Washington County, Virginia

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Washington County, Virginia
Seal
Location in the state of Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded	1776
Seat	Abingdon
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	566 sq mi (1,466 km²) 563 sq mi (1,458 km²) 3 sq mi (8 km²), 0.55%
Population  -  Density	54,876
Website	www.washcova.com

Washington County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 54,876. Its county seat is Abingdon.

Washington County is part of the Kingsport–Bristol (TN)–Bristol (VA) Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region.

History

For thousands of years, indigenous peoples of varying cultures lived in the area. At the time of European encounter, the Chiska had a chief village at what is now Saltville.

The county was formed by European Americans in 1776 from Fincastle County. It was named for George Washington, who was then commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Washington County is among the first geographical regions to be named after the president of the United States.

As with many other frontier counties, the boundaries and territory changed over the years. In 1786 the northwestern part of Washington County became Russell County. In 1814 the western part of what remained of Washington County was combined with parts of Lee and Russell counties to form Scott County. In 1832 the northeastern part of Washington was combined with part of Wythe County to form Smyth County. Finally, with the incorporation of the town of Goodson as the independent city of Bristol in 1890, Washington County assumed its present size.

Geography

A farm in Washington County, Virginia

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 566 square miles (1,466 km²), of which 563 square miles (1,458 km²) is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) (0.55%) is water. In 2000 the population density was 90.7 persons per square mile.

Districts

The county is divided into seven magisterial districts: Harrison, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Taylor, Tyler, and Wilson.

Adjacent counties

• Smyth County, Virginia - northeast
• Grayson County, Virginia - east-southeast
• Johnson County, Tennessee - south-southeast
• Sullivan County, Tennessee - southwest
• Bristol(City), Virginia - southwest
• Scott County, Virginia - west
• Russell County, Virginia - northwest

National protected areas

• Jefferson National Forest (part)
• Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	5,625		—
1800	9,536		69.5%
1810	12,156		27.5%
1820	12,444		2.4%
1830	15,614		25.5%
1840	13,001		−16.7%
1850	14,612		12.4%
1860	16,892		15.6%
1870	16,816		−0.4%
1880	25,203		49.9%
1890	29,020		15.1%
1900	28,995		−0.1%
1910	32,830		13.2%
1920	32,376		−1.4%
1930	33,850		4.6%
1940	38,197		12.8%
1950	37,536		−1.7%
1960	38,076		1.4%
1970	40,835		7.2%
1980	46,487		13.8%
1990	45,887		−1.3%
2000	51,103		11.4%
2010	54,876		7.4%

Washington County Courthouse

As of the census of 2000, there were 51,103 people, 21,056 households, and 14,949 families residing in the county. The population density was 91 people per square mile (35/km²). There were 22,985 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile (16/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.56% White, 1.32% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 21,056 households out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the county, the population was spread out with 20.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,742, and the median income for a family was $40,162. Males had a median income of $30,104 versus $21,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,350. About 8.10% of families and 10.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 14.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Towns

Farmland in Washington County near Friendship and Wideners Valley.

• Abingdon
• Damascus
• Glade Spring
• Saltville

Unincorporated

• Emory-Meadowview
• Mendota

Education

Colleges

• Emory and Henry College, Emory
• Virginia Highlands Community College, Abingdon

Public high schools

• Abingdon High School, Abingdon
• Holston High School, Damascus
• John S. Battle High School, Bristol
• Patrick Henry High School, Glade Spring

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Virginia

External links

• Washington County government official website
• Washington County Virginia Public Schools
• Washington County Virginia Chamber of Commerce
• Washington County Virginia GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
• Mount Rogers Planning District
• Barter Theater (State Theater of Virginia)