Albemarle County is located in the Commonwealth’s Piedmont region. It includes 721 square miles of land and 5 square miles of water. The 2015 estimated population was 105,703 people; the population’s 
density was 146 people per square mile. Between the 1960 census and the 2010 census, the population of the County had more than tripled. The County Seat is Charlottesville, which is currently an independent city completely surrounded by Albemarle County. The western border with Augusta and Rockingham Counties is located within the Shenandoah National Park (a protected area).
In August 2016, “County Health Ratings” ranked Albemarle County fourth among the healthiest locality in the Commonwealth. In 2012, the area was listed a one of Travel’s best vacations by U.S. News; the top spot in the nation for agri-tourism; ranked eighth among top ten unexpected “beer cites” by Livibility.com; and named by Southern Living as one of the top ten “tastiest towns” in the South.
History
In 1744, Albemarle County was created from the western part of Goochland County. Over time, portions of Albemarle County were separated to create other counties. The County was named for Willem Anne van Keppel, the Second Earl of Albemarle, who was at the time Governor of Virginia (at least in title). It’s most famous inhabitant was Thomas Jefferson,) who was born at Shadwell (which later became part of Goochland County) and who built Monticello in Albemarle County. The earliest inhabitants of the County were a tribe of Native Americans who spoke Sioux. They were known as the Saponi.
Albemarle County is governed by a Board of Supervisors. The only incorporated town is Scottsville. Unincorporated communities include:
- Barboursville
- Crozet
- Earlysville
- Free Union
- Greenwood
- Ivy
- Keene
- Keswick
There are, in addition, a number of small villages or hamlets.
Transportation
Two rivers are significant in the County, and once played a larger role in transportation and in the local
economy. The James River is the border between Albemarle County and Buckingham County. The Rivanna River’s south fork originates in Albemarle County. Historically, it was very important to transportation. It currently flows between Darden Towe Park and Pen Park.
Highway transportation today is made possible by several major highways that cross the County. In addition to Interstate 64, there are U.S. Route 29 and U.S. Route 250. Other highways are Virginia State Routes 6, 20, 22, 53, and 240.
Vehicle crashes occur on roads and highways of every kind. Often these crashes result in injuries or death to passengers and drivers. If you are injured, or a loved one should be killed, in a vehicle crash through no fault of your own, call Altizer Law, P.C. Our attorneys, Bettina Altizer and Terri Welch Luzynski, are prepared to represent you or your loved one in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to win justice for you and to obtain for you appropriate compensation for your hurts and harms.
Economy
The leading industries providing employment in Albemarle County are government, particularly State government, Health Care and Social Assistance, Retail Trade, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Accommodation and Food Services, Construction, and Manufacturing.
The County’s top employers include:
- University of Virginia/Blue Ridge Hospital
- County of Albemarle
- Sentara Healthcare
- State Farm Mutual Automotive Insurance
- S. Department of Defense
- Atlantic Coast Athletic Club – a health club dedicated to improving the health of its members.
- Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Northrop Grumman Corporation – an American global aerospace and defense technology company
- University of Virginia Medical Center
- Wal Mart
- Crutchfield Corporation – Charlottesville based, sells audio and video products online.
- GE Fanuc Automation North America – FANUC America offers the most complete range of industry-leading products and services for robotics, CNC systems, and factory automation solutions. We are dedicated to increasing the competitiveness of North and South American manufacturers by creating opportunities to help them maximize their efficiency, reliability, quality, and profitability.
- Pharmaceutical Research Association – Clinical CRO offering product development, trial and drug safety management
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial
- Athena Innovative Solutions — Athena Innovative Solutions, Inc. offers products and services for national security issues. It provides consulting services to local, state, and national governments; and supports the security operations of corporations and businesses in the United States and abroad. The company offers services in various areas, including homeland security, critical infrastructure security, national security affairs, information operations, force protection, law enforcement affairs, integration and innovation, legal support, and information technology
- FIC Systems – FIC Systems Inc. is a business consulting service located in Charlottesville, Virginia.
- Boar’s Head Inn
- Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge – Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge is a church owned luxury continuing care retirement community in Charlottesville, VA that offers housing options for currently healthy people who want to secure their healthcare plan throughout the aging process.
- Region Ten Community Services – Established in 1969, Region Ten Community Services Board is part of a statewide network of 40 Community Service Boards working to provide mental health, intellectual disability and substance use services where they are needed – in the local community.
An agency of local government, Region Ten CSB is committed to serving the residents of the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson.
Altizer Law, P.C., primarily practices personal injury and medical malpractice law, including nursing home abuse and neglect. Health Care and Social Services in Albemarle County are widely considered among the best in the Nation. Unfortunately, mistakes are made, even by the best. If you, or a loved one, is hurt or harmed due to the negligence or mistake of any health care or social services professional, you have access to justice and to fair compensation for your hurts and harms, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When you call Altizer Law, P.C., you will be surrounded with compassion, experience in this type of case, and exceptional capability handle your medical malpractice, nursing home abuse or neglect or other related lawsuits.
Tourism
Albemarle County is a very popular tourist destination. There are many historic buildings to explore. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the University of Virginia are the top tourist stops in the area. Some other popular attractions are:
- Montpelier was the home of James and Dolley Madison. It has 2,650 acres of protected land with wide open views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center offers award-winning cuisine, tours of the historic house, and hiking on more than 8 miles of walking trails.
- Ashlawn- Highland was the official residence of fifth President James Monroe and his wife, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, from 1799 to 1823. It is open for tours and includes a shop.
- Monticello Wine Trail — currently consists of over 30 member wineries located within the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA), which was the first established AVA in Virginia.
- The Brew Ridge Trail is self-guided tour of local breweries. Breweries can be visited in any order and at any times during working hours. There are currently 6 locations on the trail.
- The Monticello Artisan Trail is a regional trailway that connects points of interest including craft artisan studios, galleries, artisan farms, markets, local restaurants, lodging, and other area points of interest in Albemarle and Nelson Counties and the City of Charlottesville.
- Albemarle County has 13 parks offering more than 3,700 acres for active and passive leisure activities, including swimming beaches, picnic shelters, canoe rentals, boat launches, and fishing piers.
- Albemarle has 62 miles of trails which can be used for a walking, running, and hiking. Trails are often graded for difficulty so that you can select the best path and distance for your needs, whether walking with children or jogging with a friend.
- More than 14,600 acres of the Shenandoah National Park lie within Albemarle County’s boundaries.
- Albemarle is a gateway community for the Appalachian Trail.
- Skyline Drive has options for hikers, bikers and drivers. It runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park. It is the only public road through the park.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway offers unlimited adventure and recreation, and offers spectacular views from almost any point.
- Charlottesville /Albemarle County has been designated as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” according to the League of American Bicyclists.
- Bicycle Route 76, also known as the TransAmerica Route, was one of the First US Bicycle routes designated in 1982. It crosses Virginia from east to west. Passing directly through historic Albemarle County, it connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Call Altizer Law, P.C.
If you, or a loved one, are injured in a traffic crash, due to medical malpractice, nursing home abuse or neglect, or due to any event that you did not cause, call the experienced attorneys of Altizer Law, P.C. Our focus will be you, and only you.