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Botetourt County, Virginia

Coordinates: 37°33′N 79°48′W / 37.55°N 79.80°W / 37.55; -79.80
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Botetourt County
County
Official seal of Botetourt County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Botetourt County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°33′N 79°48′W / 37.55°N 79.8°W / 37.55; -79.8
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1770
SeatFincastle
Largest cityHollins
Area
 • Total546 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Land543 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Water3 sq mi (8 km2)  0.60%
 • Density60/sq mi (22/km2)
Websitewww.botetourt.org
Botetourt County, Virginia, from 1895 state map

Botetourt County (/[invalid input: 'icon']ˈbɒtətɒt/ BOT-ə-tot) is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 33,148.[1] Its county seat is Fincastle.Template:GR

Botetourt County is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area and located in the Roanoke Region of Virginia.[2]

History

Botetourt County was established in 1770 from Augusta County. The county is named for Norborne Berkeley, Baron de Botetourt, more commonly known as Lord Botetourt (1718–1770), who was a popular governor of the Virginia Colony from 1768 to 1770, when he died suddenly while in office.

In the 1770s and 1780s, when Virginia claimed most of the Northwest Territory which would later form all or part of six states, the land was divided between Botetourt and Augusta Counties.

Botetourt County is a part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the southern parts of the county have become increasingly suburban in recent decades. Much of the area's former farmland and orchards have been developed into residential subdivisions and businesses.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 546 square miles (1,414.1 km2), of which 543 square miles (1,406.4 km2) is land and 3 square miles (7.8 km2) (0.60%) is water. The Blue Ridge Mountains run along the eastern part of the county. The Appalachian Mountains run along the western part of the county. The two mountain ranges come close together, separated by the town of Buchanan and the James River.

The James River originates in Botetourt County, near the village of Iron Gate, just south of the Alleghany County border by the merger of the pristine Cowpasture River and the Jackson River. The James River runs south until Eagle Rock, where it turns east and meanders through the county, passing Springwood and James River High School until entering Buchanan. In Buchanan, the river turns northward and flows into Rockbridge County towards Glasgow.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179010,524—
180010,427−0.9%
181013,30127.6%
182013,5892.2%
183016,35420.3%
184011,679−28.6%
185014,90827.6%
186011,516−22.8%
187011,329−1.6%
188014,80930.7%
189014,8540.3%
190017,16115.5%
191017,7273.3%
192016,557−6.6%
193015,457−6.6%
194016,4476.4%
195015,766−4.1%
196016,7156.0%
197018,1938.8%
198023,27027.9%
199024,9927.4%
200030,49622.0%
201033,1488.7%

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 11,700 households, and 9,114 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 12,571 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.91% White, 3.52% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,700 households out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.80% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.10% were non-families. 19.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 28.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,731, and the median income for a family was $55,125. Males had a median income of $37,182 versus $25,537 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,218. About 3.60% of families and 5.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.40% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.

Education

There are two high schools in Botetourt County. Lord Botetourt High School opened in suburban Daleville in the fall of 1959. James River High School in Buchanan also opened in 1959.

Politics

Presidential election results
Year DEM GOP Others
2008 32.7% 5,693 65.9% 11,471 1.4% 242
2004 30.4% 4,801 68.9% 10,865 0.8% 121
2000 33.4% 4,627 64.1% 8,867 2.5% 346
1996 37.0% 4,576 51.7% 6,404 11.3% 1,400
1992 35.6% 4,349 48.4% 5,904 16.0% 1,956
1988 39.2% 3,763 59.3% 5,687 1.5% 141
1984 34.9% 3,243 64.2% 5,959 0.9% 87
1980 43.0% 3,698 51.2% 4,408 5.7% 496
1976 53.1% 4,021 44.1% 3,343 2.8% 209
1972 27.7% 1,519 69.4% 3,806 2.8% 156
1968 24.7% 1,272 50.5% 2,598 24.7% 1,270
1964 53.1% 2,377 46.9% 2,098 0.0% 1
1960 42.6% 1,621 56.8% 2,159 0.6% 22

The Republican candidate for president has won the support of Botetourt County 11 out of the last 13 races. The county also voted Republican for Governor in 2005 and 2009.

Emergency services

Botetourt County Emergency Services uses a combination of career staff and volunteers to provide fire and EMS protection to the county.

Towns

Unincorporated Communities

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. ^ [1]. Weldon Cooper Center 2010 Census Count Retrieved September 9, 2011
  2. ^ Roanoke Region of Virginia

37°33′N 79°48′W / 37.55°N 79.80°W / 37.55; -79.80

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