Alleghany County, North Carolina

Alleghany County, North Carolina
Alleghany County Courthouse
Location in the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1859
Named for	Alleghany Mountains
Seat	Sparta
Largest town	Sparta
Area
• Total	237 sq mi (614 km2)
• Land	235 sq mi (609 km2)
• Water	1.5 sq mi (4 km2), 0.6%
Population
• (2010)	11,155
• Density	47/sq mi (18/km²)
Congressional district	5th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	www.alleghanycounty-nc.gov

Alleghany /ælɪˈɡeɪniː/ County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 11,155. Its county seat is Sparta.

History

The county was formed in 1859 from the eastern part of Ashe County, North Carolina. It was named for the Allegheny Mountains. Numerous boundary adjustments have been made since it was established, but none have resulted in new counties.

Law and government

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

Geography and climate

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 237 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. It is the fourth-smallest county in North Carolina by total area.

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. 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.

Due to its elevation, Alleghany County enjoys considerably cooler summers than the lowland areas to the east and south, with temperatures rarely rising over 85 °F (29 °C). In the winter, however, temperatures are much 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.

Adjacent counties

• Grayson County, Virginia - north
• Surry County - east
• Wilkes County - south
• Ashe County - west

Major highways

• US 21
• US 221
• NC 18
• NC 88
• NC 93
• NC 113

National protected area

• Blue Ridge Parkway (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	3,590		—
1870	3,691		2.8%
1880	5,486		48.6%
1890	6,523		18.9%
1900	7,759		18.9%
1910	7,745		−0.2%
1920	7,403		−4.4%
1930	7,186		−2.9%
1940	8,341		16.1%
1950	8,155		−2.2%
1960	7,734		−5.2%
1970	8,134		5.2%
1980	9,587		17.9%
1990	9,590		0.0%
2000	10,677		11.3%
2010	11,155		4.5%
Est. 2014	10,879		−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the census 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.

Communities

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

Town

• Sparta (county seat)

Townships

• Cherry Lane
• Cranberry
• Gap Civil
• Glade Creek
• Piney Creek
• Prathers Creek
• Whitehead

Unincorporated communities

• Cherry Lane
• Glade Valley
• Laurel Springs
• Piney Creek
• Roaring Gap
• Scottville
• Twin Oaks

Notable people

• Robert L. Doughton (1863–1954), United States Congressman from Alleghany County from 1911–1953. From 1933–1947 he was the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He used his influence as Chairman to create the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs along the county's eastern and southern borders. Doughton Park, the largest and most popular park on the Parkway, is named in his honor. He also played a major role in the passage of the Social Security Act.
• Rufus A. Doughton (1857–1946), older brother of Robert Doughton. He served as the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and was Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina from 1893-1897.
• Del Reeves (1932–2007), country music entertainer on the United Artists record label. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1966 and his record "Girl on the Billboard" sold over a million copies.
• Zach Galifianakis (born 1969), stand-up comedian and actor. He lives on a farm near Sparta and splits his time between the farm and his work in New York City.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Alleghany County, North Carolina

External links

• Alleghany News