made up of mainly a hilled, fertile land (it is somewhat of a plain.) It is located on the Richmond Basin, which is one of the Eastern North America Rift Basins. It contains some sedimentary rock and bituminous coal. Watersheds The Midlothian area serves as the headwaters to a number of creeks which ultimately contribute their waters to the flow of the James River. These include Swift Creek and Falling Creek. The Swift Creek Reservoir serves as the major source of fresh water for the county. Demographics As of 2020, the district of Midlothian had a total population of 72,711 consisting of 26,206 households. The population was 69.6% White (50,584), 13.9% Black (10,095), 4.4% Asian (3,203), 0.3% Native American (206), 0.05% Pacific Islander (41), 4.7% of other races (3,412) and 7.1% of two or more races (5,170). People of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race, made up 8.9% of the population (6,496). In 2019, the median household income was $89,851. Economy Midlothian was ranked #37 in CNNMoney's list of "The Best Places to Live" in 2005 and #99 in 2008. At the turn of the 21st century, a group of area business professionals formed an independent organization called the Western Chesterfield Business Alliance, which in 2013 was renamed the Midlothian Business Alliance. Government Midlothian is an unincorporated area of Chesterfield County. The area is represented by an elected district supervisor on the county's board of supervisors. The position has been held by Mark S. Miller, Ph.D. since 2022. Infrastructure In 2004, completion of State Route 288 connected Midlothian to the circumferential highway network of greater Richmond Region. Development was controversial, and some residents wanted to avoid the scale seen in Northern Virginia. After years of discussion, in March 2006 Chesterfield County approved intensive zoning for the Watkins Centre, promoted as a large, mixed-use office complex and retail "lifestyle center" at the intersection of Route 288 and U.S. 60, west of the Village of Midlothian. With the addition of the multimillion-dollar Bon Secours Hospital, St. Francis, Midlothian has a major hospital within five minutes of Midlothian's highest concentration of residents. James River High School, part of Chesterfield County Public Schools located in Midlothian, won the President's Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award in 2000. In 2015, Cosby High School, also located in Midlothian, received this recognition. History Etymology The origins of the name of Midlothian are subject to debate. Many