Alleghany County, Virginia
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 12,926 people, 5,149 households, and 3,866 families residing in the county. The population density
was 29 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 5,812 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.35% White
, 2.45% Black
or African American
, 0.21% Native American
, 0.24% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.20% from other races
, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.36% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 42.9% were of American
, 11.6% German
, 11.0% English
and 9.8% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 5,149 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.20% were married couples
living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.85.
The age distribution is 22.80% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 28.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,545, and the median income for a family was $45,843. Males had a median income of $35,120 versus $20,855 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $19,635. About 4.90% of families and 7.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.
, the national passenger rail service, provides service to the Clifton Forge station
(12 miles (19.3 km) away from Covington) with the Cardinal route. Also Clifton Forge serves a major locomotive fuel facility for CSX Transportation
.
The area is serviced by Interstate 64 ( east west) and Route 220 a (north south) offering interstate truck access to the area.
, which operates a paperboard mill in Covington, the second largest on the East Coast
and an extrusion and converting facility in Low Moor. Both Alleghany County
and Covington, VA are known for the low cost of its housing market and close proximity to The Homestead in Bath County, VA, Lexington, VA, The Greenbrier
in White Sulphur Springs
, Lewisburg, West Virginia
, a 45 minute drive in any direction and Roanoke, VA about an hour away. Covington has a team in the Valley Baseball League
called the Lumberjacks.
One Va State Governors School Jackson River Governor's School, One Technical Center Jackson River Technical Center and one college Dabney S Lancaster.
As an independent city
, Covington
is not part of Alleghany County, despite its status as the county seat.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 12,926 people, 5,149 households, and 3,866 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 29 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 5,812 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.35% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.45% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.21% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.24% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.36% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 42.9% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 11.6% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 11.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 9.8% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 5,149 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.85.
The age distribution is 22.80% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 28.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,545, and the median income for a family was $45,843. Males had a median income of $35,120 versus $20,855 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $19,635. About 4.90% of families and 7.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, the national passenger rail service, provides service to the Clifton Forge station
Clifton Forge (Amtrak station)
The Clifton Forge Amtrak station is located at 400 Ridgeway Street in Clifton Forge, Virginia. It is served by Amtrak's Cardinal route, and is the westernmost station in Virginia along this route....
(12 miles (19.3 km) away from Covington) with the Cardinal route. Also Clifton Forge serves a major locomotive fuel facility for CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
.
The area is serviced by Interstate 64 ( east west) and Route 220 a (north south) offering interstate truck access to the area.
Economy
Its economy is dominated by MeadWestvacoMeadWestvaco
MeadWestvaco Corp. is an American packaging solutions company based in Richmond, Virginia. It has approximately 23,000 employees. In February 2006, it moved its corporate headquarters to Richmond, Virginia...
, which operates a paperboard mill in Covington, the second largest on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
and an extrusion and converting facility in Low Moor. Both Alleghany County
Alleghany County
Alleghany County is the name of two counties in the United States of America:*Alleghany County, North Carolina*Alleghany County, Virginia...
and Covington, VA are known for the low cost of its housing market and close proximity to The Homestead in Bath County, VA, Lexington, VA, The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier is a Forbes four-star and AAA Five Diamond Award winning luxury resort located just outside the town of White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States....
in White Sulphur Springs
White Sulphur Springs
White Sulphur Springs may refer to:*White Sulphur Hot Springs, Alaska*White Sulphur Springs, Florida*White Sulphur Springs , listed on the NRHP in Louisiana*White Sulphur Springs, Louisiana*White Sulphur Springs, Montana...
, Lewisburg, West Virginia
Lewisburg, West Virginia
Lewisburg is a city in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 3,830 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Greenbrier County.-Geography:Lewisburg is located at ....
, a 45 minute drive in any direction and Roanoke, VA about an hour away. Covington has a team in the Valley Baseball League
Valley Baseball League
The Valley Baseball League is an NCAA-sanctioned collegiate summer baseball league in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. Each Valley Baseball League season consists of 44 games played during summer. Many Valley Baseball League players have continued on to play in Major League Baseball.The...
called the Lumberjacks.
Schools
Alleghany County is serviced by One 9-12 High school Alleghany High School, One 6-8 Middle School Clifton Middle School, and Five PK-5 Elementary Schools, Boiling Spring Elementary,Callaghan Elementary, Falling Spring Elementary,Mountain View Elementary and Sharon Elementary.One Va State Governors School Jackson River Governor's School, One Technical Center Jackson River Technical Center and one college Dabney S Lancaster.
Politics
| Year | GOP Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
DEM Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 50.4% 3,715 | 48.2% 3,553 | 1.4% 101 |
| 2004 | 55.1% 3,962 | 44.5% 3,203 | 0.4% 30 |
| 2000 | 54.8% 2,808 | 43.2% 2,214 | 2.0% 101 |
| 1996 | 39.7% 2,015 | 47.3% 2,398 | 13.1% 661 |
| 1992 | 40.6% 2,294 | 42.4% 2,396 | 17.1% 967 |
| 1988 | 51.9% 2,555 | 47.0% 2,316 | 1.1% 55 |
| 1984 | 60.9% 3,067 | 38.4% 1,932 | 0.8% 38 |
| 1980 | 45.9% 2,185 | 50.7% 2,411 | 3.3% 160 |
| 1976 | 41.2% 1,756 | 57.7% 2,462 | 1.1% 47 |
| 1972 | 67.5% 2,584 | 27.9% 1,069 | 4.6% 177 |
| 1968 | 43.5% 1,649 | 26.0% 988 | 30.5% 1,156 |
| 1964 | 41.1% 1,104 | 58.8% 1,580 | 0.0% 1 |
| 1960 | 48.8% 1,214 | 50.8% 1,265 | 0.4% 9 |
Towns
- Clifton ForgeClifton Forge, VirginiaClifton Forge is a town in Alleghany County, Virginia, United States which is part of the Roanoke Region. The population was 3,884 at the 2010 census. The Jackson River flows through the town, which as a result was once known as Jackson's River Station....
- Iron GateIron Gate, VirginiaIron Gate is a town in Alleghany County, Virginia, United States. The population was 388 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Iron Gate is located at ....
- Low MoorLow Moor, VirginiaLow Moor is a census-designated place in Alleghany County, Virginia, in the United States. The population was 367 at the 2000 census.Low Moor was the birthplace of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Jimmie Monteith, for whom Camp Monteith, located in Kosovo, was named.-Geography:Low Moor is...
(CDP) - SelmaSelma, VirginiaSelma is a census-designated place in Alleghany County, Virginia, United States. The population was 485 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Selma is located at ....
(CDP)
As an independent city
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
, Covington
Covington, Virginia
Covington is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia, located at the confluence of Jackson River and Dunlap Creek. It is in Alleghany County where it is also the county seat. The population was 5,961 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Covington with Alleghany...
is not part of Alleghany County, despite its status as the county seat.
External links
- “Powerlessness and Pollution in Alleghany County, Virginia: A Historical Analysis of Paternalism and Economic Coercion in Appalachia and its Relationship with Environmental Degradation″
- History and Photographs of the Alleghany Highlands
- Alleghany Highlands Genealogy Society
- Alleghany County, Virginia
- Travel & Tourism