Chilhowie, Virginia Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Town of Chilhowie, Virginia

Town

Seal

Chilhowie, Virginia

Location in Virginia

Chilhowie, Virginia

Location in the United States

United States

Area

• Total

2.57 sq mi (6.66 km²)

• Land

2.53 sq mi (6.56 km²)

• Water

0.04 sq mi (0.10 km²)

Elevation

1,952 ft (595 m)

Population

(2010)

• Total

1,781

• Estimate

(2020)

1,698

• Density

671.67/sq mi (259.32/km²)

U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Population Estimates

Time zone

UTC-5 (EST)

• Summer (DST)

UTC-4 (EDT)

ZIP code

24319

Area code(s)

276

FIPS code

51-16480

GNIS feature ID

1464850

Website

http://www.chilhowie.org/

Chilhowie (say it: CHILL-how-ee) is a small town in Smyth County, Virginia, United States. It is located on the Middle Fork of the Holston River. In 2010, about 1,781 people lived there.

The name Chilhowie is thought to come from a Cherokee word. It means "valley of many deer." A fun fact about Chilhowie is that it has only one traffic light in the whole town! The major highway I-81 goes right through Chilhowie at exit 35.

Where is Chilhowie Located?
A Look at Chilhowie's Past
Who Lives in Chilhowie?
Famous People from Chilhowie
Chilhowie's Weather
See also

Where is Chilhowie Located?

Chilhowie is in southwestern Virginia. The town covers about 2.6 square miles (6.7 square kilometers) of land. It does not have any large bodies of water within its borders.

The Chilhowie Baptist Church on U.S. Route 11 in Chilhowie, Virginia.

A Look at Chilhowie's Past

Chilhowie has a long and interesting history. In the 1700s, it was a common starting point for longhunter expeditions. These were long trips into the wilderness to hunt and explore.

Early Explorers and Settlers

In 1748, two important explorers, Colonel James Patton and Dr. Thomas Walker, visited the area. They built a small fort, which was probably a simple blockhouse. An early settler named Samuel Stalnaker later turned this fort into a tavern. It was known as the Town House.

Recent Events

Chilhowie has faced challenges over the years. In 2011, a strong tornado hit the town. It caused a lot of damage during a big storm called the 2011 Super Outbreak.

Historic Buildings

Several buildings in Chilhowie are very old and important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the A.C. Beatie House, the H.L. Bonham House, and the Chilhowie Methodist Episcopal Church. The main part of downtown Chilhowie is also a historic district.

Who Lives in Chilhowie?

The number of people living in Chilhowie has changed over time.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1920	572	—
1930	712	24.5%
1940	889	24.9%
1950	1,022	15.0%
1960	1,169	14.4%
1970	1,317	12.7%
1980	1,265	−3.9%
1990	1,960	54.9%
2000	1,827	−6.8%
2010	1,781	−2.5%
2020 (est.)	1,698	−4.7%
source:

In 2000, there were 1,827 people living in Chilhowie. Most people in the town were White (about 94%). There were also African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 2% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino background.

The average age of people in Chilhowie in 2000 was 47 years old. Many older adults live in the town.

Famous People from Chilhowie

Chilhowie has been home to some notable people:

Samuel Stalnaker (1715-1769): He built the first cabin in the area in 1749.
Chris Marion: A musician who is part of the band Little River Band.
Eric McClure: A professional NASCAR driver.
"Nature Boy" Buddy Landel: A well-known professional wrestler.
Andrew "Nick" Cullop: A baseball pitcher who played in MLB from 1913 to 1921.
Cody McMahan: Another NASCAR driver.

Chilhowie's Weather

Chilhowie has a mild climate. This means the temperatures don't change too much between hot and cold. It also gets enough rain throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Chilhowie has a marine west coast climate. This type of climate is often found near oceans, even though Chilhowie is inland.

Chilhowie, Virginia facts for kids

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