Pound, Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pound, Virginia
Town
Main Street (2017)
Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Wise
Area
• Total	2.61 sq mi (6.75 km2)
• Land	2.60 sq mi (6.75 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	1,565 ft (477 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	1,037
• Estimate  (2019)	918
• Density	352.40/sq mi (136.04/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	24279
Area code	276
FIPS code	51-64272
GNIS ID	1499906

Pound is a small town located in Wise County, Virginia, in the United States. In 2010, about 1,037 people lived there.

A Look Back at Pound's History

The area where Pound is located was first explored in 1751 by Christopher Gist. Many people believe it is the oldest settlement in Wise County. The town is also known as "The Pound." Its name might come from a family name, or from a special mill built in 1815 that was used for "pounding" things.

The first post office in the county opened here in 1848. Pound officially became an incorporated town in 1950. It was the last town in Wise County to do so.

Pound's Economy and Changes

For many years, the town's economy relied on coal mining. In the 1940s, Pound was a busy place. It had many places for miners from nearby Kentucky to relax.

However, as coal mining became less common, Pound faced challenges. Like many towns in Southwest Virginia, its economy struggled. The town worked hard to improve its situation. In 2023, its special status as a town was fully restored.

Historic Places in Pound

Two important places in Pound are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Flat Gap High School and Sunnydale Farm. They are recognized for their historical value.

Where is Pound Located?

Pound is located at 37°7′26″N 82°36′28″W / 37.12389°N 82.60778°W / 37.12389; -82.60778.

The United States Census Bureau says the town covers about 2.6 square miles (6.8 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Pound's Climate

The weather in Pound is usually warm. It gets rain fairly evenly throughout the year. The Köppen Climate System describes it as a humid subtropical area. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters.

Who Lives in Pound?

In 2000, there were 1,089 people living in Pound. They lived in 455 households, with 322 of these being families. The town had about 417 people per square mile.

Most people in Pound were White (98.71%). A small number were Native American or from other backgrounds. About 1.10% of people were from two or more races.

About 31.2% of households had children under 18. Many households (52.5%) were married couples. The average household had 2.39 people. The average family had 2.88 people.

The median age in Pound was 39 years old. This means half the people were younger than 39 and half were older.

Learning in Pound

Pound has one public school called James Woodrow Adams Combined School. It is part of the Wise County Public Schools (Virginia) system.

Getting Around Pound

Highways

US 23 is a main road that goes through Pound. It crosses into Kentucky at a place called Pound Gap. There are also plans for a new road, the Coalfield Expressway, to connect to US 23 in Pound.

Fun Places to Visit

• Jefferson National Forest: A large forest with lots of nature to explore.
• North Fork Pound Reservoir: A beautiful lake where you can enjoy water activities.
• Pound Gap: A mountain pass with historical importance.

Famous People from Pound

• Sean Brock - A well-known chef.
• Napoleon Hill - An author and speaker, born in Pound in 1883.
• Edith Maxwell - An American woman who was pardoned after a conviction.
• Tony Mullins - A talented songwriter.
• Glen Roberts - A professional basketball player.
• Francis Gary Powers - A pilot for the Central Intelligence Agency.

See also

• In Spanish: Pound (Virginia) para niños