Wirt County, West Virginia

Infobox U.S. County
county = Wirt County
state = West Virginia


map size = 225
founded = 1848
seat = Elizabeth | area_total_sq_mi =235
area_land_sq_mi =233
area_water_sq_mi =2
area percentage = 0.79%
census yr = 2000
pop = 5873
density_km2 =10
web =
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Wirt County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 5,873. Its county seat is ElizabethGR|6. Wirt County is included in the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, West Virginia-Ohio (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was created in 1848 by the Virginia General Assembly and named for U.S. Attorney General and presidential candidate William Wirt. The county is serviced by one high school, Wirt County High School.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 235 square miles (608 km²), of which, 233 square miles (603 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (5 km²) of it (0.79%) is water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

* northwest - Wood County
* northeast - Ritchie County
* southeast - Calhoun County
* south - Roane County
* southwest - Jackson County.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 5,873 people, 2,284 households, and 1,699 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 3,266 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.55% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 0.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,284 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.50% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,748, and the median income for a family was $33,872. Males had a median income of $29,088 versus $17,965 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,000. About 17.00% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

Incorporated towns

*Town of Elizabeth

Unincorporated communities

References