Culpeper, Virginia

"Culpeper" redirects here. For other uses, see Culpeper (disambiguation).

Culpeper
Town
Main Street in Downtown Culpeper Historic Culpeper Train Depot Lord Culpeper Hotel Regal Culpeper Theater Downtown Culpeper view
Seal
Motto(s):  "Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future"
Culpeper Location in Virginia Culpeper Culpeper (the United States)
Coordinates: 38°28′19″N 77°59′57″W
Government
• Mayor	Frank Reaves Jr. (Ind.)
Area
• Town	7.31 sq mi (18.94 km2)
• Land	7.27 sq mi (18.83 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2)
• Urban	9.4 sq mi (24 km2)
Elevation	413 ft (126 m)
Population  (2020)
• Town	20,062
• Estimate  (2025)	21,575
• Density	2,759.56/sq mi (1,065.43/km2)
• Urban	22,834
• Urban density	2,436/sq mi (941/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	22701, 22735
Area code(s)	540, 826
FIPS code	51-20752
Major Roadways
Airport	Culpeper Regional Airport
Website	www.culpeperva.gov

Culpeper (formerly Culpeper Courthouse, earlier Fairfax) is an incorporated town in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. It serves as the county seat and is part of the Washington–Baltimore–Arlington, DC–MD–VA–WV–PA Combined Statistical Area according to the 2020 United States Census, the town had a population of 20,062, reflecting growth from 16,379 in 2010, largely driven by its strategic location along U.S. Route 15, U.S. Route 29, and U.S. Route 522, and its proximity to Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia’s tech corridor.

Culpeper is located near several major highways and has daily Amtrak service, along with local and regional bus routes. It is situated between Northern Virginia and the Piedmont region, and has become a growing residential and transportation center.

The town traces its roots back to 1749, when a 17-year-old George Washington surveyed and laid out the original plan for the community under the direction of Lord Fairfax and the College of William & Mary.

In recent years, the town has also attracted data center development through the creation of the Culpeper Technology Zone, a 950-acre site offering tax incentives to qualifying companies. Notably, EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure plans to develop a 1.4 million-square-foot data center campus in Culpeper.

History

After Culpeper County was established in 1748, the Virginia House of Burgesses voted on February 22, 1759, to create the Town of Fairfax. The name honored Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1693–1781), the proprietor of the Northern Neck of Virginia, which included a large tract of land between the Rappahannock River and the Potomac River.

Founding

Culpeper Courthouse during the Confederacy, August 1862

The original plan for the town included ten blocks, which form part of the current downtown area. In 1749, the layout was surveyed by a young George Washington while employed by Lord Fairfax. In 1795, the town was granted a post office under the name "Culpeper Court House," although maps and documents often continued to refer to it as Fairfax. To resolve the confusion caused by similar names in Fairfax County, Virginia, including Fairfax Court House and Fairfax Station, the Virginia General Assembly officially renamed the town Culpeper in 1869 (Acts, 1869–1870, chapter 118, page 154).

Civil War and Reconstruction

During the American Revolutionary War, the Culpeper Minutemen, a local militia company, organized in 1775 at a location known as "Clayton's Old Field," now the site of Yowell Meadow Park. The unit was part of Virginia's early revolutionary efforts and later participated in engagements such as the Battle of Great Bridge.

During the American Civil War, Culpeper became a key location due to its position along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and proximity to major river crossings. Both Union and Confederate armies occupied the town at different times between 1861 and 1865. The surrounding county was the site of several military operations, including the Battle of Kelly's Ford and the Battle of Brandy Station, the latter being the largest cavalry engagement of the war. The Battle of Culpeper Court House occurred nearby on September 13, 1863.

Notable figures with connections to the town include Confederate General A.P. Hill, who was born there, and Major John Pelham (officer), who died in Culpeper following wounds sustained at Kelly’s Ford.

Following the war, the town was rechartered under the name Culpeper in 1869. The postwar period included efforts to restore agriculture and infrastructure. Freedpeople established churches and schools during Reconstruction, and new civic institutions developed through the late 19th century.

Growth and Development

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Culpeper served as a regional market center and stop along major rail lines. After a courthouse fire in 1870 destroyed many public records, new construction contributed to the town’s architectural development. By 1900, the town featured hotels, banks, a telegraph office, and multiple newspapers.

The town grew gradually during the early 20th century. In the 1970s, it supported several civic organizations, including a Choral Society, an Odd Fellows Hall, and an American Legion Hall.

In the 1980s, the town experienced more rapid growth as a result of increasing numbers of commuters relocating from Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Residential development expanded, and new infrastructure supported a growing population. In 1997, the Library of Congress opened the National Audiovisual Conservation Center on the site of a former Federal Reserve bunker southeast of town.

In 2011, the American Planning Association recognized East Davis Street in downtown Culpeper as one of “America’s Great Places,” citing its preserved architecture and role in revitalization efforts.

2011 Virginia Earthquake and Recent History

On August 23, 2011, Culpeper was among the communities affected by the 2011 Virginia earthquake. Several structures on Main Street and East Davis Street sustained damage, and some were later condemned. The Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation was temporarily evacuated during a public event hosted by U.S. Senator Mark Warner.

In 2014, the Museum of Culpeper History relocated to the town’s historic train depot. In 2024, the state of Virginia formally opened Culpeper Battlefields State Park, encompassing parts of the Brandy Station and Cedar Mountain battlefields.

Geography

Culpeper is in the Piedmont region of Virginia, approximately 70 miles (113 km) southwest of Washington, D.C. and 50 miles (80 km) north of Richmond, Virginia. The town lies at the intersection of U.S. Route 29 and U.S. Route 15, two major highways that provide important access to central and northern Virginia. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Culpeper has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.3 km²), of which 6.2 square miles (16.1 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²), or 1.52%, is water.

Climate

Culpeper has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), with very warm, humid summers and cool winters. Precipitation is abundant and well spread (although the summer months are usually wetter), with an annual average of 45.19 in (1,148 mm).

Climate data for Culpeper, Virginia
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	80 (27)	84 (29)	91 (33)	95 (35)	100 (38)	103 (39)	107 (42)	102 (39)	102 (39)	99 (37)	86 (30)	79 (26)	107 (42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	45 (7)	49 (9)	60 (16)	70 (21)	79 (26)	86 (30)	90 (32)	87 (31)	81 (27)	70 (21)	59 (15)	48 (9)	69 (20)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	25 (−4)	28 (−2)	34 (1)	43 (6)	52 (11)	61 (16)	66 (19)	64 (18)	58 (14)	45 (7)	37 (3)	29 (−2)	45 (7)
Record low °F (°C)	−14 (−26)	−9 (−23)	5 (−15)	18 (−8)	28 (−2)	37 (3)	48 (9)	44 (7)	31 (−1)	18 (−8)	6 (−14)	−6 (−21)	−14 (−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.26 (83)	2.96 (75)	3.55 (90)	3.32 (84)	4.34 (110)	4.39 (112)	4.23 (107)	4.13 (105)	4.36 (111)	3.81 (97)	3.71 (94)	3.13 (80)	45.19 (1,148)
Source:

Infrastructure

Culpeper Amtrak station, visitor center, and Museum of Culpeper History

Transportation

Roads and highways

Highways directly serving Culpeper include U.S. Route 15 Business, U.S. Route 29 Business, U.S. Route 522, Virginia State Route 3 and Virginia State Route 229.

U.S. Route 15 and U.S. Route 29 pass just southeast of the town limits. US 15 Bus, US 29 Bus and US 522 share the same alignment through downtown, following Main Street. US 29 extends southwest towards Charlottesville and Interstate 64 westbound, while US 15 provides connections southward towards Orange and Gordonsville. US 15 and US 29 are concurrent to the north, providing connections to Warrenton and Washington, D.C. US 522 connects southward to I-64 eastbound, and northward towards Front Royal, Winchester and Interstate 81. SR 3 extends eastward, connecting to Fredericksburg and Interstate 95. SR 229 provides a connection northward towards Rixeyville and U.S. Route 211.

Rail

Amtrak operates Culpeper Station (code CLP), with daily service by the Cardinal, Northeast Regional and Crescent trains, offering connecting service to New Orleans, Chicago, Cincinnati, New York and Boston. Approximately 17,386 passengers embarked or deboarded the station in 2023.

Public transportation

Culpeper is also served by Virginia Regional Transit which operates three bus routes covering northern and southern loops as well as an accessible route for disabled individuals.

Local and regional bus services are operated by Virginia Regional Transit, with additional commuter connections to Washington, D.C. through Academy Bus.

Airport

Culpeper Regional Airport features a 5,000-foot runway and supports general aviation traffic, enhancing the town's accessibility.

Economy

Culpeper's economy is supported by retail, healthcare, government services, and growing technology interests. The town is home to the Library of Congress’s Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation, a major federal facility just outside town limits.

Recent years have seen proposals for large data center developments, drawing both interest and local opposition.

Retail hubs like Culpeper Colonnade also contribute significantly to local employment.

Technology

Culpeper has experienced growth in its technology sector, supported by improvements in broadband infrastructure and local government initiatives aimed at encouraging digital innovation.

Controversies and data centers

In 2022, Amazon Web Services, via its subsidiary Marvell Developments, purchased land in Culpeper for eventual data center construction. The news caused concern among residents because of the project's potential environmental effect and alteration of the town's rural nature. A number of public meetings and protests were organized, with citizens speaking out against noise, light pollution, and pressure on public utilities.

Despite public concern, the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors approved the zoning changes required for the project. As of 2025, construction has not yet begun.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	1,056		—
1870	1,800		70.5%
1880	1,613		−10.4%
1890	1,620		0.4%
1900	1,618		−0.1%
1910	1,796		11.0%
1920	1,819		1.3%
1930	2,379		30.8%
1940	2,316		−2.6%
1950	2,527		9.1%
1960	2,412		−4.6%
1970	6,056		151.1%
1980	6,621		9.3%
1990	8,581		29.6%
2000	9,664		12.6%
2010	16,379		69.5%
2020	20,062		22.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the town of Culpeper had a population of 20,062. The racial makeup was 49.3% White (non-Hispanic), 17.3% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 0.8% Native American or other races, and 5.4% identifying as two or more races. Individuals of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 24.9% of the total population.

The age distribution in Culpeper showed 28.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% aged 65 and older, with a median age of 34 years.

According to the 2019–2023 American Community Survey, the median household income in Culpeper was $88,702, and the per capita income was $36,327. Approximately 12.4% of residents were living below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

Culpeper hosts several arts and cultural programs, particularly centered in its downtown area. Culpeper Renaissance, Inc., a nonprofit organization, has coordinated public art initiatives such as the Culpeper Downtown Walls Mural Program. Murals include “The Surveyor,” depicting George Washington, and “The Trailblazers,” featuring African American community leaders. In 2024, the initiative expanded to include painted utility boxes throughout the historic district.

The Pitts Theatre, an Art Deco structure built in the late 1930s, was reopened in 2013 as a performing arts venue but closed again in 2016. Its facade remains preserved.

The Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio‑Visual Conservation, located outside town, offers free film screenings to the public.

Annual events in the area include Culpeperpalooza, a music and vendor festival held in April at Mountain Run Winery. The 2025 event featured multiple bands and supported regional nonprofits. Other recurring events include farmers’ markets and concerts held in the downtown district.

The Museum of Culpeper History, located in the town's historic train depot, provides exhibits and tours on local history, including the colonial period and the Civil War. Additional historical sites include the Burgandine House and Culpeper Battlefields State Park.

View north along US 15 Bus, US 29 Bus and US 522 in Culpeper

The downtown Culpeper Theater

National Audio‑Visual Conservation Center, Packard Campus for Audio‑Visual Conservation in Culpeper

Sports

Culpeper hosts a range of organized sports activities, from youth leagues to summer collegiate baseball and regional tournaments.

Culpeper County Parks & Recreation oversees both youth and adult league sports programming, operating at facilities such as the Culpeper Sports Complex and the Fieldhouse. Offerings include baseball, softball, soccer, football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, pickleball and cheerleading, with clinics and youth camps available year‑round.

The Culpeper Sports Complex, which opened in 2006, receives over 350,000 visitors annually and features multiple athletic fields, including soccer, football, little league baseball, softball and lacrosse. In 2022, LED lighting was installed for enhanced evening use of 14 athletic fields.

Youth football and cheerleading are organized on a recreational basis by the Culpeper Football Association (CFA), which began operations in 2004 and has grown from approximately 250 participants to over 700 in later years.

At the high school level, Culpeper County High School athletic teams known as the Blue Devils compete in basketball, football, baseball, volleyball, soccer, softball, wrestling, lacrosse and other sports within the Virginia High School League’s Battlefield District (Class 3). The basketball team regularly participates in postseason play, including matchups in the Class 3 Region B tournament.

In summer collegiate baseball, the Culpeper Cavaliers joined the Valley Baseball League in 2023. The league, sanctioned by the NCAA and supported by Major League Baseball, features college-level athletes competing across the Shenandoah Valley region.

Recreational sports are also supported by facilities such as PATH Recreation & Fitness Center (Fieldhouse) and Culpeper Recreation Club. The Fieldhouse includes indoor courts for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, as well as batting cages. Culpeper Recreation Club operates a pool and courts for tennis, volleyball, baseball, soccer, and a summer swim team known as the Barnstormers.

Media

Print publications

The Culpeper Star-Exponent is a long-running newspaper, founded in 1881 as the Culpeper Exponent and merged with the Virginia Star in 1953. As of 2023, it is published three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) in broadsheet format and is owned by Lee Enterprises. A Lee Enterprises annual filing reported a print circulation of approximately 2,986 daily and 2,917 Sunday before the change.

Another notable publication is the Culpeper Times, a weekly tabloid founded in 1889. It is owned by Rappahannock Media LLC, with a print circulation around 5,000 copies, and digital availability through the InsideNoVa platform.

Broadcast media

Local radio is anchored by several stations. WJMA (103.1 FM) is a country music station licensed to Culpeper, operated by Piedmont Communications since its debut on December 4, 1971. WCVA (1490 AM / 95.3 FM) broadcasts classic hits and was first launched in 1949, also under Piedmont Communications ownership. Additionally, WVCV (1340 AM), though licensed to Orange, Virginia, simulcasts WJMA’s country format and serves Culpeper listeners.

Notable events

• Culpeper was the location of the main encampment for the Army of the Potomac during the winter of 1863-64 during the Civil War. It was from Culpeper that General Ulysses S. Grant began the Overland Campaign against General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.
• During the presidential election campaign of 1960, vice presidential nominee Lyndon B. Johnson began his whistle-stop campaign of the South by giving a speech at Culpeper. As the train was pulling away from the station, Johnson yelled out a phrase that would become a battle cry of the campaign: "What did Dick Nixon ever do for Culpeper?!"
• In 1967, it was the site of a one-day standoff between members of the American Nazi Party and police and military personnel over the group's attempt to bury their leader George Lincoln Rockwell in the local National Cemetery.
• In 1995, former Superman star Christopher Reeve lost his balance during a horse competition and fell, resulting in severe spinal injury and permanent quadriplegic paralysis.
• Culpeper was featured in the nineteenth episode of the Small Town News Podcast, an improv comedy podcast that takes listeners on a fun and silly virtual trip to a small town in America each week. The hosts improvise scenes inspired by local newspaper stories.

2025 "No Kings" protest incident

On June 14, 2025, during a "No Kings" protest in Culpeper a motorist drove into a crowd of demonstrators. According to police reports, at least one person was struck by the vehicle; however, no serious injuries were confirmed at the time, and the individual was not immediately located. The incident led to the arrest of the driver and drew local attention to tensions surrounding the protest movement.

Government and politics

Culpeper is governed by a nine-member Town Council, consisting of a Mayor and eight Council Members, all elected at-large to four-year terms. The Council appoints a Town Manager, who serves as the chief administrative officer and oversees the daily operations of the town. The Council also appoints the Town Attorney and Town Clerk.

Council meetings are held regularly on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors Meeting Room.

Town council

As of 2025, the members of the Town Council are:

Position	Name
Mayor	Frank Reaves Jr.
Vice Mayor	William M. Yowell
Council Member	B. Travis Brown
Council Member	Jamie Dyke
Council Member	Michael T. Olinger
Council Member	Meaghan Taylor
Council Member	Jon Russell
Council Member	Keith Price
Council Member	Pranas S. Rimeikis

Political leanings

Culpeper County, including the Town of Culpeper, has historically leaned Republican in state and federal elections. The last time a Democratic presidential candidate carried the county was in 1964. In the 2020 presidential election, approximately 62% of county voters supported Donald Trump, while about 36% supported Joe Biden.

Culpeper is part of Virginia's 7th congressional district, represented by Democrat Eugene Vindman as of 2025. In the Virginia General Assembly, the town is represented by Republicans in both the House of Delegates and State Senate.

Education

Culpeper is served by the Culpeper County Public Schools district, which covers all public K–12 education in Culpeper County. Within the town limits are several public elementary and middle schools such as Floyd T. Binns Middle, Farmington, Sycamore Park, and Yowell Elementary, while county residents outside town attend schools including A.G. Richardson, Emerald Hill, and Pearl Sample elementary schools, along with Culpeper Middle School.

High school students attend one of two public high schools: Culpeper County High School or Eastern View High School, depending on zoning. The Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC) opened in 2021 adjacent to Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center provides vocational and technical programs to students from both high schools, offering hands‑on training and industry credentials in fields like automotive, carpentry, cybersecurity, culinary arts, healthcare, HVAC/R, EMT, and emergency services.

In addition to public schooling, Culpeper County has several private and faith-based institutions such as Culpeper Christian School and Epiphany Catholic School serving pre‑K through high school students with religious-based curricula and smaller class sizes.

Notable people

• William T. Amiger (1870–1929), educator, college president, Baptist minister; born in Culpeper
• Nell Arthur (1837–1880), wife of Chester A. Arthur, who became the 21st president of the United States after her death
• Kenny Alphin, of the country music group Big & Rich
• John S. Barbour Jr., U.S. congressman (1881–1887) and U.S. senator (1889-1892)
• Andrew J. Boyle, U.S. Army lieutenant general, resided in Culpeper during his retirement
• Robert Young Button, Attorney General of Virginia (1962-1970) and Virginia State Senator (1945-1961)
• Cary Travers Grayson, highly decorated U.S. Navy surgeon, onetime chairman of the American Red Cross, and personal aide to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
• A. P. Hill (1825–1865), Confederate general during the American Civil War, commander of "Hill's Light Division," under Stonewall Jackson
• John Preston "Pete" Hill, Negro league baseball player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, born in nearby Buena, Virginia
• John Jameson (1751–1810), Colonel in the American Revolutionary War
• Ann Jarvis, for whom Mother's Day was established by her daughter Anna Jarvis
• Keith Jennings, former NBA point guard, Golden State Warriors
• George M. Lightfoot (1868–1947) educator, classics scholar
• William Morgan, whose 1826 disappearance in New York state sparked a powerful anti-Freemasonry movement
• Waller T. Patton, Confederate colonel during the American Civil War, great-uncle of World War II General George S. Patton
• John Pendleton, American diplomat
• Eppa Rixey, major league pitcher and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
• D. French Slaughter Jr., former U.S. Congressman
• Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle
• J. Loren Wince, lead singer/songwriter for the band Hurt

External links

• Official website
• Culpeper Chamber of Commerce