Norton, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norton, Virginia
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A view overlooking Norton, Virginia at Flag Rock
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Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Virginia | |
| County | None (Independent city) | |
| Founded | 1894 | |
| Named for | Eckstein Norton | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 7.51 sq mi (19.46 km2) | |
| • Land | 7.48 sq mi (19.37 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2) | |
| Elevation | 2,133 ft (650 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,687 | |
| • Density | 490.9/sq mi (189.47/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
24273
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| Area code(s) | 276 | |
| FIPS code | 51-57688 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1485924 | |
| Website | http://www.nortonva.org/ | |
Norton is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, located in the far western tip of the state in Wise County. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,687, making it the least populous city in Virginia. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Norton with surrounding Wise County for statistical purposes.
History
The settlement was originally known as, "Prince's Flats", but in a bid to convince the Union Pacific Railroad to build a depot there, the town was renamed after the current head of the railroad, Mr. Eckstein Norton. Part of the Wilderness Trail blazed by Daniel Boone, and later extensively mapped and settled by Christopher Gest, Norton was a central hub for the timber trade until the coal boom of the 1930-40's.
The Hotel Norton is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
Norton is located at 36°56′12″N 82°37′31″W / 36.936805°N 82.625146°W, along the Powell and Guest Rivers. The entire area of Norton lies within the confines of Wise County, but is not a part of the county.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.5 square miles (19 km2), virtually all of which is land.
Major highways
US 23
US 58 Alt.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 654 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,866 | 185.3% | |
| 1920 | 3,068 | 64.4% | |
| 1930 | 3,077 | 0.3% | |
| 1940 | 4,006 | 30.2% | |
| 1950 | 4,315 | 7.7% | |
| 1960 | 4,996 | 15.8% | |
| 1970 | 4,001 | −19.9% | |
| 1980 | 4,757 | 18.9% | |
| 1990 | 4,247 | −10.7% | |
| 2000 | 3,904 | −8.1% | |
| 2010 | 3,958 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 3,687 | −6.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 3,478 | 3,223 | 87.87% | 87.42% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 250 | 179 | 6.32% | 4.85% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 5 | 4 | 0.13% | 0.11% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 56 | 27 | 1.41% | 0.73% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 6 | 14 | 0.15% | 0.38% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 95 | 159 | 2.40% | 4.31% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 68 | 81 | 1.72% | 2.20% |
| Total | 3,958 | 3,687 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
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 can be of any race.
Education
Norton City Schools is the school division of the city, operating John I. Burton High School and Norton Elementary and Middle School.
Notable people
- Dock Boggs – musician and songwriter
- Vernon Crawford "Jack" Cooke – bluegrass musician
