Nottoway County is a county in Virginia, United States, in the Southside region south of the James River. It had a population of 15,642 at the 2020 census and covers 314 square miles (810 km2) of land plus 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) of water, centred near 37°08′N 78°03′W.
Nottoway is the county seat, and its postal code is 23955. The county has three incorporated towns (Blackstone, Burkeville and Crewe) and more than a dozen unincorporated communities. It sits in the Eastern time zone and was organized in 1789.
Towns & Villages in Nottoway County
The table below lists the county’s three incorporated towns and its unincorporated communities. CDP = census-designated place; Unincorp. = an unincorporated community with no separate census count.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone | Town | — | 23824 |
| Crewe | Town | — | 23930 |
| Burkeville | Town | — | 23922 |
| Nottoway Court House | Unincorp. | — | 23955 |
| Forkland | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Fergusonville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hendersonville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Irby | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Jennings Ordinary | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Murdocks | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Mutt | Unincorp. | — | — |
| North Wellville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Oliveville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sneads Spring | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Spainville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Wellville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Winnie | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Clays Corner | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Martins Corner | Unincorp. | — | — |
Blackstone is the county’s largest town. Nottoway Court House is the historic community that grew up around the courthouse and now shares its name and ZIP code with the county seat itself.
ZIP Codes
- 23824 — Blackstone
- 23930 — Crewe
- 23922 — Burkeville
- 23955 — Nottoway (PO Box only, serves the courthouse community)
The unincorporated communities outside the four postal towns are served by one of these four ZIP codes depending on location, without a separate ZIP of their own.
Geography
Nottoway County lies in the Southside Virginia region between the James and Roanoke river basins, on gently rolling Piedmont terrain that was historically given over to tobacco farming. Of its total area, 314 square miles are land and 1.7 square miles are water. It borders Amelia County to the north, Dinwiddie County to the east, Brunswick County to the southeast, Lunenburg County to the south, and Prince Edward County to the west.
Demographics
Nottoway County had 15,642 residents at the 2020 census, spread across its 314 square miles for a density of roughly 50 people per square mile. Blackstone and Crewe are the two largest towns. Median household income in the county runs well below the Virginia median of $89,931, reflecting the area’s rural, agricultural economic base.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture, particularly tobacco and soybean farming, has long anchored the local economy, alongside timber and light manufacturing. Fort Pickett, a Virginia Army National Guard training center, sits partly within the county near Blackstone and is a major local employer. Blackstone is also home to Fort Pickett’s neighbor, the town’s small commercial core along US 460.
History
Nottoway County was formed in 1789 from Amelia County and named for the Nottoway, an Iroquoian-speaking tribe whose territory once bordered the area. Tobacco cultivation shaped the county’s plantation-era economy, and the arrival of the railroad through Blackstone and Crewe in the mid-1800s spurred later growth. During the Civil War, men from the county served with the 18th Virginia Infantry, which took part in Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg.
Getting There
US Route 460 and US Route 360 cross the county, linking it to Richmond and the Danville area.
- Richmond — 55 miles northeast
- Petersburg — 40 miles east
- Farmville — 20 miles west
- South Hill — 30 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Richmond International Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nottoway County?
It is in the Southside region of Virginia, south of the James River between Richmond and Danville.
What is the population of Nottoway County?
15,642 people, per the 2020 census.
How big is Nottoway County?
314 square miles (810 km2) of land, plus 1.7 square miles of water.
What is the Nottoway County seat?
Nottoway is the county seat.
How many towns are in Nottoway County?
Three incorporated towns — Blackstone, Burkeville and Crewe — plus more than a dozen unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Nottoway County?
23824 (Blackstone), 23930 (Crewe), 23922 (Burkeville) and 23955 (Nottoway).
What military installation is in Nottoway County?
Fort Pickett, a Virginia Army National Guard training center, lies partly within the county near Blackstone.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Virginia.