Page County is located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,709. Its county seat is Luray. Page County was formed in 1831 from Shenandoah and Rockingham counties and was named for John Page, Governor of Virginia from 1802 to 1805.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 314 sqmi, of which 311 sqmi is land and 3.2 sqmi (1.0%) is water. The highest point in Page County is Hawksbill Mountain, which is located along the border with Madison County within Shenandoah National Park.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Major highways

Demographics

2020 census

''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,177 people, 9,305 households, and 6,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 74 /mi2. There were 10,557 housing units at an average density of 34 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.65% White, 2.61% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 9,305 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males. The median income for a household in the county was $33,359, and the median income for a family was $39,005. Males had a median income of $27,199 versus $19,821 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,321. About 10.10% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 14.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Education

K-12

Page County has a total of 8 public schools: 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools. In addition to the public schools, Page County has a Technical Center with programs in:

Higher Education

Laurel Ridge Community College's Luray-Page County Center is located in Luray, which provides college and workforce development classes. Jenkins Hall features more than 13,000 square feet of educational space, including classrooms, science and health labs, a trades lab, student commons, and administrative offices. The college in Luray is a satellite site for a physical therapy assistant degree program, plus phlebotomy, medical office assistant, HVAC, and heavy equipment operator classes. Students can earn an Associate Degree in many different subjects, or can take general education classes to transfer into a four-year university.

Politics

Since 1940, Page County has been a stronghold for the Republican Party in presidential elections. The Page County Board of Supervisors has six members, one from each voting district and one at-large chairman.

Notable people