Nickelsville is a town in

Scott County, Virginia Scott County is a county located in the far southwestern part of the U.S. state of Virginia, on the border with Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,576. Its county seat is Gate City. Scott County was formed by an act of ...

, United States. The population was 378 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the

Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area The Tri-Cities is the region comprising the cities of Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol and the surrounding smaller towns and communities in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. All three cities are located in Northeast Tennessee, ...

– commonly known as the " Tri-Cities" region.

History

Bush Mill and the Kilgore Fort House are listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

Places to Visit

Notable Attractions in and around Nickelsville and its surrounding areas offer a variety of notable attractions that reflect both the region’s rich history and natural beauty. Highlights include: Kilgore Fort House – A well-preserved historic structure dating back to the late 18th century, offering insight into early settler life in Southwest Virginia. Bush Mill – A restored 19th-century gristmill showcasing traditional milling techniques and serving as a reminder of the area's agricultural past. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. Mendota Fire Tower – A scenic overlook and historic fire lookout, providing panoramic views of the Clinch Mountain range and surrounding valleys. Devil’s Bathtub – A popular natural swimming hole known for its crystal-clear waters and scenic hiking trails. Little Stony Falls – A beautiful series of waterfalls accessible via a picturesque hiking trail through Jefferson National Forest. These sites offer a mix of cultural heritage and outdoor adventure, making the Nickelsville area a unique destination for visitors and locals alike. To learn more, visit https://www.explorescottcountyva.org/

Geography

Nickelsville is located at (36.751927, −82.416951). According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the town has a total area of , all of it land.

Demographics

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2000, there were 448 people, 184 households, and 117 families living in the town. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was 932.8 people per square mile (360.4/km²). There were 210 housing units at an average density of 437.2 per square mile (168.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.78%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, and 0.22% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population. There were 184 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.97. In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.8 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 78.6 males. The median income for a household in the town was $20,250, and the median income for a family was $31,750. Males had a median income of $21,528 versus $25,625 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the town was $11,871. About 15.2% of families and 26.7% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 36.0% of those under age 18 and 27.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

Maybelle Carter "Mother" Maybelle Carter (born Maybelle Addington; May 10, 1909 – October 23, 1978) was an American country musician and "among the first" to use the Carter scratch, with which she "helped to turn the guitar into a lead instrument." It ...

, country music artist, mother of

June Carter Cash Valerie June Carter Cash (June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003) was an American country singer and songwriter. A five-time Grammy Award–winner, she was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash. Prior to her marria ...

. *

Ollan Cassell Ollan Conn Cassell (born October 5, 1937) is an American sprinter in the 1950s and 1960s, winning a gold medal in the men's 4 × 400 m relay at the 1964 Summer Olympics. In his early 30s, Cassell later became the executive director of the Amateu ...

, gold medalist at the

1964 Summer Olympics The , officially the and commonly known as Tokyo 1964 (), were an international multi-sport event held from 10 to 24 October 1964 in Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo had been awarded the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subseq ...

References

External links

Town website
{{authority control Towns in Scott County, Virginia Towns in Virginia