Essex County: Government & Civic

Justice & Courts

Court infrastructure — county courthouses + nearest state/federal courts. Distance reflects driving miles to the nearest courthouse.

Courthouses (1)

Essex County Courthouse

Disaster History

Federal Disaster Declarations (17)

Severe Winter Storm

January 2026 · Emergency declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · incident type: winter storm · EM-3631-VA

Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm

January 2022 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-4644-VA

Severe Winter Storms

February 2021 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-4602-VA

COVID-19 Pandemic Federal Disaster

January 2020 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance only (institutional reimbursement) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-4512-VA

COVID-19 Emergency

January 2020 · Emergency declaration · Public Assistance only (institutional reimbursement) · EM-3448-VA

Tropical Storm Michael

October 2018 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-4411-VA

Hurricane Florence

September 2018 · Emergency declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · EM-3403-VA

Hurricane Sandy

October 2012 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-4092-VA

Hurricane Sandy

October 2012 · Emergency declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · EM-3359-VA

The Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee

September 2011 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-4045-VA

Hurricane Irene

August 2011 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-4024-VA

Hurricane Irene

August 2011 · Emergency declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · EM-3329-VA

Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms

February 2010 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-1905-VA

Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms And Flooding

August 2006 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-1661-VA

Hurricane Katrina (hosted evacuees, no local impact)

August 2005 · Emergency declaration · hosted federal evacuees (no local impact) · EM-3240-VA

Hurricane Isabel

September 2003 · Major disaster declaration · Individual Assistance to residents · DR-1491-VA

Severe Winter Storms

January 2000 · Major disaster declaration · Public Assistance to local agencies (no Individual Assistance) · Hazard Mitigation grants available · DR-1318-VA

Disaster Count	15

Federal Spending

Federal dollars flowing to the surrounding county — grants, direct payments, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).

Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024	$88,984,187
Federal Spending · Per Capita	8,395.53 (vs Virginia $14,580)
Federal Spending · Population	10,599 people (vs Virginia 42,214)

Sources: USAspending API

Other

Audit · Population Coverage	20.70
Official Numbers · Population	10,602 people (vs Virginia 42,214)
Official Numbers · Veterans	697
Official Numbers · Housing Units	5,768
Official Numbers · Uninsured	100