Ashe County, North Carolina
Ashe County | |
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UTC−4 (EDT) | |
Congressional district | 5th |
Website | www |
Ashe County (/ˈæʃ/ ASH) is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,577.[1] Its county seat is Jefferson.[2]
History
Historical evidence shows that Ashe County was inhabited by
The earliest Europeans to explore Ashe County were Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg – head of the Moravian Church in America – and his associates, Timothy Horsefield, Joseph Mueller, Henry Antes, Johan Merck, and Herman Loesch. Bishop Spangenberg wrote about his journey in Ashe in a diary that has been preserved by the Moravian church. He was given 100,000 acres (400 km2) in Virginia as a place for his fellow Moravians to settle. The only one of Spangenberg's group to return and permanently settle in Ashe County was Herman Loesch. Other early settlers were David Helton, William Walling, William McLain and Daniel Boone, the famous pioneer. With the exception of Boone, these men and their families all settled in Ashe in 1771.[4]
During the
In the 1780s, Ashe County was a part of the self-declared "
From 1807 to 1913, the county went through numerous boundary changes. In 1849, to form Watauga County, the southwestern part of Ashe County was combined with parts of Caldwell County, Wilkes County, and Yancey County.[6] Ten years later in 1859, the eastern part of the remainder of Ashe County became Alleghany County.[7]
Geography
According to the
Ashe County is located in extreme northwestern North Carolina. The county is bordered by two states: Virginia on the north; and Tennessee to the west. The county is located entirely within the Appalachian Mountains region of North Carolina. Most of the county is located atop a rolling plateau that ranges from 2,500 to 3,000 feet (760 to 910 m) above sea level. On the county's southeastern border the land drops sharply to about 1,500 feet (460 m) in neighboring Wilkes County, North Carolina. Numerous mountains and hills dot the plateau. In total, five mountains in the county rise to over 5,000 feet (1,500 m). A prominent landmark is Mount Jefferson, which is a State Natural Area and rises to 4,665 feet (1,422 m), and towers more than 1,600 feet (490 m) above the towns of Jefferson and West Jefferson.
The county's main river is the
Isolated by mountainous terrain from the remainder of North Carolina to the east, Ashe County was described in the 19th and early 20th centuries as one of the Lost Provinces of North Carolina.[9]
Ashe County generally is known for its mountain scenery, and the tourism industry is an important mainstay of the county's economy. The
Climate
Ashe County has a considerably different climate than most of the Southeastern United States. Summers typically average around 80 °F (27 °C). Temperatures rarely exceed 90 °F (32 °C), but on rare occasions can reach the mid-90s °F (~35 °C) as they did in 2012—the most recent that 90 °F+ (32 °C+) was observed. 100 °F+ (38 °C+) has never been observed. Summer nights are cool, and temperatures often dip to near 60 °F (16 °C), even in July. In winter there is snow, averaging about 30 inches (0.76 meters) for the towns of Jefferson and West Jefferson during the past thirty years. Considerably more snow falls on the peaks and the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains. During the 2009–2010 snow season, Jefferson received some 60 inches (1.52 meters) of snow. Snow has been observed as early as around October 1 and as late as around May 1. Ashe County is also a very windy location, especially in winter, when several times each year the Jefferson Airport sees winds gusting 60 to 85 MPH (97 to 137 KPH). Combined with the winds typical for the region, Ashe County can also see extremely cold temperatures during winter. In January 2014, the low temperature dipped below 0 °F (−18 °C) several times, the coldest being −8 °F (−22 °C) on January 30–31.[11] During Winter Storm Elliott in December 2022, Ashe County recorded an atypical low of −15 °F (−26 °C).[12] Single digit temperatures, often just above zero Fahrenheit, are observed most winter seasons on occasion. The average winter high is around 45 °F (7 °C), with an average winter low near 20 °F (−7 °C). Despite its southerly latitude, these factors can make Ashe County experience winter conditions typically seen in the Northeastern United States.
The USDA hardiness zones range from Zone 6A (−10 °F to −5 °F or −23 °C to −21 °C) in the northwestern portion of Ashe County, to Zone 7B (5 °F to 10 °F or −15 °C to −12 °C) in areas along the county's southeastern border with Wilkes County.
National protected areas
State and local protected areas
- Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
- New River State Park (part)
- Phoenix Lake, Ashe County Park
- Pond Mountain Game Land[13]
- Three Top Mountain Game Land[13]
- West Jefferson Municipal Park
Major water bodies
- Big Horse Creek
- Brush Creek
- Cranberry Creek
- Grassy Creek
- Helton Creek
- Hoskin Fork
- Jerd Branch
- Little Horse Creek
- Little Phoenix Creek
- Long Hope Creek
- Mill Creek
- Minner Creek
- New River
- North Fork New River
- Obids Creek
- Roundabout Creek
- South Fork New River
Adjacent counties
- Grayson County, Virginia – north
- Alleghany County – east
- Wilkes County – southeast
- Watauga County – southwest
- Johnson County, Tennessee – west
Major highways
Major infrastructure
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1800 | 2,783 | — | |
1810 | 3,694 | 32.7% | |
1820 | 4,335 | 17.4% | |
1830 | 6,987 | 61.2% | |
1840 | 7,467 | 6.9% | |
1850 | 8,777 | 17.5% | |
1860 | 7,956 | −9.4% | |
1870 | 9,573 | 20.3% | |
1880 | 14,437 | 50.8% | |
1890 | 15,628 | 8.2% | |
1900 | 19,581 | 25.3% | |
1910 | 19,074 | −2.6% | |
1920 | 21,001 | 10.1% | |
1930 | 21,019 | 0.1% | |
1940 | 22,664 | 7.8% | |
1950 | 21,878 | −3.5% | |
1960 | 19,768 | −9.6% | |
1970 | 19,571 | −1.0% | |
1980 | 22,325 | 14.1% | |
1990 | 22,209 | −0.5% | |
2000 | 24,384 | 9.8% | |
2010 | 27,281 | 11.9% | |
2020 | 26,577 | −2.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 27,063 | [1] | 1.8% |
U.S. Decennial Census[14] 1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16] 1990–2000[17] 2010[18] 2020[1] |
2020 census
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic)
|
24,028 | 90.41% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)
|
125 | 0.47% |
Native American
|
48 | 0.18% |
Asian
|
102 | 0.38% |
Pacific Islander
|
12 | 0.05% |
Other/Mixed
|
743 | 2.8% |
Latino
|
1,519 | 5.72% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 26,577 people, 11,938 households, and 7,894 families residing in the county.
As of the 2020 census, Ashe County has the most proportionately white population among any county in the state.[20]
2010 census
At the 2010 census,[21] there were 27,281 people, 11,755 households, and 8,030 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile (23 people/km2). There were 17,342 total housing units at an average density of 37 units per square mile (14 units/km2). Of the total 11,755 housing units were occupied.
The racial makeup of the county was:
- 95.5% White
- 0.6% African American
- 0.2% Native American
- 0.4% Asian
- 0.01% Pacific Islander
- 2.2% from other races
- 1.0% from two or more races.
4.8% of the population was
There were 11,755 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 10.5% under 10, 10.9% from 10 to 19, 9.9% from 20 to 29, 11.6% from 30 to 39, 13.8% from 40 to 49, 15.2% from 50 to 59, 14% from 60 to 69, 8.7% from 70 to 79, and 5.1% who were 80 years of age or older. The median age was 45.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.39 males.
The per capita income was $20,706 and the median household income was $34,056. 18.1% of the population was below the poverty level.
2000 census
At the 2000 census,[21] there were 24,384 people, 10,411 households, and 7,423 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 13,268 housing units at an average density of 31 units per square mile (12 units/km2).
The racial makeup of the county was:
- 97.16% White
- 0.66% African American
- 0.32% Native American
- 0.23% Asian
- 0.01% Pacific Islander
- 1.05% from other races
- 0.56% from two or more races.
2.42% of the population was
There were 10,411 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.40% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 19.80% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 27.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.
The
Government and politics
Owing to its rural character Ashe County is a strongly Republican county, if not historically comparable to geographically similar Avery or Mitchell. The last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Ashe County was Jimmy Carter in 1976, and the last to reach forty percent of the county's vote was Bill Clinton in 1992. Recent elections have seen Ashe, like almost all Appalachia counties, trend rapidly towards the Republican Party. Hillary Clinton won just 26 percent of the county's ballots in 2016.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 11,451 | 72.41% | 4,164 | 26.33% | 199 | 1.26% |
2016 | 9,412 | 70.11% | 3,500 | 26.07% | 512 | 3.81% |
2012 | 8,242 | 65.36% | 4,116 | 32.64% | 252 | 2.00% |
2008 | 7,916 | 60.57% | 4,872 | 37.28% | 281 | 2.15% |
2004 | 7,292 | 61.68% | 4,477 | 37.87% | 54 | 0.46% |
2000 | 6,226 | 60.35% | 4,011 | 38.88% | 79 | 0.77% |
1996 | 5,203 | 52.33% | 3,825 | 38.47% | 914 | 9.19% |
1992 | 5,200 | 46.97% | 4,624 | 41.77% | 1,246 | 11.26% |
1988 | 6,019 | 59.69% | 4,034 | 40.01% | 30 | 0.30% |
1984 | 6,611 | 62.10% | 4,009 | 37.66% | 25 | 0.23% |
1980 | 5,643 | 54.72% | 4,461 | 43.26% | 208 | 2.02% |
1976 | 4,937 | 48.62% | 5,193 | 51.14% | 25 | 0.25% |
1972 | 5,784 | 62.95% | 3,313 | 36.06% | 91 | 0.99% |
1968 | 4,894 | 53.15% | 3,426 | 37.21% | 888 | 9.64% |
1964 | 4,191 | 45.77% | 4,965 | 54.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 4,823 | 51.86% | 4,477 | 48.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 4,588 | 53.54% | 3,982 | 46.46% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 4,563 | 50.15% | 4,536 | 49.85% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 4,266 | 46.74% | 4,633 | 50.76% | 228 | 2.50% |
1944 | 4,524 | 50.91% | 4,363 | 49.09% | 0 | 0.00% |
1940 | 4,175 | 46.96% | 4,716 | 53.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
1936 | 4,557 | 45.08% | 5,552 | 54.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
1932 | 3,871 | 44.70% | 4,751 | 54.86% | 38 | 0.44% |
1928 | 4,337 | 55.64% | 3,458 | 44.36% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 3,952 | 47.68% | 4,333 | 52.28% | 3 | 0.04% |
1920 | 3,808 | 52.60% | 3,431 | 47.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
1916 | 1,939 | 50.53% | 1,898 | 49.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
1912 | 478 | 14.21% | 1,643 | 48.86% | 1,242 | 36.93% |
Like most counties in North Carolina, Ashe County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners.[23] In the North Carolina Senate, Ashe County lies in the 47th Senate district and is represented by Republican Deanna Ballard.[24] In the North Carolina House of Representatives, Ashe County lies in the 93rd district and is represented by Republican Ray Pickett.
Ashe County is a member of the regional High Country Council of Governments.
Media
The Ashe Post and Times[25] is the newspaper of record for Ashe County, serving readers with the latest news and events throughout the county. It is a weekly, paid circulation newspaper that is published every Wednesday with breaking news posted immediately on ashepostandtimes.com.[25] The newspaper is owned by Adams Publishing Group, which also owns the Watauga Democrat.
Communities
Towns
- Jefferson (county seat and largest community)
- Lansing
- West Jefferson
Townships
Unincorporated communities
- Apple Grove
- Ashland
- Baldwin
- Beaver Creek
- Bina
- Brandon
- Brownwood
- Chestnut Hill
- Clifton
- Comet
- Creston
- Crumpler
- Fig
- Fleetwood
- Glendale Springs
- Grassy Creek
- Grayson
- Helton
- Husk
- Idlewild
- Nathans Creek
- Obids
- Orion
- Parker
- Scottville (mostly in Alleghany County)
- Shatley Springs
- Smethport
- Sturgills
- Sutherland
- Todd (partly in Watauga County)
- Toliver
- Tuckerdale
- Wagoner
- Warrensville
- Weavers Ford
- Woodford
- Yates
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Ashe County.[26]
† = county seat
Rank | Name | Type | Population (2020 census) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | † Jefferson | Town | 1,622 |
2 | West Jefferson | Town | 1,279 |
3 | Lansing | Town | 126 |
Notable people
- Daniel Boone, American pioneer and frontiersman who resided in Ashe County for several years
- G. B. Grayson, fiddler[27]
- Monte Weaver, Major League Baseball player who played as a pitcher from 1931 to 1939
Notable visits to Ashe County
- In 1998, American Heritage River.[28] After the ceremony, both men had lunch at the historic Glendale Springs Inn, also located in Ashe County.[29]
- Helen Keller, visited an Ashe County native, Marvin Osborne, in 1944 when he was wounded in France in World War II
- Loretta Lynn, sang at the Central Food Market (now a locally-owned restaurant) in West Jefferson in the late 1960s
- Roni Stoneman, visitor to Ashe Park in the 1980s
See also
- List of counties in North Carolina
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Ashe County, North Carolina
- North Carolina–Tennessee–Virginia Corners
- Holy Communion Episcopal Parish
References
- ^ a b c "QuickFacts: Ashe County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Ashe County, North Carolina". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "History". www.ashecountygov.com. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ "The American Revolution in North Carolina - Big Glades". www.carolana.com. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ "Watauga County". www.ncpedia.org. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ISBN 0813920345.
- ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ Tabler, Dave (August 30, 2016). "The Lost Provinces". Appalachian History. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
- ^ "NC Christmas Trees – Christmas Tree in the White House". North Carolina Christmas Tree Association. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
- ^ "Weather history Jefferson - January 2014". www.usclimatedata.com. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ Davis, Corey. "A Christmas Chill Decked December's Halls". North Carolina State Climate Office. North Carolina State Climate Office. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ Melrose, Justyn (June 28, 2023). "What is the racial breakdown of North Carolina's 100 counties?". Fox 8. Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
- ^ Ashe County Government
- ^ "DRA 2020". Daves Redistricting. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- ^ a b Times, Ashe Post &. "ashepostandtimes.com | Ashe County's Newspaper". Ashe Post & Times. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ Barry McCloud (ed.), Definitive Country: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Country Music and its Performers (New York: Berkley Publishing Group, 1995), p. 340.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2007. Retrieved October 11, 2007.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Glendale Springs NC Bed and Breakfast | Glendale Springs Inn". www.glendalespringsinn.com. September 23, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
External links
- Geographic data related to Ashe County, North Carolina at OpenStreetMap
- Official website
- New River Notes