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Russell County, Virginia

Coordinates: 36°56′N 82°06′W / 36.94°N 82.10°W / 36.94; -82.10
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Russell County
County
Russell County Courthouse in Lebanon
Russell County Courthouse in Lebanon
Map of Virginia highlighting Russell County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°56′N 82°06′W / 36.94°N 82.1°W / 36.94; -82.1
Country United States
State Virginia
FoundedJanuary 2, 1786
Named forWilliam Russell
SeatLebanon
Largest townLebanon
Area
 • Total
477 sq mi (1,240 km2)
 • Land474 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Water2.9 sq mi (8 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
25,781
 • Density54/sq mi (21/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.russellcountyva.us

Russell County (/rʌs.səl/) is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,781.[1] Its county seat is Lebanon.[2]

History

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On January 2, 1786, Russell County was established from a section of Washington County. L.P. Summers, a Washington County historian later wrote, "Washington County lost a great extent of country and many valuable citizens when Russell County was formed."[3] The county was named for Culpeper County native Colonel William Russell.[4]

The first court met in May 1786 in the Castle's Woods settlement (present-day Castlewood) in the house of William Robinson. Later, a new place was built to house the County Seat. The structure used as a courthouse still stands, and is referred to as "The Old Courthouse." The present Courthouse, located in Lebanon, has been in use since 1874. Once vast, Russell County was split several times, giving rise to Tazewell County, Lee County, Scott County, Wise County, Buchanan County and Dickenson County.

Among Russell County's most famous politicians were Daniel Boone, Governor H.C. Stuart, State Representative Boyd C. Fugate and State Senator Macon M. Long. The largest cattle farm East of the Mississippi River, and one of the oldest corporations in the country, Stuart Land & Cattle, remains headquartered at Rosedale in Russell County.

Much of the county's history has been documented by Clinch Valley Times, the Tazewell Republican, the Abingdon Virginian, and the Lebanon News.[5]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 477 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 474 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2) (0.6%) is water.[6] Russell County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission,[7] and it is identified as part of "Greater Appalachia" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.[8]

The county has the fourth highest peak in Virginia, Beartown Mountain.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17903,338—
18004,80844.0%
18106,31931.4%
18205,536−12.4%
18306,71421.3%
18407,87817.3%
185011,91951.3%
186010,280−13.8%
187011,1038.0%
188013,90625.2%
189016,12616.0%
190018,03111.8%
191023,47430.2%
192026,78614.1%
193025,957−3.1%
194026,6272.6%
195026,8180.7%
196026,290−2.0%
197024,533−6.7%
198031,76129.5%
199028,667−9.7%
200030,3085.7%
201028,897−4.7%
202025,781−10.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010[13] 2020[14]

2020 census

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Russell County, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 28,142 24,754 97.39% 96.02%
Black or African American alone (NH) 227 222 0.79% 0.86%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 40 17 0.14% 0.07%
Asian alone (NH) 53 42 0.18% 0.16%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 1 1 0.00% 0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 9 25 0.03% 0.10%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 150 552 0.52% 2.14%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 275 168 0.95% 0.65%
Total 28,897 25,781 100.00% 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

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The 2010 census showed a population decline, with only 28,897 residing in Russell County.

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 30,308 people, 11,789 households, and 8,818 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 people per square mile (25 people/km2). There were 13,191 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.07% White, 3.08% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,789 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.90% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.20% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,834, and the median income for a family was $31,491. Males had a median income of $26,950 versus $20,108 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,863. About 13.00% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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Public high schools

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Fire and rescue services

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  • Castlewood Fire and Rescue
  • Lebanon Lifesaving Crew
  • New Garden Rescue
  • Lebanon Fire
  • Honaker Fire
  • Dante Rescue
  • Dante Fire
  • Copper Creek Fire
  • Belfast Fire
  • Saint Paul Fire
  • Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department
  • Cleveland Lifesaving Crew

Communities

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Russell County, Virginia[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 10,879 81.27% 2,373 17.73% 134 1.00%
2016 9,521 77.75% 2,330 19.03% 395 3.23%
2012 8,180 67.67% 3,718 30.76% 190 1.57%
2008 6,389 55.59% 4,932 42.91% 173 1.51%
2004 6,077 53.20% 5,167 45.23% 179 1.57%
2000 5,065 46.93% 5,442 50.43% 285 2.64%
1996 3,706 36.59% 5,437 53.68% 985 9.73%
1992 3,891 33.88% 6,480 56.43% 1,113 9.69%
1988 4,374 40.68% 6,222 57.86% 157 1.46%
1984 5,738 45.54% 6,760 53.66% 101 0.80%
1980 4,778 43.94% 5,764 53.01% 332 3.05%
1976 4,287 40.19% 6,014 56.38% 366 3.43%
1972 5,010 58.93% 3,367 39.60% 125 1.47%
1968 3,858 43.49% 3,554 40.06% 1,460 16.46%
1964 3,012 40.89% 4,330 58.78% 25 0.34%
1960 3,044 46.44% 3,496 53.34% 14 0.21%
1956 3,550 49.14% 3,641 50.40% 33 0.46%
1952 2,937 47.33% 3,253 52.42% 16 0.26%
1948 2,447 46.67% 2,689 51.29% 107 2.04%
1944 2,385 44.58% 2,945 55.05% 20 0.37%
1940 2,080 40.00% 3,109 59.79% 11 0.21%
1936 1,599 33.59% 3,143 66.03% 18 0.38%
1932 1,386 29.67% 3,274 70.09% 11 0.24%
1928 2,006 44.41% 2,511 55.59% 0 0.00%
1924 1,848 41.27% 2,554 57.03% 76 1.70%
1920 1,772 50.90% 1,704 48.95% 5 0.14%
1916 1,410 47.14% 1,570 52.49% 11 0.37%
1912 588 23.34% 1,298 51.53% 633 25.13%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Russell County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Summers, Lewis Preston (1903). History of southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870. Richmond, Va: J. L. Hill printing company. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Des Cognets, Anna Russell (1884). William Russell and His Descendants. Lexington, Kentucky: Samuel F. Wilson. p. 43. Retrieved April 18, 2011. col. william russell virginia.
  5. ^ "Russell County, Virginia History". russellcountyhistory.org. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Woodard, Colin. "The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  9. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Russell County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Russell County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
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36°56′N 82°06′W / 36.94°N 82.10°W / 36.94; -82.10

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