Opal (formerly Fayettesville) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Fauquier County, Virginia, United States. It is on U.S. Highway 15/U.S. Route 17 and U.S. Route 29, at an elevation of 449 feet (137 m).[1] The population as of the 2010 census was 691.[2]

Opal, Virginia
Opal is located in Northern Virginia
Opal
Opal
Location within Fauquier county
Opal is located in Virginia
Opal
Opal
Opal (Virginia)
Opal is located in the United States
Opal
Opal
Opal (the United States)
Coordinates: 38°37′15″N 77°48′00″W / 38.62083°N 77.80000°W / 38.62083; -77.80000
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyFauquier
Area
 • Total
3.16 sq mi (8.19 km2)
 • Land3.14 sq mi (8.12 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation
449 ft (137 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
691
 • Density220/sq mi (85.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
20186
FIPS code51-86316
GNIS feature ID1499824

Geography

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Opal is in western Fauquier County, 7 miles (11 km) south of Warrenton, the county seat, and 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Culpeper. US Route 17 diverges from Route 15 and 29 at Opal, leading southeast 31 miles (50 km) to Fredericksburg. Bealeton is directly south of Opal.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Opal CDP has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.2 km2), of which 0.03 square miles (0.07 km2), or 0.81%, is water.[2] The north and east sides of the community are part of the Potomac River watershed via Licking Run, Cedar Run, and the Occoquan River, while the west and south sides are part of the Rappahannock River watershed, via Tinpot Run and Bowens Run.

History

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Opal was chartered in 1798 as Fayettesville.[3]

References

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  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Opal, Virginia
  2. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Opal CDP, Virginia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved October 19, 2016.[dead link]
  3. ^ Harrison, Fairfax (1924), Landmarks of Old Prince William, pg 666.