Pittsylvania County, Virginia: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Pittsylvania County is a county located in the State of Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 61,745. Its county seat is Chatham⁶.

History

The county was formed in 1767 from Halifax County. It was named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1766 to 1768 and opposed harsh colonial policies.

In 1777 the western part of Pittsylvania County became Henry County.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,533 km² (978 mi²), making it the largest county in Virginia. 2,514 km² (971 mi²) of it is land and 19 km² (7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.76% water.

Districts

The county is divided into seven districts: Banister, Callands-Gretna, Chatham-Blairs, Dan River, Staunton River, Tunstall, and Westover.

Adjacent Counties

• Campbell County, Virginia - northeast
• Halifax County, Virginia - east
• Caswell County, North Carolina - southeast
• Rockingham County, North Carolina - southwest
• Henry County, Virginia - west/southwest
• Franklin County, Virginia - northwest
• Bedford County, Virginia - north/northwest

As of the census² of 2000, there are 61,745 people, 24,684 households, and 18,216 families residing in the county. The population density is 25/km² (64/mi²). There are 28,011 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (29/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 75.00% White, 23.66% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 1.23% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 24,684 households out of which 30.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% are married couples living together, 11.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% are non-families. 23.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 2.93.

In the county, the population is spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $35,153, and the median income for a family is $41,175. Males have a median income of $30,105 versus $21,382 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,991. 11.80% of the population and 8.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.80% are under the age of 18 and 16.60% are 65 or older.

• Chatham
• Gretna
• Hurt

Although Danville is within the boundaries of Pittsylvania County, it is not a part of the county. Since it is incorporated as a city, it is an independent city under Virginia law.

• Mount Airy
• Renan
• Chalk Level
• Sonans
• Grit
• Pittsville
• Pickeral's Crossing
• Whittles Depot
• Straightstone
• Blairs
• Tightsqueeze