Covington, Virginia

Covington is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,961,[5] making it the third-least populous city in Virginia. It is surrounded by Alleghany County, of which it is also the county seat.[6] Located at the confluence of Jackson River and Dunlap Creek, Covington is one of three cities (with Roanoke and Salem) in the Roanoke Regional Partnership.[7] The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Covington with Alleghany county for statistical purposes.

Covington, Virginia
Independent city
Main Street in Covington, Virginia
Seal
Covington
Covington
Covington
Coordinates: 37°47′10″N 79°59′20″W
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyNone (Independent city)
Government
 • MayorThomas H. Sibold, Jr.
Area
 • Total5.67 sq mi (14.69 km2)
 • Land5.47 sq mi (14.16 km2)
 • Water0.20 sq mi (0.52 km2)
Elevation
1,250 ft (381 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total5,961
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
5,538
 • Density1,012.62/sq mi (391.00/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
24426
Area code(s)540
FIPS code51-19728[3]
GNIS feature ID1498470[4]
Websitewww.covington.va.us

The city has a council–manager government. The current mayor of Covington is Thomas H. Sibold Jr.[8] The local newspaper of record is The Virginian Review, which has been continuously published since August 10, 1914. Covington is served by two radio stations. WKEY simulcasts on 103.5 FM and 1340 AM, and WJVR broadcasts on 101.9 FM with simulcast on 1230 AM in nearby Clifton Forge.[9]

Fire protection is provided by the Covington Fire Department, which was chartered on March 4, 1902.[10] The Covington Rescue Squad provides emergency medical services to the city of Covington. Both the fire department and rescue squad are volunteer organizations. The rescue squad was organized in 1933 and is the third oldest volunteer rescue squad in Virginia.

Covington is named in honor of General Leonard Covington, hero of the War of 1812 and friend of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.7 square miles (14.8 km2), of which 5.5 square miles (14.2 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2) (3.6%) is water.[11] The city lies along both sides of the Jackson River.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Covington has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[12]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880436—
189070461.5%
19002,950319.0%
19104,23443.5%
19205,62332.8%
19306,53816.3%
19406,300−3.6%
19505,860−7.0%
196011,06288.8%
197010,060−9.1%
19809,063−9.9%
19906,991−22.9%
20006,303−9.8%
20105,961−5.4%
Est. 20195,538[2]−7.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2013[5]

The population of Covington has gradually declined since reaching its peak of 11,062 in 1960. The population decline has mainly resulted from losses of manufacturing jobs in the area.[17][18] One major loss of manufacturing jobs occurred after a fire at the Hercules plant in June 1980, causing $23 million in damage and worker layoffs.[19]

As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 6,303 people, 2,835 households, and 1,740 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,111.3 people per square mile (429.2/km2).[21] The racial makeup of the city was 84.1% White, 13.1% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 0.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,195 housing units at an average density of 563.3 per square mile (217.6/km2). There were 2,835 households, out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. Of all households 34.0% were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,325, and the median income for a family was $36,640. Males had a median income of $30,755 versus $20,316 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,758. About 10.7% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Covington's economy is dominated by Westrock, which has been operating in the city since 1899.[22] The facility employs about 1300 workers, mostly from Covington and Alleghany County. Its production includes bleached paper and paperboard for packaging, and is the second largest on the East Coast.

Both Alleghany County, VA and Covington City are known for the low cost of their housing markets and close proximity to The Homestead in Bath County (VA), Lexington (VA), The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs (WV), Lewisburg (WV), and Roanoke (VA), each of which is within about a 45-minute drive.

Sports

Covington has a team in the Valley Baseball League called the Lumberjacks.

Infrastructure

Transportation

The area is serviced by Interstate 64 (east-west) and Route 220 (north-south) offering rail, truck and interstate access to the area. Rail passenger service is provided at the Amtrak station in Clifton Forge, VA 12 miles away.

Education

Covington has one 8–12 high school (Covington High School), one 4–7 middle school called (Jeter-Watson), one pre-kindergarten through third grade elementary school (Edgemont Primary), one State Governors School (Jackson River Governor's School), one technical center for high-school students (Jackson River Technical Center), and one community college (Dabney S. Lancaster).

Politics
Presidential Elections Results[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 56.6% 1,349 38.4% 914 5.0% 119
2012 41.9% 975 56.6% 1,319 1.6% 36
2008 43.3% 1,020 55.4% 1,304 1.3% 30
2004 48.0% 1,104 51.2% 1,179 0.8% 18
2000 43.6% 966 52.8% 1,168 3.6% 80
1996 31.1% 763 56.8% 1,394 12.1% 296
1992 34.7% 995 50.3% 1,442 15.1% 432
1988 43.7% 1,274 53.8% 1,567 2.5% 74
1984 54.5% 1,722 44.0% 1,391 1.6% 49
1980 37.7% 1,187 57.6% 1,813 4.8% 150
1976 37.1% 1,173 57.5% 1,820 5.4% 172
1972 63.7% 1,910 31.6% 948 4.7% 140
1968 43.1% 1,551 33.2% 1,195 23.6% 849
1964 35.8% 1,149 64.1% 2,055 0.1% 2
1960 47.9% 1,436 51.9% 1,558 0.2% 7
1956 56.3% 1,639 40.9% 1,189 2.8% 81
gollark: > i think i might have acquired a copy of siriThis is very unlikely, but if it *is* true we'll need you to wipe it for important safety reasons.
gollark: Although that would require me to actually have a coherent update system in place which has actual versions containing a fixed set of code.
gollark: But it would be more sensible to just force-update on checksum mismatch.
gollark: Interesting idea, pjals!
gollark: You can't without breaking half of potatOS.

See also

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. "Roanoke Regional Partnership – Roanoke Virginia Live and Work". Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  8. Web Developer. "City Council". Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. City of Covington: News & Radio
  10. "Index of /". Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  12. "Covington, Virginia Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  16. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  17. anec_mar-apr07
  18. Report on the City of Covington – County of Alleghany Annexation Action, May 2011, Commission on Local Government, Commonwealth of Virginia
  19. "Comprehensive Plan of Alleghany County, Virginia, May 2013" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
  20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  21. "CensusScope – Population Growth". Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  22. City of Covington Archived 2010-07-09 at the Wayback Machine
  23. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".

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