Farms and land in Alleghany County are enticing both new investors and those seeking to answer the call of the wild. Vast areas of protected national forests that include old growth forests dominate the landscape of the 449-square-mile county, and the population is 16,000. Alleghany County land is located on the far western edge of the state bordered by the Allegheny Mountains and is in the northernmost part of the Roanoke Region. An added incentive for investors is the Alleghany Highlands Enterprise Zone Designation for specific areas in the region for commercial and industrial development. Special state and local financial incentives are available to qualifying businesses and industries. Farms cover 30,857 acres, more than a third of which is woodlands. Livestock, poultry and products account for 71 percent of the county’s agricultural sales. Both hunters and fishermen enjoy the abundance of natural resources. The Alleghany Highlands Blueway includes two lakes, Jackson and Cowpasture rivers and many steams. Jackson River is known for its excellent fly fishing. Hunters on Alleghany County land can stalk deer, turkey, bear, ducks, geese and dove. Westvaco paper manufacturer is one of the largest private employers. The Humpback Covered Bridge is one of the few remaining covered bridges in the country and is the oldest remaining one in the state. Alleghany County Public Schools offers K-12 public education, and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College provides higher learning.
