The historic Alderson Memorial Bridge
Alderson is a town in Greenbrier and Monroe Counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Greenbrier River. The population was 1,091 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Alderson is located at 37°43′39″N 80°38′29″W / 37.7275°N 80.64139°W / 37.7275; -80.64139 (37.727532, -80.641276)[3].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.5 km² (1.0 mi²). 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (6.25%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,091 people, 481 households, and 305 families residing in the town. The population density was 468.0/km² (1,214.5/mi²). There were 586 housing units at an average density of 251.4/km² (652.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.83% White, 6.60% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.18% Asian, and 2.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.
There were 481 households out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,043, and the median income for a family was $29,028. Males had a median income of $31,000 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,474. About 17.8% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.7% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Amtrak, the national passenger rail service, provides service to Alderson under the Cardinal route.
Notable Locations
Alderson is the location of the Alderson Federal Prison Camp where media mogul Martha Stewart was imprisoned (2004–2005).
Local Events
Alderson has the largest Fourth of July Celebration in West Virginia. Each year the events span an entire week, always ending with a "Rubber Ducky" race on the Greenbrier River. Each year, events include...a fireman's rodeo, an old-fashion gospel sing, a band each night, a car show, a grand parade, field events, talent show, pageant, fireworks and more.
Notable People Born in Alderson
Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria Louise Virginia Smith, better known as Bricktop (August 14, 1894 – February 1, 1984) was an American dancer, singer, vaudevillian, and self-described saloon-keeper who owned the nightclub Chez Bricktop in Paris from 1924 to 1961, as well as clubs in Mexico City and Rome. She has been called "...one of the most legendary and enduring figures of twentieth-century American cultural history."
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
External links
