| Avery County, North Carolina | |
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Avery County Courthouse
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Location in the state of North Carolina |
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North Carolina's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1911 |
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| Seat | Newland |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
247 sq mi (640 km²) 237 sq mi (614 km²) 0 sq mi (0 km²), 0.08% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
17,167 70/sq mi (27/km²) |
| Website | www.averycountync.gov |
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 Newland.[1]
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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. It is often noted for the large amount of Christmas trees that the county produces. "A History of Avery County" was published in 1972 by Horton Edward Cooper. In it he noted:
| “ | Because people make history, our citizens show an intense interest in the events of the past and are displaying an eagerness more than ever in local history; too, they have become eagerly interested in genealogy. All mountaineers enjoy a good anecdote. The people of Avery County are not all descendants of pioneers who came into this rugged land a good many generations ago, but we are proud of those and their descendants who can trace their ancestry to the four points of the compass... As a rule, our families are close-knit units and family pride exists no higher on earth than here. No stronger love for America and the American flag can be found anywhere in our country. We are proud of our inheritance, which for our rugged pioneer ancestors and several generations meant hardship, often disappointing toil, loneliness, self-sufficiency and a struggle for survival. | ” |
The 1989 film Winter People starring Kurt Russell and Kelly McGillis was filmed in Avery County.[2]
Also Where the Lilies Bloom a film adaptation of the novel by the same name, written by Bill Cleaver. The film was made by director William A. Graham in Watauga County (towns of Boone and Blowing Rock) and in Avery County (towns of Elk Park and Banner Elk), North Carolina.Children were recruited to act in the film from local elementary schools.
Avery County is a member of the regional High Country Council of Governments.
The county is nationally known for its mass production of Fraser Fir Christmas Trees across the country.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 247 square miles (639.7 km2). Avery County is extremely rural and mountainous with all of the county's terrain located within the Appalachian Mountains range. The highest point in the county is Grassy Ridge Bald, which rises to 6,165 feet (1,879 m) above sea level. Most of Grandfather Mountain (whose highest point is Calloway Peak 5,964 feet (1,818 m) shared with Watauga and Caldwell counties) is within Avery county. At an elevation of 5,506 feet (1,678 m) above sea level, Beech Mountain (also shared with Watauga county) is the highest incorporated community east of the Mississippi River. At an elevation of 3,606 feet (1,099 m) Newland is the highest county seat in the Eastern United States.
| Johnson County, Tennessee and Watauga County | ||||
| Carter County, Tennessee and Mitchell County | ||||
| Avery County, North Carolina | ||||
| Burke County and McDowell County | Caldwell County |
As a result of its relatively high elevation, Avery County has a Humid continental climate enjoying considerably cooler summers than most of the rest of the Eastern US. Likewise, winters are longer, colder and snowier than most other locations in the region. This can be evidenced by the snow skiing areas which operate in the area. Banner Elk Climate Summary
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 17,167 people, 6,532 households, and 4,546 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 11,911 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (19/km²). 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.
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