Virginia

Smyth

29,800
2020 population
1840
first census record
19
census records

About Smyth

Smyth, Virginia, first appears in the United States federal census in 1840, when it recorded a population of 6,522. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 29,800.

Its recorded population peaked at 33,366 in 1980, and has since declined by roughly 11 percent.

On the ground today, 8 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Saltville (First — October 2, 1864), Battle of Saltville (First), First Battle of Saltville, and 25 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202029,800
201032,208
200033,081
199032,370
198033,366
197031,349
196031,066
195030,187
194028,861
193025,125
192022,125
191020,326
190017,121
189013,360
188012,160
18708,898
18608,952
18508,162
18406,522
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Smyth

Military engagements that took place in Smyth, Virginia.

Battle of Saltville (First — October 2, 1864)
1864
Battle of Saltville (First)
1864
First Battle of Saltville
1864
Stoneman's Raid into Southwest Virginia
1864
Saltville Massacre (Virginia/Tennessee border)
1864
Battle of Marion
1864
Stoneman's Raid on Saltville
1864
Stoneman's Raid – Marion VA
1865

Historic places in Smyth

National Register of Historic Places listings in Smyth, Virginia.

Aspenvale Cemetery
Seven Mile Ford
Preston House
Marion
Saltville Historic District
Saltville
Downtown Chilhowie Historic District
Chilhowie
Saltville Battlefields Historic District
Saltville
Bonham, H.L., House
Chilhowie
Smyth County Community Hospital
Marion
Konnarock Training School
Konnarock
Norfolk & Western Railway Depot
Marion
Chilhowie Methodist Episcopal Church
Chilhowie
Marion Historic District
Marion
Preston House
Saltville
Fox Farm Site
McMullin
Beatie, A.C., House
Chilhowie
Old Stone Tavern
Atkins
Henderson Building, Southwestern State Hospital
Marion
Lincoln Theatre
Marion
Hotel Lincoln
Marion
Hungry Mother State Park Historic District
Marion
Thomas, Abijah, House
Marion
Browse all Virginiahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Virginia

Explore census history and historic records for more Virginia counties.

LeeLexingtonLexington cityLoudounLouisaLunenburgLynchburgLynchburg cityMadisonManassasManassas cityManassas ParkManassas Park cityManchesterMartinsvilleMartinsville cityMathewsMecklenburgMiddlesexMontgomery
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Smyth County, Virginia

This page charts the census history of Smyth County, Virginia. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Smyth County, Virginia report
Or see a real report first

Explore Virginia records

Virginiahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Virginia›

Frequently asked about Smyth

When does Smyth first appear in the US census?
Smyth, Virginia first appears in the federal census in 1840, with a recorded population of 6,522.
What is the population of Smyth?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Smyth had a recorded population of 29,800.
When did Smyth's population peak?
Smyth's recorded population peaked at 33,366 in 1980.
Were any battles fought in Smyth?
8 documented military engagements took place in Smyth, including Battle of Saltville (First — October 2, 1864), Battle of Saltville (First), First Battle of Saltville.
How many historic places are in Smyth?
25 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Smyth, Virginia.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report