Alleghany County, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alleghany County
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| Alleghany County | ||
The Alleghany Courthouse in Covington.
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Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
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 Virginia's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Virginia |
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| Founded | 1822 | |
| Named for | Alleghany Mountains | |
| Seat | Covington | |
| Largest town | Clifton Forge | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 449 sq mi (1,160 km2) | |
| • Land | 445 sq mi (1,150 km2) | |
| • Water | 3.3 sq mi (9 km2) 0.7% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,223 | |
| • Density | 33.90/sq mi (13.090/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Congressional district | 9th | |
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. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,223.
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.
Contents
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. Alleghany County was named for the Allegheny Mountains, which border the western edge of the County.
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.
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.
Adjacent counties
- Bath County – north
- Rockbridge County – east
- Botetourt County – southeast
- Craig County – south
- Monroe County, West Virginia – southwest
- Greenbrier County, West Virginia – west
National protected areas
- George Washington National Forest (part)
- United States National Radio Quiet Zone (part)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 2,816 | — | |
| 1840 | 2,749 | −2.4% | |
| 1850 | 3,515 | 27.9% | |
| 1860 | 6,765 | 92.5% | |
| 1870 | 3,674 | −45.7% | |
| 1880 | 5,586 | 52.0% | |
| 1890 | 9,283 | 66.2% | |
| 1900 | 16,330 | 75.9% | |
| 1910 | 14,173 | −13.2% | |
| 1920 | 15,332 | 8.2% | |
| 1930 | 20,188 | 31.7% | |
| 1940 | 22,688 | 12.4% | |
| 1950 | 23,139 | 2.0% | |
| 1960 | 12,128 | −47.6% | |
| 1970 | 12,461 | 2.7% | |
| 1980 | 14,333 | 15.0% | |
| 1990 | 13,176 | −8.1% | |
| 2000 | 12,926 | −1.9% | |
| 2010 | 16,250 | 25.7% | |
| 2020 | 15,223 | −6.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 15,040 | 13,754 | 92.55% | 90.35% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 751 | 676 | 4.62% | 4.44% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 25 | 22 | 0.15% | 0.14% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 37 | 59 | 0.23% | 0.39% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 11 | 7 | 0.07% | 0.05% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 6 | 24 | 0.04% | 0.16% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 204 | 503 | 1.26% | 3.30% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 176 | 178 | 1.08% | 1.17% |
| Total | 16,250 | 15,223 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
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. Clifton Forge serves a major locomotive fuel facility for CSX Transportation.
The area is served by Interstate 64 (east-west) and U.S. 220 (north-south), offering interstate truck access to the area.
Major highways
I-64
US 60
US 220
SR 18
SR 42
SR 159
SR 311
Communities
Though it is the county seat, Covington is an independent city, and thus not is not part of Alleghany County.
Towns
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated communities
- Alleghany
- Backbone
- Boiling Spring
- Clearwater Park
- Clifdale
- Cliftondale Park
- Crows
- Earlehurst
- Fairview Heights
- Falling Spring
- Griffith
- Harrington
- Hematite
- Hooks Mill
- Intervale
- Iron Hill Springs
- Jordan Mines
- Kincaid
- Longdale
- Longdale Furnace
- Mallow
- Moss Run
- Nicelytown
- Oakwood Forest
- Potts Creek
- Rayon Terrace
- Rich Patch
- Rich Patch Mines
- Stonewall
- Sweet Chalybeate
- Valley View
- Westwood Place
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. Alleghany County is within close proximity to The Homestead in Bath County and The Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs. Residents also commute to Lewisburg, Lexington, and Roanoke for employment. Covington has a team in the Valley Baseball League called the Lumberjacks.
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.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Alleghany (Virginia) para niños
