Wise County, Virginia
Wise County | |
---|---|
Wise County Courthousein Wise | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state ofVirginia | |
![]() Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
Coordinates:36°58′N82°37′W/ 36.97°N 82.62°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1856 |
Named for | Henry A. Wise |
Seat | Wise |
Largest town | Big Stone Gap |
Area | |
• Total | 405 sq mi (1,050 km2) |
• Land | 403 sq mi (1,040 km2) |
• Water | 2 sq mi (5 km2) 0.5% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 36,130![]() |
Time zone | UTC−5(Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4(EDT) |
Congressional district | 9th |
Website | www |
Wise Countyis acountylocated in theU.S. stateofVirginia.The county was formed in 1856 fromLee,Scott,andRussellCounties and named forHenry A. Wise,who was theGovernor of Virginiaat the time. The county seat is inWise.
History[edit]
TheCherokeecolonized the area including Wise from theXualaebetween 1671 and 1685. It was later contested by theSix Nationsand theShawnee.Cherokee and Shawnee hunting parties fought a protracted battle at the headwaters of theClinch Riverfor two days in the summer of 1786, a victory for the Cherokee although losses were heavy on both sides.
The first white explorers to reach present-day Wise county are said to have beenThomas WalkerandChristopher Gist,both in 1750. Several forts were built all along the Clinch from 1774 onward, but only afterChickamauga CherokeeleaderBob Bengewas slain in 1794 was present-day Wise considered safe for white settlers even to hunt in. One of the earliest settlers within the county was William Wells around 1792.[1]
In the 1880s, coal deposits became the dominant resource utilized in the area. The Stonega Coke and Coal Company (SC&C) was formed in the town ofAppalachia, Virginia.[2]Immigration trends and economic conditions across the country attracted many people to the area for work, including African Americans and Irish, Polish, Italian, and Hungarian immigrants.
Virginia's two highest security stateprisonsare located in Wise County:Red Onion State Prison,opened in 1998, andWallens Ridge State Prison,opened in 1999.[3]
In July 2012 Dominion Energy builtVirginia City Hybrid Energy Centerin Wise County, a hybrid power plant that burns 80% coal and up to 20% biomass. In 2014, the plant was fined $47,651 by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for emitting carbon monoxide and other gases at levels exceeding state regulations.[4]
Geography[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Benges_Gap.jpg/270px-Benges_Gap.jpg)
According to theU.S. Census Bureau,the county has a total area of 405 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 403 square miles (1,040 km2) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km2) (0.5%) is water.[5]The county is part of the Appalachians and has many mountainous features, including the peak ofHigh KnobandPowell Valley.
Adjacent counties and cities[edit]
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Major highways[edit]
National protected area[edit]
Demographics[edit]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 4,508 | — | |
1870 | 4,785 | 6.1% | |
1880 | 7,772 | 62.4% | |
1890 | 9,345 | 20.2% | |
1900 | 19,653 | 110.3% | |
1910 | 34,162 | 73.8% | |
1920 | 46,500 | 36.1% | |
1930 | 51,167 | 10.0% | |
1940 | 52,458 | 2.5% | |
1950 | 56,336 | 7.4% | |
1960 | 43,579 | −22.6% | |
1970 | 35,947 | −17.5% | |
1980 | 43,863 | 22.0% | |
1990 | 39,573 | −9.8% | |
2000 | 40,123 | 1.4% | |
2010 | 41,452 | 3.3% | |
2020 | 36,130 | −12.8% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790-1960[7]1900–1990[8] 1990-2000[9]2010[10]2020[11] |
2020 census[edit]
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[10] | Pop 2020[11] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Whitealone (NH) | 38,301 | 32,586 | 92.40% | 90.19% |
Black or African Americanalone (NH) | 2,118 | 1,771 | 5.11% | 4.90% |
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH) | 51 | 48 | 0.12% | 0.13% |
Asianalone (NH) | 141 | 150 | 0.34% | 0.42% |
Pacific Islanderalone (NH) | 2 | 11 | 0.00% | 0.03% |
Some Other Racealone (NH) | 20 | 86 | 0.05% | 0.24% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial(NH) | 348 | 1,026 | 0.84% | 2.84% |
Hispanic or Latino(any race) | 471 | 452 | 1.14% | 1.25% |
Total | 41,452 | 36,130 | 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.
2000 Census[edit]
As of thecensus[12]of 2010, there were 41,452 people, 15,968 households, and 10,892 families residing in the county. Thepopulation densitywas 102.8 people per square mile (39.7 people/km2). There were 17,940 housing units at an average density of 44 units per square mile (17 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93%White,5.2%BlackorAfrican American,0.10%Native American,0.30%Asian,0.01%Pacific Islander,and 0.90% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.
There were 15,968 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50,30% weremarried couplesliving together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.80% under the age of 18 and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 107 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.08 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,053. Theper capita incomefor the county was $17,512. About 19.30% of the population were below thepoverty line.Thehomeownership ratefor the county is 70.00%
Education[edit]
This sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(August 2022) |
Public schools[edit]
Wise County Public Schoolsoperates thirteen school facilities in the county for its students.[13]For several years the Wise County School Board has considered consolidating high schools, and in 2011 it consolidated six high schools into three; Union High which serves the western part of the county, Central High which serves the central and northern parts of the county, and Eastside High which serves the eastern part of the county.
Private schools[edit]
Wise County Christian Schooloperates as a private school in the county.
Colleges and universities[edit]
Media[edit]
Newspapers[edit]
- TheClinch Valley Timesis a weekly newspaper servingCastlewoodandSt. Paul, Virginia,and the surrounding areas.
- TheCoalfield Progress[14]is a twice-weekly newspaper covering news through the county.
- The Postalso at[14]is a weekly newspaper servingBig Stone Gap, Virginiaand the surrounding areas.
Radio stations[edit]
Tourist attractions[edit]
Natural and outdoor recreation[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f4/Cnv0147.jpg/270px-Cnv0147.jpg)
A large portion of theJefferson National Forestis contained within Wise County, and theClinch Riverwinds through the county. These two factors, combined with Wise County's location in theAppalachian Mountains,mean that Wise County offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation.
In addition to many trails connecting to and surrounding theAppalachian Trailsystem, Wise county is home to many parks, including Miners' Park in Big Stone Gap and the Louis E. Henegar Miners' Memorial Park in Appalachia.
Among the unique features of Wise County areHigh Knob,a mountain which featured one of the last remaining Appalachian Fire Towers until its destruction by arson on October 31, 2007,[15]and the Wetlands Estonoa Project, an Appalachian Wetland and part of the Clinch River Watershed.[16]
Theater and the arts[edit]
- The Trail of the Lonesome PineOutdoor Drama is performed inBig Stone Gap, Virginiathroughout the summer. It is the Commonwealth of Virginia's official outdoor drama.
- The Pro-Art Association offers a variety of theatrical, musical, and fine-arts events throughout the school year. It is headquartered inWise.
- The Wise County Summer Academy of Art, sponsored by Wise County Public Schools and funded in part by the Virginia Commission of Arts, provides fine arts programming for children throughout the summer months, including large scale productions and touring performance opportunities.
- The Appalachian Children's Theater (ACT) promotes performing arts and fine arts education for children inSouthwest Virginia,Eastern Kentucky, and Northeast Tennessee. In 2006, the organization opened its newly renovated facility in DowntownWise.[17]
- The Charles W. Harris Art Gallery is located on the site of the Wise County Public Library inWise.
Festivals and fairs[edit]
- "Clinch River Days" is a festival to celebrate mountain heritage and takes place inSt. Pauleach spring.[18]
- Best Friend Festival held in Norton, VA annually.
- TheVirginia-Kentucky District Fairis held each summer in Wise.
- TheWise County Famous Fall Flingis an annual event held in DowntownWise.[19]
- Coeburnholds its annualGuest River Rallyover theLabor Dayweekend in September.
- Appalachia Coal Railroad Daysis held each summer in Appalachia.
- Pound Heritage Days is held annually the week before Labor Day in Pound.
- Dock Boggs Oldtime Music Festival held the second weekend in September at the Country Cabin in Norton, Virginia.
- Mountain Craft Days held the third weekend of October on the campus of Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
- The RTE 23 Music Festival is held at the end of August ever year on the campus of the University of Virginia's College at Wise.
Historical[edit]
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Wise County, Virginia
- Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park
- Wise County Courthouse
- High KnobLookout Tower
- Colonial Hotel
- E. M. Fulton House
- Derby Historic District
Sports[edit]
- Lonesome Pine Raceway
UVa-Wise hosts NCAA Division II Baseball, Basketball, Football, Lacrosse, Softball, and other inter-collegiate games on the campus of UVa-Wise.
Communities[edit]
- Theindependent cityofNortonlies within the confines of Wise County, but is not a part of the county.
Towns[edit]
Census-designated places[edit]
Notable people[edit]
- Rufus A. Ayers– Lawyer, businessman, andAttorney General of Virginia1886–1890
- Carroll Dale– Football player for theLos Angeles RamsandGreen Bay Packers
- John Fox Jr.– Journalist, novelist, and short story writer
- Napoleon Hill– American self-help author
- A. Linwood Holton– Virginia political figure and attorney. He served as the61st Governor of Virginia,from 1970 to 1974.
- Julius Jones– American football running back in theNational Football Leaguefor theDallas Cowboys,Seattle Seahawks,andNew Orleans Saints
- Thomas Jones– Actor and formerAmerican footballrunning backwho played twelve seasons in theNational Football League
- Holly Kiser– FirstMake Me a Supermodelwinner
- Edith Maxwell– Schoolteacher convicted of murdering her father, triggering a nationwide media sensation
- Glen Roberts– AmericanNational Basketball Leagueplayer; one of the first players to put the "jump shot"to practical use
- George C. Scott– Stage and film actor, director and producer. He was best known for his stage work, as well as his portrayal of GeneralGeorge S. Pattonin the filmPatton.
- Ralph Stanley–Bluegrassartist, known for his distinctive singing andbanjoplaying. Stanley began playing music in 1946 and was inducted into both theInternational Bluegrass Music Hall of Honorand theGrand Ole Opry.
- Adriana Trigiani– Author of sixteen books,television writer,film director,and entrepreneur.
Politics[edit]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 13,366 | 80.45% | 3,110 | 18.72% | 139 | 0.84% |
2016 | 12,086 | 79.71% | 2,701 | 17.81% | 376 | 2.48% |
2012 | 11,076 | 73.75% | 3,760 | 25.04% | 182 | 1.21% |
2008 | 8,914 | 63.05% | 4,995 | 35.33% | 229 | 1.62% |
2004 | 8,330 | 58.20% | 5,802 | 40.54% | 180 | 1.26% |
2000 | 6,504 | 48.87% | 6,412 | 48.17% | 394 | 2.96% |
1996 | 4,660 | 35.59% | 6,712 | 51.27% | 1,720 | 13.14% |
1992 | 5,144 | 34.62% | 7,681 | 51.70% | 2,032 | 13.68% |
1988 | 6,189 | 46.23% | 7,017 | 52.42% | 180 | 1.34% |
1984 | 7,909 | 51.36% | 7,303 | 47.43% | 187 | 1.21% |
1980 | 5,767 | 43.89% | 6,779 | 51.59% | 595 | 4.53% |
1976 | 5,691 | 42.63% | 7,134 | 53.43% | 526 | 3.94% |
1972 | 6,739 | 59.94% | 4,402 | 39.16% | 101 | 0.90% |
1968 | 5,004 | 39.70% | 5,942 | 47.14% | 1,660 | 13.17% |
1964 | 3,309 | 31.40% | 7,220 | 68.51% | 10 | 0.09% |
1960 | 3,876 | 39.89% | 5,822 | 59.92% | 18 | 0.19% |
1956 | 4,871 | 46.41% | 5,567 | 53.04% | 57 | 0.54% |
1952 | 3,911 | 45.16% | 4,729 | 54.61% | 20 | 0.23% |
1948 | 2,836 | 36.15% | 4,862 | 61.98% | 147 | 1.87% |
1944 | 1,817 | 28.30% | 4,588 | 71.46% | 15 | 0.23% |
1940 | 1,448 | 24.14% | 4,538 | 75.66% | 12 | 0.20% |
1936 | 2,057 | 27.54% | 5,399 | 72.28% | 14 | 0.19% |
1932 | 2,405 | 31.06% | 5,276 | 68.13% | 63 | 0.81% |
1928 | 4,504 | 49.70% | 4,559 | 50.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 3,322 | 40.39% | 4,157 | 50.55% | 745 | 9.06% |
1920 | 3,236 | 55.29% | 2,587 | 44.20% | 30 | 0.51% |
1916 | 1,862 | 55.33% | 1,468 | 43.63% | 35 | 1.04% |
1912 | 851 | 31.08% | 1,279 | 46.71% | 608 | 22.21% |
References[edit]
- ^Luther Foster Addison, 1988,The Story of Wise Countypp. 1–26
- ^"Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park".www.swvamuseum.org.Archivedfrom the original on June 20, 2019.RetrievedJune 22,2019.
- ^VA Continues Program Recognized for Transforming Highest-Security Prisons
- ^"State Air Pollution Control Board Enforcement Action- Order By Consent Issued To Virginia Electric Power Company, D/B/A Dominion Virginia Power For The Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center"(PDF).Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.Archived(PDF)from the original on January 26, 2017.RetrievedMay 14,2018.
- ^"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990".United States Census Bureau.February 12, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2019.RetrievedApril 23,2011.
- ^"Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000".US Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 24,2022.
- ^"Historical Census Browser".University of Virginia Library.Archivedfrom the original on August 11, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 5,2014.
- ^"Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990".United States Census Bureau.Archivedfrom the original on December 15, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 5,2014.
- ^"Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000"(PDF).United States Census Bureau.Archived(PDF)from the original on December 18, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 5,2014.
- ^ab"P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Wise County, Virginia".United States Census Bureau.
- ^ab"P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Wise County, Virginia".United States Census Bureau.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.Archivedfrom the original on December 27, 1996.RetrievedMay 14,2011.
- ^"Wise County Public Schools > Home".Archived fromthe originalon May 18, 2013.RetrievedJuly 26,2016.
- ^ab"Coalfield Progress Online".RetrievedOctober 5,2023.
- ^"Spark It Up!!!: High Knob Tower Burns".Archivedfrom the original on October 13, 2016.RetrievedJuly 26,2016.
- ^"Wetlands Estonoa Project".Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.RetrievedMarch 11,2024.
- ^"Applachian Children's Theatre Introduction".Archived fromthe originalon April 15, 2009.RetrievedOctober 5,2023.
- ^"WELCOME TO CLINCH RIVER DAYS!!!".Clinch River Days Festival.Archivedfrom the original on March 7, 2018.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^"Home | Wise County Famous Fall Fling".RetrievedOctober 5,2023.
- ^Leip, David."Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".uselectionatlas.org.Archivedfrom the original on March 23, 2018.RetrievedDecember 9,2020.
External links[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/38px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png)