Buchanan County, Virginia

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




map size = 250
founded = 1858
seat = Grundy | area_total_sq_mi =504
area_water_sq_mi =0
area percentage = 0.00%
census yr = 2000
pop = 26978
density_km2 =21
web = www.buchanancounty.org
|

Buchanan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 26,978. Its county seat is GrundyGR|6. When ranked by median household income, it is the poorest county in the state of Virginia and one of the 100 poorest counties in the United States.

History

The county was formed in 1858 from parts of Russell County and Tazewell County. It was named for James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States (1857-1861).

In 1880 the southwestern part of Buchanan County was combined with parts of Russell County and Wise County to become Dickenson County.

Helen Timmons Henderson (1877-1925) [Sutherland, Elihu Jasper. "Some Sandy Basin Characters". Published by Elihu Jasper Sutherland: Clintwood, Virginia, 1962.] helped participate in the work of the Buchanan Mission School at Council, Va. She and Sarah Lee Fain (1888-1962) of Norfolk became the first two women to be elected into the Viginia General Assembly. They were both Democrats in the House of Delegates. When Helen was in office, the delegates agreed to let 6.2 miles of improved road to be placed from Russell County, across Big "A" Mountain, to Council. Route 80 is also known as "Helen Henderson Highway."

Paul Crouse (born in 1938) is the longest serving sheriff of Buchanan County (from 1984-2004). After the 2004 elections, he was defeated by Republican candidate and current Sheriff Ray Foster. Crouse has retired from law enforcement and his record still stands.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 504 square miles (1,305 km²), of which, 504 square miles (1,305 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (0 km²) of it (0.00%) is water.

Districts

The county is divided into seven supervisor districts: Garden, Hurricane, Knox, North Grundy, Prater, Rock Lick, and South Grundy.

Adjacent counties

*Mingo County, West Virginia - north-northeast
*McDowell County, West Virginia - east
*Tazewell County, Virginia - southeast
*Russell County, Virginia - south
*Dickenson County, Virginia - southwest
*Pike County, Kentucky - northwest

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 26,978 people, 10,464 households, and 7,900 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 11,887 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.75% White, 2.62% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,464 households out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.90% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.40% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,213, and the median income for a family was $27,328. Males had a median income of $29,540 versus $17,766 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,788. About 19.80% of families and 23.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.20% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.

Towns

*Grundy

Unincorporated Communities

Education

Colleges

*Appalachian School of Law, Grundy
*University of Appalachia College of Pharmacy, Oakwood

Private Schools

*Mountain Mission School, Grundy
*Keen Mountain Christian Academy, Oakwood

Public High Schools

*Grundy Senior High School, Grundy
*Twin Valley High School, Pilgrims Knob
*Council High School, Council
*Hurley High School, Hurley

References

External links