South Hill, Virginia
South Hill is a thriving, rapidly-growing community located in Mecklenburg County in south-central Virginia near the North Carolina state line halfway between the state capitals of Richmond, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina (80 miles each). It is also about halfway between the Atlantic Ocean (on the east) and the Blue Ridge Mountains (on the west). South Hill's latitude is 36.726 N., and its longitude is 78.129 W. It is just hours away from Historic Williamsburg and Jamestown, both national landmarks. It is in the Eastern Standard time zone.
Since its beginning as a railroad town in 1889, South Hill has continued to be known for its ideal location. Today, the Town is easily accessible by a highway network consisting of Interstate 85, U.S. Route 58, U.S. Route 1 and Highway 47. South Hill is also only six miles away from the Mecklenburg-Brunswick Regional Airport.
Incorporated by the Virginia General Assembly on February 16, 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. The Town's growth is enhanced by its proximity to two nearby lakes, Kerr Lake (Buggs Island Lake) and Lake Gaston, both of which are created by the John H. Kerr Dam, which generates an average of 426,749,000 kilowatt hours per year. With over 1,150 combined miles of shoreline, tourist trade and a booming real estate market serve to fuel our Town's growth. With the natural beauty of the lakes and a relaxed lifestyle to match, living in this unique region is a gratifying experience.
Distance to Major Cities (in miles)
| Durham, NC | 72 |
| Raleigh, NC | 77 |
| Richmond, VA | 82 |
| Greensboro, NC | 123 |
| Hampton Roads, VA | 155 |
| Roanoke, VA | 168 |
| Washington, DC | 188 |
| Baltimore, MD | 234 |
Topography of South Hill
Consisting of 9.31 square miles, South Hill is situated in the Piedmont Physiographic Province among gently rolling hills characteristic of the Southern Piedmont. Elevation is 438 feet above sea level. Drainage is provided by the Meherrin and Roanoke Rivers.
Local Economy
Agriculture remains an important industry in South Hill, and a number of manufacturing facilities are located in the Town.
South Hill is a major shopping center in Mecklenburg County. We have several major department stores, large grocery stores, and a variety of specialty shops including hardware, gifts, building supplies, computers, florists, antiques, pharmacies and auto parts.
Tourists trade and sport fishing also play an important part in the local economy.
We are an ideal location for businesses in need of regional, national and even international connections. With excellent trucking access and a quick and easy connection to the world-class ports of Hampton Roads and Richmond, we are a superb choice for both industrial and knowledge-based businesses.
Natural Resources
South Hill is located on two watersheds, the Roanoke River and the Meherrin River.
Mecklenburg County, in which South Hill is located, has 247,797 acres of forestland with loblolly pine, short-leaf pine, and Virginia pine; oak-pine and oak-hickory are the predominant forest types.
Mineral deposits in the area include granite, sand, clay, copper, soapstone and tungsten.
Climate
A generally moderate climate exists with south to southwest prevailing winds. We enjoy a pleasant climate with four distinct seasons.
- January average temperature:
Low - 33°, High - 55.8° - July average temperature:
Low - 68.8°, High - 91.1° - Average annual precipitation: 46"
Population
The 2007 population estimate for South Hill was 4,554.
Government
List of South Hill
Mayors
South Hill is governed by an eight member Town Council headed by a Mayor. They all serve four year terms. A Town Manager oversees the daily operation of the Town. The County seat is Boydton.
The Town Council has adopted a Comprehensive Plan, and the Town is zoned. The Code Compliance Official may be reached by calling (434) 447-5041.
Around-the-clock fire service is provided by a volunteer force of
40, and service is provided to industry beyond the Town's corporate
limits. The department has a fire insurance rating of class 5.
South Hill Volunteer Fire
Department
114 N. Brunswick Avenue
South Hill, VA 23970
(434) 447-8227
Twenty-four hour police protection is provided by a staff of 25, and
13 state police are assigned to the area.
South Hill Police
Department
103 S. Brunswick Avenue
South Hill, VA 23970
(434) 447-3104
Mecklenburg County Sherriff's Department (434) 738-6171
Mecklenburg County (434) 738-6191
Voter Registration (434) 738-6191
All emergencies dial 911.
Labor Market
The work ethic and loyalty of Mecklenburg's employees are well known-low absenteeism and low turnover are a fact of life here.
Mecklenburg County's industry has a non-union labor market which is protected by Virginia's Right-To-Work Law.
Employment services are offered through:
- Penmac Personnel Services, Inc.
874 N. Mecklenburg Avenue, South Hill, VA 23970
(434) 447-4333
- Virginia Workforce Center
910 N. Mecklenburg Avenue, South Hill, VA 23970
(434) 447-8700
Industry and Major Employers
| Firm | Location | Product/Service | Employees |
| American Buildings | LaCrosse | Steel Buildings | 125 |
| BGF Multi-Layer Plant | South Hill | Glass Fabric | 90 |
| Brodnax Mills | Brodnax | Yarn | 85 |
| Carlisle Motion Control | South Hill | Heavy Duty Brake Products | 75 |
| CMH | South Hill | Hospital | 908 |
| Glaize Components | LaCrosse | Housing Components | 100 |
| International Veneer | South Hill | Wood Veneer | 217 |
| ITG Automotive Safety | South Hill | Narrow Belting Fabrics / Air Bags | 100 |
| Jones Apparel Group | South Hill | Distribution Center | 435 |
| Parker Oil Company | South Hill | Oil Distributors | 100 |
| Peebles - A Division of Stage | South Hill | Retail Corporate Offices | 194 |
| Rex Materials of Va. | South Hill | Heat Application Systems | 55 |
| Southern Textile Services, Inc. | South Hill | Commercial Laundry | 70 |
| South Hill Enterprise | South Hill | Printing | 35 |
| Virginia Quilting & VQC, Inc. | LaCrosse | Custom Window Treatments / Bedspreads | 235 |
Access Mecklenburg County Virginia:
- Superior Market Accessibility
- Ample Labor Supply
- Excellent Training Opportunities
- Pro Business Climate
- Low Taxes
- Enterprise Zones
- A Nice Place to Live, Work & Play
The incentives to bring your business to our area go even beyond its location, workforce, quality of life and infrastructure. Reasonable tax rates add to the bottom line, as do the tax incentives and job grants in our numerous enterprise zones.
Come
on in Wednesday through Saturday and learn about the region's rich
farming heritage and its ties to the "golden leaf" that has been
such an important part of our history.
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On August 5, 1963, the Town purchased the Whittles Mill Dam and
adjacent property on both the Mecklenburg and Lunenburg sides of the
Meherrin River. The property, located off Highway
47, consists of 34
A full range of water sports is available in the area with
some 1,150 miles of shoreline on Buggs Island Lake, the largest lake
in Virginia, and Lake Gaston.
Millions of tourists flock to the two lakes annually. Vast
fishing and regional and national bass fishing tournaments are held
on them. 