31-652: Pennington Gap is a town in Lee County , Virginia , United States. The population was 1,624 at the 2020 census. The Pennington Gap post office was established in 1891. The Lee Regional Medical Center in Pennington Gap closed in October 2013, but reopened as Lee County Community Hospital in 2021. Pennington Gap is located at 36°45′24″N 83°1′46″W / 36.75667°N 83.02944°W / 36.75667; -83.02944 (36.756580, −83.029375). According to
62-655: Is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km ) (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 . Note:
93-492: Is located in the Lee County Industrial Park in unincorporated Lee County, Virginia , near Pennington Gap. Lee County Public Schools operates schools in the county. Pennington Elementary School was located on Morgan Avenue, consisting of three buildings built at various times, 1912, 1917, and 1937. In 1989, with the consolidation of many of the county's high schools at the newly constructed Lee High School ,
124-527: Is present-day Lee County were a party of Spanish explorers, Juan de Villalobos and Francisco de Silvera, sent by Hernando de Soto in 1540, in search of gold. The county was formed after the American Revolutionary War in 1792 from Russell County . It was named for Light Horse Harry Lee , the Governor of Virginia from 1791 to 1794, who was famous for his exploits as a leader of light cavalry during
155-795: Is the longest-serving sheriff in Lee County's history. Voters in Lee County wavered between Democratic and Republican presidential candidates throughout much of the twentieth century. Between 1920 and 2004, the county backed the nationwide winner on all but three occasions (1948, 1980, and 1988). Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the county has become more consistently Republican, voting overwhelmingly for Donald Trump . Republicans have consistently won local elections in recent years, as well. The Lee County School System operates eleven schools, including two high schools and one technical school. Pennington Elementary School, consisting of three buildings built at various times (1912, 1917, and 1937),
186-429: The 2010 United States Census , there were 25,587 people living in the county. 94.2% were White , 3.7% Black or African American , 0.4% Native American , 0.2% Asian , 0.6% of some other race and 0.9% of two or more races . 1.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). According to the census 2009 estimates, there were 25,001 people, 11,587 households, and 6,852 families living in the county. The population density
217-514: The 2020 census there were 1,624 people living in the town. At the 2000 census there were 1,781 people, 811 households, and 480 families living in the town. The population density was 1,174.0 people per square mile (452.4/km). There were 950 housing units at an average density of 626.2 per square mile (241.3/km). The racial makeup of the town was 95.28% White, 3.43% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.28% Asian, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67%. Of
248-500: The 2020 census , the population was 25,781. Its county seat is Lebanon . 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
279-399: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 437 square miles (1,130 km ), of which 436 square miles (1,130 km ) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km ) (0.4%) is water. Lee 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
310-592: The United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km), all of it land. Pennington Gap is located at the junction of U.S. Route 58A and U.S. Route 421 . The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Pennington Gap has a humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. At
341-512: The 811 households 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 37.5% of households were one person and 16.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.84. The age distribution was 20.5% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% 65 or older. The median age
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#1732887136391372-834: 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
403-496: The Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America . All of Lee County lies longitudinally west of West Virginia . The entirety of Lee County is physically closer to eight state capitals other than its own capital in Richmond : Raleigh, North Carolina ; Columbia, South Carolina ; Atlanta, Georgia ; Nashville, Tennessee ; Charleston, West Virginia ; Frankfort, Kentucky ; Columbus, Ohio ; and Indianapolis, Indiana . Additionally,
434-746: 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. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 477 square miles (1,240 km ), of which 474 square miles (1,230 km )
465-481: 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. 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
496-410: The age of 18 living with them, 55.0 percent were married couples living together, 11.7 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4 percent were non-families. 27.0 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.91. In the county,
527-429: 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
558-469: 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
589-692: The far western part of Lee County–including Wheeler and the Cumberland Gap , roughly 350 miles (560 km) from Richmond–is closer to Montgomery, Alabama , a ninth state capital. The county contains karst , a type of topography, within an area of Ordovician limestone called "the Cedars." The Powell River flows through Lee County on its way to Tennessee. The county is divided into seven districts: Jonesville, Rocky Station, Rocky Station Mineral, Rose Hill, White Shoals, Yoakum, and Yoakum Mineral. There are two towns: Pennington Gap , and Jonesville . As of
620-619: The largest early landowners was Revolutionary War officer and explorer Joseph Martin , after whom Martin's Station and Martin's Creek at Rose Hill are named. Due to his rank of command, Martin had been awarded some 25,000 acres (100 km ) in a land grant after the war. He divided the land and sold it as a speculator. Rose Hill was established in 1832 as the first federally recognized post office in Lee County. In 1814, parts of Lee, Russell, and Washington counties were combined to form Scott County . In 1856, parts of Lee, Russell, and Scott counties were combined to form Wise County , named after
651-461: The last governor of Virginia before the Civil War. The economy of Lee County has been based largely on growing tobacco and mining coal . The decline of both has resulted in high unemployment in the county and a decrease in population since 1940, which was the peak. Using the slogan Where Virginia Begins , the county has attempted to increase its heritage tourism industry by emphasizing its role in
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#1732887136391682-399: The median income for a family was $ 40,721. The per capita income for the county was $ 16,317. About 20.3 percent of families and 22.7 percent of the population were below the poverty line , including 30.1 percent of those under age 18 and 23.3 percent of those age 65 or over. The Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) is currently headed by Gary B. Parsons, who has held the role since 1996, and
713-444: The old Pennington High School was converted into Pennington Middle School (grades 5–7). Lee County, Virginia Lee County is the westernmost county in the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia . As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,173. Its county seat is Jonesville . The area of far western Virginia and eastern Kentucky supported large Archaic Native American populations. The first known Europeans to enter what
744-407: The population was spread out, with 22.8 percent under the age of 18, 8.0 percent from 18 to 24, 27.5 percent from 25 to 44, 26.3 percent from 45 to 64, and 15.4 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 29,889, and
775-632: The route used by settlers going west through the Cumberland Gap , at Lee County's western tip. Lee County shares Cumberland Gap National Historical Park with Kentucky and Tennessee. Attractions listed in the park include Hensley's Settlement , the Pinnacle Overlook, the Sand Cave, and the White Rocks overlooking the towns of Ewing and Rose Hill in Virginia. Lee County is a dry county for hard liquor, although retail sales are permitted. According to
806-544: The trail for shelter from Indian raids as the settlers followed Daniel Boone 's path into the Kentucky frontier. The stations in Lee County were Yoakum Station at present-day Dryden , west to Powell River and Station Creek at today's Rocky Station , then to Mump's Fort at Jonesville , followed by Prist Station , Martin's Station at Rose Hill, Chadwell Station at Chadwell Gap , Owen Station at Ewing , and finally Gibson Station , which still bears its original name. One of
837-859: The war. He was the father of Robert E. Lee , later a West Point graduate and career US Army officer who became the General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States during the American Civil War . Lee County was the final front on the Kentucky Trace, now known as the Wilderness Road and The Trail of the Lonesome Pine . During the 1780s and 1790s, fortified buildings called " stations " were built along
868-542: Was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 74.6 males. The median household income was $ 18,056 and the median family income was $ 27,875. Males had a median income of $ 27,885 versus $ 18,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 13,742. About 28.3% of families and 31.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 42.0% of those under age 18 and 24.7% of those age 65 or over. The Federal Bureau of Prisons United States Penitentiary, Lee
899-577: Was 54 people per square mile (21 people/km ). There were 11,587 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 96.3% White , 2.9% Black or African American , 0.2% Asian , 0.1% from other races , 0.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The largest ancestry groups in Lee County include: English (14 percent), Irish (11 percent), German (9 percent), and Scottish-Irish (3 percent). There were 9,706 households, out of which 29.0 percent had children under
930-479: Was 64 people per square mile (25 people/km ). There were 13,191 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km ). 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
961-518: Was demolished in 1989, and a bank was constructed on its Morgan Avenue site. Three other elementary schools, Ewing, Keokee, and Stickleyville, were closed in June 2012. 36°43′N 83°08′W / 36.71°N 83.13°W / 36.71; -83.13 Russell County, Virginia Russell County ( / r ʌ s . s ə l / ) is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia . As of