Bland County, Virginia

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




map size = 200
founded = 1861
seat = Bland | area_total_sq_mi =359
area_water_sq_mi =0
area percentage = 0.02%
census yr = 2000
pop = 6871
density_km2 =7
web = www.bland.org
|

Bland County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 6,871. Its county seat is BlandGR|6.

History

Bland County was formed in 1861 from Wythe, Tazewell, and Giles counties. Later there was more land from Giles County added. The people of the area had become dissatisfied with the distance to the various county seats. The rough mountain trails did not lend themselves to the quick and pleasant conduct of necessary legal affairs. There was also great dissatisfaction with taxes paid for the benefit of those far removed from the rugged mountains and valleys of Bland. Thus an act to establish the County of Bland passed the General Assembly of the State of Virginia on March 30, 1861.The county was named after Richard Bland, a leader of Colonial Virginia whose arguments laid the intellectual foundation for freedom and independence from the mother country.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 359 square miles (929 km²), of which, 359 square miles (929 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (0 km²) of it (0.02%) is water.

Bland County lies within the Appalachian Regional Commission's definition of the Appalachian region. The County is mountainous with small river valleys running through the county.

The North Fork of the Holston River has its head waters in Bland County. The Interstate that passes through the county is unique, as the Bland is the only county that is both entered and exited in a tunnel. [Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know? from June 2005, http://notmuch.com]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 6,871 people, 2,568 households, and 1,908 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 3,161 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.82% White, 4.19% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.4% were of American, 11.8% German, 11.5% English and 10.9% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 2,568 households out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.85.

The population distribution of Bland County is: 19.40% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 119.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,397, and the median income for a family was $35,765. Males had a median income of $30,801 versus $23,380 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,744. 12.40% of the population and 9.10% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.20% are under the age of 18 and 22.60% are 65 or older.

Communities

*Bland
*Rocky Gap

References

External links

http://www.bland.org/