Pittsylvania County, Virginia

County in Virginia, United States

County in Virginia

Pittsylvania County

County

Pittsylvania County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Virginia

Virginia's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 36°49′N 79°24′W﻿ / ﻿36.82°N 79.4°W﻿ / 36.82; -79.4
Country|  United States
State|  Virginia
Founded| 1767
Named after| William Pitt
Seat| Chatham
Largest town| Chatham
Area

• Total

| 978 sq mi (2,530 km2)
• Land| 969 sq mi (2,510 km2)
• Water| 9 sq mi (20 km2)  0.9%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 60,501
• Density| 62/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 5th
Website| www.pittsylvaniacountyva.gov

Pittsylvania County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 60,501.[1] The county seat is Chatham.

Pittsylvania County is included in the Danville, VA Micropolitan Statistical Area.[2]

The largest undeveloped uranium deposit in the United States (seventh largest in the world) is located in Pittsylvania County.[3] (see Uranium mining in Virginia.)

## History

[edit]

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, which subsequently was named Vandalia.

Pittsylvania County was formed in 1767 with territory annexed 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 who opposed some harsh colonial policies of the period.

In 1777 the western part of Pittsylvania County was partitioned off to 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

[edit]

Loading hay, Blairs, Pittsylvania County, 1939. Marion Post Wolcott

According to the United States 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 (this stretch of the river is known as the Staunton River), bisected by the Banister River running eastward through the center, and is drained on the south by the Dan River, flowing eastward.[5]

### Districts

[edit]

The county is divided into seven districts:

* Banister
* Callands-Gretna
* Chatham-Blairs
* Dan River
* Staunton River
* Tunstall
* Westover

### Adjacent counties and cities

[edit]

In Virginia:

* Bedford County \- Northwest (across Smith Mountain Lake)
* Campbell County \- North/Northeast
* Franklin County \- West/Northwest
* Halifax County \- East
* Henry County \- West/Southwest
* Danville \- South (independent city partially within borders of Pittsylvania County)

In North Carolina:

* Caswell County, North Carolina \- South/Southeast
* Rockingham County, North Carolina \- South/Southwest

### Major highways

[edit]

* US 29
* US 58
* US 311
* US 360
* SR 40
* SR 41
* SR 51
* SR 57
* SR 360

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

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%
2020| 60,501| | −4.7%
US Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[11]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Pittsylvania County, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)  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

[edit]

According to the 2010 United States Census, there are 60,949 people, and 26,687 households in the county. The population density was 65.5 people per square mile (25.3 people/km2). There were 31,656 housing units at an average density of 32 units per square mile (12 units/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

[edit]

Pittsylvania County is governed by an elected seven-member Board of Supervisors. Management of the county is vested in a Board-appointed County Administrator.

Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors  Name  | Party  | First Election  | District

|
|
|

| Ken Bowman  | Rep  | 2023  | Chatham-Blairs
| Darrell Dalton (Chair)  | Ind  | 2021  | Callands-Gretna
| Robert M. Tucker Jr. (Vice Chair)  | Ind  | 2022  | Banister
| Eddie Hite  | Ind  | 2023  | Dan River
| Tim Dudley  | Rep  | 2019  | Staunton River
| William 'Vic' Ingram  | Ind  | 2019  | Tunstall
| Murray Whittle  | Ind  | 2023  | Westover

There are also five elected Constitutional Officers:

* Clerk of the Circuit Court: Angie Reece Harris (R)
* Commonwealth's Attorney: Robert Bryan Haskins (R)
* Sheriff: Michael "Mike" Taylor (I)
* Commissioner of Revenue: Robin Goard (I)
* Treasurer: Vincent Shorter (I)[12]

## Politics

[edit]

Pittsylvania County is a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry the county was John F. Kennedy in 1960 (although Independent candidate George Wallace won it in 1968).[13]

United States presidential election results for Pittsylvania County, Virginia[14] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 24,310  | 71.17% | 9,599  | 28.10%  | 247  | 0.72%
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%

## Communities

[edit]

### Incorporated Towns

[edit]

* Chatham
* Gretna
* Hurt

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Blairs
* Motley
* Mount Hermon

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Ajax
* Bachelors Hall
* Banister
* Beaver Park
* Brosville
* Brights
* Brutus
* Buford
* Callahans Hills
* Callands
* Cartersville
* Cascade
* Cedar Forest
* Cedar Hill
* Chalk Level
* Climax
* Coles Hill
* Dry Fork
* Dundee
* Ebenezer
* Flint Hill
* Galveston
* Glenland
* Grady
* Green Acres
* Green Pond
* Greenfield
* Grit
* Henrys Mill
* Hermosa
* Hill Grove
* Hinesville
* Hollywood
* Hopewell
* Java
* Keeling
* Kentuck
* Lakewood
* Laniers Mill
* Laurel Grove
* Leaksville Junction
* Level Run
* Lucks
* Markham
* Motleys Mill
* Mount Airy
* Mount Cross
* Mountain Hill
* Museville
* Natal
* Peytonsburg
* Pickaway
* Pickerel
* Pittsville
* Pleasant Gap
* Pleasant Grove
* Pullens
* Ray
* Red Oak Hollow
* Redeye
* Renan
* Riceville
* Ridgeway
* Ringgold
* Rondo
* Sandy River
* Sharon
* Sheva
* Shockoe
* Soapstone
* Sonans
* Spring Garden
* Stony Mill
* Straightstone
* Sutherlin
* Swansonville
* Sycamore
* Tightsqueeze
* Toshes
* Transco Village
* Weal
* West Fork
* Whitfield
* Whitmell
* Whittles
* Witt
* Woodlake Park
* Woodlawn
* Worlds
* Vance
* Vandola

## See also

[edit]

* List of Virginia counties
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Pittsylvania County, Virginia
* Uranium mining in the US, Virginia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Pittsylvania County, Virginia". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
2. ^ "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas. " (PDF). Office Of Management and Budget. February 28, 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
3. ^ Shulz, Max (26 July 2008). Virginia Is Sitting on the Energy Mother Lode. The Wall Street Journal. Accessed July 27, 2008.
4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". US Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
5. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Pittsylvania" . The American Cyclopædia.
6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
10. ^ a b "Hispanic or Latino/Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Pittsylvania County, Virginia". US Census Bureau.
11. ^ a b "Hispanic or Latino/Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Pittsylvania County, Virginia". US Census Bureau.
12. ^ "Elected Officials - Pittsylvania County, VA - Official Website". www.pittsylvaniacountyva.gov. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
13. ^ https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/
14. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Pittsylvania County Official Website
* WMDV TV44/Danville

Places adjacent to Pittsylvania County, Virginia

| Franklin County | Bedford County | Campbell County

|
|

|  |
Henry County |

Pittsylvania County, Virginia

| Halifax County
|  |
Rockingham County, North Carolina | City of Danville | Caswell County, North Carolina

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, United States

County seat: Chatham

Towns|

* Chatham
* Gretna
* Hurt

Map of Virginia highlighting Pittsylvania County

CDPs|

* Blairs
* Motley
* Mount Hermon

Unincorporated
communities|

* Ajax
* Bachelors Hall
* Banister
* Brights
* Brosville
* Brutus
* Buford
* Callahans Hills
* Callands
* Cartersville
* Cascade
* Cedar Forest
* Cedar Hill
* Chalk Level
* Climax
* Coles Hill
* Dry Fork
* Dundee
* Ebenezer
* Flint Hill
* Galveston
* Glenland
* Glenwood
* Grady
* Green Acres
* Green Pond
* Greenfield
* Grit
* Henrys Mill
* Hermosa
* Hill Grove
* Hinesville
* Hollywood
* Hopewell
* Java
* Keeling
* Kentuck
* Lakewood
* Laniers Mill
* Laurel Grove
* Level Run
* Lucks
* Markham
* Motleys Mill
* Mt. Airy
* Mount Cross
* Mountain Hill
* Museville
* Natal
* Oak Hill
* Oak Ridge
* Peytonsburg
* Pickaway
* Pickerel
* Pittsville
* Pleasant Gap
* Pleasant Grove
* Pullens
* Ray
* Red Oak Hollow
* Redeye
* Renan
* Riceville
* Ridgeway
* Ringgold
* Rondo
* Sandy River
* Sharon
* Sheva
* Shockoe
* Soapstone
* Sonans
* Spring Garden
* Stony Mill
* Straightstone
* Sutherlin
* Swansonville
* Sycamore
* Tightsqueeze
* Toshes
* Transco Village
* Vance
* Vandola
* Weal
* West Fork
* Whitfield
* Whitmell
* Whittles
* Witt
* Woodlake Park
* Woodlawn
* Worlds

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36°49′N 79°24′W﻿ / ﻿36.82°N 79.40°W﻿ / 36.82; -79.40

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