Dickenson County, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dickenson County
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Dickenson County Courthouse in Clintwood
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Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
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 Virginia's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Virginia |
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| Founded | 1880 | |
| Named for | William J. Dickinson | |
| Seat | Clintwood | |
| Largest town | Clintwood | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 334 sq mi (870 km2) | |
| • Land | 331 sq mi (860 km2) | |
| • Water | 3.1 sq mi (8 km2) 0.9% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 14,124 | |
| • Density | 42.29/sq mi (16.327/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Congressional district | 9th | |
Dickenson County is a place in Virginia, a state in the United States. It's like a big neighborhood with its own local government. In 2020, about 14,124 people lived here. The main town, or county seat, where the government offices are, is called Clintwood.
Contents
History of Dickenson County
Dickenson County was created in 1880. It was formed from parts of three other counties: Buchanan County, Russell County, and Wise County. This makes it the newest county in Virginia!
The county is named after William J. Dickenson (1827-1907). He was a representative for Russell County in the Virginia government. People living in the area wanted a local government closer to them. So, in 1880, Mr. Dickenson helped pass a law to create Dickenson County. It became the 100th county in Virginia, earning it the nickname "Virginia's Baby."
Geography of Dickenson County
Dickenson County covers about 334 square miles (865 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 331 square miles, is land. The rest, about 3.1 square miles, is water.
County Districts
The county is divided into five main areas called magisterial districts. Each district elects a supervisor every four years to help run the county.
- Clintwood
- Ervinton
- Sandlick
- Kenady
- Willis
Neighboring Counties
Dickenson County shares its borders with several other counties:
- Buchanan County, Virginia – to the northeast
- Russell County, Virginia – to the southeast
- Wise County, Virginia – to the southwest
- Pike County, Kentucky – to the northwest (in a different state!)
Protected Natural Areas
Part of the Jefferson National Forest is located in Dickenson County. This is a large area of protected land, great for nature and outdoor activities.
Main Roads
These are some of the important highways that go through Dickenson County:
SR 63
SR 72
SR 80 (U.S. Bicycle Route 76)
SR 83
Population of Dickenson County
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 5,077 | — | |
| 1900 | 7,747 | 52.6% | |
| 1910 | 9,199 | 18.7% | |
| 1920 | 13,542 | 47.2% | |
| 1930 | 16,163 | 19.4% | |
| 1940 | 21,266 | 31.6% | |
| 1950 | 23,393 | 10.0% | |
| 1960 | 20,211 | −13.6% | |
| 1970 | 16,077 | −20.5% | |
| 1980 | 19,806 | 23.2% | |
| 1990 | 17,620 | −11.0% | |
| 2000 | 16,395 | −7.0% | |
| 2010 | 15,903 | −3.0% | |
| 2020 | 14,124 | −11.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 13,640 | −14.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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The population of Dickenson County has changed over the years. In 2020, about 14,124 people lived there. Most people in the county are white. A small number of people are from other racial or ethnic backgrounds.
Education in Dickenson County
Students in Dickenson County attend public schools.
Public High Schools
- Ridgeview High School
Public Middle Schools
- Ridgeview Middle School
Public Elementary Schools
- Ridgeview Elementary School
Media in Dickenson County
The county has its own radio station:
- WDIC-FM
Law Enforcement in Dickenson County
| Dickenson County Sheriff's Office | |
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| Abbreviation | DCSO |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1880 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Constituting instrument |
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| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Clintwood, Virginia |
| Deputies | 35 |
| Civilians | 15 |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | |
| Official Website: http://www.dickensonva.org/index.aspx?NID=115 | |
The Dickenson County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) is the main police force in the county. When the office first started in 1880, one person did many jobs, including being the chief law enforcement officer. Today, the sheriff is chosen by the people in an election.
Communities in Dickenson County
These are the towns and communities you can find in Dickenson County:
Towns
Census-designated place
- Dante (most of this community is in Russell County)
Other Unincorporated Communities
Famous People from Dickenson County
Many interesting people have connections to Dickenson County:
- Justin Hamilton, a former professional football player for the Washington Redskins, grew up in Clintwood.
- Darrell "Shifty" Powers, a brave soldier from World War II. He was part of the 101st Airborne Division and was featured in the TV show Band of Brothers.
- Trazel Silvers, a former professional basketball player who played for the Harlem Globetrotters and in Europe.
- Ralph Stanley and Carter Stanley, known as The Stanley Brothers, were famous bluegrass musicians.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Dickenson para niños
