Giles County, Virginia
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Image:Map of Virginia highlighting Giles County.png
Giles County is a county located in the state of Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 16,657. Its county seat is Pearisburg6.
Giles County is named for William Branch Giles who was born in Amelia County in 1762. Giles became a lawyer and from there was elected to the House of Representatives where he served from 1790 to 1815. He also served on 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.
Gile County is the location of Mountain Lake, one of only two natural fresh water lakes in Virginia. The Lake drains into Little Stoney Run, which passes over "The Cascades", a spectacular waterfall, before reaching the New River.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 933 km² (360 mi²). 925 km² (357 mi²) of it is land and 8 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.85% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 16,657 people, 6,994 households, and 4,888 families residing in the county. The population density is 18/km² (47/mi²). There are 7,732 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (22/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 97.41% White, 1.58% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,994 households out of which 28.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% are married couples living together, 9.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% are non-families. 26.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.37 and the average family size is 2.85.
In the county, the population is spread out with 22.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $34,927, and the median income for a family is $42,089. Males have a median income of $32,075 versus $22,969 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,396. 9.50% of the population and 6.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.60% of those under the age of 18 and 10.50% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.