Southwest Virginia experiences a population crunch

By The Continuous News Desk

Published: July 16, 2008

Southwest Virginia is in a population crunch.  While the rest of the Tri-Cities is busting at the seams with new transplants from Florida and New England, small towns near us, and across the state line, are on the verge of collapse.  According to the latest census numbers, Grundy, Virginia and Haysi, Virginia have experienced the greatest decrease in population. 

Here are some numbers to consider from the United States Census Bureau.
From 1990 to 2006, Johnson City grew by more than 17 percent and so did Kingsport.
During the same time period, Grundy, Virginia lost more than 24 percent of its population.  Haysi, Virginia lost nearly 19 percent of its population.

For Grundy, five destructive floods since the turn of the century, the most recent in the 1970’s, left most people searching for higher ground.

Both Haysi and Grundy, VA were booming in the early 70’s, and even before, because of a booming coal industry.

Mayors of both towns tell News Channel 11 the towns thrive and die by the way of the success of coal mining.

However, both Larry Yates of Haysi, and Roger Powers of Grundy, say they’d like to see their towns tap into the tourism industry, and provide visitors passing through to check out The Crooked Road-Virginia’s Music Heritage Trail, Breaks Interstate Park, and a multi-state bike route, a destination to return to on several visits, or a place to maybe make home.