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Botetourt County, Virginia

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Botetourt County (/ˈbɒtətɒt/ BOT-ə-tot) is a US county that lies in the Roanoke Region of Virginia. Located in the mountainous portion of the state, the county is bordered by two major ranges, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains.

Botetourt County
County
Botetourt County Courthouse
Botetourt County Courthouse
Flag of Botetourt County
Flag
Official seal of Botetourt County
Seal
Official logo of Botetourt County
Logo
Map of Virginia highlighting Botetourt County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°33′N 79°48′W / 37.55°N 79.8°W / 37.55; -79.8
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1770
Named forLord Botetourt
SeatFincastle
Largest communityCloverdale
Area
 • Total
546 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Land541 sq mi (1,400 km2)
 • Water4.7 sq mi (12 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
33,596
 • Density62/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitebotetourtva.gov

Botetourt County was created in 1770 from part of Augusta County and was named for Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt. It originally comprised a vast area, which included the southern portion of present-day West Virginia and all of Kentucky. Portions were set off to form new counties beginning in 1772, until the current borders were established in 1851.

Botetourt County is part of the Roanoke Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the county seat is the town of Fincastle.[1] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 33,596.[2]

History

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Botetourt County, Virginia, from 1895 state map

First proposed in the House of Burgesses in 1767, Botetourt County was created in 1770 from Augusta County.[3] The county is named for Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt, who served as governor of the colony of Virginia from 1768 to 1770, when he died suddenly while in office.[4]

In 1772, the county was reduced to the area east of the New and Kanawha rivers by the creation of Fincastle County. Most of that latter county became the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1792.[3] The other counties established directly from portions of Botetourt County are: Rockbridge (1778), Bath (1791), Alleghany (1822), Roanoke (1833), and Craig (1851).

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 546 square miles (1,410 km2), of which 541 square miles (1,400 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (0.9%) is water.[5] The Blue Ridge Mountains run along the eastern part of the county, while the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians run along the western portion. The two mountain ranges come close together, separated by the town of Buchanan and the James River.

The James River originates in Botetourt County, near the village of Iron Gate, just south of the Alleghany County line and near the merger of the Cowpasture River and the Jackson River. The James River runs south until Eagle Rock, where it turns east and meanders through the county, passing Springwood and James River High School until entering Buchanan. In Buchanan, the river turns northward and flows into Rockbridge County towards Glasgow.

Botetourt County is a part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the southern parts of the county have become increasingly suburban in recent decades. Much of the area's former farmland and orchards have been developed into residential subdivisions and businesses.

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179010,524—
180010,427−0.9%
181013,30127.6%
182013,5892.2%
183016,35420.3%
184011,679−28.6%
185014,90827.6%
186011,516−22.8%
187011,329−1.6%
188014,80930.7%
189014,8540.3%
190017,16115.5%
191017,7273.3%
192016,557−6.6%
193015,457−6.6%
194016,4476.4%
195015,766−4.1%
196016,7156.0%
197018,1938.8%
198023,27027.9%
199024,9927.4%
200030,49622.0%
201033,1488.7%
202033,5961.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[11]

2020 census

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Botetourt County, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010[10] Pop 2020[11] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 31,212 30,506 94.16% 90.80%
Black or African American alone (NH) 987 905 2.98% 2.69%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 76 43 0.23% 0.13%
Asian alone (NH) 174 234 0.52% 0.70%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 2 3 0.01% 0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 9 102 0.03% 0.30%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 332 1,027 1.00% 3.06%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 356 776 1.07% 2.31%
Total 33,148 33,596 100.00% 100.00%

2000 Census

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As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 11,700 households, and 9,114 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 12,571 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.91% White, 3.52% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,700 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.80% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.10% were non-families. 19.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 28.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 98.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,731, and the median income for a family was $55,125. Males had a median income of $37,182 versus $25,537 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,218. About 3.60% of families and 5.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.40% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Board of Supervisors

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  • Amsterdam District: Steve P. Clinton (Chairman) (R)
  • Blue Ridge District: Walter Michael (R)
  • Buchanan District: Amy S. White (Vice chairman) (R)
  • Fincastle District: Dr. Richard G. "Dick" Bailey (R)
  • Valley District: Dr. Donald M. "Mac" Scothorn (R)

Constitutional officers

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  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Tommy L. Moore (I)
  • Commissioner of the Revenue: Chris T. Booth (R)
  • Commonwealth's Attorney: John R. H. Alexander II (R)
  • Sheriff: Matthew T. Ward (R)
  • Treasurer: Donna Boothe (R)

Botetourt County is represented by Republican Chris T. Head in the Virginia Senate, Republican Terry L. Austin in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Ben Cline in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Education

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Botetourt County Public Schools operates public schools serving the county, with students attending one of two high schools:

Politics

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The Republican candidate for president has won the support of Botetourt County in seventeen of the last nineteen races. The county also voted Republican for governor in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021. It voted in 2008 for Mark Warner in the U.S. Senate election.[13]

United States presidential election results for Botetourt County, Virginia[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 15,796 72.21% 5,915 27.04% 164 0.75%
2020 15,099 71.49% 5,700 26.99% 321 1.52%
2016 13,375 71.38% 4,494 23.98% 870 4.64%
2012 12,479 68.41% 5,452 29.89% 310 1.70%
2008 11,471 65.90% 5,693 32.71% 242 1.39%
2004 10,865 68.78% 4,801 30.39% 131 0.83%
2000 8,867 64.07% 4,627 33.43% 346 2.50%
1996 6,404 51.73% 4,576 36.96% 1,400 11.31%
1992 5,904 48.36% 4,349 35.62% 1,956 16.02%
1988 5,687 59.30% 3,763 39.23% 141 1.47%
1984 5,959 64.15% 3,243 34.91% 87 0.94%
1980 4,408 51.24% 3,698 42.99% 496 5.77%
1976 3,343 44.14% 4,021 53.10% 209 2.76%
1972 3,806 69.44% 1,519 27.71% 156 2.85%
1968 2,598 50.54% 1,272 24.75% 1,270 24.71%
1964 2,098 46.87% 2,377 53.11% 1 0.02%
1960 2,159 56.79% 1,621 42.64% 22 0.58%
1956 2,280 60.67% 1,377 36.64% 101 2.69%
1952 2,021 61.50% 1,264 38.47% 1 0.03%
1948 1,363 51.81% 1,026 39.00% 242 9.20%
1944 1,272 49.65% 1,275 49.77% 15 0.59%
1940 1,085 44.80% 1,329 54.87% 8 0.33%
1936 1,343 46.29% 1,544 53.22% 14 0.48%
1932 1,209 39.54% 1,808 59.12% 41 1.34%
1928 1,575 56.76% 1,200 43.24% 0 0.00%
1924 1,264 45.90% 1,427 51.82% 63 2.29%
1920 1,240 48.17% 1,331 51.71% 3 0.12%
1916 775 45.83% 900 53.22% 16 0.95%
1912 517 32.15% 889 55.29% 202 12.56%

Fire, Emergency medical services, and Law enforcement

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Botetourt County Fire & EMS uses a combination of career staff and volunteers to provide fire protection, emergency medical services, fire safety education, swiftwater rescue, and other emergency services to the county. The department operates out of seven stations with a range of fire apparatus and ambulances to provide these services.[15][16]

Botetourt County Sheriff's Office is the policing body within Botetourt County. They are stationed in Fincastle, Virginia along with the county jail.[17] The Sheriff is Matthew T. Ward, who was elected in November 2019.[18] Botetourt County Sheriff's Office works closely with Virginia State Police, as the county only has 69 officers within their force.[19] The county also has their own Emergency Communications Center, which serves to take 9-1-1 calls and help direct law enforcement and first responders to emergency scenes.[19]

Communities

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Roanoke Region of Virginia
  2. ^ "Botetourt County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. ^ a b McClane, Debra Alderson (2007). Botetourt County. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub. ISBN 9780738543758.
  4. ^ Salmon, Emily J.; Campbell, Edward D.C. Jr. (1994). The hornbook of Virginia history : a ready-reference guide to the Old Dominion's people, places, and past (4th ed.). Richmond: Library of Virginia. p. 161. ISBN 0884901777.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Botetourt County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Botetourt County, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. ^ "Virginia Elections Database » 2008 U.S. Senate General Election". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "Fire Stations". Botetourt County Fire and EMS. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  16. ^ "Fincastle Fire and Rescue Merger". WSLS 10. August 24, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  17. ^ "Sheriff's Office & E911 Center | Botetourt County, VA". www.botetourtva.gov. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  18. ^ "Botetourt County Sheriff's Office | A full service Law Enforcement Agency". BOTETOURT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Sheriff's Office & E911 Center | Botetourt County, VA". www.botetourtva.gov. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  20. ^ Woodcock, Noelle. “Dr. George Louis Alfonso Pogue – Pharmacist, Doctor & Civil Rights Activist in Bedford.” Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library, Find G Local, February 1, 2021, www.findglocal.com/US/Bedford/311951041346/Bedford-Museum-%26-Genealogical-Library.
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37°33′N 79°48′W / 37.55°N 79.80°W / 37.55; -79.80

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