Wetzel County, West Virginia

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




map size = 225
founded = 1846
seat = New Martinsville | area_total_sq_mi =361
area_water_sq_mi =2
area percentage = 0.59%
census yr = 2000
pop = 17693
density_km2 =19
web =
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Wetzel County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 17,693. Its county seat is New MartinsvilleGR|6. Its northern border is the Mason-Dixon line. The county is named for Lewis Wetzel, a famous (some would say notorious) frontiersman and Indian fighter.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 361 square miles (936 km²), of which, 359 square miles (930 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (6 km²) of it (0.59%) is water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

*Marshall County (north)
*Greene County, Pennsylvania (northeast)
*Monongalia County and Marion County (east)
*Harrison County (southeast)
*Doddridge County (south)
*Tyler County (southwest)
*Monroe County, Ohio (west)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 17,693 people, 7,164 households, and 5,079 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 8,313 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.92% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,164 households out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,935, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $37,296 versus $19,339 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,818. About 15.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.60% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated towns & cities

Unincorporated communities

Rivers and streams

*Harker Run

References