Transylvania County, North Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Transylvania County
state = North Carolina




map size = 250
founded = 1861
seat = Brevard | area_total_sq_mi =381
area_water_sq_mi =2
area percentage = 0.57%
census yr = 2000
pop = 29334
density_km2 =30
web = www.transylvaniacounty.org
|

Transylvania County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 29,334. Its county seat is BrevardGR|6.

History

The county was formed in 1861 from parts of Henderson County and Jackson County. Its name is derived from the Transylvania Company and has Latin origins: "trans" ("across") and "silva" or "sylva" ("woods").

Law and government

Transylvania County is a member of the Land-of-Sky Regional Council of governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 381 square miles (986 km²), of which, 378 square miles (980 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (6 km²) of it (0.57%) is water. There are over 250 waterfalls in the county, partially due to the fact that Transylvania County is the wettest county in the state. This is contrasted with Buncombe County, which is thirty miles northeast of Transylvania County receiving the lowest precipitation. The Blue Ridge Parkway traverses through parts of the county, affording spectacular views of the appalachian mountains, which reach over 6,000 feet elevation in the county. The highest point, Chestnut Knob (6,025 ft.), lies northwest of the county seat Brevard.

Townships

The county is divided into nine townships: Boyd, Brevard, Catheys Creek, Dunns Rock, Eastatoe, Gloucester, Hogback, Rosman ,and Little River.

Adjacent counties

*Henderson County, North Carolina - east
*Greenville County, South Carolina - southeast
*Pickens County, South Carolina - south
*Oconee County, South Carolina - southwest
*Jackson County, North Carolina - west
*Haywood County, North Carolina - northwest

National protected areas

* Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
* Nantahala National Forest (part)
* Pisgah National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 29,334 people, 12,320 households, and 8,660 families residing in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile (30/km²). There were 15,553 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile (16/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.67% White, 4.21% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 1.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,320 households out of which 25.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the county the population was spread out with 20.40% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 21.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,587, and the median income for a family was $45,579. Males had a median income of $31,743 versus $21,191 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,767. About 6.60% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.80% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Balsam Grove
*Brevard
*Pisgah Forest
*Rosman

Hospital

*Transylvania Community Hospital

Points of interest

*Brevard Music Center
*Brevard College
*Blue Ridge Parkway
*DuPont State Forest
*Gorges State Park
*Looking Glass Falls
*Pisgah National Forest
*The Wilds Christian Camp
*Waterfalls of North Carolina

References

External links

* [http://www.hendersonvillenews.com/ HendersonvilleNews.com - The Times-News Online]
* [http://www.cradleofforestry.com/ Cradle of Forestry In America website]
* [http://www.transylvaniacounty.org Transylvania County government website]
* [http://www.transylvania.lib.nc.us/ Transylvania County Library]
* [http://www.carolinamountain.org/ Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy]
* [http://www.ashevillenow.com/s_outdoorActivities/waterfalls/transylvania_county_nc_waterfalls.asp Waterfalls in Transylvania County]