Alleghany County, Virginia

Covington,_Va_-_Allegheny_General_District_Court

Alleghany County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,223. Its county seat is Covington, which is an independent city and not part of the county. The county was established in 1822 from parts of Bath, Botetourt, and Monroe counties.

History

Alleghany County was formed on January 5, 1822, from parts of Bath, Botetourt, and Monroe counties. The county is named for the Allegheny Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountains.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 449 square miles (1,160 km²), of which 445 square miles (1,150 km²) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²) (0.8%) is water. The county is located in the western part of Virginia and is bordered by West Virginia to the north.

Adjacent counties

• Bath County (northeast)
• Rockbridge County (east)
• Botetourt County (southeast)
• Craig County (south)
• Monroe County, West Virginia (west)
• Greenbrier County, West Virginia (northwest)

National protected areas

• George Washington National Forest (part)
• Jefferson National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2020, there were 15,223 people, 6,000 households, and 4,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 7,000 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²).

Economy

The economy of Alleghany County is diverse, with key sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The county is home to several large employers, including the WestRock paper mill in Covington.

Education

Alleghany County is served by the Alleghany County Public Schools system, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and Alleghany High School.

Transportation

Major highways in the county include Interstate 64, U.S. Route 60, and U.S. Route 220. The Clifton Forge Amtrak station provides rail service to the area.

Communities

Towns

• Clifton Forge
• Iron Gate

Unincorporated communities

• Selma
• Low Moor
• Callaghan

Notable people

• William Mahone, a Confederate general and U.S. Senator, was born in the area that is now Alleghany County.

See also

• List of counties in Virginia
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Alleghany County, Virginia