Gloucester is steeped in history of the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It was the site of Werowocomoco, a capital of the Native American group known as the Powhatan Confederacy. It was home to members of early First Families of Virginia and important colonial leaders leading up to the American Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson is said to have composed much of his early work for Virginia and colonial independence at Rosewell Plantation overlooking the York River, then the home of his close friend and fellow student in Williamsburg at the College of William and Mary, John Page. From one of the First Families of Virginia, John Page himself was a famous patriot serving as both Governor of Virginia and in the U.S. Congress; Gloucester County Public Schools named Page Middle School in his honor. As the war came to a conclusion at Yorktown directly across from Gloucester Point, the county almost served as the escape route for the British land forces led by General Cornwallis. A French effort kept British naval forces from assisting him.
Long the domain of Virginia watermen and its fishing industries, Gloucester County is also rich in farmland. It is home to two Starbucks, a Walmart as well as several smaller companies and a regional, family-owned chain of supermarkets which contribute to its small town, friendly, southern atmosphere, such as the stores around the main street area at the county seat, Gloucester Courthouse.
Despite the retention of rural and small-town aspects, Gloucester County and adjacent Mathews County are also considered a portion of the greater Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia, linked by the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge a toll facility across the York River carrying U.S. Route 17 to the Virginia Peninsula area. The zip code is 23061, and the telephone area code 804. Gloucester County is also referred to as the daffodil capitol of the world, and features an annual daffodil parade.
As of the 2005 census, there were 38,293 people, 15,663 households, and 9,884 families residing in the county. The population density was 161 people per square mile (62/km²). There were 14,494 housing units at an average density of 67 per square mile (26/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.20% White, 8.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 1.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,127 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.70% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.20% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,421, and the median income for a family was $48,760. Males had a median income of $35,838 versus $24,325 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,990. About 6.80% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.