Clifton Forge, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Clifton 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.
Clifton Forge was an independent city
during the 2000 census. However, in 2001, Clifton Forge gave up its city status and reverted to a town. In previous decades, the railroad was a major employer. Clifton Forge is known for its mountain views and clear streams. It is home to one of the original six state parks of Virginia, Douthat State Park
, built during Franklin D. Roosevelt
's presidency by the Civilian Conservation Corps
.
, the national passenger rail service, provides service to the Clifton Forge station
with the Cardinal route. Also Clifton Forge serves a major locomotive fuel facility for CSX Transportation
and is home to the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society.
Clifton Forge is serviced by three major highways, Interstate 64
, U.S. 60, and U.S. 220.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city had a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 4,289 people, 1,841 households, and 1,146 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,387.5 people per square mile (535.9/km²). There were 2,069 housing units at an average density of 669.3 per square mile (258.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.96% White, 14.62% Black or African American
, 0.09% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.49% from other races
, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.
There were 1,841 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples
living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 78.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,090, and the median income for a family was $31,509. Males had a median income of $27,829 versus $21,039 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,182. About 15.1% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.4% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Alleghany County, Virginia
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 . There were 5,812 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
which is part of the Roanoke Region
Roanoke Region of Virginia
The Roanoke Region is the area of the Commonwealth of Virginia surrounding the city of Roanoke. Its usage may refer to the metropolitan statistical area or the Roanoke Valley, but it sometimes includes areas in the Allegheny Mountains and New River Valley which includes Alleghany county, Montgomery...
. 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.
Clifton Forge was 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,...
during the 2000 census. However, in 2001, Clifton Forge gave up its city status and reverted to a town. In previous decades, the railroad was a major employer. Clifton Forge is known for its mountain views and clear streams. It is home to one of the original six state parks of Virginia, Douthat State Park
Douthat State Park
Douthat State Park is a state park located in the Allegheny Mountains in Virginia. It is in Bath County and Alleghany County. The park is total with a lake.-History:...
, built during Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's presidency by the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
.
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....
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...
and is home to the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society.
Clifton Forge is serviced by three major highways, Interstate 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
, U.S. 60, and U.S. 220.
Geography
Clifton Forge is located at 37°49′11"N 79°49′24"W (37.819801, -79.823584).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city had a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 4,289 people, 1,841 households, and 1,146 families residing in the city. 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 1,387.5 people per square mile (535.9/km²). There were 2,069 housing units at an average density of 669.3 per square mile (258.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.96% White, 14.62% Black 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...
, 0.09% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.49% 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 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.
There were 1,841 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% 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, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 78.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,090, and the median income for a family was $31,509. Males had a median income of $27,829 versus $21,039 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 city was $15,182. About 15.1% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.4% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.