Giles County, Virginia

Giles_County_Courthouse_-_Front_View

William_Branch_Giles

Giles County
U.S. county
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Coordinates:
Country	United States
Seat	Pearisburg
Area
• Total	360 sq mi (900 km2)
• Land	356 sq mi (920 km2)
• Water	4 sq mi (10 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	16,787
• Density	47/sq mi (18/km2)

[[Category:{{{state}}} counties]]

Giles County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,787. The county seat is Pearisburg. Giles County is part of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Giles County was established in 1806 from parts of Montgomery, Monroe, and Tazewell counties. It was named for William Branch Giles, a member of the United States House of Representatives and later Governor of Virginia.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 360 square miles (930 km²), of which 356 square miles (920 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10 km²) (1.1%) is water. The county is part of the Appalachian Mountains and features a variety of natural landscapes, including the New River.

Adjacent counties

• Monroe County, West Virginia - north
• Craig County, Virginia - east
• Montgomery County, Virginia - southeast
• Pulaski County, Virginia - south
• Bland County, Virginia - southwest
• Mercer County, West Virginia - west

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 16,787 people, 7,000 households, and 4,800 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and other races.

Economy

The economy of Giles County is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The county is known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and kayaking, particularly in the Jefferson National Forest and along the New River.

Education

Giles County is served by the Giles County Public Schools system, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and two high schools: Giles High School and Narrows High School.

Communities

Towns

• Narrows
• Pearisburg (county seat)
• Rich Creek

Unincorporated communities

• Eggleston
• Pembroke
• Ripplemead

Notable people

• William Branch Giles, namesake of the county, was a prominent political figure in early American history.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Giles County, Virginia
• Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area
• Jefferson National Forest