Wakefield, Virginia Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published July 2, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Wakefield, Virginia is a small city located in the Northern Neck region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is situated on the banks of the Potomac River, about two hours south of Washington D.C. The city is known for its peaceful atmosphere, rolling hills, and beautiful views of the river.

The climate in Wakefield is temperate with hot and humid summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months to 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months. The area receives an average rainfall of 40 inches per year and occasional snowfall in winter months.

Wakefield’s history dates back to 1642 when it was founded by English settlers as a tobacco port town. Over the years, it has been home to many prominent Virginians including President James Madison and General Robert E Lee. In recent years, Wakefield has experienced rapid population growth due to its close proximity to Washington D.C., making it an ideal place for commuters looking for a quieter lifestyle outside of the city.

Politically, Wakefield is part of Northumberland County and is represented by Republicans at both state and federal levels. The city also has a mayor-council form of government with five members elected at large every four years.

The economy in Wakefield is largely driven by agriculture with many family farms located around the area producing corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops as well as raising livestock such as cows, pigs and poultry. Other industries include manufacturing, retail trade, construction, health care services and government services which all contribute to the local economy in some way or another.

There are several public schools in Wakefield including elementary schools such as Westmoreland Elementary School and middle schools such as Richmond County Middle School as well as high schools like Rappahannock High School which offers various academic programs for students from grades 9 through 12th grade . Moreover there are several private schools available too such as St Peter’s Episcopal School which provides quality education from pre-K through 8th grade .

Wakefield also has plenty of landmarks that attract tourists from all over Virginia such as Stratford Hall Plantation which was once home to two signers of the Declaration Of Independence; George Mason IV & Richard Henry Lee; Menokin Ruins which houses ruins from an 18th century plantation house; Nomini Hall Plantation built in 1730; Westmoreland State Park with its beaches & camping sites; Mattox Creek Natural Area Preserve & more .

Population: 1,038. Estimated population in July 2024: 971 (-6.5% change)
Males: 482 (46.4%), Females: 556 (53.6%)

Zip code: 23888

Demographics

Median resident age: 40.5 years
Median household income: $28,500
Median house value: $67,700

Population by Race

Races in Wakefield:

Black (51.3%)
White Non-Hispanic (47.3%)
Two or more races (1.1%)
American Indian (0.6%)

Ancestries: United States (12.8%), English (10.2%), Irish (5.1%), German (4.4%), Scottish (1.9%), French (1.7%).

Land area: 1.2 square miles

Population by Education

Wakefield, Virginia is located in the heart of the Northern Neck Region of Virginia. It is a small rural town with a population of approximately 1,400 people. The majority of the population is white, with African American and Hispanic populations making up roughly 10 percent each. The median age of Wakefield residents is 43 years old. The median household income for Wakefield is around $52,000 per year. Most households are two-income families and many have children living at home. Education levels in Wakefield are high, as nearly 90 percent of adults have some form of college degree or higher education level.

The town itself is largely residential but there are several local businesses in the area that provide employment opportunities for residents. There’s a local grocery store, hardware store, and pharmacy. There are also several restaurants and cafes around town that serve up delicious food for locals to enjoy. Wakefield is home to two public schools – an elementary school and a middle school – as well as a private Christian school for students from kindergarten through 8th grade.

The community spirit in Wakefield is strong and there are numerous organizations and events held throughout the year that bring locals together for socializing and entertainment purposes including an annual holiday parade, church events, art shows, farmers markets, charity fundraisers and more. Residents take pride in their small town atmosphere where everyone knows one another by name and feel comfortable walking down Main Street without fear or anxiety about their safety or wellbeing.

For population 25 years and over in Wakefield

High school or higher: 65.9%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.5%
Unemployed: 9.3%
Mean travel time to work: 23.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Wakefield town

Never married: 23.0%
Now married: 53.3%
Separated: 4.3%
Widowed: 9.7%
Divorced: 9.7%

2.0% Foreign born (0.9% Latin America, 0.5% Europe, 0.5% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: -80 (-7.2%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Wakefield:

SOUTHAMPTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 22 miles; FRANKLIN, VA)
LOUISE OBICI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 28 miles; SUFFOLK, VA)
EASTERN STATE HOSPITAL (about 28 miles; WILLIAMSBURG, VA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Wakefield:

NEWPORT NEWS/WILLIAMSBURG INTERNATIONAL (about 37 miles; NEWPORT NEWS, VA; Abbreviation: PHF)
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL (about 43 miles; RICHMOND, VA; Abbreviation: RIC)
LANGLEY AFB (about 45 miles; HAMPTON, VA; Abbreviation: LFI)

Other public-use airports nearest to Wakefield:

WAKEFIELD MUNI (about 2 miles; WAKEFIELD, VA; Abbreviation: AKQ)
FRANKLIN MUNI-JOHN BEVERLY ROSE (about 21 miles; FRANKLIN, VA; Abbreviation: FKN)
WILLIAMSBURG-JAMESTOWN (about 27 miles; WILLIAMSBURG, VA; Abbreviation: JGG)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Wakefield:

COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY (about 29 miles; WILLIAMSBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 7,133)
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 33 miles; PETERSBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 3,641)
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY (about 35 miles; NEWPORT NEWS, VA; Full-time enrollment: 4,432)
THOMAS NELSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 41 miles; Hampton, VA; Full-time enrollment: 3,884)
JOHN TYLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 41 miles; CHESTER, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,520)
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY (about 46 miles; HAMPTON, VA; Full-time enrollment: 5,249)
TIDEWATER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 49 miles; NORFOLK, VA; Full-time enrollment: 11,042)

Public primary/middle school in Wakefield:

ELLEN W. CHAMBLISS ELEM. (Students: 177; Location: 10415 HIGGINS STREET; Grades: KG – 02)