29, and U.S. Route 522, and is served by intercity passenger rail at Culpeper station and by local and regional bus services operated by Virginia Regional Transit and the Virginia Breeze network.[5][6][7]
The town was laid out in 1749 by a young George Washington while working as a surveyor for Lord Fairfax, and formally established in 1759 by the Virginia House of Burgesses under the name Fairfax.[8] During the American Revolutionary War, the Culpeper Minutemen militia organized here in 1775.[9] In the American Civil War, Culpeper was occupied by both Union and Confederate forces due to its strategic position along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, and the surrounding county saw engagements including the Battle of Brandy Station, the largest cavalry battle of the war and the largest that had ever occurred in North America, as well as the Battle of Cedar Mountain.[9][10]
In the late 19th and 20th centuries, Culpeper grew as a regional rail and market center. A major cultural landmark is the Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation, opened by the Library of Congress in 1997 on the site of a former Federal Reserve facility.[11] The town's historic core, including East Davis Street, has been recognized for preservation and revitalization, with the American Planning Association naming it one of "America's Great Places" in 2011.[12] Culpeper has also been affected by modern events such as the 2011 Virginia earthquake, which damaged downtown structures,[13] and recent technology-related investment, including data centers within the Culpeper Technology Zone.[14]
History
Early European settlement
Prior to European arrival, the area now encompassed by Culpeper County was inhabited by Siouan and potentially Algonquian speaking peoples, particularly the nomadic Manahoac, allies to the Monacans and other central Virginian tribes further west.[15][16][17][18][19] Captain John Smith mapped the area between the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers in 1608, locating 4 Sioux villages therein.[9] The Manahoac were water-faring, making use of the Rappahannock for fishing and transport. Their primary subsistence crops were corn, beans, and squash; they were also known to clear large tracts of forest to attract big game to their territory, and built impressive burial mounds.[19][20] Though the tribe was initially sheltered from European encroachment by their position west of the fall line, they were steadily wiped out by disease and gradual conflict with settlers. The remnants of the tribe were first driven south towards the upper Mattaponi, then westwards into the Blue Ridge; they had largely disappeared from the Piedmont region by the time that Culpepper was intensively settled by the colonists.[15][20]
In 1649, the 629,000-acre Northern Neck Proprietary was established by King Charles II as a one-seventh partition of the Crown's holdings in North America.[9] The original recipient of this territory was John Colepeper, 1st Baron Colepeper of Thoresway.[21] Upon his passing, control of the territory was transferred to his son, Thomas Colepeper, the 2nd Baron; in 1688 he received a new patent from King James verifying his claim to the territory, but died the following year. 5/6th of his share of the colony was inherited by his daughter, Catherine Culpeper, and her husband Thomas Fairfax, 5th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. Upon his death in 1710, control of the territory passed on to his son Thomas, the 6th Lord. The death of his grandmother in May of that year left him the remaining sixth share. Given that he was only 16 at the time, administrative authority fell to his mother, who would maintain it until her death in 1719, when the whole of the proprietary was passed on to Thomas.[22] Upon its founding by the Virginia General Assembly in 1749, Culpeper County would be named for Catherine, as Fairfax County already existed.[9]
By the early 18th century, settlers from the Tidewater and Northern Neck regions began pushing westward into the Piedmont. German, English, and Scots-Irish colonists established farms along the Rapidan and Crooked Run valleys between 1714 and 1720 as part of the Germanna Colony settlement founded by Governor Alexander Spotswood. At the time of its founding, it was colonial Virginia's westernmost settlement.[23] These settlers built homesteads, mills, and trading routes that later became part of Culpeper County. The region’s fertile soil supported wheat, corn, and tobacco cultivation, while trade developed along wagon roads connecting Fredericksburg to the Shenandoah Valley. In 1748, the Virginia House of Burgesses formally created Culpeper County from Orange County, effective May 17, 1749. It originally included what are now Madison and Rappahannock counties.[24]
After Culpeper County was established, the Virginia House of Burgesses voted on February 22, 1759, to create the Town of Fairfax. The name honored Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1693–1781),[25] the proprietor of the Northern Neck of Virginia, which included a large tract of land between the Rappahannock River and the Potomac River.[clarification needed]
Founding and colonial period
_(14739714546).jpg/440px-The_photographic_history_of_the_Civil_War_-_thousands_of_scenes_photographed_1861-65,_with_text_by_many_special_authorities_(1911)_(14739714546).jpg)
The original plan for the town included ten square blocks forming the present downtown grid. The layout was surveyed in 1749 by a young George Washington, who was then employed by Lord Fairfax to map the Northern Neck proprietary lands.[26][27] During the colonial period, Culpeper became a small market town centered around tobacco warehouses, taverns, and blacksmith shops. Roads linking Fredericksburg to the Shenandoah Valley increased its commercial importance.
During the American Revolutionary War, local residents organized the Culpeper Minutemen militia in 1775 at Clayton’s Old Field, now Yowell Meadow Park. Their green hunting shirts, emblazoned with “Liberty or Death” and a coiled rattlesnake, was used as a symbol of Virginia’s independence movement. The unit fought at the Battle of Great Bridge and later joined the 3rd Virginia Regiment.[9]
Nineteenth century
Culpeper’s central location in the Piedmont made it a crossroad for commerce and transportation in the early 1800s. Taverns, blacksmith shops, and wagon yards surrounded the courthouse square, and by the 1850s the arrival of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad connected the town with Alexandria and Gordonsville.[28]
During the American Civil War, Culpeper and the surrounding county became strategically important for both Union and Confederate forces. The town changed hands more than sixty times between 1861 and 1865, serving alternately as headquarters for General Robert E. Lee and Union General George G. Meade.[29] The nearby Battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863, remains the largest cavalry engagement of the war, while the Battle of Cedar Mountain (August 1862) and the Battle of Kelly's Ford (March 1863) further established Culpeper’s wartime importance.[30] President Abraham Lincoln visited Culpeper twice during the war, inspecting Union camps in 1862 and again in 1864.[31] Confederate scout networks operated in the area, including the Brandy Station Signal Corps, which gathered intelligence for Lee’s army.
The courthouse and much of the town suffered extensive damage during repeated occupations. Following the Confederate surrender, Culpeper was rechartered in 1869. The Reconstruction era saw the rise of new civic and religious institutions established by formerly enslaved residents, including churches, the Culpeper Colored School (1903), and St. Stephen’s Industrial School for vocational training.[32]
Twentieth century modernization
In 1870, a fire destroyed the courthouse and several surrounding structures, prompting a wave of rebuilding that shaped the modern downtown’s brick architecture. By the early 1900s, Culpeper featured hotels, banks, a trolley line, and telegraph offices.[33] The agricultural economy remained dominant through the Great Depression, but the town also supported canneries, lumber operations, and small textile mills.
During the 1930s, New Deal programs such as the WPA constructed sidewalks, bridges, and schools still in use today. World War II brought further change, with the nearby Culpeper National Cemetery expanded and military training grounds created in surrounding counties. After the war, population growth and automobile travel shifted commerce toward the U.S. Route 29 and U.S. Route 15 corridors.[34]
During the mid-20th century, Culpeper modernized municipal services, built new schools, and participated in regional planning initiatives. In the 1950s, local residents took part in early desegregation efforts at Culpeper High School, covered by the *Charlottesville-Albemarle Tribune* and *Free Lance Star* newspapers. The 1970s saw downtown revitalization and historic preservation programs led by the Choral Society and American Legion, preserving many 19th-century structures.[35]
Cold War and recent history
During the Cold War, the U.S. Federal Reserve built an underground bunker southeast of town in 1969 as a continuity-of-government site. In 1997, the Library of Congress converted the facility into the National Audiovisual Conservation Center, known as the Packard Campus.[36]
On August 23, 2011, Culpeper was impacted by the 2011 Virginia earthquake, which damaged several historic buildings along Main and East Davis streets.[37] The Museum of Culpeper History relocated in 2014 to the town’s historic depot building, expanding exhibits on local archaeology and wartime heritage.[38]
The early 21st century brought a combination of growth and preservation. The American Planning Association recognized East Davis Street in 2011 as one of "America’s Great Places" for its preserved architecture and active local economy.[39]
In 2024, the state opened Culpeper Battlefields State Park, protecting portions of the Brandy Station and Cedar Mountain battlefields for public use.[40]
Economic diversification has continued with technology and tourism sectors growing in importance. The county’s Department of Economic Development received six Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council in 2025.[41] Preservation groups have also continued advocating for balance between new development, including proposed data centers and solar installations, and the protection of historic landscapes.[42]
Geography
Culpeper is in the Piedmont region of Virginia, approximately 70 miles (113 km) southwest of Washington, D.C. and 50 miles (80 km) north of Richmond. The town lies at the intersection of U.S. Route 29 and U.S. Route 15, two major highways that provide important access to central and northern Virginia. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Culpeper has a total area of 7.32 square miles (18.96 km²), of which 7.28 square miles (18.85 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.11 km²), or 0.55%, is water.[1]
Topography
Culpeper’s terrain is characterized by rolling hills within the Piedmont Plateau, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Elevation ranges from about 300 feet in the east to nearly 600 feet in the west. The county is bounded by the Rappahannock River to the north and the Rapidan River to the south.[43]
Neighborhoods
Residential and cultural life centers around a number of historic and modern neighborhoods. The area known as “Fishtown,” located along Commerce Street, Waters Place, and Locust Street, developed as a business and residential district with a strong African American community presence. Nearby enclaves included Tin Cup Alley, Whipple Alley, Slabtown, Jeffrey Town, and Sugar Bottom.[44]
Townscape
The central business district is largely encompassed by the Culpeper Historic District, a 50-acre area established in 1982 to preserve the town’s architectural and historic character. Buildings within the district are subject to review by the town’s Architectural Review Board for exterior changes visible from public streets.[45] Within downtown, “The Wharf,” at the lower end of East Davis Street, historically served as a center for freight, services, and commercial activity, complementing the residential and business mix of Fishtown.[44]
Climate
Culpeper has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), with very warm, humid summers and cool winters. Precipitation is abundant and well spread (although the summer months are usually wetter), with an annual average of 45.19 in (1,148 mm).
| Climate data for Culpeper, Virginia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
84 (29) |
91 (33) |
95 (35) |
100 (38) |
103 (39) |
107 (42) |
102 (39) |
102 (39) |
99 (37) |
86 (30) |
79 (26) |
107 (42) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 45 (7) |
49 (9) |
60 (16) |
70 (21) |
79 (26) |
86 (30) |
90 (32) |
87 (31) |
81 (27) |
70 (21) |
59 (15) |
48 (9) |
69 (20) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25 (−4) |
28 (−2) |
34 (1) |
43 (6) |
52 (11) |
61 (16) |
66 (19) |
64 (18) |
58 (14) |
45 (7) |
37 (3) |
29 (−2) |
45 (7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −14 (−26) |
−9 (−23) |
5 (−15) |
18 (−8) |
28 (−2) |
37 (3) |
48 (9) |
44 (7) |
31 (−1) |
18 (−8) |
6 (−14) |
−6 (−21) |
−14 (−26) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.26 (83) |
2.96 (75) |
3.55 (90) |
3.32 (84) |
4.34 (110) |
4.39 (112) |
4.23 (107) |
4.13 (105) |
4.36 (111) |
3.81 (97) |
3.71 (94) |
3.13 (80) |
45.19 (1,148) |
| Source: [46] | |||||||||||||
Infrastructure

Transportation
Roads and highways
Highways directly serving Culpeper include U.S. Route 15 Business, U.S. Route 29 Business, U.S. Route 522, Virginia State Route 3 and Virginia State Route 229. U.S. Route 15 and U.S. Route 29 pass just southeast of the town limits. US 15 Bus, US 29 Bus and US 522 share the same alignment through downtown, following Main Street. US 29 extends southwest toward Charlottesville and Interstate 64 westbound, while US 15 provides connections southward toward Orange and Gordonsville. US 15 and US 29 are concurrent to the north, providing connections to Warrenton and Washington, D.C. US 522 connects southward to I-64 eastbound and northward toward Front Royal, Winchester and Interstate 81. SR 3 extends eastward, connecting to Fredericksburg and Interstate 95. SR 229 provides a connection northward toward Rixeyville and U.S. Route 211.
Culpeper maintains a locally managed street network under the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), which oversees maintenance and safety improvements on primary and secondary routes throughout the county.[47]
Rail
Amtrak operates the Culpeper Station (station code CLP) with daily service by the Cardinal, Northeast Regional and Crescent trains, providing connections to New Orleans, Chicago, Cincinnati, New York and Boston. Approximately 17,386 passengers boarded or alighted at the station in fiscal year 2023.[48]
Freight rail operations also pass through the region as part of the state’s transportation network, providing industrial and logistical connections for local businesses.[49]
Public transportation
Culpeper is served by Virginia Regional Transit, which operates fixed-route and demand-response bus services within the town and county. The “Culpeper Connector” provides scheduled service around major destinations in town, while the “Culpeper Express” offers countywide curb-to-curb rides with advance reservations.[50]
Additional regional bus service is provided through the Virginia Breeze intercity network, which includes a stop in Culpeper on the Piedmont Express line connecting to Dulles International Airport and Washington, D.C.[51] Limited commuter connections are also available via Academy Bus.[52]
Airport
The Culpeper Regional Airport (FAA: CJR) is located east of the town and features a 5,000-foot runway that supports general aviation traffic, flight training and business aviation. The airport is owned and operated by Culpeper County and offers hangar facilities, fueling services and maintenance support for private and corporate aircraft.[53]
Economy
Culpeper's economy is supported by retail, healthcare, government services, and growing technology interests. The town is home to the Library of Congress’s Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation, a major federal facility just outside town limits.[54] Retail hubs like Culpeper Colonnade also contribute significantly to local employment.[55]
Technology and data center development
In 2022, Amazon Web Services (AWS), through its subsidiary Marvell Developments, submitted a proposal for a data center development in Culpeper County that required rezoning of agricultural land for industrial use. The proposal generated public opposition, which was discussed during public hearings held by the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors.
In January 2023, the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors approved the rezoning request for the project following public hearings and debate. [56]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 1,056 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,800 | 70.5% | |
| 1880 | 1,613 | −10.4% | |
| 1890 | 1,620 | 0.4% | |
| 1900 | 1,618 | −0.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,796 | 11.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,819 | 1.3% | |
| 1930 | 2,379 | 30.8% | |
| 1940 | 2,316 | −2.6% | |
| 1950 | 2,527 | 9.1% | |
| 1960 | 2,412 | −4.6% | |
| 1970 | 6,056 | 151.1% | |
| 1980 | 6,621 | 9.3% | |
| 1990 | 8,581 | 29.6% | |
| 2000 | 9,664 | 12.6% | |
| 2010 | 16,379 | 69.5% | |
| 2020 | 20,062 | 22.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[57] | |||
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the town of Culpeper had a population of 20,062.[57] The racial makeup was 49.3% White (non-Hispanic), 17.3% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 0.8% Native American or other races, and 5.4% identifying as two or more races. Individuals of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 24.9% of the total population.[58]
The age distribution in Culpeper showed 28.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% aged 65 and older, with a median age of 34 years.[59]
According to the 2019–2023 American Community Survey, the median household income in Culpeper was $88,702, and the per capita income was $36,327. Approximately 12.4% of residents were living below the poverty line.[60]
Arts and culture
Culpeper hosts several arts and cultural programs, particularly centered in its downtown area. Culpeper Renaissance, Inc., a nonprofit organization, has coordinated public art initiatives such as the Culpeper Downtown Walls Mural Program. Murals include “The Surveyor,” depicting George Washington, and “The Trailblazers,” featuring African American community leaders. In 2024, the initiative expanded to include painted utility boxes throughout the historic district.[61][62]
The Pitts Theatre, an Art Deco structure built in the late 1930s, was reopened in 2013 as a performing arts venue but closed again in 2016. Its facade remains preserved.[63]
The Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio‑Visual Conservation, located outside town, offers free film screenings to the public.[64][65]
Annual events in the area include Culpeperpalooza, a music and vendor festival held in April at Mountain Run Winery. The 2025 event featured multiple bands and supported regional nonprofits.[66] Other recurring events include farmers’ markets and concerts held in the downtown district.[67]
The Museum of Culpeper History, located in the town's historic train depot, provides exhibits and tours on local history, including the colonial period and the Civil War.[68] Additional historical sites include the Burgandine House and Culpeper Battlefields State Park.[69]
_at_Page_Street_in_Culpeper,_Culpeper_County,_Virginia.jpg/440px-thumbnail.jpg)

Sports
Culpeper hosts a range of organized sports activities, from youth leagues to summer collegiate baseball and regional tournaments.
Culpeper County Parks & Recreation oversees both youth and adult league sports programming, operating at facilities such as the Culpeper Sports Complex and the Fieldhouse. Offerings include baseball, softball, soccer, football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, pickleball and cheerleading, with clinics and youth camps available year‑round.[70][71]
The Culpeper Sports Complex, which opened in 2006, receives over 350,000 visitors annually and features multiple athletic fields, including soccer, football, little league baseball, softball and lacrosse. In 2022, LED lighting was installed for enhanced evening use of 14 athletic fields.[71]
Youth football and cheerleading are organized on a recreational basis by the Culpeper Football Association (CFA), which began operations in 2004 and has grown from approximately 250 participants to over 700 in later years.[72]
At the high school level, Culpeper County High School athletic teams known as the Blue Devils compete in basketball, football, baseball, volleyball, soccer, softball, wrestling, lacrosse and other sports within the Virginia High School League’s Battlefield District (Class 3). The basketball team regularly participates in postseason play, including matchups in the Class 3 Region B tournament.[73][74]
In summer collegiate baseball, the Culpeper Cavaliers joined the Valley Baseball League in 2023. The league, sanctioned by the NCAA and supported by Major League Baseball, features college-level athletes competing across the Shenandoah Valley region.[75][76]
Recreational sports are also supported by facilities such as PATH Recreation & Fitness Center (Fieldhouse) and Culpeper Recreation Club. The Fieldhouse includes indoor courts for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, as well as batting cages.[77] Culpeper Recreation Club operates a pool and courts for tennis, volleyball, baseball, soccer, and a summer swim team known as the Barnstormers.[78]
Media
Print publications
The Culpeper Star-Exponent is a long-running newspaper, founded in 1881 as the Culpeper Exponent and merged with the Virginia Star in 1953. As of 2023, it is published three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) in broadsheet format and is owned by Lee Enterprises.[79] A Lee Enterprises annual filing reported a print circulation of approximately 2,986 daily and 2,917 Sunday before the change.[80]
Another notable publication is the Culpeper Times, a weekly tabloid founded in 1889. It is owned by Rappahannock Media LLC, with a print circulation around 5,000 copies, and digital availability through the InsideNoVa platform.[81]
Broadcast media
Local radio is anchored by several stations. WJMA (103.1 FM) is a country music station licensed to Culpeper, operated by Piedmont Communications since its debut on December 4, 1971.[82] WCVA (1490 AM / 95.3 FM) broadcasts classic hits and was first launched in 1949, also under Piedmont Communications ownership.[83] Additionally, WVCV (1340 AM), though licensed to Orange, Virginia, simulcasts WJMA’s country format and serves Culpeper listeners.[84]
Notable events
- Culpeper was the location of the main encampment for the Army of the Potomac during the winter of 1863-64 during the Civil War. It was from Culpeper that General Ulysses S. Grant began the Overland Campaign against General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.
- During the presidential election campaign of 1960, vice presidential nominee Lyndon B. Johnson began his whistle-stop campaign of the South by giving a speech at Culpeper. As the train was pulling away from the station, Johnson yelled out a phrase that would become a battle cry of the campaign: "What did Dick Nixon ever do for Culpeper?!"[85][86]
- In 1967, it was the site of a one-day standoff between members of the American Nazi Party and police and military personnel over the group's attempt to bury their leader George Lincoln Rockwell in the local National Cemetery.
- In 1995, former Superman star Christopher Reeve lost his balance during a horse competition and fell, resulting in severe spinal injury and permanent quadriplegic paralysis.[87]
- On June 14, 2025, during a No Kings protest in Culpeper, a motorist drove into a crowd of demonstrators. According to police reports, at least one person was struck by the vehicle; however, no serious injuries were confirmed at the time, and the individual was not immediately located.[88] The incident led to the arrest of the driver and drew local attention to tensions surrounding the protest movement.[89]
Government and politics
Culpeper is governed by a nine-member Town Council, consisting of a Mayor and eight Council Members, all elected at-large to four-year terms.[90] The Council appoints a Town Manager, who serves as the chief administrative officer and oversees the daily operations of the town. The Council also appoints the Town Attorney and Town Clerk.
Council meetings are held regularly on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors Meeting Room.[90]
Town council
As of 2025, the members of the Town Council are:[91]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Mayor | Frank Reaves Jr. |
| Vice Mayor | William M. Yowell |
| Council Member | B. Travis Brown |
| Council Member | Jamie Dyke |
| Council Member | Michael T. Olinger |
| Council Member | Meaghan Taylor |
| Council Member | Jon Russell |
| Council Member | Keith Price |
| Council Member | Pranas S. Rimeikis |
Political leanings
Culpeper County, including the Town of Culpeper, has historically leaned Republican in state and federal elections. The last time a Democratic presidential candidate carried the county was in 1964.[92] In the 2020 presidential election, approximately 62% of county voters supported Donald Trump, while about 36% supported Joe Biden.[93]
Culpeper is part of Virginia's 7th congressional district, represented by Democrat Eugene Vindman as of 2025. In the Virginia General Assembly, the town is represented by Republicans in both the House of Delegates and State Senate.[94]
Education
Culpeper is served by the Culpeper County Public Schools district, which covers all public K–12 education in Culpeper County.[95] Within the town limits are several public elementary and middle schools such as Floyd T. Binns Middle, Farmington, Sycamore Park, and Yowell Elementary, while county residents outside town attend schools including A.G. Richardson, Emerald Hill, and Pearl Sample elementary schools, along with Culpeper Middle School.
High school students attend one of two public high schools: Culpeper County High School or Eastern View High School, depending on zoning. The Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC) opened in 2021 adjacent to Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center provides vocational and technical programs to students from both high schools, offering hands‑on training and industry credentials in fields like automotive, carpentry, cybersecurity, culinary arts, healthcare, HVAC/R, EMT, and emergency services.[96][97]
In addition to public schooling, Culpeper County has several private and faith-based institutions such as Culpeper Christian School and Epiphany Catholic School serving pre‑K through high school students with religious-based curricula and smaller class sizes.[98]
Notable people
- William T. Amiger (1870–1929), educator, college president, Baptist minister; born in Culpeper[99][100]
- Nell Arthur (1837–1880), wife of Chester A. Arthur, who became the 21st president of the United States after her death
- Kenny Alphin, of the country music group Big & Rich
- John S. Barbour Jr., U.S. congressman (1881–1887) and U.S. senator (1889-1892)
- Andrew J. Boyle, U.S. Army lieutenant general, resided in Culpeper during his retirement[101]
- Robert Young Button, Attorney General of Virginia (1962-1970) and Virginia State Senator (1945-1961)
- Cary Travers Grayson, highly decorated U.S. Navy surgeon, onetime chairman of the American Red Cross, and personal aide to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
- A. P. Hill (1825–1865), Confederate general during the American Civil War, commander of "Hill's Light Division," under Stonewall Jackson
- John Preston "Pete" Hill, Negro league baseball player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, born in nearby Buena, Virginia
- John Jameson (1751–1810), Colonel in the American Revolutionary War
- Ann Jarvis, for whom Mother's Day was established by her daughter Anna Jarvis
- Keith Jennings, former NBA point guard, Golden State Warriors
- George M. Lightfoot (1868–1947) educator, classics scholar[102][103]
- William Morgan, whose 1826 disappearance in New York state sparked a powerful anti-Freemasonry movement
- Waller T. Patton, Confederate colonel during the American Civil War, great-uncle of World War II General George S. Patton
- John Pendleton, American diplomat
- Eppa Rixey, major league pitcher and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
- D. French Slaughter Jr., former U.S. Congressman
- Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle
- J. Loren Wince, lead singer/songwriter for the band Hurt
- Maliq Brown - (b. 2003) college basketball player
References
- ^ a b "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Culpeper town, Virginia; United States". Census.gov. Archived from the original on December 23, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Amtrak Fact Sheet FY 2023: Commonwealth of Virginia" (PDF). Amtrak. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ "Culpeper Connector". Virginia Regional Transit. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ "Virginia Breeze – Piedmont Express". Virginia Breeze. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ "Culpeper History". Museum of Culpeper History. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
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