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Pittsylvania County, Virginia | ||
Pittsylvania County Courthouse
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Location in the state of Virginia | ||
Virginia's location in the U.S. | ||
Founded | 1767 | |
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Named for | William Pitt | |
Seat | Chatham | |
Largest town | Chatham | |
Area - Total - Land - Water |
978 sq mi (2,533 km²) 969 sq mi (2,510 km²) 9 sq mi (23 km²), 0.9 | |
Population - (2020) - Density |
60,501 | |
Congressional district | 5th | |
Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 | |
Website | www.pittsylvaniacountyva.gov |
Pittsylvania County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 60,501.[1] Chatham is the county seat.
Pittsylvania County is included in the Danville, VA Micropolitan Statistical Area.[2]
The largest undeveloped uranium deposit in the United States (7th largest in the world) is located in Pittsylvania County[3] (see Uranium mining in Virginia.)
History[]
Originally "Pittsylvania" was a name suggested for an unrealized British colony to be located primarily in what is now West Virginia. Pittsylvania County would not have been within this proposed colony, subsequently known as Vandalia.
The county was formed in 1767 from Halifax County. It was named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1766 to 1768 and opposed harsh colonial policies.
In 1777 the western part of Pittsylvania County became Patrick Henry County.
Maud Clement's History of Pittsylvania County notes the following: "Despite the settlers' intentions, towns failed to develop for two reasons: the generally low level of economic activity in the area and the competition from plantation settlements already providing the kind of marketing and purchasing services typically offered by a town. Plantation settlements along the rivers, particularly at ferrying points, became commercial centers. The most important for early Pittsylvania was that of Sam Pannill, a Scots-Irishman, who at the end of the eighteenth century, while still a young man, set up a plantation town at Green Hill on the north side of the Staunton River in Campbell County. (Clement 15)"
"Its economy was tobacco-dominated and reliant on a growing slave labor force. It was a county without towns or a commercial center. Plantation villages on the major river thoroughfares were the only centers of trade, until the emergence of Danville. (Clement 23)"
The city of Danville's history up through the antebellum period overall is an expression of the relationship between the town and the planters who influenced its development.
Geography[]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 978 square miles (2,530 km2), of which 969 square miles (2,510 km2) is land and 9 square miles (23 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4] It is the largest county in Virginia by land area and second-largest by total area. The county is bounded on the north by the Roanoke River (Staunton River), intersected by the Banister River through the center, and drained by the Dan River on the south.[5]
Districts[]
The county is divided into seven districts:
- Banister
- Callands-Gretna
- Chatham-Blairs
- Dan River
- Staunton River
- Tunstall
- Westover
Adjacent counties and cities[]
Virginia Counties
- Bedford County, Virginia - Northwest (via Smith Mountain Lake)
- Campbell County, Virginia - North/Northeast
- Franklin County, Virginia - West/Northwest
- Halifax County, Virginia - East
- Henry County, Virginia - West/Southwest
Virginia Cities
- Danville, Virginia - South
North Carolina Counties
- Caswell County, North Carolina - South/Southeast
- Rockingham County, North Carolina - South/Southwest
Major highways[]
- US 29
- US 58
- US 311
- US 360
- SR 40
- SR 41
- SR 51
- SR 57
- SR 360
Demographics[]
Historical populations | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1790 | 11,579 | ||
1800 | 12,697 | 9.7% | |
1810 | 17,172 | 35.2% | |
1820 | 21,323 | 24.2% | |
1830 | 26,034 | 22.1% | |
1840 | 26,398 | 1.4% | |
1850 | 28,796 | 9.1% | |
1860 | 32,104 | 11.5% | |
1870 | 31,343 | −2.4% | |
1880 | 52,589 | 67.8% | |
1890 | 59,941 | 14.0% | |
1900 | 46,894 | −21.8% | |
1910 | 50,709 | 8.1% | |
1920 | 56,493 | 11.4% | |
1930 | 61,424 | 8.7% | |
1940 | 61,697 | 0.4% | |
1950 | 66,096 | 7.1% | |
1960 | 58,296 | −11.8% | |
1970 | 58,789 | 0.8% | |
1980 | 66,147 | 12.5% | |
1990 | 55,655 | −15.9% | |
2000 | 61,745 | 10.9% | |
2010 | 63,506 | 2.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8] 1990-2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[11] |
2020 census[]
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[10] | Pop 2020[11] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 47,250 | 44,277 | 74.40% | 73.18% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 13,963 | 12,354 | 21.99% | 20.42% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 124 | 93 | 0.20% | 0.15% |
Asian alone (NH) | 176 | 289 | 0.28% | 0.48% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 17 | 17 | 0.03% | 0.03% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 42 | 128 | 0.07% | 0.21% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 602 | 1,631 | 0.95% | 2.70% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,332 | 1,712 | 2.10% | 2.83% |
Total | 63,506 | 60,501 | 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.
2010 Census[]
According to the 2010 census[12] records, there are 60,949 people, and 26,687 households residing in the county. The population density was 65.5 people per square mile (25/km2). There were 31,656 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.20% White, 21.50% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.37% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. 2.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 26,687 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,356. The per capita income for the county was $23,597. About 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line.
Government[]
Pittsylvania County is governed by an elected seven-member Board of Supervisors. Management of the County is vested in a Board-appointed County Administrator.
Name | Party | First Election | District | |
---|---|---|---|---|
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " | | Robert Warren (Chair) | Rep | 2015 | Chatham-Blairs |
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " | | Ronald Scearce (Vice Chair) | Rep | 2015 | Westover |
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " | | Joe Davis | Rep | 2015 | Dan River |
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " | | Tim Dudley | Rep | 2019 | Staunton River |
style="background-color:#ffffcc;" width=10px | " | | Ben Farmer | Ind | 2017 | Callands-Gretna |
style="background-color:#ffffcc;" width=10px | " | | Vic Ingram | Ind | 2019 | Tunstall |
style="background-color:#ffffcc;" width=10px | " | | Dr. Charles Miller | Ind | 2017 | Banister |
There are also five elected Constitutional Officers:
- Clerk of the Circuit Court: Mark Scarce (I)
- Commonwealth's Attorney: Robert Bryan Haskins (R)
- Sheriff: Michael "Mike" Taylor (I)
- Commissioner of Revenue: Robin Coles-Goard (I)
- Treasurer: Vincent Shorter (I)
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 23,751 | 69.39% | 10,115 | 29.55% | 361 | 1.05% |
2016 | 21,554 | 68.21% | 9,199 | 29.11% | 845 | 2.67% |
2012 | 19,263 | 62.78% | 10,858 | 35.39% | 560 | 1.83% |
2008 | 18,730 | 61.55% | 11,415 | 37.51% | 288 | 0.95% |
2004 | 17,673 | 64.46% | 9,274 | 33.83% | 470 | 1.71% |
2000 | 15,760 | 64.98% | 7,834 | 32.30% | 661 | 2.73% |
1996 | 12,127 | 55.85% | 7,681 | 35.37% | 1,906 | 8.78% |
1992 | 11,467 | 52.38% | 7,675 | 35.06% | 2,752 | 12.57% |
1988 | 12,229 | 63.69% | 6,612 | 34.44% | 360 | 1.87% |
1984 | 15,743 | 66.08% | 7,791 | 32.70% | 290 | 1.22% |
1980 | 12,022 | 59.28% | 7,653 | 37.74% | 605 | 2.98% |
1976 | 9,173 | 51.21% | 7,929 | 44.26% | 811 | 4.53% |
1972 | 12,108 | 72.34% | 4,429 | 26.46% | 200 | 1.19% |
1968 | 5,096 | 25.62% | 5,427 | 27.29% | 9,367 | 47.09% |
1964 | 7,120 | 57.54% | 5,228 | 42.25% | 25 | 0.20% |
1960 | 3,788 | 47.62% | 4,089 | 51.41% | 77 | 0.97% |
1956 | 2,870 | 36.82% | 4,136 | 53.07% | 788 | 10.11% |
1952 | 2,893 | 41.93% | 3,976 | 57.62% | 31 | 0.45% |
1948 | 1,164 | 20.54% | 3,149 | 55.58% | 1,353 | 23.88% |
1944 | 1,224 | 25.91% | 3,492 | 73.92% | 8 | 0.17% |
1940 | 728 | 16.34% | 3,710 | 83.28% | 17 | 0.38% |
1936 | 556 | 13.07% | 3,694 | 86.82% | 5 | 0.12% |
1932 | 656 | 17.08% | 3,124 | 81.35% | 60 | 1.56% |
1928 | 2,598 | 60.62% | 1,688 | 39.38% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 880 | 24.75% | 2,563 | 72.08% | 113 | 3.18% |
1920 | 1,162 | 29.83% | 2,715 | 69.69% | 19 | 0.49% |
1916 | 801 | 28.08% | 2,012 | 70.52% | 40 | 1.40% |
1912 | 527 | 21.72% | 1,558 | 64.22% | 341 | 14.06% |
1908 | 962 | 39.36% | 1,471 | 60.19% | 11 | 0.45% |
1904 | 650 | 26.21% | 1,718 | 69.27% | 112 | 4.52% |
1900 | 2,328 | 37.88% | 3,758 | 61.16% | 59 | 0.96% |
1896 | 3,196 | 44.12% | 3,987 | 55.04% | 61 | 0.84% |
1892 | 3,320 | 42.55% | 3,661 | 46.92% | 822 | 10.53% |
1888 | 3,847 | 47.27% | 4,261 | 52.36% | 30 | 0.37% |
1884 | 3,470 | 43.66% | 4,477 | 56.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
1880 | 2,623 | 43.65% | 3,386 | 56.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
Communities[]
Incorporated Towns[]
- Chatham
- Gretna
- Hurt
Census-designated places[]
- Blairs
- Motley
- Mount Hermon
Other unincorporated communities[]
- Bachelors Hall
- Brosville
- Callands
- Cascade
- Chalk Level
- Climax
- Dry Fork
- Grit
- Java
- Keeling
- Markham
- Mount Airy
- Mountain Hill
- Museville
- Pickerals Crossing
- Pittsville
- Renan
- Ringgold
- Sheva
- Sonans
- Straightstone
- Sycamore
- Tightsqueeze
- Whitmell
- Whittles Depot
Unincorporated neighborhoods within incorporated towns[]
- Chatham
- Whittletown
- Woodlawn
- Woodlawn Heights
See also[]
- List of Virginia counties
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Pittsylvania County, Virginia
- Uranium mining in the USA, Virginia
References[]
- ^ "Pittsylvania County, Virginia". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US51143. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas". Office Of Management and Budget. February 28, 2013. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/bulletins/2013/b13-01.pdf.
- ^ Shulz, Max (2008, July 26). Virginia Is Sitting on the Energy Mother Lode. The Wall Street Journal. Accessed 27 July 2008.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html.
- ^ "Pittsylvania". The American Cyclopædia. 1879.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Pittsylvania County, Virginia". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US51143&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Pittsylvania County, Virginia". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US51143&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov.
- ^ "Elected Officials - Pittsylvania County, VA - Official Website". https://pittsylvaniacountyva.gov/398/Elected-Officials.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS.
External links[]
Franklin County | Bedford County | Campbell County | ||
Henry County | Halifax County | |||
Pittsylvania County, Virginia | ||||
Rockingham County, North Carolina | City of Danville | Caswell County, North Carolina |
Template:Pittsylvania County, Virginia
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