Giles County, Virginia

Infobox U.S. County
county = Giles County
state = Virginia




map size = 225
founded = 1806
seat = Pearisburg | area_total_sq_mi =360
area_water_sq_mi =3
area percentage = 0.85%
census yr = 2000
pop = 16657
density_km2 =18
web = www.gilescounty.org
|

Giles County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 16,657. Its county seat is PearisburgGR|6.

Giles County is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg–Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Giles County is the location of Mountain Lake, one of only two natural fresh water lakes in Virginia. The Lake drains into Little Stony Creek, which passes over "The Cascades", a spectacular waterfall, before reaching the New River.

History

Giles County was established in 1806 from Montgomery, Monroe, Wythe, and Tazewell counties. The county is named for William Branch Giles who was born in Amelia County in 1762. Giles became a lawyer and from there was elected to the United States House of Representatives where he served from 1790 to 1815. He also served on the Virginia General Assembly from 1816 to 1822. In 1827, he was elected Governor. In all, he served his nation and state around a total of forty years.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 360 square miles (933 km²), of which, 357 square miles (925 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) of it (0.85%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 16,657 people, 6,994 households, and 4,888 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 7,732 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.41% White, 1.58% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,994 households out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,927, and the median income for a family was $42,089. Males had a median income of $32,075 versus $22,969 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,396. About 6.60% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Incorporated towns

*Glen Lyn
*Narrows
*Pearisburg
*Pembroke
*Rich Creek

Unincorporated communities

References

External links

*http://gilescounty.org/

* [http://GilesCounty.net Giles County Web Portal]