Swain County, North Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Swain County
state = North Carolina




map size = 250
founded = 1871
seat = Bryson City | area_total_sq_mi =541
area_water_sq_mi =13
area percentage = 2.32%
census yr = 2000
pop = 12968
density_km2 =9
web = www.swaincounty.org
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Swain County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population is 12,968. Its county seat is Bryson CityGR|6.

Swain County is home of the Nantahala River, one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the nation.

History

The county was formed in 1871 from parts of Jackson County and Macon County. It was named for David L. Swain, governor of North Carolina from 1832 to 1835, and president of the University of North Carolina from 1835 to 1868.

In 2004, the Swain County High School football team captured its seventh state football championship. The Maroon Devils as a team won three consecutive state championships (1988, 1989, 1990) several honorable players were on this team while being led by former University of Tennessee and National Football League quarterback and current U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler (Source: North Carolina High School Athletic Association). The Swain County High School soccer team is also on its way to creating a very successful program. After a less than desirable 2-8-2 season last year, but a returning outstanding defense, Maroon Devil soccer has its sights set on winning the Smokey Mountain Conference title this year and creating a legacy of its own.

In 2006, the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NC-200610) was established at Swain County High School. The unit was created to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship, promote community service, instill responsibility, character, and self-discipline, and provide instruction in air and space fundamentals. Since its establishment over 150 cadets have been in the program.

Law and government

Swain County is a member of the regional Southwestern Commission council of governments.

The town of Cherokee, North Carolina, is on the Qualla Boundary, a tribal reservation for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and is therefore subject mostly to tribal/federal laws rather than county or state laws.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 541 square miles (1,400 km²), of which, 528 square miles (1,368 km²) of it is land and 13 square miles (32 km²) of it (2.32%) is water.

The county is located in the western part of North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains and has a larger proportion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than any other county in North Carolina or Tennessee.

The highest point in the county is Clingmans Dome, elevation 6,643 feet, located on the NC/TN border. This mountain is the third highest peak in North Carolina, and an observation tower is located on its summit.

Adjacent counties

*Sevier County, Tennessee - north
*Haywood County, North Carolina - east
*Jackson County, North Carolina - southeast
*Macon County, North Carolina - south
*Graham County, North Carolina - southwest
*Blount County, Tennessee - northwest

National protected areas

* Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
* Great Smoky Mountains National Park (part)
* Nantahala National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 5,137 households, and 3,631 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 7,105 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.33% White, 1.70% Black or African American, 29.03% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 2.28% from two or more races. 1.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.3% were of American, 8.0% Irish, 7.6% Scots-Irish, 6.9% German and 6.6% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.2% spoke English, 2.9% Cherokee and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 5,137 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,608, and the median income for a family was $33,786. Males had a median income of $26,570 versus $20,722 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,647. About 13.30% of families and 18.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 19.10% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Bryson City
*Cherokee
*Whittier

Townships

The County is divided into three Townships: Charleston, Forney Creek, Nantahala.

References

External links

* [http://swaincountync.gov/ Swain County government official website]
* [http://www.brysoncitync.info/ History of Bryson City and Swain County North Carolina]
*wikitravel|Swain County