[2] Middlebourne was established by an enactment of the Virginia General Assembly in 1813.

[6] Two explanations have been given for the name of the town: One is that it was located halfway between Pennsylvania and a series of salt wells along the Kanawha River upstream of Charleston; the other is that it is located midway between the source and the mouth of Middle Island Creek,[6] which flows through the town.

[7] The Tyler County Courthouse and Jail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[9] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and cold winters.

[10] At the 2010 census there were 815 people, 360 households, and 228 families living in the town.

There were 405 housing units at an average density of 1,125.0 per square mile (434.4/km2).

At the 2000 census there were 870 people, 370 households, and 247 families living in the town.