Another fire in 1783 destroyed the clerk's office and jail, so few colonial era non-religious records remain.

[8] Perhaps the county's most noteworthy patriot during the conflict was James, an enslaved man who became a double agent, and whose reports to the Marquis de Lafayette helped secure victory during the Siege of Yorktown months after British troops led by Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis passed through the county seat (and raided local plantations) in June 1781.

In addition to men who enlisted in the army, New Kent county also established an American military hospital during the conflict.

As the result of arson confessed to by John Price Posey and Thomas Green, and allegedly involving "a negro boy belonging to W. Chamberlayne", many later county records were burned, making identifying relationships between family members difficult.

The church where George and Martha Washington are believed to have been wed, St. Peter's, still holds services today.

The Battle of New Market Heights in September 1864 proved a crucial victory as Federal forces pushed toward the capitol in the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign.

During the state's Massive Resistance crisis in the 1960s, the United States Supreme Court decision in Green v. County School Board of New Kent County (1968) limited the use of freedom of choice plans at publicly funded schools, where the actual operation of such plans delayed racial desegregation.

The historical ties to Hampton Roads stem from its location and the shared history of Virginia's colonial past.

The region, known for its military bases, shipyards, and as a commercial and cultural hub, influences the surrounding counties, including New Kent.

The proximity to Hampton Roads has led to economic and demographic growth in the county, with residents often commuting to the larger cities such as Newport News and Norfolk for work while enjoying the quieter, rural life that New Kent offers.

The county terrain consists of rolling hills, either wooded or devoted to agriculture, and carved by drainages.

[11] The terrain slopes to the east and south, with its highest point on the west border at 174 ft (53 m) ASL.

At the high-school level, various honors and advanced-placement courses are available, along with dual enrollment through Rappahannock Community College.