The Landscape at the Turn of the 21st Century
Visitors to King and Queen County find themselves
in a richly-forested landscape interspersed with wide open
fields interrupted by the occasional winding road following
a creek or stream. Soils are, for the most part, sandy and
loamy in the bottomlands and a mix of alluvial deposits and
finer clays in higher elevations, giving rise to the magnificent
hardwood forests of the pre-colonial era.
Today, many of the hardwoods are gone. In their
place grow loblolly or Virginia pines. Timber and timber products
dominate the local and regional economy. Large tracts of pinelands
rotate in different phases of succession, as demand for pulpwood
and other pine products continues to grow. Once harvested,
logs are trucked to mills in West Point, the Northern Neck,
and points beyond.
Agriculture is equally important to the local
economy. A variety of crops are grown, including wheat, barley,
soybeans, corn, hay, anda return to the cultivated landscapecotton.
Smaller operators are turning to fresh market, organically
grown crops such as berries and vegetables, a trend welcomed
by area residents. Cattle and swine operations continue to
make up a small percentage of the overall farm trade.
The population of King and Queen County has
remained fairly constant over the years, due to its history
as a land-based economy. It is currently estimated at 6,600
people. Newer generations not tied to land traditions tend
to migrate to more urbanized centers or commute to jobs outside
of the county. Today, new industries looking to take advantage
of a benevolent climate, a strong natural resource base, and
a high quality of life have moved in. Sand and gravel mining,
and the manufacture of kitty litter and potting soil offer
employment opportunities to locals who no longer work on the
As King and Queen County moves into the 21st
century, it is perfectly suited for tourism and water-based
enterprises. With its location on the Mattaponi river, opportunities
for outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing abound.
& Queen County Historic Highway Markers