Giles County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 37°19′N80°42′W / 37.32°N 80.7°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Virginia |
Founded | 1806 |
Named for | William Branch Giles |
Seat | Pearisburg |
Largest town | Pearisburg |
Area | |
• Total | 360 sq mi (900 km2) |
• Land | 356 sq mi (920 km2) |
• Water | 4.6 sq mi (12 km2) 1.3% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 16,787 |
• Density | 47/sq mi (18/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 9th |
Website | www |
Giles County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia on the West Virginia state line. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,787. [1] Its county seat is Pearisburg. [2]
Giles County is included in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg, VA 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 a waterfall known as The Cascades before reaching the New River.
Giles County was established in 1806 from Montgomery, Monroe, Wythe, and Tazewell counties. The county is named for William Branch Giles [3] 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 in 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.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 360 square miles (930 km2), of which 356 square miles (920 km2) is land and 4.6 square miles (12 km2) (1.3%) is water. [4]
It is the site of two of the highest mountain peaks of Virginia.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1810 | 3,745 | — | |
1820 | 4,521 | 20.7% | |
1830 | 5,274 | 16.7% | |
1840 | 5,307 | 0.6% | |
1850 | 6,570 | 23.8% | |
1860 | 6,883 | 4.8% | |
1870 | 5,875 | −14.6% | |
1880 | 8,794 | 49.7% | |
1890 | 9,090 | 3.4% | |
1900 | 10,793 | 18.7% | |
1910 | 11,623 | 7.7% | |
1920 | 11,901 | 2.4% | |
1930 | 12,804 | 7.6% | |
1940 | 14,635 | 14.3% | |
1950 | 18,956 | 29.5% | |
1960 | 17,219 | −9.2% | |
1970 | 16,741 | −2.8% | |
1980 | 17,810 | 6.4% | |
1990 | 16,366 | −8.1% | |
2000 | 16,657 | 1.8% | |
2010 | 17,286 | 3.8% | |
2020 | 16,787 | −2.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [5] 1790–1960 [6] 1900–1990 [7] 1990–2000 [8] 2010 [9] 2020 [10] |
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 [9] | Pop 2020 [10] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 16,580 | 15,673 | 95.92% | 93.36% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 259 | 238 | 1.50% | 1.42% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 19 | 28 | 0.11% | 0.17% |
Asian alone (NH) | 54 | 69 | 0.31% | 0.41% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 7 | 19 | 0.04% | 0.11% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 158 | 516 | 0.91% | 3.07% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 209 | 244 | 1.21% | 1.45% |
Total | 17,286 | 16,787 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the census [11] of 2010, there were 17,286 people, 7,215 households, and 4,899 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 people per square mile (19 people/km2). There were 8,319 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.74% White, 1.51% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,215 households, out of which 29.27% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.46% were married couples living together, 10.49% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 27.86% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.56% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 4.89% from 20 to 24, 23.85% from 25 to 44, 29.43% from 45 to 64, and 18.03% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.14 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.55 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,231, and the median income for a family was $53,750. Males had a median income of $41,521 versus $36,886 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,766. About 6.60% of families (2000 census) and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line [12] (2012), including 17.70% of those under age 18 (2012)and 10.50% of those age 65 or over (2000 census).
Giles is represented by Democrat John S. Edwards in the Virginia Senate, Republican Jason Ballard in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican H. Morgan Griffith in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Giles County Sheriff's Department patrols and investigates crimes in the county. It also serves process, provides security for the county court, and operates the county's E-911 service. [13] Since the establishment of the Sheriff's Office, 1 officer has died in the line of duty, in 1954. [14]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 6,876 | 74.93% | 2,156 | 23.50% | 144 | 1.57% |
2016 | 5,910 | 71.97% | 1,950 | 23.75% | 352 | 4.29% |
2012 | 4,660 | 61.66% | 2,730 | 36.12% | 168 | 2.22% |
2008 | 4,462 | 57.24% | 3,192 | 40.95% | 141 | 1.81% |
2004 | 4,320 | 57.62% | 3,047 | 40.64% | 131 | 1.75% |
2000 | 3,574 | 52.40% | 3,004 | 44.05% | 242 | 3.55% |
1996 | 2,566 | 38.15% | 3,196 | 47.52% | 964 | 14.33% |
1992 | 3,023 | 39.61% | 3,346 | 43.84% | 1,263 | 16.55% |
1988 | 3,490 | 52.50% | 3,042 | 45.76% | 116 | 1.74% |
1984 | 4,340 | 58.18% | 3,047 | 40.84% | 73 | 0.98% |
1980 | 2,978 | 42.91% | 3,627 | 52.26% | 335 | 4.83% |
1976 | 2,731 | 40.53% | 3,779 | 56.08% | 229 | 3.40% |
1972 | 3,671 | 64.34% | 1,869 | 32.75% | 166 | 2.91% |
1968 | 2,722 | 43.36% | 2,045 | 32.58% | 1,510 | 24.06% |
1964 | 1,952 | 37.78% | 3,133 | 60.63% | 82 | 1.59% |
1960 | 2,030 | 46.91% | 2,214 | 51.17% | 83 | 1.92% |
1956 | 2,270 | 51.84% | 2,016 | 46.04% | 93 | 2.12% |
1952 | 1,935 | 52.94% | 1,717 | 46.98% | 3 | 0.08% |
1948 | 1,448 | 46.48% | 1,529 | 49.09% | 138 | 4.43% |
1944 | 1,203 | 41.34% | 1,703 | 58.52% | 4 | 0.14% |
1940 | 1,024 | 37.32% | 1,716 | 62.54% | 4 | 0.15% |
1936 | 1,047 | 40.33% | 1,547 | 59.59% | 2 | 0.08% |
1932 | 1,016 | 36.26% | 1,754 | 62.60% | 32 | 1.14% |
1928 | 1,313 | 50.38% | 1,293 | 49.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 852 | 38.21% | 1,319 | 59.15% | 59 | 2.65% |
1920 | 877 | 44.14% | 1,104 | 55.56% | 6 | 0.30% |
1916 | 596 | 41.39% | 839 | 58.26% | 5 | 0.35% |
1912 | 267 | 21.43% | 725 | 58.19% | 254 | 20.39% |
Giles County has five incorporated towns. Only nine other counties have more towns than Giles. Of the 190 towns in Virginia, Glen Lyn is the fifth smallest in population. [16]
Town | Population in 2022 [16] |
---|---|
Glen Lyn | 93 |
Narrows | 2,046 |
Pearisburg | 2,832 |
Pembroke | 1,129 |
Rich Creek | 735 |
Giles county is home to three public elementary/middle schools, two public high schools, and one technical school: [17]
The schools have a combined enrollment of 2425 as of mid 2014.
The county and its courthouse are the setting of the 2013 Wish You Well (film).
Greene County is a county in Virginia in the eastern United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,552. Its county seat is Stanardsville.
Mercer County is a county in Southern West Virginia on the southeastern border of the U.S. state of West Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 59,664. Its county seat is Princeton. The county was originally established in the State of Virginia by act of its General Assembly on March 17, 1837, using lands taken from Giles and Tazewell counties.
Shenandoah County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 44,186. Its county seat is Woodstock. It is part of the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia.
Pulaski County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 33,800. Its county seat is Pulaski. Pulaski County is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Northumberland County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 11,839. Its county seat is Heathsville. The county is located on the Northern Neck and is part of the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA winemaking appellation.
King George County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population sits at 26,723. Its county seat is the town of King George.
Essex County is a county located in the Middle Peninsula in the U.S. state of Virginia; the peninsula is bordered by the Rappahannock River on the north and King and Queen County on the south. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,599. Its county seat is Tappahannock.
Dickenson County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,124. Its county seat is Clintwood.
Cumberland County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,675. Its county seat is Cumberland.
Craig County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,892. Its county seat is New Castle.
Buchanan County is a United States county in far western Virginia, the only county in the state to border both West Virginia and Kentucky. The county is part of the Southwest Virginia region and lies in the rugged Appalachian Plateau portion of the Appalachian Mountains. Its county seat is Grundy.
Bland County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county seat is the unincorporated area of Bland. At the 2020 census, the population was 6,270.
Alleghany County is an American county located on the far western edge of Commonwealth of Virginia. It is bordered by the Allegheny Mountains, from which the county derives its name, and it is the northernmost part of the Roanoke Region. The county seat is Covington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,223.
Claflin is a city in Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 562.
Chester is a census-designated place (CDP) in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 23,414.
Glen Lyn is a town in Giles County, Virginia, United States, at the confluence of the East and New rivers. The population was 115 at the 2010 census, down from 151 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Narrows, named for the narrowing of the New River that flows through the town, is a town in Giles County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,029 at the 2010 census, a decline of 3.9% from the 2000 count of 2,111. It is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Pearisburg is a town in Giles County, Virginia, and the county seat. The population was 2,786 at the time of the 2010 census. Pearisburg is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Rich Creek is a town in Giles County, Virginia, United States. The population was 774 as per the 2010 census, up from 665 as per the 2000 census. It is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Tazewell County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,429. Its county seat is Tazewell.