Melfa is a town in Accomack County on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in the United States. The population was 396 at the 2020 census.[5]

Melfa, Virginia
Houses on Main Street, July 2018
Houses on Main Street, July 2018
Location in Accomack County and the state of Virginia.
Location in Accomack County and the state of Virginia.
Coordinates: 37°38′59″N 75°44′29″W / 37.64972°N 75.74139°W / 37.64972; -75.74139
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyAccomack
Area
 • Total
0.29 sq mi (0.75 km2)
 • Land0.29 sq mi (0.75 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation49 ft (15 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
396
 • Density1,400/sq mi (530/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
23410
Area code(s)757, 948
FIPS code51-50984[3]
GNIS feature ID1493276[2]

Geography

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Melfa is located at 37°38′59″N 75°44′29″W / 37.64972°N 75.74139°W / 37.64972; -75.74139 (37.649836, −75.741523).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.7 km2), all of it land. It rests at an elevation of 49 feet.[2]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1960409
197045912.2%
1980391−14.8%
19904289.5%
20004505.1%
2010408−9.3%
2020396−2.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

At the 2000 census there were 450 people, 183 households, and 131 families living in the town. The population density was 1,654.6 people per square mile (643.5/km2). There were 205 housing units at an average density of 753.8 per square mile (293.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 82.44% White, 15.78% African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.33% from other races, and 0.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.22%.[3]

Of the 183 households 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 22.4% of households were one person and 10.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 22.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.

The median household income was $37,361 and the median family income was $44,583. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,660. About 8.1% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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It is in Accomack County Public Schools, which is the only school district in the county.[8]

Eastern Shore Community College is in an unincorporated area near Melfa and has a Melfa mailing address.[9]

Transportation

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Accomack County Airport is in an unincorporated area near Melfa.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Melfa, Virginia
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Melfa town, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Accomack County, VA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 24, 2023. - Text list
  9. ^ "General Contact Information". Eastern Shore Community College. Retrieved December 24, 2023. Eastern Shore Community College 29316 Lankford Highway, Melfa, VA 23410
    Compare the address to the Melfa town limits. The college is outside of the Melfa town limits: "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Melfa town, VA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
    The area around the college is shown here: "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Accomack County, VA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 17 (PDF p. 18/29). Retrieved December 24, 2023.
    The City of Houston stated: "The U.S. Postal Service establishes ZIP codes and mailing addresses in order to maximize the efficiency of their system, not to recognize jurisdictional boundaries."
  10. ^ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Accomack County, VA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 17 (PDF p. 18/29). Retrieved December 24, 2023. Accomack County Arprt
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  • "Town of Melfa" (PDF). Eastern Shore of Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan. Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission. 2021. pp. 1–11.
  • "Town of Melfa" (PDF). Eastern Shore of Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan. Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission. 2016. pp. 1–12.