Avery County, North Carolina
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Avery County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population is 17,167. Its county seat is Newland6.
History
The county was formed in 1911 from parts of Caldwell County, Mitchell County, and Watauga County. It was named for Waightstill Avery, a colonel in the American Revolutionary War and the first Attorney General of North Carolina (1777-1779). Avery County was the last county created in North Carolina.Law and government
Avery County is a member of the regional High Country Council of Governments.Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 640 km² (247 mi²). 640 km² (247 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (0 mi²) of it (0.08%) is water. Avery County is extremely mountainous, and nearly all of the county's terrain lies within the Appalachian Mountains range. Among the highest peaks located wholly or partly within the county are Grandfather Mountain (5,964 feet), the highest point in the Blue Ridge Mountains; and Beech Mountain (5,506 feet), which is the site of a popular ski resort in the winter.Townships
The county is divided into nineteen townships: Altamont, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Carey's Flat, Cranberry, Elk Park, Frank, Heaton, Hughes, Ingalls, Linville, Minneapolis, Montezuma, Newland No. 1, Newland No. 2, Pineola, Plumtree, Pyatte, and Roaring Creek.Adjacent Counties
- Johnson County, Tennessee - north
- Watauga County, North Carolina - northeast
- Caldwell County, North Carolina - southeast
- Burke County, North Carolina - south-southeast
- McDowell County, North Carolina - south-southwest
- Mitchell County, North Carolina - southwest
- Carter County, Tennessee - northwest
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 17,167 people, 6,532 households, and 4,546 families residing in the county. The population density was 27/km² (70/mi²). There were 11,911 housing units at an average density of 19/km² (48/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.95% White, 3.48% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 2.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 6,532 households out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.10% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the county the population was spread out with 19.40% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 111.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,627, and the median income for a family was $37,454. Males had a median income of $25,983 versus $21,652 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,176. About 10.90% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.30% of those under age 18 and 19.00% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
External links
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