Strasburg, Virginia

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8.2 km² (3.2 mi²). 8.2 km² (3.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.63%) is water. The elevation of the area is 578 ft.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 4,017 people, 1,773 households, and 1,086 families residing in the town, making it the largest population center in Shenandoah County. The population density was 492.4/km² (1,275.5/mi²). There were 1,877 housing units at an average density of 230.1/km² (596.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.63% White, 4.48% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.

There were 1,773 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,724, and the median income for a family was $40,978. Males had a median income of $29,750 versus $21,755 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,697. About 5.3% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

The town council of Strasburg consists of eight council members and an independently elected mayor who serve four-year overlapping terms. The town council holds all legislative powers, granted to them by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the town charter. The council regularly meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

Along with the town council, eight committees are formed from the elected council members to govern and establish ordinances, policies, and budgets. The committees are Finance, Personnel, Ordinance, Recreation, Utilities, Streets, Public Safety, and Building and Grounds. Each committee usually consists of three to four council members, with one serving as a chairman.

Town elections are held on the first Tuesday of May, every two years. A ballot of candidates is voted upon by town residents with the top four vote receivers being elected. The position of mayor is selected independently of the council. A Vice-mayor is chosen by the council members from among themselves. The term of office for both the mayor and council members begins on the first day of July following his or her election win. [1]

The next election for mayor and four new council members will occur on May 6, 2008.

Current Mayor

Timothy S. Crisman (term expires in 2008)

Current Council Members

Carl J. Rinker, Jr. (term expires in 2008)
Donald M. Le Vine (term expires in 2010)
Edith R. Wallace (term expires in 2008)
Michael S. Whittle (term expires in 2010)
Sarah K. Mauck (term expires in 2010)
Scott E. Terndrup (term expires in 2010)
Steve W. Nicholson (term expires in 2008)
Timothy Taylor (Vice-mayor) (term expires in 2008)

[edit] Education

Students living in the northern third of Shenandoah County attend one of three public schools located near Strasburg. Kindergarten through fifth graders attend Sandy Hook Elementary School, while sixth through eighth graders attend Signal Knob Middle School. Located within the town limits, Strasburg High School serves ninth through twelfth graders.