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 county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,124. Its county seat is Clintwood.
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, 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
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, Virginia – northeast
- Russell County, Virginia – southeast
- Wise County, Virginia – 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
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 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% |
Education
Public high schools
- Ridgeview High School
Public middle schools
- Ridgeview Middle School
Public elementary schools
- Clintwood Elementary School
- Ervinton Elementary School
- Ridgeview Elementary School
Media
Radio station
- WDIC-FM
Law enforcement
| 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 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
Census-designated place
- Dante (mostly in Russell County)
Other unincorporated communities
Notable people
- Justin Hamilton, former NFL player for Washington Redskins, 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
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Dickenson para niños
