Floyd, Virginia Explained

Official Name:Floyd, Virginia
Settlement Type:Town
Mapsize:250px
Pushpin Map:Virginia#USA
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Floyd, Virginia
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Virginia
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Floyd
Government Type:Township
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:William Griffin
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Leader Name1:Bruce Turner
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Sq Mi:0.46
Area Land Sq Mi:0.46
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:448
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation Ft:2493
Coordinates:36.9111°N -80.32°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:24091
Area Code:540
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:51-28544[2]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:1498479[3]
Area Total Km2:1.18
Area Land Km2:1.18
Area Water Km2:0.00

Floyd is a town in Floyd County, Virginia, United States. The population was 448 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Floyd County.[4] The Town of Floyd was originally named Jacksonville as the surrounding county was formed during the tenure of President Andrew Jackson. The name was subsequently changed to Floyd for Virginia governor John Floyd.[5]

History

The Floyd Historic District, Floyd Presbyterian Church, Glenanna, Phlegar Farm, and Oakdale are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.2 km2), all of it land.

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, Floyd has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[6]

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 432 people, 238 households, and 117 families residing in the town. The population density was 942.3 people per square mile (362.6/km2). There were 264 housing units at an average density of 575.9 per square mile (221.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 93.29% White, 4.63% African American, 0.23% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 238 households, out of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.0% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.8% were non-families. 49.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 31.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.82 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.5% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 30.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 70.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 66.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,781, and the median income for a family was $40,938. Males had a median income of $27,232 versus $19,464 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,557. About 10.4% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

The Town of Floyd is becoming known as a regional destination for music, especially bluegrass music, and old-time music. The Floyd Country Store's Friday Night Jamboree,[7] which features local and area bands, has been held each Friday night for many years, gaining in popularity during the past decade. In fair weather, the indoor stage performances and dancing are joined by simultaneous banjo-and-fiddle-centered jam sessions in driveways and seating areas along South Locust Street.[8] Local old time string band The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee won first prize at the 85th Annual Old Fiddlers' Convention held in Galax, Virginia.[9] County Sales, a notable music distribution company founded by David Freeman focusing on old-time, bluegrass and related music, was based in Floyd from 1973 until closing permanently in 2024.[10] [11]

Floyd is also home to a large counter-culture movement. There are other musical venues and stages in the town, featuring many different styles of music. The Winter Sun, a complex in downtown Floyd, frequently hosts shows for bands. The National Music Festival, focused on classical music, hosted its first season in Floyd in 2011.

Floyd is the location of Red Rooster Coffee.[12]

Notable people

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. August 7, 2020.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website . . January 31, 2008 .
  3. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. January 31, 2008. United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007.
  4. Web site: Find a County . June 7, 2011 . National Association of Counties . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx . May 31, 2011 .
  5. Book: The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States . Govt. Print. Off. . Gannett, Henry . 1905 . 127.
  6. Web site: Floyd, Virginia Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase). Weatherbase. May 7, 2021.
  7. https://floydcountrystore.com
  8. Web site: RTODDOLD . Floyd, Virginia's Famous Friday Night Jamboree Draws in Tourists From Across the Globe . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161202040037/https://wvpublic.org/post/floyd-virginia-s-famous-friday-night-jamboree-draws-tourists-across-globe . December 2, 2016 . December 1, 2016 . WV Public Broadcasting.
  9. Web site: 85th Annual Old Fiddlers Convention Results. John. Lawless. Bluegrass Today. August 16, 2021 . February 22, 2022.
  10. Web site: County Sales, a music store that became a Floyd institution, will close after almost 60 years . March 22, 2024 .
  11. Wyatt. Marshall. "Every County Has Its Own Personality", An Interview With David Freeman. The Old-Time Herald. 7. 2. Durham, NC. August 11, 1999. July 15, 2009. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183024/http://www.oldtimeherald.org/archive/back_issues/volume-7/7-2/david_freeman.html. dead.
  12. Web site: Holiday Gift Guide 2018: The 12 Best Coffee Roasters In The U.S.. Kim. Westerman. Forbes. May 7, 2021.
  13. https://arthistory.wisc.edu/event/visiting-artist-colloquium-donna-polseno/ Visiting Artist Colloquium: Donna Polseno
  14. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willido01.shtml Don Williams Stats