Galax, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Galax, Virginia
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Central Galax
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Galax in Virginia
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 Galax, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Galax, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Virginia | |
| County | None (Independent city) | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council-Manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 8.28 sq mi (21.44 km2) | |
| • Land | 8.24 sq mi (21.33 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2) | |
| Elevation | 2,372 ft (723 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,720 | |
| • Density | 811.6/sq mi (313.43/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP Code |
24333
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| Area code(s) | 276 | |
| FIPS code | 51-30208 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1483573 | |
Galax is a city in the southwestern part of Virginia, a state in the United States. It's called an "independent city" because it doesn't belong to any county. In 2020, about 6,720 people lived there.
Galax is located near Carroll County and Grayson County. For official numbers, Galax is often counted together with Carroll County.
Contents
History of Galax
The land where Galax now stands was first given to James Buchanan in 1756 by the British Crown. This was a very large piece of land, about 800 acres.
The first map for the town of Galax was made in December 1903. The people who started the town chose a spot on a wide, grassy area with a creek called Chestnut Creek running through it. The town is about 2,500 feet high, on a plateau. In 1906, the state of Virginia officially made Galax a town.
How Galax Got Its Name
The town is named after a plant called Galax urceolata. This plant is an evergreen groundcover found in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Long ago, people in this area collected and sold this plant as an ornamental plant (a plant grown for its beauty). An official from a railway company suggested naming the town after the plant. The first Galax Agricultural Fair happened in September 1908, when the town had about 600 residents.
Galax's Industrial Past
In the past, Galax was a busy industrial town. By the 1960s, it had many factories. These included six furniture factories, a mirror factory, and several textile companies. There were also large department stores, a lumber company, and even a Carnation Milk and Coca-Cola Bottling Company plant.
Galax became an independent city on December 6, 1953. This meant it was no longer part of Carroll and Grayson counties.
Modern Connections
In the 2000s, Galax and nearby towns worked together to create something called the Wired Road Authority. This group helped bring super-fast internet to the area. By 2009, they had 100-megabit connections, and by 2013, they had gigabit connections. This was a big step to help the local economy grow.
Several historic buildings in Galax are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Old Grayson County Courthouse and Clerk's Office and the Galax Commercial Historic District.
Geography
Galax is located at 36°39′52″N 80°55′12″W / 36.66444°N 80.92000°W.
The city covers about 8.3 square miles (21.4 square kilometers). Almost all of this area is land.
Galax is about 54 miles (87 kilometers) northwest of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is also about 69 miles (111 kilometers) southwest of Roanoke, Virginia.
Population Data
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 755 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,250 | 65.6% | |
| 1930 | 2,544 | 103.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,195 | 25.6% | |
| 1950 | 5,248 | 64.3% | |
| 1960 | 5,254 | 0.1% | |
| 1970 | 6,278 | 19.5% | |
| 1980 | 6,524 | 3.9% | |
| 1990 | 6,670 | 2.2% | |
| 2000 | 6,837 | 2.5% | |
| 2010 | 7,042 | 3.0% | |
| 2020 | 6,720 | −4.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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The population of Galax has changed over the years. In 2020, the city had 6,720 residents. The community is made up of people from many different backgrounds.
Economy
Galax has been known for making furniture for a long time. In 2014, the Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co. was a very successful company in Galax. It made bedroom furniture and employed 700 people. This company even won a large amount of money in a legal case against China. This helped them keep their factory running. In 2012, Vaughan-Bassett decided to expand its business.
Another furniture company, Vaughan Furniture Co., was also important to Galax. It started in 1923 and once had five factories, with two in Galax. At its busiest, it employed over 1,800 workers. However, in the 2000s, furniture imported from other countries made it hard for U.S. factories to compete. Vaughan Furniture Co. closed its last factory in Galax in 2008, and the company closed completely in 2014.
Galax has also seen a big increase in tourism. Between 2004 and 2012, money spent by visitors in Galax grew by over 70%. The city has worked to make its downtown area more appealing. Its traditional music and arts scene, along with its closeness to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the New River, have made it a popular place for tourists.
In 2005, the Crossroads Rural Entrepreneurial Institute opened in Galax. This institute helps people start new businesses in the area.
Culture
Galax is in the Appalachian region of the United States. It is famous for its traditional "old-time music." This type of music is very popular in Galax and the surrounding areas.
People in Galax and the nearby region are also known for making traditional instruments. There is even a special style of Appalachian dulcimer named after Galax.
Every year since 1935, Galax hosts the Old Fiddlers' Convention. This is a very popular festival that celebrates old-time and bluegrass music.
Recreation
Galax offers many fun outdoor activities.
The New River Trail State Park is a 57-mile long state park. It follows an old railroad path right through Galax. This park is great for hikers, horseback riders, and cyclists. You can also fish, canoe, and boat there. The park has two tunnels, three big bridges, and many smaller bridges.
About four miles east of Galax, you can find the Crooked Creek Wildlife Management Area. This area has 1,796 acres of rolling mountains with both forests and open spaces.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is only about seven miles from Galax. It's a beautiful road known for its scenic views. A famous spot called Mabry Mill is about 35 miles away on the Parkway. The Blue Ridge Music Center is also on the Parkway. It has a concert area, a mountain music museum, and a visitor center.
Grayson Highlands State Park is about 40 miles west of Galax. It's known for its amazing views and hiking trails, including parts of the Appalachian Trail. You can also see Mount Rogers, which is the highest peak in Virginia. The park is also home to wild mountain ponies!
Climate
Galax has a climate that is often described as oceanic. This means it has mild temperatures. The average monthly temperatures range from about 33°F (0.5°C) in January to 71°F (21.7°C) in July.
| Climate data for Galax Water Plant, Virginia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 76 (24) |
74 (23) |
82 (28) |
96 (36) |
95 (35) |
97 (36) |
95 (35) |
93 (34) |
91 (33) |
89 (32) |
78 (26) |
71 (22) |
97 (36) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 43.4 (6.3) |
46.9 (8.3) |
53.9 (12.2) |
64.2 (17.9) |
72.3 (22.4) |
79.3 (26.3) |
81.7 (27.6) |
80.9 (27.2) |
75.5 (24.2) |
66.2 (19.0) |
55.1 (12.8) |
46.7 (8.2) |
63.8 (17.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 33.5 (0.8) |
36.3 (2.4) |
42.5 (5.8) |
51.9 (11.1) |
60.5 (15.8) |
67.7 (19.8) |
71.5 (21.9) |
70.3 (21.3) |
64.5 (18.1) |
54.0 (12.2) |
43.5 (6.4) |
36.6 (2.6) |
52.7 (11.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23.7 (−4.6) |
25.6 (−3.6) |
31.0 (−0.6) |
39.6 (4.2) |
48.7 (9.3) |
56.2 (13.4) |
61.3 (16.3) |
59.7 (15.4) |
53.5 (11.9) |
41.7 (5.4) |
31.9 (−0.1) |
26.5 (−3.1) |
41.6 (5.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −6 (−21) |
−4 (−20) |
7 (−14) |
19 (−7) |
25 (−4) |
34 (1) |
42 (6) |
39 (4) |
30 (−1) |
20 (−7) |
3 (−16) |
0 (−18) |
−6 (−21) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.20 (81) |
2.86 (73) |
4.36 (111) |
4.76 (121) |
5.28 (134) |
4.36 (111) |
5.23 (133) |
3.89 (99) |
5.42 (138) |
4.05 (103) |
3.85 (98) |
3.69 (94) |
50.95 (1,294) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.6 | 10.1 | 10.5 | 11.9 | 13.9 | 13.0 | 14.7 | 13.8 | 11.7 | 10.0 | 8.3 | 11.1 | 139.6 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Education
Students in Galax attend schools run by the Galax City Public School Division.
- High School: Galax High School (for grades 9 to 12)
- Middle School: Galax Middle School (for grades 6 to 8)
- Elementary School: Galax Elementary School (for prekindergarten to grade 5)
Notable People
- Kylene Barker, who was Miss America 1979
- Eddie Bond, a singer and musician
- Bobby Dodd, a famous college football player and coach
- Dori Freeman, a singer and songwriter
- Mary Holland, an actress and comedian
- Ernest Stoneman, an early country music recording artist
See also
In Spanish: Galax (Virginia) para niños
