The population was 441 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578. Pocahontas was the location of the start of this region's coal boom with a spur line that launched the Norfolk and Western Railroad (now Norfolk Southern) into national prominence during the 1880s. The large two-state coal region bears the town's name. Pocahontas was also the birthplace of jazz pianist Teddy Weatherford. Pocahontas, Virginia, a different location outside of Tazewell County, was added to Petersburg, Virginia in 1785.