Virginia Real Estate & Relocation Guide

South Hill, Virginia

Population: 4,200

Located in Mecklenburg County

South Hill is located in south-central Virginia on the North Carolina state line, halfway between the state capitals of Richmond, VA, and Raleigh, NC, (75 miles each). Since its beginning as a railroad town in 1889, South Hill as continued to be known for its ideal location. Today, the town is easily accessible by a highway network consisting of Interstate 85, US Route 58, and US Route 1.

Incorporated in 1901, South Hill has always been known for its tobacco industry and the town is presently the third-largest market in Virginia. But over the past few years, a significant growth in manufacturing and trade has diversified the town's economy. Consisting of 6.33 square miles, South Hill is situated in the Piedmont physiographic province among gently rolling hills characteristic of the Southern Piedmont. Elevation is 430 feet above sea level.

Agriculture, especially tobacco, remains an important industry in South Hill, and a number of manufacturing facilities have located in the town. Since 1970, non-agricultural employment has surpassed agricultural employment. South Hill is the major shopping center in Mecklenburg County. Gross retail sales in 1996 were approximately $100 million.

Mecklenburg County, in which South Hill is located, has 247,797 acres of forestland with lobolly pine, short-leaf pine, Virginia pine, oak-pine, and oak-hickory the predominant forest types.
International airports in Richmond and Raleigh (75 miles each) offer numerous air services. The Mecklenburg-Brunswick Municipal Airport has a paved, lighted runway of 5,000 feet with fuel and localizer approach under construction.