Dryden is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2020 census, Dryden had a population of 986.
History
The Dryden post office was established in 1879. The community was named for Captain Dryden, a railroad official.
Geography
Dryden is located in northeastern Lee County at (36.775836, −82.944157). The community is concentrated in an area just off U.S. Route 58 Alternate, northeast of Pennington Gap and southwest of Big Stone Gap. Dryden's southern border is the Powell River, and parts of the Jefferson National Forest lie to the north.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Dryden CDP has a total area of , of which are land and , or 1.51%, are water.<br> 2000 2010 2020
Dryden was first listed as a census designated place in the 2000 U.S. census.