Roan Mountain, Tennessee

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Roan Mountain is a census-designated place (CDP) in Carter County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,160 at the 2000 census.

The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad ("Tweetsie") passed through the town until it ceased operations in 1950.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival and related tourism
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Roan Mountain is in northeast Tennessee at 36°11′39″N, 82°4′6″W (36.194219, -82.068417)^GR1. The elevation varies from 2,550 feet in the center of town to 6,285 feet at the summit of Roan Mountain, 7 air miles away. The Doe River flows from the northern slopes of Roan Mountain, through Roan Mountain State Park and the center of town, and on to the Watauga River at Elizabethton.

A peak in Roan Mountain State Park as seen from the Appalachian Trail

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 19.2 km² (7.4 mi²), all land.

Bakersville, North Carolina is found on the opposite (southern) side of Roan Mountain and the state line.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,160 people, 484 households, and 351 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 60.4/km² (156.4/mi²). There were 539 housing units at an average density of 28.0/km² (72.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.48% White, 0.26% African American, 0.09% Native American, and 0.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.17% of the population.

There were 484 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $17,813, and the median income for a family was $24,524. Males had a median income of $19,044 versus $20,792 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,046. About 23.4% of families and 27.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.4% of those under age 18 and 26.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival and related tourism

Famous for its beautiful and extensive alpine catawba rhododendron gardens, the Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival showcases the natural beauty of the annual catawba rhododendron bloom that usually peaks on the mountain top gardens (easily accessible by motor vehicle) during the third or fourth weekend in June. Roan Mountain, Tennessee is host to the early summer rhododendron festival --- sited at the lower elevation of Roan Mountain State Park --- offering visitors many opportunities to sample traditional foods, purchase locally handmade crafts, and listen to a variety of traditional Southern Appalchian musicians during the scheduled events.

The Appalachian Trail (or simply "The AT") runs along the top of Roan Mountain, providing hikers a view of a wide variety of plants such as Flame Azalea and Gray's Lily.