Essex County land and farms are alluring to investors, homebuyers and sportsmen yearning for a hunting or fishing camp and who are looking for low-cost land, low-cost labor, a rural setting and willing labor force. Located in the Coastal region, land in Essex County is adjacent to Westmoreland, Richmond, Middlesex, King and Queen, Caroline and King George counties. The 286-square-mile county has 10,919 residents. The Rappahannock River provides water access to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries including major port facilities at Hampton Roads. US Highway 17 and US Highway 360 connect the area via roads. It is 40 miles to Richmond International Airport. Agriculture and forestry are major contributors to the county’s economy. Sixty-three percent of the county is in woodlands, and most is in private ownership. Farmland encompasses 58,702 acres, and 94% of agricultural sales are for crops. Twenty-two percent of the farmland remains as woodlands. Fishermen can snag their limits of perch, crappie, bass and other species in the Rappahannock River or one of the many creeks in the county. Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge also allows fishing and hunting as does Browne State Forest. Deer, turkeys, waterfowl and small game are plentiful. Essex County Public Schools provides K-12 public education. Rappahannock Community College offers higher learning.
