View source for Crozet, Virginia

{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Crozet
| settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place]]
| official_name            = 
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
| image_skyline            = BainHouseinCrozet.jpg
|image_caption            = The Bain House
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
| image_map                = Crozet CDP in Albemarle County.svg
| pushpin_map              = Virginia
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in [[Virginia]]
| pushpin_label_position   = bottom
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Virginia|County]]
| subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Virginia]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Albemarle County, Virginia|Albemarle County]]
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
| area_total_km2           = 9.7
| area_land_km2            = 9.7
| area_water_km2           = 
| population_as_of         = [[United States Census, 2010|2010]]
| population_total         = 5565
| population_metro         = 
| population_density_km2   = auto
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;5
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
| coordinates              = {{coord|38|4|12|N|78|42|6|W|region:US-VA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_ft             = 
| website                  = 
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2389381<ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis|id=2389381|name=Crozet Census Designated Place|accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref>
| mapsize                  = 266px
| map_caption              = Location of the Crozet CDP within Albemarle county
}}
'''Crozet''' {{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|r|oʊ|ˈ|z|eɪ}} is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Albemarle County, Virginia|Albemarle County]] in the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Virginia]], United States. It sits along the [[Interstate 64 in Virginia|I-64]] corridor, about {{convert|12|mi|km}} west of [[Charlottesville, Virginia|Charlottesville]] and {{convert|21|mi|km}} east of [[Staunton, Virginia|Staunton]]. Crozet is part of the Charlottesville [[Charlottesville metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].  The population of Crozet was 5,565 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].

The [[Crozet Historic District]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2012.<ref name="nps">{{cite web|date=2012-12-07|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2012-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821160148/http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20121207.htm|url-status=live|archive-date=August 21, 2014|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 11/26/12 through 11/30/12|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

==History==
Originally called "Wayland's Crossing," it was renamed in 1870 in honor of [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] [[Claudius Crozet]], the [[France|French]]-born [[civil engineer]] who directed the construction of the [[Blue Ridge Tunnel]]. The cornerstone of Crozet is believed to have been Pleasant Green, a property also known as the Ficklin-Wayland Farm, located yards from the actual Wayland Crossing. Claudius Crozet is said to have lodged in that property while surveying the land that today honors his name.<ref>James, Phil. "Secrets of the Blue Ridge: Pleasant Green: Crozet History 101” Crozet Gazette. Crozet, October 5, 2018</ref><ref>  An Interview with Jane Warwick O’Neill (Graham). Richmond, March 2019, by Phil James and [[Eduardo Montes-Bradley]]. In the interview, Mrs. Jane Warwick O’Neill, who lived at Pleasant Green into her high school years in the mid-1930s identified the room where, according to her family's oral tradition, Col. Crozet stayed while in the vicinity</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of 9.7&nbsp;km{{sup|2}} (3.7&nbsp;mi{{sup|2}}), all land.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|2000=2820|2010=5565|2020=9224|float=|estyear=|estimate=|estref=|align-fn=center|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<br />2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Crozet CDP, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US5120560&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Crozet CDP, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US5120560&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>|align=left}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2011-05-14 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2010, there were 5,565 people, 2,119 households, and 1,522 families residing in the CDP. The [[population density]] was 1,504.1 people per square mile (573.7/km{{sup|2}}). There were 2,229 housing units at an average density of 602.4/sq&nbsp;mi (229.8/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.6% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 2,119 households, out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% 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 3.15.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 88 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $68,608, and the median income for a family was $85,976. Males had a median income of $53,415 versus $41,292 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $32,266. About 4.6% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

== Economy ==
Historically, Crozet was strategically important as a depot and transportation hub for the local apple and peach growing industries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lodgeatoldtrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Lodger-17-Web-Edition.pdf|title=Wayback Machine|website=lodgeatoldtrail.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.crozetgazette.com/2014/04/secrets-of-the-blue-ridge-virginia-mountain-peaches/|title=Secrets of the Blue Ridge: Virginia Mountain Peaches {{!}} Crozet Gazette|website=www.crozetgazette.com|date=April 4, 2014 |access-date=2016-05-09}}</ref> [[Morton Frozen Foods]] had its flagship manufacturing plant in Crozet from August 1, 1953, until the late 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.crozetgazette.com/2015/10/a-new-life-for-morton-frozen-foods/|title=A New Life for Morton Frozen Foods? {{!}} Crozet Gazette|website=www.crozetgazette.com|date=October 2, 2015 |access-date=2016-05-08}}</ref>  In 2000, the plant was closed by [[food packaging]] company [[ConAgra Foods]], which owned the brand, laying off more than 600 employees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=20000528&id=WwUzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zQgGAAAAIBAJ&pg=5006,7425564&hl=en|title=The Free Lance-Star - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com|access-date=2016-05-08}}</ref>  As of 2016, [[Musictoday]], acquired in 2014 by San Francisco-based {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20010404054220/http://deliveryagent.com/ Delivery Agent Inc.]}}, an interactive entertainment-commerce firm, operates out of the building,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cvillenews.com/2003/10/22/musictoday-expanding-to-conagra-plant/|title=MusicToday Expanding to ConAgra Plant « cvillenews.com|last=Jaquith|first=Waldo|access-date=2016-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/san-francisco-firm-buys-crozet-based-musictoday-new-jobs-announced/article_40795204-1d10-11e4-904f-0017a43b2370.html|title=San Francisco firm buys Crozet-based Musictoday; 50 new jobs announced|website=The Daily Progress|date=August 5, 2014 |access-date=2016-05-08}}</ref> as does [[Starr Hill Brewery]], which moved from Charlottesville in 2006.

From 1990 to 2005, Crozet saw increasing [[housing development]], in part because of nearby Charlottesville's reputation as a desirable location,<ref>"[https://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2004-03-29-best-cities-main_x.htm 'Mr. Jefferson would be proud': Charlottesville is No. 1]". ''[[USA Today]]''. March 29, 2004.</ref> but also because Albemarle County named Crozet as a designated growth area. Some 95% of the County remains designated as rural.

In 2001, the Albemarle County [[Board of Supervisors]] approved a framework dubbed the "Crozet Master Plan",<ref>[http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=planning&relpage=2433 Master Plan Narrative, County of Albemarle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614093612/http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=planning&relpage=2433 |date=June 14, 2006 }}.  Accessed on June 25, 2006.</ref> developed by a local architect and regional planning firm,<sup>[http://www.citiesthatwork.com/][http://www.nbwla.com/]</sup> to regulate development patterns and provide a [[Forum (legal)|public forum]] for discussing the topic. The Master Plan allows the population of Crozet, then around 3,000, to quadruple to more than 12,000 by the 2020s. These numbers alarmed some long-time residents who are accustomed to the [[rural]] tranquility of Crozet; more than a thousand people petitioned the county to reduce the number of planned households. In 2006, a plan was approved to redevelop the old Barnes Lumber property, which encompasses much of the downtown section.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Puccio|first1=Lindsay|date=1 March 2006|title=Residents Upset About Crozet Development|url=http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/2391641.html|access-date=18 April 2018|website=Newsplex.com|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2007, the population passed 7,000.

Around 2017, Piedmont Place, a complex of luxury apartments and various restaurants and shops, was built in downtown Crozet.

==Arts and culture==
{{primary sources|section|date=May 2024}}
[[File:Crozet Volunteer Fire Company Truck.jpg|thumb|Crozet Volunteer Fire Department Engine 52 truck during a local parade]]

Festivals include the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crozetfestival.com|title=Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival|website=Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-06}}</ref>  The Crozet Library originally located in a railway depot built in 1923 by the [[Chesapeake and Ohio Railway]].  A new library, the Crozet/Western Albemarle Library, is located here.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://jmrl.org/crozet |title=Jefferson-Madison Regional Library - Crozet |access-date=2006-06-26}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
Claudius Crozet Park is a {{convert|22|acre|m2|adj=on}} park which includes athletic fields, ball courts, playgrounds, a dog park, pool, and fitness center.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crozetpark.org/|title=Crozet Park|website=Crozet Park}}</ref>

==Education==
===Schools===
[[Image:WesternAlbemarleHS.jpg|thumb|right|Western Albemarle High School]]
[[Image:HenleyMiddleSchoolsign.jpg|thumb|right|J. T. Henley Middle School]]

Crozet is served by [[Western Albemarle High School]], J. T. Henley Middle School, Brownsville Elementary School, Meriwether
Lewis Elementary School, Murray Elementary School and Crozet Elementary School.  All schools in Crozet are part of Albemarle County Public Schools.<ref>[https://www.k12albemarle.org]/</ref>

==Media==
The 2007 [[comedy film]] ''[[Evan Almighty]]'' (the sequel to ''[[Bruce Almighty]]'') was partially filmed in Crozet.  The ark seen in the movie, as well as the set for Evan's neighborhood, was constructed there.<ref>"[http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2006/06/15/PHOTOPHILE%20crozetEvanFilming-C.doc.aspx Evan Almighty wraps up in Crozet]". ''The Hook''. June 15, 2006.</ref>  The film set was situated on a plot of land across from Western Albemarle High School, Old Trail, which later became a popular housing subdivision.

==Notable people==
*[[Muhammad Ali]], boxer, owned a farm outside Crozet.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}
*[[Billy Wagner]], baseball player and member of the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]].
*[[Rita Mae Brown]], author and activist
*[[Ellis Paul]], singer\songwriter and leading figure in the Boston Folk movement.
* [[Remedy Rule]], Olympian, swimmer
* [[Thomas Heilman]], Olympian, swimmer, youngest male Olympic swimmer since Michael Phelps
* [[Martin Hehir (runner) | Martin Hehir]], distance runner

==In popular culture==
Author [[Rita Mae Brown]] has written a mystery series commonly called the 'Mrs. Murphy series' that takes place in Crozet.

==References==
{{commons-inline}}
{{reflist|2}}

{{Albemarle County, Virginia}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Crozet, Virginia| ]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Virginia]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in the Charlottesville, Virginia metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Albemarle County, Virginia]]