Dickenson County is a mountainous United States county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia on the Appalachian Plateau. Bordering Kentucky, Dickenson is situated near the far western point of Virginia. Its county seat is Clintwood, and, as of the 2020 census, the county population was 14,124.
Formed in 1880 from parts of several western Virginia counties, Dickenson is the most recently created county in the state. The county was named in honor of William J. Dickenson, a long serving local member of the Virginia General Assembly, who sponsored the creation of the new county.
Contents
History
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 (1827-1907), 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." On June 13, 1932, 10 people were killed when the Splashdam Mine exploded.
Geography
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.
Districts
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
Buchanan County – northeast
Russell County – southeast
Wise County – southwest
Pike County, Kentucky – northwest
National protected area
Jefferson National Forest (part)
Major highways
SR 63
SR 72
SR 80 (U.S. Bicycle Route 76)
SR 83
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 14,124. The median age was 46.3 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.0 males age 18 and over.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 6,054 households in the county, of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 7,344 housing units, of which 17.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.4% were owner-occupied and 22.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.1%.
2000 census
As of the census 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
Public high schools
Ridgeview High School
Public middle schools
Ridgeview Middle School
Public elementary schools
Ridgeview Elementary School
Media
Radio station
WDIC-FM
Law enforcement
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.
Communities
Towns
Clinchco
Clintwood
Haysi
Census-designated place
Dante (mostly in Russell County)
Other unincorporated communities
Aily
Bee
Caney Ridge
Darwin
Lick Fork
McClure
Nora
Sandlick
Trammel
Wakenva
Notable people
Brig. Gen. Gerald Childress (1930-2022), Army officer including 82nd Airborne, then superintendent of the New Mexico Military Institute
Justin Hamilton, former NFL player for Washington Commanders, grew up in Clintwood.
Darrell "Shifty" Powers, World War II (D-Day) veteran, Company E ("Easy Company") 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, U.S. 101st Airborne Division, portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers
Trazel Silvers, former professional basketball player for the Harlem Globetrotters and in Europe.
Ralph Stanley and Carter Stanley, The Stanley Brothers, bluegrass musicians