Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Pittsylvania_courthouse

Marion_Post_Wolcott_Blairs_Virginia

Pittsylvania County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 60,501. The county seat is Chatham. Pittsylvania County is included in the Danville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Pittsylvania County was formed in 1767 from Halifax County. It was named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, a British statesman and Prime Minister of Great Britain. The county has a rich history, including significant events during the American Civil War.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 978 square miles (2,530 km²), of which 969 square miles (2,510 km²) is land and 9.3 square miles (24 km²) (1.0%) is water. The county is bordered by Campbell County to the north, Halifax County to the east, Caswell County, North Carolina to the south, and Henry County to the west.

Demographics

As of the census of 2020, there were 60,501 people, 24,000 households, and 16,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 62 people per square mile (24/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 75.3% White, 22.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

Economy

The economy of Pittsylvania County is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The county is known for its tobacco production, as well as other crops such as soybeans and corn. Manufacturing also plays a vital role, with several companies operating in the region.

Education

Pittsylvania County is served by the Pittsylvania County Public Schools system, which includes several elementary, middle, and high schools. The county is also home to the Danville Community College and is in proximity to several higher education institutions in the region.

Government

The county government is based in Chatham and operates under a Board of Supervisors system. The Board consists of seven members, each representing one of the county's seven districts.

Communities

Towns

• Chatham
• Gretna
• Hurt

Unincorporated communities

• Blairs
• Dry Fork
• Ringgold

Notable People

• William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
• Claude A. Swanson, former Governor of Virginia and U.S. Senator

See Also

• Danville, Virginia
• Halifax County, Virginia
• Henry County, Virginia
• Caswell County, North Carolina