Transylvania County, North Carolina

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Transylvania County

| state = North Carolina

| seal = Transylvania County Seal.png

| founded = 1861

| named for = Latin word meaning "Across the Woods"{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=J.D. |title=Transylvania County, North Carolina |url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/transylvania_county_nc.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=www.carolana.com}}

| seat wl = Brevard

| largest city wl = Brevard

| city type = community

| area_total_sq_mi = 380.33

| area_land_sq_mi = 378.36

| area_water_sq_mi = 1.97

| area percentage = 0.52

| population_as_of = 2020

| population_total = 32986

| pop_est_as_of = 2023

| population_est = 33549 {{gain}}

| population_density_sq_mi = 87.18

| coordinates = {{coord|35.21|-82.82|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}

| web = www.transylvaniacounty.org

| ex image = Brevard, North Carolina - Transylvania Co. Courthouse (cropped).JPG

| ex image cap = Transylvania County Courthouse in Brevard

| district = 11th

| time zone = Eastern

| logo = Transylvania County Logo.png

| nickname = Land of Waterfalls

}}

Transylvania County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census the population is 32,986. Its county seat is Brevard.{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}

Transylvania County comprises the Brevard, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC Combined Statistical Area.

History

The North Carolina General Assembly apportioned Transylvania County on February 15, 1861, from lands previously attributed to neighboring Jackson and Henderson counties; it was named by representative Joseph P. Jordan.{{Cite web |last=Threlkel |first=du Toit |last2=Brian |first2=Susan |title=1861-1911 Timeline |url=http://www.transylvaniaheritage.org/1861-1911 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=Transylvania Heritage Museum}} Until the early 20th century, the vast majority of Transylvania County residents subsisted through agriculture, growing staples such as potatoes and cabbage.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/4Ih2SKjDAVo Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150708185025/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih2SKjDAVo Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |last=mktconnections |year=2011 |title=Transylvania County Sesquicentennial Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih2SKjDAVo |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

Beginning in the early 20th century, with Joseph Silverstein's tannery in what was renamed as Rosman in 1905, a manufacturing economy began to develop in the county. It relied on timber and related products harvested from the Pisgah National Forest. In the 1930s, Harry Straus opened a paper mill in the Pisgah Forest area; by the mid-20th century, Straus's Ecusta Paper manufacturing site provided jobs to over 3,000 local residents. During the peak industrial years of the 1950s, DuPont had a factory in the county, employing nearly 1,000 more residents.

In the following decades, Brevard College and its namesake town each grew at dramatic rates. The Brevard Music Center and its summer Brevard Music Festival began to attract musicians and enthusiasts from around the country to Transylvania County.

Since the late 20th century, Transylvania County's economy has changed. Many of the manufacturing operations went defunct or moved offshore for cheap labor, including Ecusta and DuPont. Since then, the county has worked to reshape its economy around the growing summer and winter tourism industry in Appalachia.

Geography

{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q507743|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Transylvania County}}

File:Biltmore Forestry School, Schoolhouse, Brevard vicinity (Transylvania County, North Carolina).jpg, founded in 1898, was the nation's first forestry school.]]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of {{convert|380.33|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|378.36|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.97|sqmi}} (0.52%) water.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

Transylvania County contains the primary headwaters of the French Broad River, locally called North Fork, West Fork, East Fork, and Middle Fork. Since the county's northern and western boundaries follow mountain ridges, all these tributaries originate from sources in the county. The French Broad flows primarily east and northward through the county into Henderson County.{{Cite web|url=https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:0::NO::P3_FID:1306463|title=Feature Detail Report for: French Broad River|website=US Geological Survey|access-date=October 31, 2019}}

The county's northern border follows the ridge line proximate to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the southern border mostly follows the Eastern Continental Divide, from the border of Henderson County and South Carolina, westward to near US 178 and Jackson County.{{Cite book|title=Hiking Waterfalls in North Carolina: A Guide to the State's Best Waterfall Hikes|last=Watson|first=Melissa|publisher=FalconGuides|year=2011|isbn=978-0762771509|pages=80–84}} The headwaters of Lake Toxaway lie south of the Eastern Continental Divide, becoming the Toxaway River, descending rapidly through Gorges State Park and into Lake Jocassee on the county's southern edge. This area, known as the Cane Brake, is difficult to access from North Carolina due to the steep slope of the trails in Gorges State Park, but can be reached more easily via the Foothills Trail from South Carolina.{{Cite book|title=The North Carolina Sierra Club's guide to the Jocassee Gorges: Horsepasture, Bearwallow, & Toxaway Region|last=Thomas|first=Bill|year=1998|pages=5–8}}

Transylvania County is known as the "Land of Waterfalls", due to it having over 250 waterfalls. This is due to a combination of its high precipitation and location on the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Notable waterfalls in the county include Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Whitewater Falls, the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi. It receives over {{convert|90|in}} of rain annually due to orographic lift, making it the state's wettest county. (Buncombe County, {{convert|30|mi}} northeast, is the driest, as it sits in Transylvania County's rain shadow.) The Blue Ridge Parkway traverses parts of the county, and has views of the Appalachian Mountains, which reach over {{convert|6000|ft|m}} elevation in the county.

=National protected areas=

=State and local protected areas=

{{See also|Category:Protected areas of Transylvania County, North Carolina}}

Biltmore Forest School
Bracken Preserve
Davidson River Recreational Area
Dupont State Forest Game Land (part){{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}
DuPont State Recreational Forest (part)
Gorges State Park
Headwaters State Forest
Headwaters State Forest Game Land
Pisgah National Forest Game Land (part)
Southern Highlands Reserve (part)
Sycamore Flats Recreational Area
Toxaway Game Land

=Major water bodies=

=Adjacent counties=

Henderson County – east
Greenville County, South Carolina – southeast
Pickens County, South Carolina – south
Oconee County, South Carolina – southwest
Jackson County – west
Haywood County – northwest
Buncombe County – northeast

=Major highways=

{{Jct|state=NC|US|64}}
{{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|64|dab1=Brevard}}
{{Jct|state=NC|US|178}}
{{Jct|state=NC|US|276}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|215}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|280}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|281}}

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1870= 3536

|1880= 5340

|1890= 5881

|1900= 6620

|1910= 7191

|1920= 9303

|1930= 9589

|1940= 12241

|1950= 15194

|1960= 16372

|1970= 19713

|1980= 23417

|1990= 25520

|2000= 29334

|2010= 33090

|2020= 32986

|estyear=2023

|estimate=33549

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 20, 2015}}
1790–1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 20, 2015}} 1900–1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 20, 2015}}
1990–2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 20, 2015}} 2010{{cite web |title=Decennial Census: P2: Hispanic or Latino, and not Hispanic or Latino by Race |website=US Census Bureau |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37175&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=January 9, 2022}} 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/transylvaniacountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Transylvania County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}

}}

=2020 census=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Transylvania County, North Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition
{{nobold|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 2000{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Transylvania County, North Carolina |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US37175&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}

!Pop 2010{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Transylvania County, North Carolina |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US37175&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}

!{{partial|Pop 2020}}{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Transylvania County, North Carolina |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US37175&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}

!% 2000

!% 2010

!{{partial|% 2020}}

White alone (NH)

|27,305

|30,049

|style='background: #ffffe6; |28,542

|93.08%

|90.81%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |86.53%

Black or African American alone (NH)

|1,228

|1,279

|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,027

|4.19%

|3.87%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.11%

Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)

|76

|93

|style='background: #ffffe6; |102

|0.26%

|0.28%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.31%

Asian alone (NH)

|111

|143

|style='background: #ffffe6; |173

|0.38%

|0.43%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.52%

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)

|style='background: #ffffe6; |22

|0.02%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.07%

Other race alone (NH)

|13

|33

|style='background: #ffffe6; |115

|0.04%

|0.10%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.35%

Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)

|296

|521

|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,307

|1.01%

|1.57%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.96%

Hispanic or Latino (any race)

|298

|964

|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,698

|1.02%

|2.91%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.15%

Total

|29,334

|33,090

|style='background: #ffffe6; |32,986

|100.00%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 32,986 people, 14,567 households, and 9,978 families residing in the county.

=2010 census=

At the 2010 census,{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} there were 33,090 people, 14,394 households, and 8,660 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|83|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 15,553 housing units at an average density of {{convert|41|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.4% White, 3.9% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.12% from two or more races. 2.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,320 households, out of which 25.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.40% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 21.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,587, and the median income for a family was $45,579. Males had a median income of $31,743 versus $21,191 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,767. About 6.60% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.80% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Transylvania is a solidly Republican county, although much less so than the vast majority of Appalachia. No Democratic presidential nominee has carried Transylvania County since Jimmy Carter did so in 1976.

{{PresHead|place=Transylvania County, North Carolina|whig=no|source1={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 17, 2018}}}}

Transylvania County has a council-manager form of government, with a five-member Board of Commissioners elected at large. The Commissioners hire and supervise a separate County Manager. The current County Manager is Jaime Laughter. The current members of the Board of Commissioners are Jason Chappell (chairman), Jake Dalton (vice-chairman), Teresa McCall, Larry Chapman, and Emmett Casciato.

Transylvania Regional Hospital (TRH) was formed in 1933 with the mission to serve the community's health care needs. A 94-bed facility fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), it has more than 120 active, consulting and courtesy physicians representing a full spectrum of specialties.

Transylvania County is a member of the Land-of-Sky Regional Council of governments.

The current mayor of Brevard is Maureen Copelof.{{Cite web |title=Mayor & City Council |url=https://www.cityofbrevard.com/240/Mayor-City-Council |access-date=July 20, 2023 |website=www.cityofbrevard.com}} The current mayor of Rosman is Brian Shelton.{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.townofrosman.com/about |access-date=July 20, 2023 |website=Town of Rosman |language=en}}

Points of interest

Image:Lookingglassfalls.jpg ]]

Biltmore Forest School, first school of forestry in North America
Blue Ridge Community College, Transylvania campus
Blue Ridge Parkway
Brevard College
Brevard Little Theater
Brevard Music Center
DuPont State Forest
Gorges State Park
Lake Toxaway
Looking Glass Falls
Nantahala National Forest{{Cite web|url=http://brevardnc.com/play/|title=» Outdoor adventure and recreation in Brevard WNC, Transylvania County the Land of waterfalls Visit Brevard NC|publisher=brevardnc.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 17, 2018}}
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
Pisgah National Forest
Sliding Rock
Transylvania Arts Council{{Cite web|url=http://www.transylvaniacounty.org/about-our-county|title=About Our County {{!}} Transylvania County |publisher=www.transylvaniacounty.org |language=en|access-date=March 17, 2018}}
Transylvania County Schools{{Cite web|url=http://www.tcsnc.org|title=Transylvania County Schools / Homepage |publisher=www.tcsnc.org |language=en|access-date=March 17, 2018}}
Whitewater Falls, highest waterfall in North Carolina

Communities

File:Map of Transylvania County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG

=City=

Brevard (county seat and largest community)

=Town=

Rosman

=Townships=

Boyd
Brevard
Cathey's Creek
Dunn's Rock
Eastatoe
Gloucester
Hogback
Little River

=Unincorporated communities=

Balsam Grove
Cathey's Creek
Cedar Mountain
Connestee Falls
Dunn's Rock
Lake Toxaway
Little River
Penrose
Pisgah Forest
Quebec
Sapphire

References

External links

{{osmrelation|2528748}}
{{Official website|http://www.transylvaniacounty.org}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20040611144300/http://www.transylvania.lib.nc.us/ Transylvania County Library]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080706120738/http://www.ashevillenow.com/s_outdoorActivities/waterfalls/transylvania_county_nc_waterfalls.asp Waterfalls in Transylvania County]
[http://www.ncgenweb.us/transylvania/home_html/ NCGenWeb Transylvania County], genealogy resources for the county

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Transylvania County, North Carolina

|North = Lincoln County

|Northeast = Buncombe County

|East = Henderson County

|Southeast = Greenville County, South Carolina

|South = Pickens County, South Carolina

|Southwest = Oconee County, South Carolina

|West = Jackson County

|Northwest = Haywood County

}}

Category:1861 establishments in North Carolina

Category:Populated places established in 1861