Jefferson, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Jefferson is a town in Ashe County
, North Carolina
, United States
. The population was 1,422 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Ashe County
.
. The commission purchased 50 acres (202,343 m²) of land to form the Town of Jeffersonton, later named Jefferson. It is one of the first towns in the nation to bear the name of Thomas Jefferson
, who was the Vice President of the United States
in 1799.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all of it land. The ancient New River (Kanawha River), one of the oldest and most scenic rivers in the eastern United States, flows through the town.
of 2000, there were 1,422 people, 582 households, and 334 families residing in the town. The population density
was 738.2 people per square mile (284.5/km2). There were 617 housing units at an average density of 320.3 per square mile (123.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.43% White, 1.41% African American, 0.35% Asian, 2.53% from other races
, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.73% of the population.
There were 582 households out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.66.
In the town the population was spread out with 14.3% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 34.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 73.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $22,847, and the median income for a family was $34,554. Males had a median income of $26,500 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,505. About 11.6% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.
Ashe County, North Carolina
- History :Historical evidence shows that Ashe county was inhabited by Native Americans, which included the Cherokee, Creek, and Shawnee tribes. Pieces of broken pottery, arrowheads, and other Native American artifacts have been found, indicating their presence...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,422 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Ashe County
Ashe County, North Carolina
- History :Historical evidence shows that Ashe county was inhabited by Native Americans, which included the Cherokee, Creek, and Shawnee tribes. Pieces of broken pottery, arrowheads, and other Native American artifacts have been found, indicating their presence...
.
History
The North Carolina General Assembly created a special commission in 1799 to create a county seat for Ashe CountyAshe County, North Carolina
- History :Historical evidence shows that Ashe county was inhabited by Native Americans, which included the Cherokee, Creek, and Shawnee tribes. Pieces of broken pottery, arrowheads, and other Native American artifacts have been found, indicating their presence...
. The commission purchased 50 acres (202,343 m²) of land to form the Town of Jeffersonton, later named Jefferson. It is one of the first towns in the nation to bear the name of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, who was the Vice President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
in 1799.
Geography
Jefferson is located at 36.419922°N 81.468899°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all of it land. The ancient New River (Kanawha River), one of the oldest and most scenic rivers in the eastern United States, flows through the town.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,422 people, 582 households, and 334 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 738.2 people per square mile (284.5/km2). There were 617 housing units at an average density of 320.3 per square mile (123.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.43% White, 1.41% African American, 0.35% Asian, 2.53% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.73% of the population.
There were 582 households out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.66.
In the town the population was spread out with 14.3% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 34.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 73.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $22,847, and the median income for a family was $34,554. Males had a median income of $26,500 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $15,505. About 11.6% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.
See also
- Jefferson TownshipJefferson Township, Ashe County, North CarolinaJefferson Township is one of nineteen townships in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States. The township has a population of 4,107 according to the 2000 census and is the largest township in Ashe County by population....