St. Paul, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
St. Paul
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St. Paul National Bank building
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Location of St. Paul, Virginia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| Counties | Wise, Russell |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.42 sq mi (3.69 km2) |
| • Land | 1.38 sq mi (3.58 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,503 ft (458 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 970 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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851 |
| • Density | 616.22/sq mi (237.85/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 51-69936 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1473855 |
| Website | [1] |
St. Paul is a town in Virginia, located in both Russell and Wise counties. In 2010, about 970 people lived there. A large power plant, the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, is in St. Paul. It creates enough electricity to power 150,000 homes!
Contents
History of St. Paul
St. Paul, Virginia, is a town nestled in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. It sits right along the Clinch River. The town started in 1791 when French Huguenots, who were a group of French Protestants, settled there. This was during a time of conflict called the Cherokee-American wars.
Since 1858, St. Paul has been split between two counties: Wise County and the older Russell County. The town officially became an incorporated town in 1911. Two important historical places in St. Paul, the St. Paul Historic District and Virginia City Church, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical importance.
Since the 1990s, an organization called the Nature Conservancy has worked to protect the amazing variety of plants and animals in and around the Clinch River. In 2021, Virginia's governor, Ralph Northam, opened the Clinch River State Park. This park is special because it's Virginia's first "blueway" state park. A blueway is like a water trail, with many places to access the river over 135 miles (217 km) of the Clinch River.
Fun Annual Events
St. Paul has some cool yearly traditions. One of the most famous is the Santa Train. This special train travels from Eastern Kentucky through Southwest Virginia and ends in Kingsport, Tennessee. Along its journey, the Santa Train makes 14 stops. At each stop, Santa Claus throws out gifts to children! It's a really exciting event for kids in the area.
Geography of St. Paul
St. Paul is a small town. According to the United States Census Bureau, it covers about 1.0 square mile (2.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Population of St. Paul
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 574 | — | |
| 1930 | 716 | 24.7% | |
| 1940 | 746 | 4.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,014 | 35.9% | |
| 1960 | 1,156 | 14.0% | |
| 1970 | 948 | −18.0% | |
| 1980 | 973 | 2.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,007 | 3.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,000 | −0.7% | |
| 2010 | 970 | −3.0% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 851 | −12.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In the year 2000, there were 1,000 people living in St. Paul. The town had about 464 households. Most of the people living there were White (95.70%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 21.6% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age in the town was 42 years.
Education in St. Paul
St. Paul has one public school called St. Paul Elementary School. This school has special programs, like the Wetlands Estonoa Project.
Things to Do in St. Paul
There are many fun things to see and do in St. Paul!
Nature and Outdoor Fun
- Clinch River: Great for enjoying nature and water activities.
- Matthews Park: A local park for recreation.
- Oxbow Lake: Another beautiful spot for outdoor fun.
- Sugar Hill Loop Trail: A trail perfect for hiking and exploring.
- Wetlands Estonoa and the Wetlands Estonoa Project: A special area to learn about wetlands and wildlife.
- Spearhead Trail: A trail system for outdoor adventures.
- Ridge Runner Campground: A place to camp and enjoy nature.
Historical Places
- Railroad Museum: Learn about the history of trains in the area.
Festivals and Celebrations
- Clinch River Days: A local festival celebrating the river and community.
- Fourth of July Celebration: A fun event to celebrate Independence Day.
Local News
St. Paul has an online newspaper called the Clinch Valley Times. It keeps residents updated on local news.
Famous People from St. Paul
Steven Jason Williams, also known as Boogie2988, is a well-known American YouTube personality. He was born in Abingdon, Virginia, but he grew up in St. Paul.
