Population28,896 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Agricultural Roots Beside a Historic Rail Center
Dinwiddie County, VirginiaDinwiddie County lies southwest of Petersburg, where a largely rural landscape meets the history of an important transportation center. A visitor can approach the area through agriculture, the Appomattox River or the places associated with the final Civil War campaigns. These are connected themes, but they lead to different destinations. Dinwiddie’s courthouse community provides a civic anchor, while farms, parks and interpreted historic sites encourage a wider view. A focused route helps reveal the county’s own character beside the neighboring independent city of Petersburg.
Dinwiddie County at a Glance
Population28,896 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatDinwiddie
Largest municipalityMcKenney (2020 Census)
Established1752
ZIP coverage count13 (whole or partial coverage; Oct. 2026)
Total Area, Including Water507.356 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major routesI-85; I-95; US 1; US 460
Main area codes804 / 686; 434
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Dinwiddie County
Dinwiddie County
Formed from Prince George County in 1752, Dinwiddie was named for Virginia’s colonial lieutenant governor Robert Dinwiddie. Agriculture shaped local life, while proximity to Petersburg’s rail connections gave the area strategic importance during the Civil War. Preserved sites such as Five Forks and the landscape interpreted at Pamplin Historical Park make parts of that history visible. They should be read alongside the county’s longer rural story, rather than as a replacement for it. Present county and city boundaries also matter when connecting historical accounts with places on a modern map.
Plan around a confirmed destination rather than assuming every historic site follows the same visiting arrangements. A museum or program can provide context for the campaign landscape, while a river-trail outing offers a change of pace. Agricultural experiences add another option when farms advertise tours, markets or seasonal activities. Lake Chesdin is part of the county’s recreational setting, but a visit requires a particular access point or operator. Pairing two nearby experiences leaves time to notice the differences between a working landscape, a protected corridor and a place of remembrance.
What Shapes Us
Beyond Battle Dates
Historical interpretation becomes more useful when it connects military events with routes, food, labor and terrain. Look for those relationships at a site instead of viewing its monuments as an isolated collection of names.
A Rural Economy
Farm visits can show another side of Dinwiddie’s identity. Choose an advertised public experience and ask how the season shapes what is available, keeping active agricultural work distinct from a visitor attraction.
River Connections
The Appomattox corridor offers an outdoor thread through the area. Trail information helps turn a broad river name into a practical outing, with an access point, a route and a realistic distance to explore.
Rural community life connects with a wider historical landscape.
A Closer Look
Dinwiddie County
Places and perspectives from Dinwiddie County
Cardinal News - Virginia statewide
Lynchburg Councilman Misjuns says he received death threat after resident criticized his social media as ‘hate speech’
A video went viral, bringing hundreds of thousands of eyes to the at-large representative who’s up for reelection…
Read the Story Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min readAround Dinwiddie County
Stories from every corner of Dinwiddie County.
Lynchburg Councilman Misjuns says he received death threat after resident criticized his social media as ‘hate speech’
A video went viral, bringing hundreds of thousands of eyes to the at-large representative who’s up for reelection…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
U.S. energy secretary announces electric grid upgrades across parts of APCo’s service area
Up to $50 million in federal money will go toward transmission line work to increase energy supply, U.S.…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Perriello holds 2-1 cash advantage over McGuire. He’s the only Democratic challenger in Virginia with financial edge.
The latest round of campaign finance reports came out Friday. Here's what they show in Virginia's U.S. House…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Google confirmed as parent company for data center project in Roanoke County
The Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority recently pulled out of an NDA on the project at I-81/581…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Vinton hopes a downtown anchor project will rise from the ashes of 2022 fire
The town is seeking development proposals for a site it called a "visible scar." The post Vinton hopes…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Local
FOIA — Find the county’s instructions for requesting public records.
Procurement — Find county purchasing information and guidance for prospective vendors.
Board of Supervisors — Learn about the county governing board and find its official information.
Departments — Locate county departments and the office responsible for the service you need.
Agendas / Minutes — Find published meeting agendas and records to follow county decisions.
Dinwiddie County government — Find county notices, public meetings and official service information.
Commissioner of the Revenue — Find local tax assessment and revenue-office information.
Building Inspections — Find local permit, inspection and land-use guidance.
Treasurer — Find county payment and treasury information.
Virginia statewide
Virginia voter services — Find official voter registration, election and polling information.
Schools
Local
Public Schools — Find official schools information and service contacts.
Local contacts
Midway Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 5511 Midway Rd, Church Road, VA 23833. 804-265-4205 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Dinwiddie Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 13811 Boydton Plank Rd, Dinwiddie, VA 23841. 804-469-4580 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Dinwiddie County High — High; grades 09-12. 11501 Boisseau Road, Dinwiddie, VA 23841. 804-469-4280 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Dinwiddie County Middle — Middle; grades 06-08. 11608 Courthouse Road, Dinwiddie, VA 23841. 804-469-5430 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Sunnyside Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 10203 Melvin B. Alsbrooks Avenue, Mckenney, VA 23872. 804-478-2313 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Sutherland Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 6000 R. B. Pamplin Drive, Sutherland, VA 23885. 804-732-4168 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Southside Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 10305 Boydton Plank Rd, Dinwiddie, VA 23841. 804-469-4480 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Virginia statewide
School Quality Profiles — Find state reporting on schools and school divisions.
Home instruction — Review state home-instruction guidance and local reporting requirements.
Hospitals
For an emergency, call 911.
Local and regional hospitals
Bon Secours Southside Medical Center — Petersburg. View hospital services and visitor information. This is a regional option, not a nearest-hospital ranking.
Local
Health Department — Find local public-health or healthcare information; this is not a hospital emergency department.
Health Department — Find local public-health or healthcare information; this is not a hospital emergency department.
Virginia statewide
Virginia local health districts — Find the public health district and offices serving your locality.
VDH health facility oversight — Find licensing information and facility oversight contacts.
Virginia Medicaid — Find official coverage and member-service information.
Virginia health insurance marketplace — Review coverage options through the state marketplace.
Virginia 211 — Find local assistance with health access, transportation and basic needs.
Virginia immunization services — Find public vaccination information and service resources.
Virginia maternal health — Find state maternal-health resources and support.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911.
Local
Sheriff — Find the local law-enforcement office and its public services.
Sheriff's Bio — Find the local law-enforcement office and its public services.
Virginia statewide
Active Alerts — Check current statewide public-safety alerts.
Missing Persons — View official missing-person notices and reporting information.
Criminal Record Check — Find state criminal-history record request procedures.
Fingerprinting — Review official fingerprinting service information.
Aggressive/Reckless Driver: How to Report — Read the State Police procedure for reporting dangerous driving.
Crime Prevention — Browse practical crime-prevention resources.
Vehicle Safety Inspection — Find information about Virginia vehicle safety inspections.
Vehicle Recalls — Check official resources for vehicle safety recalls.
Emergency Services
For an emergency, call 911.
Local
Fire & EMS / Emergency Management — Find local emergency planning, alerts and preparedness information.
Fire Prevention & Safety — Find local fire-prevention information and public safety programs.
Fire & Home Safety — Find local fire, rescue or emergency-services information and contacts.
Fire & EMS Awards and Recognitions — Find local fire, rescue or emergency-services information and contacts.
Virginia statewide
VDEM preparedness — Find Virginia household emergency planning resources.
Virginia 511 — Check traffic incidents and road conditions before travel.
National service
National Weather Service — Enter your location for official forecasts, watches and warnings.
Ready.gov emergency kit — Use the federal checklist to assemble household emergency supplies.
Ready.gov family plan — Prepare a household communication and meeting plan.
Flood preparation — Find preparation and response guidance for flooding.
State Parks
Nearby regional park
Pocahontas State Park — Regional park in Chesterfield County with trails and camping.
Virginia statewide
Find a Park — Compare Virginia state parks by location when planning a regional outing.
Park trail maps — Download park maps before choosing a walking or riding route.
Find programs and events — Check ranger programs and scheduled activities by park and date.
Reservation information — Review how to reserve campsites, cabins and other facilities.
Prices — Check the official fee schedule before your visit.
Search by amenity — Find parks with the facilities your group needs.
Accessibility — Review accessible facilities and visitor assistance.
Become a Junior Ranger — Find children's learning activities available through the state park system.
Rules and regulations — Check visitor rules, permitted activities and restrictions.
Trails
Nearby regional park
Pocahontas trail information — Regional park in Chesterfield County with trails and camping. Use the official maps to plan a route.
Local
Parks & Recreation — Find local recreation facilities and information for planning an outdoor visit.
Virginia statewide
Park trail maps — Download official state park trail maps and choose an appropriate route.
Hiking — Find state park walking opportunities and planning information.
Biking — Identify parks with cycling opportunities and check permitted use.
Equestrian — Find horse-trail and horse-camping information.
Accessibility — Check accessibility information before choosing a trail.
All-Terrain Wheelchairs available — Find parks offering all-terrain wheelchair access and reservation details.
Virginia Trails — Explore the state's overview of established trail systems.
Water Trails and Public Access — Locate water-trail planning resources and public access information.
Utilities
Local
Public Works — Find public utility or public works contacts and service information; coverage varies by address.
Waste Management — Find local waste-disposal or recycling information.
Utilities — Find public utility or public works contacts and service information; coverage varies by address.
Public Utilities — Find public utility or public works contacts and service information; coverage varies by address.
Virginia statewide
Regulated Electric Companies & Service Map — Identify electric service territories; confirm service for your specific address.
Regulated Gas Companies & Service Map — Identify regulated gas providers and their service areas.
Regulated Water/Sewer Companies — Find regulated water and sewer companies; municipal systems may be separate.
Universal Service: Lifeline — Review the telephone affordability program and application resources.
Electricity FAQs — Find answers about electric utility service and billing.
Natural Gas FAQs — Find answers about gas service and customer responsibilities.
Libraries
Local
Appomattox Regional Library — Find library services, branch information and borrowing resources.
Local contacts
Dinwiddie Branch Library — 14103 Boydton Plank Road, Dinwiddie C.H., VA 23841. 804-458-6329 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Virginia statewide
Get a Library Card — Check eligibility for a Library of Virginia account and remote resources.
Catalog Search — Search the state library catalog for books and archival material.
Databases & eBooks — Explore online research databases and electronic books; access rules vary.
Research Guides & Indexes — Find guidance for Virginia genealogy and historical research.
Ask a Research Question — Ask state library staff for help locating research material.
Interlibrary Loan — Review options for borrowing state library material through a local library.
Digital Collections — Browse digitized photographs, records and historical documents.
Virginia Chronicle — Search digitized historical Virginia newspapers.
Courts
Local
Courts — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Circuit Court — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
List of former Clerks for Dinwiddie Circuit Court — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
General District Court — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Virginia statewide
Find a Local Court — Identify the court serving your locality and its official contact page.
Case Status and Information — Choose the appropriate court system to look up case information.
Pay Traffic Tickets and Other Offenses — Review official payment options and participating courts.
Access to Justice Self-Help — Find court-approved self-help information and forms.
Other Court-Related Forms — Locate forms by court and proceeding type.
Assistance with Protective Orders (I-CAN!) — Find the court system's protective-order assistance resources.
DMV
Local
DMV Guide to Estate Administration (PDF) — Contact county administration and learn about its responsibilities.
Virginia statewide
Locations — Find a customer service center and check the services offered before traveling.
Reserve Your Spot — Check appointment options for a DMV visit.
Driver's License — Find instructions for obtaining, renewing or replacing a Virginia license.
Title Your Vehicle or Trailer — Review the documents needed to establish vehicle ownership.
Registration — Find vehicle registration and renewal instructions.
REAL ID — Review the identity documents needed for a REAL ID credential.
Disability Programs — Find parking placard and license plate information.
Change my address — Update the address attached to your DMV records.
Request a Copy of Your Driver or Vehicle Record — Request an official driving or vehicle record.
Transportation
Local
Public Transportation — Find official transportation information and service contacts.
Virginia statewide
Traffic conditions — Check road incidents, closures and traffic cameras before travel.
Travel advisories — Read current VDOT travel notices and planned restrictions.
Road maps — Download official highway and county road maps.
Toll roads — Identify toll facilities and their payment information.
Rest areas — Locate state-maintained rest stops along major highways.
Virginia Breeze routes — Compare intercity bus stops and schedules; service does not reach every county.
Virginia Breeze passenger information — Check luggage, accessibility and trip-planning information.
Commuting and public transit — Find Commonwealth public-transportation resources.
Virginia passenger rail — Compare Amtrak Virginia routes and stations for regional trips.
Postal Services
USPS nationwide service
Locations — Locate post offices and collection boxes by your address or ZIP Code.
Forwarding Mail — Review mail-forwarding and change-of-address options.
Rent/Renew a PO Box — Check PO Box availability, rental and renewal options.
Schedule a Pickup — Check address eligibility and arrange collection of qualifying packages.
Schedule a Redelivery — Request another delivery attempt for eligible missed mail.
Track a Package — Check delivery progress using a USPS tracking number.
Calculate a Price — Compare postage costs for the size and destination of your mailing.
Finding Missing Mail — Follow the official steps for a delayed or missing item.
Passports — Locate passport acceptance services and review appointment preparation.
USPS Service Updates — Check disruptions affecting postal operations before visiting or shipping.
Veterans
Virginia statewide
Virginia Department of Veterans Services — Find state benefits offices and veteran support programs.
Virginia Veterans Network employment services — Connect with Virginia veteran employment and transition assistance.
National VA service
VA facility locator — Find nearby VA medical centers, clinics and benefit offices.
Accredited claims representatives — Find accredited assistance with VA benefit claims.
VA health care enrollment — Review health care enrollment and application options.
Disability claims — Find the official steps for filing a disability claim.
Education benefits — Review application steps for VA education benefits.
Careers and employment — Explore VA career counseling and employment support.
VA housing assistance — Find veteran home-loan and housing assistance programs.
Burial and memorial benefits — Review cemetery, burial and memorial benefit resources.
Employment
Local
Employment Opportunities — View employment opportunities and application guidance from this local employer.
Employment Services — View employment opportunities and application guidance from this local employer.
Virginia statewide
Virginia Works job-seeker services — Find career assistance, training and job-search support.
Virginia Workforce Connection — Learn how to register for the state job-search system.
Registered apprenticeships — Search approved apprenticeship opportunities.
Virginia state jobs — Search current Commonwealth employment openings.
Unemployment applications — Find official application steps for unemployment benefits.
VEC reemployment services — Review the state reemployment and eligibility-assessment program.
Virginia community colleges — Find community colleges and workforce-training pathways.
Virginia DARS — Find vocational rehabilitation and employment support for people with disabilities.
Get to Know Dinwiddie County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Dinwiddie County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
28,896 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
507.356 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Pamplin Historical Park interprets the Civil War and the experience of its soldiers. Check the park’s current admission and program arrangements before planning a museum or battlefield visit. Pamplin Historical Park.
The Five Forks unit of Petersburg National Battlefield is one of Dinwiddie’s principal historic attractions. The county tourism guide connects it with other local sites for a broader understanding of the campaign. Discover Dinwiddie history.
Ferndale Park and the Appomattox River Trail offer a different side of Dinwiddie. Use current park and trail information to plan a walk or bicycle outing around the river corridor. Dinwiddie outdoor recreation.
The county highlights agricultural visitor experiences such as Richlands Dairy and produce farms. Choose a currently advertised tour, market or picking date; farm activities vary with the season and operator. Dinwiddie farm experiences.
Dinwiddie County was formed from Prince George County in 1752 and named for colonial lieutenant governor Robert Dinwiddie. Agriculture became an important part of its economy. Its proximity to Petersburg and regional railways later placed the county within several Civil War campaigns. Petersburg is now an independent city, a distinction relevant to both local records and present-day geography. The county’s history therefore combines rural community development with connections to a nearby strategic transportation center.
The community of Dinwiddie provides the county seat within a largely rural landscape southwest of Petersburg. Local history can be approached through agriculture, early county government, or the Civil War campaigns associated with the surrounding region. These themes refer to different places and periods rather than one compact destination. A visit or research plan works best with a specific site or community in mind and a clear distinction between county and city boundaries.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 503.886 square miles of land and 3.470 square miles of water in Dinwiddie County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Dinwiddie County had an estimated 27,886 residents on July 1, 2020, and 28,896 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 1,010 residents, or about 3.6%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Lake Chesdin is a water-supply reservoir that also supports recreation. The county visitor guide introduces the lake; confirm the access point and operator for your intended boating, fishing or camping visit. Lake Chesdin visitor overview.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Kids’ Fun
- Pamplin Historical Park
Dinwiddie County — in Dinwiddie County
Museum and interpreted Civil War landscapes; check tour and admission options. - Richlands Creamery
Cox Road, near Blackstone — in Dinwiddie County
A creamery outing for ice cream; check seasonal farm events separately. - Dinwiddie Branch Library
Dinwiddie County — in Dinwiddie County
Browse children’s books together and check the branch calendar for family activities.
Restaurants
- Joe’s Steak & Seafood
North Dinwiddie — in Dinwiddie County
Steak and seafood restaurant on Boydton Plank Road. - El Caporal — Dinwiddie
North Dinwiddie — in Dinwiddie County
Mexican restaurant; choose the Dinwiddie location on Airport Street. - Richlands Creamery
Cox Road, near Blackstone — in Dinwiddie County
Dairy and creamery with ice cream; confirm current food service before visiting.
Shopping & Retail
- Becky Boo-tique — Dinwiddie
Dinwiddie — in Dinwiddie County
Boutique gifts and accessories; choose the Dinwiddie store. - The Great Big Greenhouse
Midlothian — nearby region; outside Dinwiddie County
Garden-center plants, garden supplies and seasonal displays. - Chesterfield Towne Center
Chesterfield County — nearby region; outside Dinwiddie County
Shopping center with a current store directory and visitor information.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Becky Boo-tique — Dinwiddie
Dinwiddie — in Dinwiddie County
Women’s and children’s boutique; choose the Boydton Plank Road shop. - The S.E.E. Boutique
Midlothian — nearby region; outside Dinwiddie County
Women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories in Midlothian. - Penelope
Midlothian — nearby region; outside Dinwiddie County
Women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories; choose the Midlothian store.
Outdoor Fun
- Five Forks Battlefield
Dinwiddie — in Dinwiddie County
Walk the Five Forks unit’s battlefield trails; check visitor-station hours. - Pamplin Historical Park
Dinwiddie County — in Dinwiddie County
Explore the park’s interpreted landscape with an admission ticket. - Pocahontas State Park
Chesterfield County — nearby region; outside Dinwiddie County
Plan a walk on the park’s designated trails and review current access, parking and activity fees.
Free Things To Do
- Five Forks Battlefield
Dinwiddie — in Dinwiddie County
Explore the Five Forks battlefield; Petersburg National Battlefield charges no entrance fee. - Dinwiddie Branch Library
Dinwiddie County — in Dinwiddie County
Enjoy reading and browsing in the public library; borrowing eligibility and optional service charges are separate. - Grant’s Headquarters at City Point
Hopewell — nearby region; outside Dinwiddie County
Explore the NPS grounds without an entrance fee; building hours vary.
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below