Graham County, North Carolina

Graham County, North Carolina
Location in the state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1872
Seat	Robbinsville
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	302 sq mi (782 km²) 292 sq mi (756 km²) 10 sq mi (26 km²), 3.16%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	7,993 28/sq mi (11/km²)

Graham County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 7,993. Its county seat is Robbinsville. Robbinsville is located at the coordinates of 35°19'24.06"N latitude and 83°48'3.98"W longitude.

History

The county was formed January 30, 1872, from the northeastern part of Cherokee County. It was named for William A. Graham, United States Senator from North Carolina (1840–1843) and Governor of North Carolina (1845–1849).

Law and government

Graham County is a member of the regional Southwestern Commission council of governments. The county is the only dry county in North Carolina.

Geography

November sunrise on Lake Santeetlah, Graham County, North Carolina

Graham County covers 433 square miles (1,120 km²) with elevation ranges from 1,177 to 5,560 feet (1,690 m). Two-thirds of the county is the Nantahala National Forest. Fontana Lake, an impoundment of the Little Tennessee River, forms most of the northern border of the county, with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the other side of the lake. Fontana Lake is formed by Fontana Dam, the tallest dam in the eastern U.S. The northern boundary of Graham County is also formed by an impoundment of the Cheoah River created by Cheoah Dam.

Fontana Dam and Cheoah Dam are both operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The Cheoah River is noted for its Class IV and Class V whitewater rapids. The river is used for whitewater rafting about 17 days per year, based on a water-release schedule from Santeelah Dam.

The Appalachian Trail winds through Graham County. Part of the trail is located on top of Fontana Dam.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, a rare example of an old growth cove hardwood forest, is located in northwestern Graham County. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is part of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness area.

The eastern terminus of the Cherohala Skyway is located in northwestern Graham County. The 36-mile (58 km) Cherohala Skyway connects Graham County with Tellico Plains, Tennessee.

Seventy-five percent of Lake Santeetlah shoreline borders national forest.

Townships

The county is divided into three townships: Cheoah, Stecoah, and Yellow Creek.

Other communities

Other communities in Graham County include Almond, Atoah, Fontana Heights, Fontana Village, Snowbird, Stecoah Valley, Sweetwater, Tapoco (named for the Tallassee Power Company), and Tuskeegee. Topton lies just outside Graham County, near the convergence of Graham, Cherokee, Swain and Macon counties. Tallulah, a community just south of Robbinsville, is named either for a mythological Cherokee Indian or the film star Tallulah Bankhead. Many smaller communities in Graham County are named for bodies of water, notable landscape features, or early settlers. These include Meadow Branch, Yellow Creek, and Sawyers Creek.

Indian reservation

Parts of the Qualla Boundary, also known as the Eastern Cherokee Indian Reservation, are located in Graham County. These sections of the Qualla Boundary are non-contiguous from the primary part of the Qualla Boundary located in Swain and Jackson counties. The Cherokees who live in Graham County form the Snowbird Cherokee community.

Adjacent counties

• Swain County, North Carolina - north and east
• Macon County, North Carolina - southeast
• Cherokee County, North Carolina - south
• Monroe County, Tennessee - west
• Blount County, Tennessee - northwest

National protected area

• Nantahala National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,993 people, 3,354 households, and 2,411 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 5,084 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.91% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 6.84% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 27.6% were of American, 15.1% Irish, 12.7% English, 10.6% German and 5.1% Scots-Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.7% spoke English and 1.3% Cherokee as their first language.

There were 3,354 households out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.00% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,645, and the median income for a family was $32,750. Males had a median income of $24,207 versus $18,668 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,237. About 14.40% of families and 19.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.30% of those under age 18 and 20.40% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

• The county is the birthplace of country music artist Ronnie Milsap.
• Junaluska, a leader of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, lived in Graham County. His grave and an adjoining eponymous museum are in Robbinsville.

In popular culture

• Portions of the movie Nell (1994), starring Jodie Foster, were filmed near Robbinsville.
• Portions of the movie The Fugitive (1993), starring Harrison Ford, were filmed at Cheoah Dam.
• The silent film, Stark Love, was filmed in Graham County and featured local residents as actors.

Cities and towns

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

• Lake Santeetlah
• Robbinsville
• Fontana Dam

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Graham County, North Carolina
• USS Graham County (LST-1176)