 About 8.80% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.Henry County is represented by Republican William M. "Bill" Stanley in the Virginia Senate, Republicans Charles D. Poindexter, D.W. "Danny" Marshall, III, and Les R. Adams in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republicans Denver Riggleman and H. Morgan Griffith in the U.S. House of Representatives.As an independent city since 1928, Martinsville is not part of Henry County, but exists as an enclave, surrounded by the county.