County Snapshot County Snapshot | 2
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County Snapshot County Snapshot | 2 CONTENTS Introduction 4 Quick Facts 5 Population and Size 5 County Boards, Authorities, Commissions and Committees 5 Regional Boards, Authorities and Services 8 People 10 Population (Current) 10 Population History 10 Population Forecast 10 Sex and Age 12 Race 14 Relationships 17 Income 18 Education 20 Veterans 21 Economic Development 22 Economic Characteristics 22 2007 Economic Census 25 Natural and Cultural Resources 27 Natural Resources 27 Historic and Cultural Resources 29 Agriculture 33 County Snapshot | 3 Housing 36 Households By Type 36 Housing Occupancy 36 Housing Tenure 37 Housing Characteristics 37 Infrastructure & Community Facilities 42 Schools 42 Emergency Services 42 County Facilities (Parks, Community Buildings) 43 Sewer & Water 44 Transportation 45 The Local Government Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Plan 45 VDOT Six Year Improvement Program List 46 Mt. Rogers Planning District Commission – 2035 Rural Long Range Transportation Plan 47 Land Use 49 Appendix 53 2002 Comprehensive Plan 53 2013 Comprehensive Plan Project Outline 53 County Snapshot | 4 Introduction The Community Snapshot contains supporting information about the County which will be used as a reference during the comprehensive planning process. Data included in this document comes from a variety of sources. The document will be amended as new information is available. County Snapshot | 5 Quick Facts Population and Size Census 2010 Total Population - 54,876 people (U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Demographic Profile) 1990-2000 Population growth of 11%. • 2000-2010 Population growth of 7.4% • April 1, 2010-July 1, 2012 percent change 0.6% Washington County is approximately 560 square miles and is divided into seven electoral districts: • A-11, Harrison District • B-11, Jefferson District • C-11, Madison District • D-11, Monroe District • E-11, Taylor District • F-11, Tyler District • G-11, Wilson District There are three towns located in Washington County: • Abingdon (County Seat) – population 8,193 (Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Demographic Profile • Glade Spring – population 1,456 • Damascus – population 813 County Boards, Authorities, Commissions and Committees Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee – The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee was created by the Board of Supervisors on August 13, 2013. The purpose of the Committee is to help staff translate community feedback, review information and draft materials and to make recommendations regarding various components of the comprehensive plan. The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of every month. Members are: • Phil Blevis • Mickey Tyler • Carol Jones • Duffy Carmack • Travis Staton • Talmage Stanley • Robbie Cornett • Phillip McCall • Bill Gibson County Snapshot | 6 • Bruce Dando • Charlie Hargis • High School Representative from each Washington County high school Board of Supervisors - The Board of Supervisors is the governing body of Washington County composed of seven Supervisors, one each elected from the County’s seven electoral districts for four year terms. All County ordinances, the County Operating Budget, and many of the primary public policies of the Washington County government originate from the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors meets twice monthly, the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, in regular sessions. Current Board members are: • Joseph Straten, Taylor District (E-11) • Randy Pennington, Jefferson District (B-11) • Phillip McCall, Harrison District (A-11) • William Gibson, Madison District (C-11) • Dulcie Mumpower, Wilson District (G-11) • Wayne Stevens, Jr., Monroe District (D-11) • Odell Owens, Tyler District (F-11) Planning Commission - The Washington County Planning Commission is charged with advising the Washington County Board of Supervisors on matters pertaining to the County’s zoning and subdivision codes and the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission is composed of seven Commissioners appointed by the Board of Supervisors, one Commissionr from each of the County’s seven Election Districts. The Commission meets on the fourth Monday of every month. Current members are: • Joe Hutton, Harrison District (A-11) • Paul Widener, Jefferson District ((B-11) • Charlie Hargis, Madison District (C-11) • Bruce Dando, Monroe District, (D-11) • John Lentz, Taylor District (E-11) • Michael Felty, Tyler District (F-11) • Bill Canter, Wilson District (G-11) Washington County Service Authority: The Washington County Service Authority (WCSA) provides public water throughout Washington County, as well as wastewater collection and treatment in portions of the County. The WCSA is an independent authority composed of a seven member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Industrial Development Authority: The Washington County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) is the primary organization responsible for industrial development within Washington County, including the development of publicly owned industrial parks and a variety of financing mechanisms to assist in the location or expansion of industry within the County. The IDA is composed of a seven member Board of Directors appointed at-large by the Board of Supervisors for four year terms. County Snapshot | 7 Virginia Highlands Airport Authority: The Virginia Highlands Airport Authority (VHAA) is responsible for the operation of the Virginia Highlands Airport. The Authority is composed of a seven member Board of Commissioners, one member per election district, appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Washington County Park Authority: The Park Authority owns and operates Washington County Park. The Authority is composed of an eight member Board of Directors appointed at-large by the Washington County Board of Supervisors. Emergency Services Committee: The Washington County Emergency Services Committee provides review, oversee, investigate, develop recommendations on matters pertaining fire and emergency medical rescue services in Washington County. Facilities Committee: The Washington County Facilities Committee provides review, oversee, investigate, develop recommendations and report on matters pertaining to County office and other building facilities, including the immediate and long-term needs of such facilities. Personnel Committee: The Washington County Personnel Committee provides review, oversee, investigate, develop recommendations and report on matters pertaining to personnel needs, policies and practices within the Administrative Division of the County government. Planning and Land Use Committee: The Washington County Joint Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee provides review, oversight, investigation, development of recommendations and reporting on matters pertaining to revising the Washington County Comprehensive Plan in coordination with the Washington County Planning Commission. Economic Development Committee: The Washington County Economic Development Committee provides review, oversight, investigation, development of recommendations and reporting on matters involving coordination of County economic development activities between the Board of Supervisors and Washington County Industrial Development Authority (IDA). School Budget Committee: The Washington County Joint School Budget Committee reviews the proposed Washington County School Board budget and the development of recommendations for funding of same for presentation in the County Administrator’s Proposed and Recommended County Operating Budget, in coordination with the Washington County School Board. Utilities Committee: The Washington County Joint Utilities Committee provides review, oversight, investigation, development of recommendations and reporting on matters pertaining to the provision of public water and sanitary sewer services throughout Washington County, in coordination with the Washington County Service Authority and the Washington County Industrial Development Authority. Board of Social Services: Controlling body of the Washington County Department of Social Services. Members of the Board of Social Services have a limit of two full consecutive terms. The Washington County Board of Supervisors appoints the Board of Social Services, one Board member from each of the County’s seven Election Districts. Board of Zoning Appeals: The BZA is responsible for hearing and deciding requests for variances from the terms of the County Zoning Ordinance and for hearing and deciding appeals from determinations made by the Washington County Department of Zoning Administration in the administration of the County Zoning County Snapshot | 8 Ordinance. The Washington County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is composed of five residents of Washington County appointed by the Washington County Circuit Court. Electoral Board: The Electoral Board shall ascertain from the returns the total votes in the County for each candidate and for and against each ballot question and complete the abstract of votes cast at elections. The Washington County Electoral Board is composed of three members appointed by a majority of the circuit judges of the 28th Judicial Circuit. Appointments are based on representation of the two political parties having the highest and next highest number of votes in the Commonwealth of Virginia for Governor at the last preceding gubernatorial election. Public Library Board of Trustees: The Washington County Library Board of Trustees is responsible for the management and control of the County’s free public library system consisting of four branch library facilities in