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Alleghany County, North Carolina

Coordinates: 36°29′N 81°08′W / 36.49°N 81.13°W / 36.49; -81.13
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Alleghany County
County
Alleghany County Courthouse
Alleghany County Courthouse
Flag of Alleghany County
Flag
Official seal of Alleghany County
Seal
Official logo of Alleghany County
Logo
Nickname: 
Heart Of The Blue Ridge Parkway
Motto: 
"Authentically Alleghany"
Map of North Carolina highlighting Alleghany County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°29′N 81°08′W / 36.49°N 81.13°W / 36.49; -81.13
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1859
Named forAllegheny Mountains
SeatSparta
Largest townSparta
Area
 • Total237 sq mi (610 km2)
 • Land235 sq mi (610 km2)
 • Water1.5 sq mi (4 km2)  0.6%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
11,049
 • Density47/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.alleghanycounty-nc.gov

Alleghany County (/ælɪˈɡeɪniː/[1]) is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 10,888.[2] Its county seat is Sparta.[3]

History

The county was formed in 1859 from the eastern part of Ashe County and was named for the Allegheny Mountains.[4] Numerous boundary adjustments have been made since it was established, but none of these have resulted in new counties.[5]

Geography

Map
Interactive map of Alleghany County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 235 square miles (610 km2), of which 235 square miles (610 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) (0.6%) is water.[6] It is the fourth-smallest county in North Carolina by total area with just over 235 square miles, ranking 97 out of 100 total counties in the state.[7]

Alleghany County is located in northwestern North Carolina, and its northern border is with the State of Virginia. The county is located entirely within the Appalachian Mountains region of western North Carolina. Most of the county is located atop a rolling plateau that ranges from 2,500 feet (760 m) to 3,000 feet (910 m) above sea level. The southern border of the county drops abruptly nearly 1,500 feet (460 m) to the Foothills region of North Carolina. The plateau is crossed by numerous hills and mountains. The highest point in the county is Peach Bottom Mountain - Catherine Knob at 4,175 feet (1,273 m) above sea level.[8] The major rivers of Alleghany County are the New River, and the Little River; the latter flows through the town of Sparta, the county seat.

Isolated by mountainous terrain from the remainder of North Carolina to the east, Alleghany County was described in the 19th and early 20th centuries as one of the Lost Provinces of North Carolina.[9]

Due to its elevation, Alleghany County enjoys slightly cooler summers than the lowland areas to the east and south, with temperatures seldom rising over 90 °F (32 °C). In the winter, however, temperatures can frequently be colder than would be expected in a southern state. Daytime highs can fall into the teens or lower, and snowfall can be extremely heavy at times. According to USClimateData.com, the average temperature is 52.85 °F (11.58 °C).

National protected area

State and local protected areas

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18603,590—
18703,6912.8%
18805,48648.6%
18906,52318.9%
19007,75918.9%
19107,745−0.2%
19207,403−4.4%
19307,186−2.9%
19408,34116.1%
19508,155−2.2%
19607,734−5.2%
19708,1345.2%
19809,58717.9%
19909,5900.0%
200010,67711.3%
201011,1554.5%
202010,888−2.4%
2021 (est.)11,049[10]1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2013[15]
2020[16]

2020 census

Alleghany County racial composition[17]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 9,186 84.37%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 103 0.95%
Native American 35 0.32%
Asian 15 0.14%
Pacific Islander 6 0.06%
Other/Mixed 255 2.34%
Hispanic or Latino 1,288 11.83%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,888 people, 4,920 households, and 3,390 families residing in the county.

2000 census

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 10,677 people, 4,593 households, and 3,169 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile (18/km2). There were 6,412 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.69% White, 1.23% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.75% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 4.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,593 households, out of which 24.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.40% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 27.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,244, and the median income for a family was $38,473. Males had a median income of $25,462 versus $18,851 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,691. About 11.30% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.80% of those under age 18 and 25.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Alleghany County is a member of the regional High Country Council of Governments.

United States presidential election results for Alleghany County, North Carolina[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,527 74.51% 1,486 24.46% 63 1.04%
2016 3,814 71.76% 1,306 24.57% 195 3.67%
2012 3,390 66.90% 1,583 31.24% 94 1.86%
2008 3,124 59.36% 2,021 38.40% 118 2.24%
2004 2,883 59.73% 1,922 39.82% 22 0.46%
2000 2,531 58.68% 1,715 39.76% 67 1.55%
1996 1,936 45.71% 1,801 42.53% 498 11.76%
1992 1,853 39.18% 2,271 48.01% 606 12.81%
1988 2,174 50.98% 2,087 48.94% 3 0.07%
1984 2,589 56.08% 2,013 43.60% 15 0.32%
1980 1,995 46.29% 2,198 51.00% 117 2.71%
1976 1,532 37.40% 2,550 62.26% 14 0.34%
1972 2,158 61.29% 1,304 37.03% 59 1.68%
1968 1,695 45.80% 1,102 29.78% 904 24.43%
1964 1,573 39.91% 2,368 60.09% 0 0.00%
1960 1,978 48.26% 2,121 51.74% 0 0.00%
1956 1,699 50.43% 1,670 49.57% 0 0.00%
1952 1,789 49.72% 1,809 50.28% 0 0.00%
1948 1,374 42.39% 1,667 51.43% 200 6.17%
1944 1,495 45.23% 1,810 54.77% 0 0.00%
1940 1,217 38.40% 1,952 61.60% 0 0.00%
1936 1,498 38.98% 2,345 61.02% 0 0.00%
1932 810 29.18% 1,951 70.28% 15 0.54%
1928 1,368 49.17% 1,414 50.83% 0 0.00%
1924 1,234 42.80% 1,643 56.99% 6 0.21%
1920 1,201 46.02% 1,409 53.98% 0 0.00%
1916 641 44.61% 796 55.39% 0 0.00%
1912 208 18.64% 652 58.42% 256 22.94%

Communities

Map of Alleghany County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Town

  • Sparta (county seat and largest town)

Townships

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2022 Estimates of Alleghany County.[20]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2022 Estimate)
only incorporated community † Sparta Town 1,790

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ Talk Like A Tarheel Archived 2013-06-22 at the Wayback Machine, from the North Carolina Collection website at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Alleghany County, North Carolina". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Alleghany County | NCpedia". www.ncpedia.org. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "History of Alleghany County, NC". www.moonzstuff.com. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  7. ^ "NACo – Find a county". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on December 11, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  8. ^ "NC DEQ: NC Geological Survey". www.geology.enr.state.nc.us. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  9. ^ Tabler, Dave (August 30, 2016). "The Lost Provinces". Appalachian History. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Alleghany County, North Carolina". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  13. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  15. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 12, 2001. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Alleghany County, North Carolina". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  17. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  20. ^ "Alleghany County NC - Cities, Towns, Neighborhoods, & Subdivisions". northcarolina.hometownlocator.com. Retrieved May 2, 2022.

Media related to Alleghany County, North Carolina at Wikimedia Commons

36°29′N 81°08′W / 36.49°N 81.13°W / 36.49; -81.13

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