CQ Risk Rating: Safe Independent 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Virgil H. Goode Jr. (I) | 143,312 | 67% |
| John Boyd (D) | 65,387 | 31% |
| Joseph S. Spence (I) | 3,936 | 2% |
| write-ins | 70 | 0% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: JUNE 13, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| John Boyd | Unopposed |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
VIRGINIA 5
:
South - Danville; Charlottesville
Rich in Civil War landmarks, the conservative-leaning, Democratic 5th
extends from Charlottesville, in the central part of the state, to the
south-central tier bordering North Carolina, an area known as "Southside."
Protecting tobacco growers is important in the rural 5th, as are issues that
affect the district's elderly.
A relatively poor district, the 5th relies heavily on agriculture and
textiles. Known as the heart of tobacco country, the district still supports
a vast tobacco industry, but in recent years manufacturing has taken a more
prominent role. Danville, the district's largest city, is a tobacco and
textile center on the North Carolina border. To the west is Henry County,
which surrounds the textile and furniture town of Martinsville. Outside of
the district's industrial center around Danville, the seasonal nature of
much of the economy kept unemployment hovering around 7 percent in the
1990s. Bedford County, to the north, and Fluvanna County, to the northeast,
have grown by attracting commuters as well as many small businesses.
The 5th is politically mixed: It has supported Democrats in Congress but
went for GOP presidential candidates in 1992 and '96. Suburban
Charlottesville, home of the U. of Virginia, stands out for its
near-universal support of Democrats. Overall, the district tends to elect
conservative Democrats, who survive in spite of GOP strength in local and
presidential races.
Major Industry
Agriculture, manufacturing, service
Population
562,273 (1990)
Cities
Danville, 53,472; Charlottesville, 40,767; Martinsville, 15,924 (1996)
People
67% rural; 14% age 65+ (ranks second of 11 in state; top third nationally);
58% married couples, 24% married couples with children; 13% college educated
(ranks ninth of 11 in state; bottom third nationally); 44% white collar
(ranks 11 of 11 in state; bottom third nationally), 40% blue collar (ranks
first of 11 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
74% white, 25% black, 1% Asian; 1% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$24,807 (ranks ninth of 11 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Appomattox Court House, where Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses
S. Grant, ending the Civil War; Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, just
south of Charlottesville.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 5
