Nicholas County, West Virginia

Nicholas County, West Virginia
Location in the state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded	1818
Seat	Summersville
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	654 sq mi (1,694 km²) 649 sq mi (1,681 km²) 6 sq mi (16 km²), 0.88%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	26,562 41/sq mi (16/km²)

The Nicholas County Courthouse in Summersville in 2007

One of several markers designating the border between Nicholas and Greenbrier counties along Greenbrier Road near Richwood. Older stone survey markers are located a few feet behind the modern highway sign.

Nicholas County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,233. [1] Its county seat is Summersville^[1]. Nicholas County was created in 1818 by the Virginia General Assembly and named for Virginia Governor Wilson Cary Nicholas.^{[citation needed]}

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 654 square miles (1,695 km²), of which 649 square miles (1,680 km²) is land and 6 square miles (15 km²) (0.88%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 19
• West Virginia Route 20
• West Virginia Route 39
• West Virginia Route 41
• West Virginia Route 55

Battle Fields

Canifax Ferry Battlefield, The Battle of Forks and Spoons- Kesslers Cross Lanes

Adjacent counties

• Braxton County (north)
• Webster County (northeast)
• Greenbrier County (southeast)
• Fayette County (southwest)
• Clay County (northwest)
• Kanawha County (west)

National protected areas

• Gauley River National Recreation Area (part)
• Monongahela National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1820	1,853		—
1830	3,346		80.6%
1840	2,515		−24.8%
1850	3,963		57.6%
1860	4,627		16.8%
1870	4,458		−3.7%
1880	7,223		62.0%
1890	9,309		28.9%
1900	11,403		22.5%
1910	17,699		55.2%
1920	20,717		17.1%
1930	20,686		−0.1%
1940	24,070		16.4%
1950	27,696		15.1%
1960	25,414		−8.2%
1970	22,552		−11.3%
1980	28,126		24.7%
1990	26,775		−4.8%
2000	26,562		−0.8%

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 26,562 people, 10,722 households, and 7,762 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 12,406 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.84% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,722 households out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.30% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,974, and the median income for a family was $32,074. Males had a median income of $30,508 versus $17,964 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,207. About 15.00% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 13.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities and towns

• City of Richwood
• Town of Summersville

Unincorporated communities

Belva Bentree Birch River Calvin Cambria

Canvas Cottle Craigsville Drennen Enon

Fenwick Gilboa Holcomb Hookersville Kesslers Cross Lanes

Leivasy Lockwood Mount Nebo Muddelty Nettie

New Hope Odell Town Persinger Pool Swiss

Tioga Werth Zela

See also

• Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Nicholas County, West Virginia

References

1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
2. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

Coordinates: 38°17′N 80°48′W / 38.29°N 80.80°W / 38.29; -80.80

References