Washington County Profile
Location and Size
Washington County consists of 362,280 acres and 566 square miles (including 5 square miles of aquatic surfaces) located in Southwest Virginia. Washington County borders the City of Bristol, Virginia, Scott County, Virginia and Sullivan County, Tennessee to the west, Russell County, Virginia to the north, Smyth County, Virginia to the east, and Grayson County, Virginia and Johnson County, Tennessee to the south.
County Boundary Description
Starting at the southwest corner of Washington County, at the southeast corner of Scott County, Virginia, (approximately –82d 17’ 38.5” longitude, 36d 35’ 44.5” latitude) S 87d 30’ 23.3” E 15,036 feet, thence following the southern boundary of the City of Bristol, Virginia S 87d 30’ 23.3” E 28,576 feet to a point, thence S 87d 30’ 23.3” 61,896 feet to a point, thence N 25d 54’ 52.2” E 8,690 feet, thence S 86d 57’ 17.4” E 86,625 feet, thence N 12d 21’ 16.68” W 589 feet, thence S 87d 25’ 54.9” E 943 feet, thence N 50d 44’ 10.5” E 196 feet, thence S 6d 14’ 6.7” E 163 feet, thence N 54d 19’ 30.5” E 777 feet, thence N 19d 11’ 1.3” E 496 feet, thence S 50d 2’ 5.5” E 896 feet, thence N 73d 50’ 32.2” E 269 feet to a point intersecting U.S. Highway 58 (Robert Porterfield Highway), thence N 75d 26’ 40.6” E 294 feet, thence N 50d 40’ 14.8” E 354 feet, thence N 72d 23’ 43.3” E 1600 feet, thence meandering up the slope of Whitetop Mountain 8,264 feet to the peak of Whitetop Mountain, thence S 69d 34’ 39.0” W 4,218 feet, thence N 20d 39’ 34.9” W 61,043 feet to a point near U.S. Highway 11 (Lee Highway), thence N 36d 22’ 13.7” W 64,947 feet, thence in a southwesterly direction following the crest of Clinch Mountain 40,644 feet to a point intersecting State Route 80 (Hayters Gap Road), thence continuing with the crest of Clinch Mountain approximately 66,624 feet to the intersection with U.S. Highway 19 (Robert Porterfield Highway), thence continuing with the crest of Clinch Mountain 85,650 feet to a point intersecting the Scott County and Russell County, Virginia line, thence S 9d 52’ 2.99” E 33,395 feet to a point near U.S. Highway 58 (Gate City Highway), thence S 22d 54’ 22.59” E 9,771 feet to the beginning.
This area excludes the area of the City of Bristol, Virginia.
Distance to Major Cities
| City |
Miles |
Kilometers |
| Atlanta, GA |
330 |
531 |
| Baltimore, MD |
403 |
648 |
| Charleston, SC |
400 |
644 |
| Charleston, WV |
175 |
282 |
| Charlotte, NC |
150 |
241 |
| Chattanooga, TN |
248 |
399 |
| Cincinnati, OH |
350 |
564 |
| Columbia, SC |
288 |
464 |
| Greensboro, NC |
172 |
277 |
| Knoxville, TN |
132 |
212 |
| Lexington, KY |
265 |
426 |
| Louisville, KY |
332 |
534 |
| Nashville, TN |
320 |
515 |
| Norfolk, VA |
399 |
642 |
| Pittsburgh, PA |
398 |
641 |
| Raleigh/Durham, NC |
221 |
356 |
| Richmond, VA |
308 |
496 |
| Roanoke, VA |
132 |
212 |
| Washington, DC |
375 |
604 |
| Winston-Salem, NC |
143 |
230 |
Demographics
- Population
-
| Census |
Washington County |
Abingdon |
Damascus |
Glade Spring |
| 1980 |
46,487 |
4,318* |
1,330 |
1,722 |
| 1990 |
45,887 |
7,681 |
918 |
1,435 |
| 2000 |
51,130 |
7,780 |
981 |
1,374 |
* In 1987, Abingdon annexed 5.5 sq. miles of Washington County. Based on the new town boundaries, Abingdon's 1980 population was 7,027.
- Countywide Households (2000 Census)
-
| Owner-occupied: | 21,056 |
| Renter-Occupied: | 4,801 |
- Population Characteristics (2000 Census)
-
| Group | Washington County | Abingdon | Damascus | Glade Spring |
| White | 49,854 | 7,390 | 951 | 1,269 |
| Black | 676 | 265 | 16 | 97 |
| Asian | 137 | 50 | 3 | 2 |
| Other | 436 | 75 | 11 | 6 |
Climate
| Average Temperature, January: | 30.5(degrees)F | -1(degrees)C |
| Average Temperature, July: | 73(degrees)F | 23(degrees)C |
| Average Annual Rainfall: | 45" | 114.3cm |
| Average Annual Snowfall: | 15" | 38.1cm |
| Heating Degree Days: | 4,400 |
| Cooling Degree Days: | 1,100 |
| Elevation: | 1,698'-5,520' | 517.6-1,682.5 m |
Community Facilities
Hospitals
Johnston Memorial Hospital (JMH), located in Abingdon is a 135-bed independent non-profit general hospital and home to the first and only open-bore Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit in the region. JMH also operates the only Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Southwest Virginia. JMH operates one of the only two remaining self-sufficient blood banks in Virginia.
Wellmont-Bristol Regional Medical Center, a 422-bed facility located in Bristol, Tennessee on the Tennessee-Virginia state line. The Medical Center provides surgical services in a variety of areas, including cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, and orthopaedic. Support services include 32 ICU beds divided among cardiac, medical surgical, and respiratory units and a dedicated NeuroScience Center for the evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of neurological disorders. Bristol Regional Medical Center's Level II Trauma Center is licensed both in Tennessee and Virginia, and the Medical Center's Emergency Department serves as medical control for Med-Flight II, an air transport service.
Cultural and Recreational Amenities
Barter Theatre
William King Regional Arts Center
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Virginia Highlands Festival
Burley Tobacco Festival
Appalachian Trail Days
South Holston Lake
Virginia Creeper Trail
Abingdon Recreation Park
Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area
Harry Coomes Recreation Center
Washington County Park
Washington County Public Library (Main and 4 Branches)
3 public and 3 private golf courses
4 public swimming pools
Public Education
Washington County Public Schools provides all public education in Washington County. The public school system is governed by a district-based seven member School Board and appointed School Superintendent.
| Classification | Number | Current Enrollment |
|---|
| Elementary | 7 | 3,150 |
| Middle | 4 | 1,800 |
| Senior High | 4 | 2,260 |
| Totals: | 15 | 7,310 |
Forms of Local Government
Washington County has a district-based seven member elected Board of Supervisors and appointed County Administrator.
The Town of Abingdon has an at-large five member Town Council and an appointed Town Manager.
The Towns of Damascus and Glade Spring have at-large seven member Town Councils and employ Circuit Town Managers provided through the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission.
The City of Bristol, Virginia adjoining Washington County to the west is an independent city not part of the County.
Local Taxes (Fiscal Year 2004-2005)
- Real Property
-
| Washington County | $0.60 per $100 of fair market value |
| Abingdon | $0.32 per $100 of fair market value |
| Damascus | $0.54 per $100 of fair market value |
| Glade Spring | $0.17 per $100 of fair market value |
Method of Valuation: Countywide property reassessment every four years.
- Machinery & Tools
-
| Washington County | $1.55 per $100 of valuation |
| Abingdon | $0.55 per $100 of valuation |
| Damascus | $0.54 per $100 of valuation |
| Glade Spring | $0.17 per $100 of valuation |
Method of Valuation: 100% of original cost in first year; then decreases by 10% annually to 50%
- Personal Property (Motor Vehicles)
-
| Washington County | $1.55 per $100 of NADA Loan Value |
| Abingdon | $0.55 per $100 of NADA Loan Value |
| Damascus | $0.54 per $100 of NADA Loan Value |
| Glade Spring | $0.17 per $100 of NADA Loan Value |
- Consumer Utility Taxes
- 20% on the first $50 of all monthly telephone, electric, and natural gas charges, plus 2% on all charges in excess of $50 up to a maximum of $4,550. The tax shall not exceed $100 per month for industrial and commercial customers.
- Merchant's Capital/Business License
- Washington County does not require business licenses nor levies a Merchant's Capital Tax. The Towns of Abingdon, Damascus and Glade Spring levy business license taxes on professionals and retail establishments.
- Sales Tax
- 4.00% state plus 1.00% local (total of 5.00% on each $1.00 of taxable consumer goods and services).
Utilities & Public Services
- Electricity
- American Electric Power (AEP). Total system capacity is 5,850 MW. Fuel mix: 96.8% fossil, 3.2% hydro, and 0% nuclear. The Bristol Virginia Utilities Board serves portions of Washington County adjacent to the City of Bristol, Virginia with electricity.
- Natural Gas
-
| Supplier: | United Cities Gas Company |
| Heat Content: | 1,034 BTUs per cubic foot |
- Water
-
| Water System | Current Capacity | Average Usage |
|---|
| Washington County Service Authority | 7.6 MGPD | 6.5 MGD |
| Bristol Virginia Utilities Board | 10.0 MGPD | 3.5 MGD |
- Sewage
-
| Sewer System | Current Capacity | Average Usage |
|---|
| Washington County Service Authority | 400 KGPD | 230 KGPD |
| Abingdon | 2.75 MGPD | 1.8 MGPD |
| Damascus | 250 KGPD | 279 KGPD |
| Bristol Virginia Utilities Board | 15.0 MGPD | 9.0 MGPD |
- Solid Waste Disposal
- Washington County exports solid waste via a transfer station that accepts most forms of non-hazardous industrial waste for transportation to a non-County disposal facility. Private pickup of industrial waste is available. Private contractors transport hazardous waste to sites in West Virginia or South Carolina
Public Safety
- Law Enforcement
- The Washington County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police provide Law enforcement within Washington County. The Towns of Abingdon, Damascus and Glade Spring operate municipal police departments as well.
- Fire Protection
- Fire protection services within Washington County and the Towns of Abingdon, Damascus and Glade Spring are provided by 9 independent volunteer fire departments. Countywide fire insurance ratings vary between Class 6-10 depending upon location.
- Emergency Medical Services
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) within Washington County and the Towns of Abingdon, Damascus and Glade Spring are provided by 4 independent volunteer rescue squads.
- E-911 System
- An Enhanced 911 (E-911) emergency telecommunication system serves Washington County and the Towns of Abingdon, Damascus and Glade Spring. The system is operated by the Washington County Sheriff's Office-County Central Dispatch and maintained by the County Department of Emergency Services.
Transportation Systems
- Highways
- Interstate 81 and U.S. Highways 11, 19 and 58. Virginia Primary Highways 75, 80 and 91. All U.S. and Virginia Primary highways and other public roads in Washington County are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
- Air
- Tri-Cities Regional Airport, a regional commercial aviation airport, 34 miles southwest of Abingdon off of I-81 near Blountville (Sullivan County) Tennessee.
- Virginia Highlands Airport, a general aviation facility located 1 mile west of Abingdon on U.S. Highway 11. Lighted 4,500-foot by 75-foot runway; aviation and jet fuel, hangar space, charter service, automated weather observation system, Localizer/DME Approach, Weathermation Flight Planning, A.P.U. Service, pilot's lounge and quarters, and two conference rooms in terminal.
- Rail
- A Norfolk Southern mainline runs through Washington County. Bulk and mixed freight service, containerized piggyback, and team track service are available.
- Water
- Port of Hampton Roads, Virginia is 397 miles east of Abingdon. Inland container port at Front Royal, Virginia is 223 miles northeast of Abingdon
2000 Census QuickFacts about Washington County
Return to Top
|
