Luray, Virginia
Location of Luray, Virginia
Coordinates: 38°39′51″N 78°27′16″W / 38.66417, -78.45444
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Page
Area
- Total	4.7 sq mi (12.3 km²)
- Land	4.7 sq mi (12.3 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation	797-1,010 ft (243 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	4,871
- Density	1,026.8/sq mi (396.5/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	22835
Area code(s)	540
FIPS code	51-47528[1]
GNIS feature ID	1498510[2]
Website: http://www.TownOfLuray.com

Luray is a town located in the Shenandoah Valley of Northern Virginia in the United States. It is the county seat of Page County^[3], and the town's population was 4,871 at the 2000 census ^[4]. The greater Luray area, within the corporation limits and the surrounding area, has over 11,500 residents and this area is the population center of the county.

Geography

Luray is located at 38°39′51″N, 78°27′16″W (38.664097, -78.454531)^[5].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.8 square miles (12.3 km²), of which, 4.7 square miles (12.3 km²) of it is land and 0.21% is water.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 4,871 people, 2,037 households, and 1,332 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,026.8 people per square mile (396.8/km²). There were 2,191 housing units at an average density of 461.9/sq mi (178.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.45% White, 5.52% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 2,037 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,306, and the median income for a family was $39,972. Males had a median income of $30,039 versus $19,841 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,205. About 11.3% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

While there is still an agricultural base in the Luray-Page County area, many local residents commute "down country", that is, to the Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. area. Seasonal tourism -- particularly during the fall leaf color and hunting seasons -- provides a part-time economic base, as well. However, even with this slightly mixed economic base, there is an extremely high unemployment rate.

Notable features

• Luray Caverns is located in the western part of Luray.
• Luray is the nearest town to the Thornton Gap entrance to Skyline Drive (to the east), as well as serving as the headquarters for Shenandoah National Park.
• It is also home to the 2006 Valley Baseball League Champion Luray Wranglers.
• One of the dominant hills in the town of Luray is the location of the Grand Old Mimslyn Inn, a 1931 classic Southern mansion style hotel. The hotel is a popular site for wedding receptions. It just underwent massive renovations. Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner stopped by the Mimslyn in January 2008.
• The only high school in Luray is Luray High School, home of the Bulldogs.
• The town is also home to the Page News and Courier, the major newspaper for the county.
• The community's closeness to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River provides recreational opportunities connected with boating, white water rafting, and fishing as well as hunting in the fall.

Neighborhoods of Luray

Well over three quarters of the town's population lives in one of the several neighborhoods of Luray. Each neighborhood serves as a landmark to the residents of Luray, often citing their neighborhoods as their residence.

• Boomfield-Located along in the southeastern part of Luray, namely the numbered streets.
• Court Street-The houses and streets branching off of Court Street.
• Downtown-The downtown district along Main Street
• Fairview-Far eastern portions of Luray, from East Luray Shopping Center eastward toward Fairview Grocery and the town line.
• Forest Hills-An affluent neighborhood located in the southwestern portion of the town. The roads within the neighborhood have medians with trees planted in them.
• Golf Course-An affluent neighborhood located along the Luray Caverns Country Club golf course. Homes are often overly extravagant and some are not lived in full-time.
• Hawksbill Heights-A neighborhood above the Hawksbill Creek, very near Luray High School.
• Hilldale-An affluent neighborhood in the east-central portion of the town.
• Husdon-The subdivision between Forest Hills and the Hawksbill Creek in the southwestern portion of the town.
• Old Farms-A subdivision just outside of the town limits, yet still referred to as within town limits.
• Springview-This neighborhood is in the far northeastern reaches of the town limits, just across Route 211 from Old Farms. The roads within the neighborhood have medians with trees planted in them.
• West Lu-A housing development located in western Luray. It is near the Luray Airport and Luray Caverns.
• West Main Street-Known as "The Hill" to locals. It is the group of neighborhoods located between Downtown and Luray Caverns.
• Woodland Park-The northern-most reaches of the town limits and includes both sides of Route 211. Named for the park that was once in the middle of the loop of Rosser Dr. and Stover St., which included a public pool. A small park remains. Across 211, there are duplexes as well as homes, and are considered to be in Woodland Park.

Transportation

• Page County TransitThe People Movers provides weekday transit for the town of Luray and weekday service between Luray and Front Royal.
• Front Royal Area Transit(FRAT) provides weekday transit for the town of Front Royal.
• Shenandoah Valley Commuter Bus Service offers weekday commuter bus service from Northern Shenandoah Valley including Shenandoah County and Warren County to Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. including Arlington County and Fairfax County. Origination points in Shenandoah County include Woodstock. Origination points in Warren County include Front Royal and Linden.

References and notes

External links

• Town of Luray official site
• shenandoahvalleyweb.org
• Page County, Virginia (unofficial) - Luray, Stanley, Shenandoah. Page County's source for local information, job information and freebies!

• Luray, Virginia is at coordinates 38°39′51″N 78°27′16″W / 38.664097, -78.454531 (Luray, Virginia)Coordinates: 38°39′51″N 78°27′16″W / 38.664097, -78.454531 (Luray, Virginia)