Dickenson County, Virginia

"Dickenson County" redirects here. Not to be confused with Dickinson County (disambiguation).

Dickenson County
County
Dickenson County Courthouse in Clintwood
Dickenson County Courthouse in Clintwood
Official seal of Dickenson County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Dickenson County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°07′N 82°21′W / 37.12°N 82.35°W / 37.12; -82.35
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1880
Named forWilliam J. Dickinson
SeatClintwood
Largest townClintwood
Area
 • Total
334 sq mi (870 km2)
 • Land331 sq mi (860 km2)
 • Water3.1 sq mi (8 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
14,124
 • Density42/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.dickensonva.org

Dickenson County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,124.[1] Its county seat is Clintwood.[2]

History

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Dickenson County, formed in 1880 from parts of Buchanan County, Russell County, and Wise County, is Virginia's youngest county. It was named for William J. Dickenson,[3] delegate to the Virginia General Assembly from Russell County, 1859–1861, 1865–1867, and 1877–1882. This formation came as a result of demands from the inhabitants that they be represented by a county government closer to the people. In 1880, Delegate Dickenson sponsored the bill in the House of Delegates to establish Dickenson County as the one-hundredth county in Virginia. Dickenson County has since become known as "Virginia's Baby."

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 334 square miles (870 km2), of which 331 square miles (860 km2) is land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4]

Districts

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The county is divided into five magisterial districts with a supervisor elected from each district every four years. The districts are: Clintwood, Ervinton, Sandlick, Kenady, and Willis.

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18905,077—
19007,74752.6%
19109,19918.7%
192013,54247.2%
193016,16319.4%
194021,26631.6%
195023,39310.0%
196020,211−13.6%
197016,077−20.5%
198019,80623.2%
199017,620−11.0%
200016,395−7.0%
201015,903−3.0%
202014,124−11.2%
2023 (est.)13,640[5]−3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[11]

2020 census

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Dickenson County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010[10] Pop 2020[11] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 15,650 13,691 98.41% 96.93%
Black or African American alone (NH) 51 48 0.32% 0.34%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 23 22 0.14% 0.16%
Asian alone (NH) 17 12 0.11% 0.08%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 2 0.00% 0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 9 12 0.06% 0.08%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 67 254 0.42% 1.80%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 86 83 0.54% 0.59%
Total 15,903 14,124 100.00% 100.00%

2000 census

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As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 16,395 people, 6,732 households, and 4,887 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19 people/km2). There were 7,684 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.96% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,732 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $23,431, and the median income for a family was $27,986. Males had a median income of $27,281 versus $17,695 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,822. About 16.90% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.80% of those under age 18 and 17.30% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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Public high schools

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Public middle schools

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Public elementary schools

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  • Ridgeview Elementary School

Media

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Radio station

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Law enforcement

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Dickenson County Sheriff's Office
AbbreviationDCSO
Agency overview
Formed1880
Jurisdictional structure
Constituting instrument
  • Yes
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersClintwood, Virginia
Deputies35
Civilians15
Agency executive
Website
Official Website

The Dickenson County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) is the primary law enforcement agency in Dickenson County, Virginia. When the office was formed in 1880, one person was appointed as the Election Supervisor, Tax Collector, and the Chief Law Enforcement Officer. Now the sheriff is an elected official.[13]

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Dickenson County, Virginia[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,701 80.93% 1,316 18.68% 27 0.38%
2020 5,748 78.71% 1,503 20.58% 52 0.71%
2016 4,932 76.58% 1,335 20.73% 173 2.69%
2012 4,274 61.91% 2,473 35.82% 157 2.27%
2008 3,324 49.22% 3,278 48.54% 151 2.24%
2004 3,591 48.49% 3,761 50.78% 54 0.73%
2000 3,122 43.21% 3,951 54.68% 153 2.12%
1996 2,229 32.45% 3,913 56.97% 726 10.57%
1992 2,574 31.61% 4,839 59.43% 730 8.96%
1988 3,091 40.65% 4,461 58.67% 52 0.68%
1984 3,921 44.34% 4,848 54.82% 75 0.85%
1980 3,687 46.12% 4,177 52.25% 131 1.64%
1976 3,471 42.28% 4,583 55.83% 155 1.89%
1972 3,633 56.22% 2,711 41.95% 118 1.83%
1968 3,412 46.01% 3,355 45.25% 648 8.74%
1964 2,143 38.00% 3,485 61.80% 11 0.20%
1960 2,203 44.42% 2,756 55.56% 1 0.02%
1956 3,444 48.15% 3,695 51.66% 14 0.20%
1952 2,913 47.41% 3,210 52.25% 21 0.34%
1948 2,197 42.48% 2,945 56.94% 30 0.58%
1944 1,762 38.69% 2,786 61.18% 6 0.13%
1940 1,785 41.10% 2,551 58.74% 7 0.16%
1936 1,146 29.92% 2,683 70.05% 1 0.03%
1932 1,228 31.67% 2,635 67.95% 15 0.39%
1928 1,868 49.85% 1,879 50.15% 0 0.00%
1924 1,294 42.47% 1,618 53.10% 135 4.43%
1920 1,067 53.62% 903 45.38% 20 1.01%
1916 753 52.62% 650 45.42% 28 1.96%
1912 398 36.55% 529 48.58% 162 14.88%

Communities

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Towns

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Census-designated place

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Other unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Dickenson County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 106.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Dickenson County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Dickenson County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. ^ Dickenson County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff's Office
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  15. ^ Friskics-Warren, Bill (June 23, 2016). "Ralph Stanley, Whose Mountain Music Gave Rise to Bluegrass, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
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37°07′N 82°21′W / 37.12°N 82.35°W / 37.12; -82.35

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