Parts of this article (those related to demographics) need to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (November 2015)
Mineral was originally known as Tolersville,[5]
but adopted its current name when it incorporated in 1902 due to the mining industry that supported the community. It was the center of gold mining activity in Louisa County; during its heyday, there were fifteen gold mines located within two miles (3 km) of the town. A zinc and lead mine also operated in the area into the 1970s.
At 1:51 p.m. on August 23, 2011, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake was centered 5 miles (8 kilometers) south-southwest of Mineral, at a depth of 3.7 miles (6 kilometers).[7] According to Associated Press, it "forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Florida to Canada."[8] The roof of Mineral's town hall collapsed, and three of the six schools in the county's school system suffered heavy damage. There were no fatalities, and only minor injuries.
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 424 people, 172 households and 115 families residing in the town. The population density was 474.7 per square mile (183.9/km2). There were 196 housing units at an average density of 219.5/sq mi (85.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 82.8% White, 9.9% Black, and 7.3% from two or more races.
There were 172 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out, with 24.3% of the population under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $49,000. Males had a median income of $34,375 versus $24,063 for females. The per capita income was $19,397. About 4.5% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
^The town was founded by Adam Toler. He was born on November 30, 1766, in Louisa County, Virginia, and died on March 20, 1813, in Chesterfield, Virginia. He was the son of William Toler and Hannah Brockman.
He married in 1785 as her second husband, Mary Jerdone. She was born on January 14, 1754, at New Kent County, Virginia, the daughter of Frances Jerdone was born in Jedburgh in the Shire of Tivotdale, Scotland, on January 30, 1721. He was the son of John Jerdone, a magistrate and treasurer of the town. At the age of nineteen, he immigrated to Virginia from Scotland and settled in Hanover County,Yorktown; and later in Louisa County. He made his living as a merchant (factor), running a mercantile business with George Pottie until his death in 1771.
Mary Jerdone married as her first husband, in 1771, George Pottie. He died prior to 1785 when she married Adam Toler.
