Alleghany County, Virginia

Alleghany County is an American county located on the far western edge of Commonwealth of Virginia. It is bordered by the Allegheny Mountains, from which the county derives its name, and it is the northernmost part of the Roanoke Region. The county seat is Covington.[1]

Alleghany County
County
Alleghany County
The Alleghany Courthouse in Covington.
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°47′N 80°01′W
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1822
Named forAlleghany Mountains
SeatCovington
Largest townClifton Forge
Area
 • Total449 sq mi (1,160 km2)
 • Land445 sq mi (1,150 km2)
 • Water3.3 sq mi (9 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total16,250
 • Estimate 
(2018)
14,910
 • Density36/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.co.alleghany.va.us

The county was created in 1822 from parts of Botetourt County, Bath County, and Monroe County (now in West Virginia). At the time, the majority of the population lived around Covington, and the primary cash crop then was hemp, which was used for rope production.

As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,250, which is an increase of more than twenty-five percent from the 2000 census.[2] The majority of that growth, however, can be attributed to the reincorporation of the formerly independent city of Clifton Forge back into Alleghany County in 2001.

History

Alleghany County was established on January 5, 1822, by an act of the Virginia General Assembly. The new county was formed from parts of Botetourt, Bath, and Monroe (now West Virginia) counties, with most of the population centered in the new county seat in Covington.[3] Alleghany County was named for the Allegheny Mountains, which border the western edge of the county.[4]

When the county was established, the principal export was hemp, used for rope production in Richmond. However, as hemp demand and prices declined, the farmers of Alleghany switched to grain, hay and livestock production.[3]

During the American Civil War, the iron for the CSS Virginia (Merrimac) came from Longdale Furnace in the county. Regiments from Alleghany County were at the surrender at Appomattox.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 449 square miles (1,160 km2), of which 445 square miles (1,150 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.7%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18302,816—
18402,749−2.4%
18503,51527.9%
18606,76592.5%
18703,674−45.7%
18805,58652.0%
18909,28366.2%
190016,33075.9%
191014,173−13.2%
192015,3328.2%
193020,18831.7%
194022,68812.4%
195023,1392.0%
196012,128−47.6%
197012,4612.7%
198014,33315.0%
199013,176−8.1%
200012,926−1.9%
201016,25025.7%
2018 (est.)14,910[6]−8.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2013[2]

As of the census[11] 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.

In 2000, Clifton Forge was an independent city separate from the county. However, in 2001, Clifton Forge relinquished its city charter and reincorporated as a town; as a town, it is now a part of Alleghany County. The 2000 population of what is now Alleghany County (including Clifton Forge) was 17,215. The article includes geographic data from before and after the reincorporation of Clifton Forge into the county.

Government

Board of Supervisors
  • Boiling Springs district: Shannon P. Cox (I)
  • Clifton Forge East district: M. Joan Vannorsdall (I)
  • Clifton Forge West district: Richard Shull (I)
  • Covington district: James M. Griffith (I)
  • Falling Spring district: G. Matt Garten (I)
  • Jackson River district: Stephen A. Bennett (I)
  • Sharon district: Cletus W. Nicely (I)

Constitutional officers
  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Debra N. Byer (I)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Valerie N. Bruffey (I)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: Ann Gardner(I)
  • Sheriff: Kevin W. Hall (I)
  • Treasurer: Teresa Brown (I)

Alleghany County is represented by Democrat R. Creigh Deeds in the Virginia Senate, Republican Terry Austin in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican H. Morgan Griffith in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Economy

The county economy is dominated by WestRock, 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.

Transportation

Amtrak, the national passenger rail service, provides service to the Clifton Forge station (12 miles (19 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.

Major highways

Education

Alleghany County is serviced by one high school, Alleghany High School (grades 9–12); one middle school, Clifton Middle School (grades 6–8), and three pre-kindergarten to grade 5 elementary schools: Callaghan Elementary, Mountain View Elementary and Sharon Elementary. The county also contains one Virginia state governors school, the Jackson River Governor's School; one technical center, the Jackson River Technical Center; and the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.

Politics
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 71.4% 5,859 27.3% 2,243 1.2% 101
2016 66.5% 4,874 29.6% 2,166 3.9% 285
2012 50.1% 3,595 47.4% 3,403 2.4% 175
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 13.0% 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 3.4% 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 26.1% 988 30.5% 1,156
1964 41.1% 1,104 58.9% 1,580 0.0% 1
1960 48.8% 1,214 50.8% 1,265 0.4% 9
1956 55.3% 1,135 40.0% 822 4.7% 97
1952 52.9% 2,564 46.9% 2,274 0.2% 11
1948 37.0% 1,425 58.5% 2,253 4.5% 172
1944 39.6% 1,308 60.2% 1,985 0.2% 7
1940 35.0% 1,164 64.7% 2,153 0.4% 12
1936 39.4% 1,319 60.2% 2,013 0.4% 13
1932 45.3% 1,095 53.5% 1,293 1.2% 29
1928 72.5% 1,642 27.5% 622
1924 52.5% 856 36.1% 589 11.4% 186
1920 51.9% 736 46.8% 663 1.3% 18
1916 43.5% 432 54.8% 544 1.7% 17
1912 15.5% 125 48.7% 394 35.9% 290

Communities

Though it is the county seat, Covington is an independent city, and thus is not part of Alleghany County.

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  3. "Alleghany County; a Concise History". The County of Alleghany, Virginia. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  4. Salmon, Edited by Emily J.; Jr, Edward D.C. Campbell (1994). The hornbook of Virginia history : a ready-reference guide to the Old Dominion's people, places, and past (4th ed.). Richmond: Library of Virginia. p. 159. ISBN 0884901777.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2020-12-08.

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