Dinwiddie County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. It is situated in southern Virginia, southwest of the independent city of Petersburg, which separated from Dinwiddie County and adjacent Prince George County in 1871. The county was established on May 1, 1752, from land originally part of Prince George County, and is named in honor of Robert Dinwiddie, the lieutenant governor of the Colony of Virginia from 1751 to 1758. The county seat is the unincorporated community of Dinwiddie, which serves as a census-designated place (CDP) with a population of 619 as recorded in the 2020 United States Census.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Dinwiddie County encompasses a total area of 507 square miles (1,310 km²), of which 504 square miles (1,310 km²) is land and 3.5 square miles (9.1 km²), or 0.7%, is water. The county lies between two major United States Army installations: Fort Gregg-Adams to the east and Fort Barfoot (formerly Fort Pickett) to the west. It borders Amelia County to the northwest, Nottoway County to the west, Lunenburg County to the southwest, Brunswick County to the south, Greensville County to the southeast, and Prince George County and the independent cities of Petersburg and Colonial Heights to the northeast. Major highways traversing the county include U.S. Route 1, U.S. Route 460, and Interstate 85, facilitating connectivity between Richmond and the North Carolina state line.
The history of Dinwiddie County is deeply intertwined with colonial and American history. Prior to its formation in 1752, the area was part of Prince George County, which itself derived from Charles City County in 1702. Early settlers were primarily English families engaged in tobacco farming, with a significant enslaved population contributing to the agricultural economy. During the American Revolutionary War, residents of Dinwiddie County participated in key events, reflecting the county's position at the juncture of the Old Dominion. Most inhabitants belonged to slaveholding families of English ancestry who had been in the New World for generations, selling tobacco and other products through nearby Petersburg.
The county played a pivotal role in the American Civil War, hosting numerous battles during the Appomattox Campaign in 1865. Significant engagements include the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House on March 31, 1865, the Battle of Five Forks on April 1, 1865, and the Battle of Sutherland's Station on April 2, 1865. These battles were part of the final efforts of the Confederate States Army under General Robert E. Lee to defend Petersburg against Union Army forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant. Portions of the Petersburg National Battlefield are preserved within the county, highlighting its Civil War significance. The Dinwiddie County Court House, built in 1829 and now occupied by the Dinwiddie County Historical Society, stands as a historic landmark from this era. Other sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places include Burnt Quarter and the Williamson Site.
Post-Civil War, Dinwiddie County transitioned to a rural economy focused on agriculture, including tobacco, peanuts, and soybeans. In modern times, it has developed tourism centered on its historical heritage, with attractions like the Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, recognized as one of America's premier Civil War sites. The county is home to more Civil War battles than any other in the United States. Additionally, the Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie County supports motorsports tourism. The Dinwiddie County Sports Complex, recently developed, features fields for baseball, football, and soccer, positioning the county as a destination for sports events.
As of the 2020 United States Census, Dinwiddie County had a population of 27,947, with a density of 49 people per square mile (19/km²). By 2023 estimates, the population reached 28,083, with a median age of 43.4 years and a median household income of $83,898. The racial makeup includes approximately 59.5% White, 35.2% Black or African American, and smaller percentages of other groups. Housing units totaled 9,707 in 2000, with recent growth reflecting suburban expansion from Richmond.
The economy of Dinwiddie County blends agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Key sectors include farming, military-related activities due to the nearby forts, and historical tourism. In August 2025, Dinwiddie County was named the "Best Small County" in Virginia by the Virginia Association of Counties for its innovative mock trial program for students, underscoring its commitment to education and community engagement.
For genealogical research, Dinwiddie County offers extensive records through resources like FamilySearch, covering birth, marriage, death, census, and military records from its colonial origins.
Sources consulted include: Wikipedia: Dinwiddie County, Virginia,
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