Russell County

History

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." The county was named for Culpeper County native Colonel William Russell.

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, Dale Carter, Tennessee State Representative Boyd C. Fugate and Virginia 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 the Clinch Valley Times, the Tazewell Republican, the Abingdon Virginian, and the Lebanon News.

Geography

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. Russell County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, 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.

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

Adjacent counties

Dickenson County – northwest

Buchanan County – north

Tazewell County – east

Smyth County – southeast

Washington County – south

Scott County – southwest

Wise County – west

Major highways

US 19

US 58 Alt.

SR 63

SR 65

SR 67

SR 71

SR 80

SR 82

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 25,781. The median age was 46.9 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.6 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 96.3% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.7% of the population.

0.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 99.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 11,063 households in the county, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 12,754 housing units, of which 13.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.9% were owner-occupied and 22.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.3%.

2010 Census

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

As of the census 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

Public high schools

Castlewood High School, Castlewood

Honaker High School, Honaker

Lebanon High School, Lebanon

Fire and rescue services

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

Towns

Cleveland

Honaker

Lebanon

St. Paul (partially in Wise County)

Census-designated places

Castlewood

Dante (partially in Dickenson County)

Raven (mostly in Tazewell County)

Other unincorporated communities

Belfast

Carbo

Copper Creek

Dickensonville

Drill

Hamlin

Rosedale

Sun

Swords Creek

Willis

Hansonville