Russell County, Virginia

Russell County, Virginia
Russell County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,781. Its county seat is Lebanon.
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, 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.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.6%) is water.
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
Demographics
2020 census
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
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 . There were 13,191 housing units at an average density of . 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 (part)
Census-designated places
Castlewood
Dante (partially in Dickenson County)
Raven (mostly in Tazewell County)
Other unincorporated communities
Belfast
Copper Creek
Dickensonville
Rosedale
Swords Creek
Willis
Politics
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Russell County, Virginia
References
External links
Russell County, Virginia's Official Website
1786 establishments in Virginia
Counties of Appalachia