Clintwood, Virginia

Clintwood is a town in Dickenson County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,414 at the 2010 census,[6] with an estimated population of 1,304 in 2018.[7] It is the county seat of Dickenson County.[8]

Clintwood, Virginia
Town
Clintwood
Seal
Motto(s): 
"The county seat of Virginia's baby"[1]
Location of Clintwood, Virginia
Coordinates: 37°9′0″N 82°27′24″W
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyDickenson
Area
 • Total2.08 sq mi (5.39 km2)
 • Land2.08 sq mi (5.39 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
1,755 ft (535 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total1,414
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
1,284
 • Density617.31/sq mi (238.37/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
24228
Area code(s)276
FIPS code51-17552[4]
GNIS feature ID1498468[5]
Websitewww.townofclintwood.com

Although originally called "Holly Creek" after a small stream that runs through the town, it was later named "Clintwood" after Major Henry Clinton Wood, a Confederate officer in the 37th Virginia Infantry Regiment.[9]

History

In June 1948, the town of Clintwood elected an all-female town council for the period from 1948 to 1950. The "Petticoat Government", as it was nicknamed, implemented change in many areas, including cleanup of the town, eliminating parking problems, organizing a systematic garbage disposal system, eliminating several traffic hazards, organizing the town's fire department, and purchasing a fire truck. The "Petticoat Government" received the attention of Lady Astor, a member of the British Parliament who expressed a desire to visit Clintwood to see how the experiment was going. The town was also featured in broadcasts by the Voice of America.[10][11]

Geography

Clintwood is located in northwestern Dickenson County at 37°9′0″N 82°27′24″W (37.150054, −82.456698).[12] Virginia State Route 83 passes through the town, leading east 11 miles (18 km) to Clinchco and west 9 miles (14 km) to Pound.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Clintwood has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), all of it land.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1900255—
191034234.1%
192040017.0%
193072982.3%
19401,10651.7%
19501,36623.5%
19601,4002.5%
19701,320−5.7%
19801,3693.7%
19901,54212.6%
20001,5490.5%
20101,414−8.7%
2019 (est.)1,284[3]−9.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,549 people, 672 households, and 426 families residing in the town. The population density was 812.0 people per square mile (313.1 per km2). There were 756 housing units at an average density of 396.3 per square mile (152.8 per km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.52% White, 0.19% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.13% Asian, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.

There were 672 households, out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 16.5% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 24.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $22,663, and the median income for a family was $30,833. Males had a median income of $29,844 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,323. About 16.0% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Industry
  • Serco North America
  • Kids Central & Dickenson County Child Care Center
  • Range Resources
  • Dickenson Research and Education Center (many businesses also have offices here)
  • Appalachian Power
  • Marty Materials
  • Dickenson County Behavioral Health Services
  • DCWIN (Dickenson County Wireless Integrated Network)

Recreation
  • Kids Korner Park
  • Walking track
  • Bear Pen Recreation Area (includes pool, park, picnic shelters, walking track, field for activities, and Pound River)
  • Cranes Nest River and Recreation/Camping Area (includes fishing spots, multiple playgrounds, campground with RV sites, and walking/biking/horseback riding trails)
  • Birch Knob Tower
  • Breaks Interstate Park
  • Lower Twin Campground
  • Pound River Campground
  • John W. Flanagan Dam and Reservoir

Area attractions
  • Jettie Baker Center
  • Ralph Stanley Museum
  • John W. Flanagan Dam and Reservoir (11 miles (18 km) northeast)
  • Bear Pen Recreation area
  • Dickenson County Historical Society
  • Cranes Nest River and camping/recreation area
  • Birch Knob Tower (10 miles (16 km) north)
  • Jefferson National Forest
  • Dickenson County Courthouse
  • Dickenson County Art Center & Gallery
  • Lower Twin Campground
  • Pound River Campground (5 miles (8 km) northeast)
  • Mountain Music Festival
  • Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce
  • Dickenson County Visitor's Center & Dr. Phipps Museum
  • Phipps Family Memorial Park

Notable persons

Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse) has family ties to Clintwood, and for a short time called Clintwood home.

Justin Hamilton was a former star at Clintwood High School, defensive back for the Virginia Tech Hokies and former member of the National Football League's Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins football organizations. Hamilton now serves as Defensive Coordinator for the Virginia Tech Hokies, replacing his former mentor and Tech defensive coordinator, Bud Foster.

Bluegrass musician Ralph Stanley was from Dickenson County and lived on Sandy Ridge in the mountains that surround Clintwood. A museum honoring his musical legacy is located in the historic district of downtown.

Americana/Indie/Appalachian band Foddershock call Clintwood home, and their studio is located in the Blowing Rock section of Dickenson County, at the base of Birch Knob.

References
  1. Town of Clintwood official website
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Clintwood town, Virginia". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  8. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  9. Tennis, Joe (2004). Southwest Virginia Crossroads: An Almanac of Place Names and Places to See. The Overmountain Press. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-57072-256-1.
  10. Little, Herb (June 27, 1948). "Virginia Town's Males Vote in Petticoat Rule". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, North Carolina. p. 2-B. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  11. Short, Martha (February 14, 2000). "Petticoat Government". Archived from the original on June 12, 2008.
  12. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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