Pocahontas County, West Virginia

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




map size = 225
founded = 1821
seat = Marlinton | area_total_sq_mi =942
area_water_sq_mi =2
area percentage = 0.71%
census yr = 2000
pop = 9131
density_km2 =4
web =
|

Pocahontas County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population was 9,131. It was established in 1821, and is named in honor of the Native American Pocahontas. Its county seat is MarlintonGR|6. Pocahontas County is the home of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Green Bank Telescope and is part of the National Radio Quiet Zone.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 942 square miles (2,439 km²), of which, 940 square miles (2,435 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (4 km²) of it (0.17%) is water.

The highest point is Bald Knob on Back Allegheny Mountain, located in the western half of the county. At 4,842 feet, it is the second highest point in the state.

Pocahontas county has the potential to be a low-level player in the current natural gas exploration frenzy. Pennsylvania has proven to be a rich resource for natural gas, possessing the most productive portions of the Marcellas formation. Pocahontas County, in the lower reaches of the Marcellas formation will not come near Pennsylvania production levels, but will justify the 2 million dollar per well investment.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

*Randolph County (north)
*Pendleton County (northeast)
*Highland County, Virginia (east)
*Bath County, Virginia (southeast)
*Greenbrier County (southwest)
*Webster County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,131 people, 835 households, and 527 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 7,594 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.38% White, 0.78% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,835 households out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out with 20.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 106.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,401, and the median income for a family was $32,511. Males had a median income of $26,173 versus $16,780 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,384. About 12.70% of families and 17.10% of individuals were below the poverty line, including 20.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated towns & cities

*Town of Durbin
*Town of Hillsboro
*Town of Marlinton

Unincorporated communities

Registered Historic Places in Pocahontas County

* Camp Allegheny
* Camp Bartow Historic District
* Cass Historic District
* Cass Scenic Railroad
* Reber Radio Telescope
* GW Jeep Site
* Locust Creek Covered Bridge
* Pearl Buck House
* Richard Beard House
* Huntersville Presbyterian Church
* Droop Mountain Battlefield
* Frank and Anna Hunter House
* IOOF Lodge Building
* Marlinton Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Station
* Pocahontas County Opera House in Marlinton
* Pocahontas County Courthouse and Jail
* Pocahontas Times Print Shop
* McNeel Mill

National Natural Landmarks in Pocahontas County

*Cranberry Glades Botanical Area
*Gaudineer Scenic Area
*Swago Karst Area

ee also

* Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
* Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
* Greenbrier River Trail
* National Radio Astronomy Observatory
* Watoga State Park
* Shavers Mountain

References