Chincoteague, Virginia
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| Chincoteague, Virginia | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Accomack |
| Incorporated | 1908 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | John H. Tarr |
| Area | |
| - Total | 37.1 sq mi (96.0 km²) |
| - Land | 9.6 sq mi (24.9 km²) |
| - Water | 27.4 sq mi (71.1 km²) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 4,317 |
| - Density | 448.2/sq mi (173.1/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| FIPS code | 51-16512[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1492764[2] |
| Website: http://www.chincoteague-va.gov/ | |
Chincoteague (pronounced /ˈtʃiŋkətiːg/) is a town of 4,317 people on Chincoteague Island in Accomack County, Virginia, United States. The town is perhaps best known for the Chincoteague Ponies, although these are not actually on the island of Chincoteague but on nearby Assateague Island. These ponies and the annual Pony Penning Day are the subject of Marguerite Henry's 1947 children's book Misty of Chincoteague. This was made into the 1961 family film Misty, which was filmed on location.
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[edit] Geography
Chincoteague is located at (37.934673, -75.367805)[3]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.1 square miles (96.0 km²), of which, 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²) of it is land and 27.4 square miles (71.1 km²) of it (74.02%) is water.
[edit] History
A picturesque legend has it that the feral ponies on Assateague are descendants of survivors of a Spanish galleon that sank on its way to Mexico during a storm off the coast of the island, but the likelihood is that they are actually descended from domesticated stock, brought to the island by Eastern Shore farmers in the 17th century to avoid fencing requirements.
In the Pony Penning, which has been held annually since 1925, horses swim across the shallow water between the islands. If any animal is too small or weak to make the swim, they are placed on a barge and ferried over. All the horses are herded into large pens after running through the middle of town and down Main Street. The Pony Penning takes place on the last consecutive Wednesday & Thursday in July. The actual swim occurs on Wednesday, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department auctions that year's foals on Thursday, and on Friday the remaining ponies swim back to Assateague.
In 1962, a major nor'easter winter storm, the Ash Wednesday Storm, struck the coast. The town was completely underwater, and went for days without electricity. Almost all structures on Assateague Island, where development was just beginning, were destroyed. Following this, most of the island was preserved from development as Assateague Island National Seashore in 1965.
[edit] Tourism
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The town features numerous small hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds that serve visitors to the region, such as those patronizing the beaches. Two of the largest campgrounds are Tom's Cove Park on the south end of the island and Maddox Family Campground on the north end. The island also features many restaurants, ice cream parlors, and miniature golf courses.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 4,317 people, 2,068 households, and 1,244 families residing in the town. The population density was 448.2 people per square mile (173.1/km²). There were 3,970 housing units at an average density of 412.2/sq mi (159.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.92% White, 0.95% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.37% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.53% of the population.
There were 2,068 households out of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.63.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.0% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,514, and the median income for a family was $33,425. Males had a median income of $27,075 versus $20,859 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,367. About 9.7% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Restaurants
Bill's Seafood Restaurant, The Village, Don's Seafood, Maria's, The Seashell Cafe, Captain's Corner, and many more.
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Chincoteague Tourist and Travel Guide
- The Town of Chincoteague's Official Government Website
- Information about the Chincoteague Pony breed
- Chincoteague Travel Information
- Chincoteague Island in photos
- Chincoteague Visitors Guide
- Read about the legendary Spanish galleon
- Chincoteague, Virginia is at coordinates Coordinates:
Chincoteague Travel Agency
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