CRAIG COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Adopted on December 6, 2018 Acknowledgements Craig County Board of Supervisors Jesse Spence, Chair, New Castle District Carl Bailey, Vice Chair, Potts Mountain District Casey McKenzie, Craig Creek District Kathi Toelke, Simmonsville District Rusty Zimmerman, Craig City District Craig County Planning Commission Michelle Klopfer, Chair Roger Huffman, Vice Chair Barbara Davis, Member Robyn L. Foster, Member Jim Joyce, Member Craig County Administration Dan Collins, County Administrator Roanoke Valley - Alleghany Regional Commission Eddie Wells, AICP, CZA, Director of Community Development Programs Craig County Comprehensive Plan December 6, 2018 i Table of Contents Purpose of the Plan ........................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 History ............................................................................................................... 2 Historic and Cultural Landmarks ............................................................................. 2 Local Natural, Scenic and Historical Areas ............................................................. 3 Chapter 2 Natural Environment .......................................................................................... 4 Topography ............................................................................................................ 4 Geology .................................................................................................................. 4 Soils ....................................................................................................................... 5 Climate ................................................................................................................... 9 Groundwater........................................................................................................... 9 Surface Water ...................................................................................................... 10 Flood Hazard ........................................................................................................ 10 Forests ................................................................................................................. 14 Special Biological Areas ....................................................................................... 16 Wildlife Diversity ................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 3 Demographics ................................................................................................. 19 Population Trends ................................................................................................ 19 Population Projections .......................................................................................... 20 Migration and Natural Increase ............................................................................. 21 Age Distribution .................................................................................................... 22 Household Characteristics .................................................................................... 23 Income ................................................................................................................. 24 Per Capita Income ................................................................................................ 24 Poverty statistics .................................................................................................. 25 Chapter 4 Housing ........................................................................................................... 26 Housing Units ....................................................................................................... 26 Occupied Units ..................................................................................................... 26 Housing Type ....................................................................................................... 27 General Housing Characteristics .......................................................................... 27 Residential Building Permits ................................................................................. 28 Affordable Housing ............................................................................................... 29 Chapter 5 Economy ......................................................................................................... 31 Labor Force Characteristics .................................................................................. 31 Employment and Wages ...................................................................................... 32 Household Earnings ............................................................................................. 34 Occupation of Employed Persons ......................................................................... 34 Industry of Employed Persons .............................................................................. 35 Major Employers .................................................................................................. 36 Taxable Sales ....................................................................................................... 37 Agriculture ............................................................................................................ 38 Chapter 6 Recreation and Tourism .................................................................................. 39 Craig County Tourism Commission ...................................................................... 39 Regional Tourism Marketing ................................................................................. 39 Craig County Comprehensive Plan December 6, 2018 ii Virginia Western Highlands Artisan Trail ............................................................... 39 Tourism’s Economic Impact .................................................................................. 41 Festivals ............................................................................................................... 41 Historic Landmarks ............................................................................................... 42 Lodging ................................................................................................................ 44 Campgrounds ....................................................................................................... 45 USFS Recreation Resources ................................................................................ 45 Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trails ........................................................................ 46 Scenic Byways ..................................................................................................... 46 Overlooks and Waysides ...................................................................................... 46 Trails and Greenways ........................................................................................... 47 Hunting ................................................................................................................. 48 Fishing.................................................................................................................. 48 Public Water Access ............................................................................................. 49 Private and Non-Profit Recreation Facilities ......................................................... 49 Chapter 7 Community Facilities ....................................................................................... 52 Water and Sewer Systems ................................................................................... 52 Solid Waste and Recycling ................................................................................... 52 Law Enforcement ................................................................................................. 52 Emergency Services ............................................................................................. 53 Health Care Facilities ........................................................................................... 53 Craig County Public Library .................................................................................. 54 Electric Utilities ..................................................................................................... 55 Communication Services ...................................................................................... 55 Broadband ............................................................................................................ 55 Chapter 8 Education ........................................................................................................ 57 Craig County Public Schools ................................................................................ 57 Public School Statistics ........................................................................................ 58 Child Care ............................................................................................................ 59 Chapter 9 Transportation ................................................................................................. 60 Highway Network ................................................................................................. 60 Federal Functional Classification .........................................................................