How many cities and towns named “Danville” are located in the United States? Where are they located? Which direction and how far away are they from Danville, Virginia?
The City of Danville has erected a sign at the Community Market that provides answers to those questions.
“The River District Team thought visitors to the Community Market would find it interesting to know the many other communities named ‘Danville’ and their proximity to our city,” Deputy City Manager Ken Larking said Friday. “We hope it will be a conversation piece for everyone to enjoy.”
The sign currently lists 12 cities and towns that carry the name “Danville.” Two other communities – Danville, Arkansas, and Danville, Kansas – will be added.
The closest of those cities is located in southwestern West Virginia, a mere 170 miles away. Located on the Little Coal River, Danville, West Virginia, was incorporated in 1911, has a population of 691 and covers a total area of only 1.08 square miles.
The “Danville” that is farthest away is in California – 2,340 miles. Located east of Oakland, this “Danville” is one of the incorporated municipalities in California that uses "town" in its name instead of "city." Incorporated as recent as 1982, the town has a population of 42,039 and covers a total area of 18.028 square miles. According to BusinessWeek, Danville, California, is the 41st most expensive zip code in America, home to some of the most exclusive country clubs in the nation.
The other 10 cities and towns currently listed on the sign are located in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
The first “Danville” to be incorporated was Danville, New Hampshire, in 1760. In comparison, Danville, Virginia, was founded in 1793 and chartered in 1830, but not incorporated until 1890. The only unincorporated “Danville” on the list is Danville, Alabama.
The “Danville” with the smallest population is in Kansas, with 38 residents. Based on the 2010 census, Danville, Virginia, tops the list, with 43,055 residents.
Danville, Kansas, also has the least total area, covering only 0.09 square miles or 52 acres. At the opposite extreme, Danville, Vermont, covers 61.1 square miles. Danville, Virginia, is the next largest in total area, with 44 square miles.
The sign is located in a landscaped area of the parking lot between the Community Market and the Pepsi Building.
Population
1. 38 – Danville, Kansas
2. 238 – Georgia
3. 691 – West Virginia
4. 927 – Iowa
5. 1,044 – Ohio
6. 2,196 – Vermont
7. 2,409 – Arkansas
8. 4,387 – New Hampshire
9. 4,699 – Pennsylvania
10. 5,424 – Alabama
11. 9,001 – Indiana
12. 16,218 – Kentucky
13. 33,027 – Illinois
14. 42,039 – California
15. 43,055 – Virginia
Total area in square miles
1. 0.09 (52 acres) – Danville, Kansas
2. 0.56 – Ohio
3. 0.76 – Iowa
4. 0.8 – Georgia
5. 1.08 – West Virginia
6. 1.64 – Pennsylvania
7. 4.3 – Arkansas
8. 6.98 – Indiana
9. 11.9 – New Hampshire
10. 15.9 – Kentucky
11. 17.95 – Illinois
12. 8.028 – California
13. 44.0 – Virginia
14. 61.1 – Vermont
15. (not available) Alabama
Incorporation
1. 1760 – Danville, New Hampshire
2. 1786 – Vermont
3. 1787 – Kentucky
4. 1792 – Pennsylvania
5. 1809 – Georgia
6. 1827 – Illinois
7. 1835 – Indiana
8. 1880 – Kansas
9. 1890 – Virginia
10. 1891 – Ohio
11. 1902 – Iowa
12. 1911 – West Virginia
13. 1919 – Arkansas
14. 1982 – California
15. (unincorporated) Alabama