Tazewell County, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tazewell County
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Tazewell County Courthouse
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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 | December 20, 1799 | ||
| Named for | Henry Tazewell | ||
| Seat | Tazewell | ||
| Largest town | Richlands | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 520 sq mi (1,300 km2) | ||
| • Land | 519 sq mi (1,340 km2) | ||
| • Water | 1.1 sq mi (3 km2) 0.2% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 40,429 | ||
| • Estimate
(2025)
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38,635  |
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| • Density | 77.7/sq mi (30.02/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 9th | ||
Tazewell County is a county located in the southwestern part of Virginia, United States. In 2020, about 40,429 people lived here. The main town and county seat is Tazewell.
Tazewell County is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA Micropolitan Statistical Area. For many years, its economy relied on mining coal and iron from the Pocahontas Fields.
Contents
Welcome to Tazewell County!
A Look at Tazewell County's Past
Early Days and Native American History
Long ago, Tazewell County was a favorite hunting ground for different Native American tribes. These tribes had lived in the area for many generations. You can even find ancient rock carvings, called petroglyphs, on Paintlick Mountain. These carvings are quite rare in the eastern United States.
The first permanent European settlement in Tazewell County was started in 1771. Thomas and John Witten built their homes at a place called Crab Orchard.
How Tazewell County Was Formed
As more people moved into the area, the need for a new county grew. Tazewell County was officially created on December 20, 1799. Its land came from parts of Wythe and Russell counties.
The county was named after Henry Tazewell. He was an important person who served as a United States senator for Virginia. He was also a state lawmaker and a judge. The town of Jeffersonville became the county seat in 1800. Later, on February 29, 1892, Jeffersonville was renamed Tazewell. Many families from Scotland and Ireland also settled in this Appalachian region during the early years.
Growth and Industry
After the American Civil War, new railroads were built in southwestern Virginia. These railroads helped develop the rich coal and iron resources in the Clinch Valley. Towns like Richlands grew quickly in the early 1890s. This growth brought many new workers and businesses.
The money made from the coal boom led to the building of beautiful homes and a grand place called the Richlands Hotel. This hotel was once considered one of the finest.
Tazewell County in Movies
Did you know that a famous movie was filmed here? The 1994 film Lassie was shot in Tazewell County. It was based on classic stories by Albert Payson Terhune.
Exploring Tazewell County's Landscape
Mountains, Valleys, and Rivers
Tazewell County covers about 520 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water. The county is unique because it has parts of two major mountain ranges: the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians and the Cumberland Plateau.
One very special place is Burke's Garden. It's a large, bowl-shaped valley formed by natural erosion over many years. Tazewell County is also where several important rivers begin. These include the Upper Clinch, Middle New, North Fork Holston, and Tug rivers. The Bluestone River also starts here and flows into West Virginia, where part of it is a protected Wild and Scenic River.
Neighboring Areas
Tazewell County shares its borders with several other counties:
- McDowell County, West Virginia (North and West)
- Mercer County, West Virginia (Northeast)
- Buchanan County (Northwest)
- Russell County (West)
- Smyth County (South)
- Bland County (East)
Protected Natural Spaces
A part of the beautiful Jefferson National Forest is located within Tazewell County. This forest offers many opportunities for outdoor activities and enjoying nature.
Main Roads and Routes
Several important highways run through Tazewell County, connecting its communities and making travel easier:
US 19
US 460
SR 16
SR 16 Alt.
SR 61
SR 67
SR 91
SR 102
Who Lives in Tazewell County?
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Tazewell County has changed over the years. In 1800, there were just over 2,000 residents. The population grew steadily, reaching its highest point in the mid-20th century. In 2020, the county's population was 40,429.
A Diverse Community
The people of Tazewell County come from various backgrounds. In 2020, most residents identified as White. There are also communities of Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, and other racial backgrounds. About 1.3% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino. The median age in 2020 was 45.8 years old. About 18.7% of residents were under 18, and 22.7% were 65 or older.
Learning and Schools
Colleges and Higher Education
Tazewell County is home to two places for higher learning:
- Bluefield University, located in Bluefield
- Southwest Virginia Community College, which is near Richlands and borders Russell County
High Schools in the County
All public schools in Tazewell County are managed by the Tazewell County Public Schools system. The county has three public high schools:
- Graham High School, in Bluefield
- Richlands High School, in Richlands
- Tazewell High School, in Tazewell
Towns and Communities
Tazewell County has several towns and many smaller communities where people live.
Towns
Census-designated places
These are areas that are like towns but are not officially incorporated as towns.
- Abbs Valley
- Amonate
- Boissevain
- Claypool Hill
- Doran
- Falls Mills
- Gratton
- Jewell Ridge
- Pounding Mill
- Raven (partially in Russell County)
- Springville
Other unincorporated communities
Keeping the Community Safe
| Tazewell County Sheriff's Office | |
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| Abbreviation | TCSO |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Constituting instrument |
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| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Tazewell, Virginia |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | |
| Official Website: http://tazewellcountyva.org/government/sheriffs-office/ | |
The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) is the main group that helps keep the peace and enforces laws in Tazewell County. As of 2022, Sheriff Brian Hieatt leads the agency. Throughout its history, the Sheriff's Office has sadly lost some officers who died while serving the community.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Tazewell (Virginia) para niños
