Wakefield is a town located in Sussex County, Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,038.

Popular legend has it that William Mahone (1826-1895), builder of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad (now Norfolk Southern), and his cultured wife, Otelia Butler Mahone (1837-1911), traveled along the newly completed Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad naming stations. Otelia was reading Ivanhoe a book written by Sir Walter Scott. From his historical Scottish novels, Otelia chose the place names of Wakefield, as well as Windsor and Waverley. She tapped the Scottish Clan "McIvor" for the name of Ivor, a small town in neighboring Southampton County. When they could not agree, it is said that they invented a new name, which is how the tiny community of Disputanta was created. The N&P railroad was completed in 1858.

William Mahone became a Major General in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, and later, a Senator in the United States Congress. A large portion of U.S. Highway 460 between Petersburg and Suffolk is named in his honor.

Geography

Wakefield is located at 36°58'13" North, 76°59'18" West (36.970219, -76.988461).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²). 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.10% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 1,038 people, 423 households, and 285 families residing in the town. The population density is 320.6/km² (833.2/mi²). There are 485 housing units at an average density of 149.8/km² (389.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 47.50% White, 51.25% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 0.39% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 423 households out of which 27.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% are married couples living together, 16.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% are non-families. 30.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 3.05.

In the town the population is spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 79.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $28,500, and the median income for a family is $34,539. Males have a median income of $26,429 versus $21,595 for females. The per capita income for the town is $15,290. 13.4% of the population and 9.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 26.1% of those under the age of 18 and 17.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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