Jefferson, North Carolina


Jefferson is a town in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,611 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Ashe County.

History

The North Carolina General Assembly created a special commission in 1799 to create a county seat for Ashe County. The commission purchased of land to form the town of Jeffersonton, later named Jefferson. It is one of the first towns in the nation to bear the name of Thomas Jefferson, who was the Vice President of the United States in 1799.
The Ashe County Courthouse and Poe Fish Weir are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Jefferson is located at.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which, or 0.20%, is water. The New River, which is part of the Ohio River watershed and is one of the oldest and most scenic rivers in the eastern United States, flows through the town.

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 1,422 people, 582 households, and 334 families living in the town. The population density was 738.2 people per square mile. There were 617 housing units at an average density of 320.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 95.43% White, 1.41% African American, 0.35% Asian, 2.53% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.73%.
Of the 582 households 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. Of all households 39.5% were one person and 20.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.66.
The age distribution was 14.3% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 34.7% 65 or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 73.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.7 males.
The median household income was $22,847 and the median family income was $34,554. Males had a median income of $26,500 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,505. About 11.6% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.