Community Facilities, Medical, Emergency, Education
Community Facilities
Churches - 62 Protestant Churches and one Catholic Church.
Lodging - Five motels with over 200 rooms, three bed-and-breakfasts with ten rooms
Library - The public library houses 17,000 volumes.
Recreation - Public ball fields and swimming pools along with private tennis courts, golf courses and bowling facilities offer recreation to residents and vacationers. The county offers a recreation program using public school grounds and buildings, and it's own park and pool.
The Rappahannock River offers a variety of water activities including beaches, public and private boat ramps, fishing and sailing.
Riverside Wellness and Fitness Center - Two outdoor tennis courts, two racquetball courts, basketball and volleyball courts, strength training circuits, treadmills, stair steppers, indoor cushioned track, indoor 25 meter heated pool, massage therapy, sauna and Jacuzzi.
Medical
Hospitals - VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital (100 beds) in Tappahannock offers services in X-ray, nuclear medicine, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, family medicine, emergency services, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery. Riverside Middle Peninsula Hospital (71 beds) offers general medical and surgical care, ICU and 24-hour emergency services. There are several major hospitals in Richmond (45 miles) including Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia, and the new Memorial Regional Medical Center at I-295 and Meadowbridge Road.
Public Health - The public health department offers regular X-ray, family planning, child health, obstetrics, Medicaid, and immunization services. The department also tests private well and septic systems and has programs in rabies control and restaurant inspections.
Emergency Services
Essex County employs 11 officers in its Sheriff's Office and the Town of Tappahannock employs five police officers. There are five State policemen and one sergeant assigned to the area. Fire protection is provided by a volunteer force of 60 from the town and county. The local rescue squad has 19 member and is enhanced by County contracted professional service. For more details see the Emergency Services page.
Education
Essex County Public Schools:
Essex County Public Schools (ECPS) is comprised of one elementary school (pre-K-3), one intermediate school (4-7), and one high school (8-12).
Total student enrollment is approximately 1,403. Please contact or visit our schools to learn more.
Private Schools: Aylett Country Day School, St. Margaret's School, Tappahannock SDA Junior Academy.
For more information about the schools in Essex County Visit the Schools page.
Colleges/Universities - Essex County is served by Rappahannock Community College's two campuses in Warsaw (7 miles) and Glenns (28 miles). Each offers programs in college preparatory, vocational, business, technical and trades. Within an hour's commuting distance of Essex are some of the finest colleges and universities in Virginia, including the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg and the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
