Kenova, West Virginia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Kenova, West Virginia
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Kenova, West Virginia


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = West Virginia
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Wayne

government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 4.4
area_land_km2 = 3.1
area_water_km2 = 1.3
area_total_sq_mi = 1.7
area_land_sq_mi = 1.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.5

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3485
population_density_km2 = 1115.0
population_density_sq_mi = 2887.9

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 170
elevation_ft = 558
latd = 38 |latm = 23 |lats = 59 |latNS = N
longd = 82 |longm = 34 |longs = 43 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 25530
area_code = 304
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 54-43180GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1541155GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Kenova is a city in Wayne County, West Virginia, at the confluence of the Ohio and Big Sandy Rivers. The population was 3,485 at the 2000 census. Kenova is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 288,649. The name of the town comes from its unique position between Kentucky, Ohio, and (West) Virginia.

It is home to a major Norfolk Southern Ohio River Bridge. CSX Transportation's former Chesapeake and Ohio Kanawha Subdivision travels through the town as well.

The city is also near the location of the Southern Airways Flight 932 aviation disaster. In 1970, a plane carrying the Marshall University football team crashed on a hillside on approach to the Tri-State Airport, killing all on board. A movie about the tragedy, We Are Marshall, was released in 2006.

Education

Since the closing of Ceredo-Kenova and Buffalo-Wayne High Schools in 1998, Kenova Elementary is the lone public education facility within Kenova city limits. The school has been awarded multiple national blue ribbons in academic achievement. Buffalo Elementary and Buffalo Middle schools are also located in Kenova, but outside city limits. The former Ceredo-Kenova High School, locally known as "C-K," boasted a great number of athletic state championships, including 13 in football and one in cheerleading. Buffalo can credit championships in boys' and girls' basketball and in football to their accomplishments. In 1998, Ceredo-Kenova and Buffalo-Wayne High Schools were closed and consolidated with Huntington, West Virginia based Vinson High School to form Spring Valley High School.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,485 people, 1,594 households, and 996 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,887.9 people per square mile (1,112.0/km²). There were 1,767 housing units at an average density of 1,464.3/sq mi (563.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.23% White, 0.23% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.20% of the population.

There were 1,594 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,342, and the median income for a family was $29,688. Males had a median income of $27,656 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,485. About 14.5% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Dreamland Pool

Dreamland pool was at one time the largest swimming pool east of the Mississippi. A great place to cool off in the summer and socialize. It also had an entertainment pavilion that used to attract big names like Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, and Frank Sinatra.cite web|url=http://www.wsaz.com/newswestvirginia/headlines/19406174.html|accessdate=2008-07-03|author=WSAZ news|title=Dreamland Pool Opens Saturday|quote=One local pool in our region is now on the road to a comeback after nearly closing.] About the size of a football field, Dreamland sports two cement floats equidistant to each other in the middle of the pool to allow swimmers a place to rest. The pool was built in 1926, survived a serious fire in the 70's, and was recently renovated in 2008.

The Pumpkin House

Every year around Halloween, a man named Ric decorates his house with over 3,000 jack-o-lanterns all cut differently and in interesting styles representing various things, such as local schools, news channels, and even some from pop culture. The house has been featured on the local news, NBC's Today Show and the Ellen DeGeneres Show. There are videos available on You Tube for anyone to watch, simply type in "Kenova Pumpkin House".

Notable people from Kenova

* Michael W. Smith - singer, musician, composer, songwriter, pastor, and actor. He is most well known for his Contemporary Christian, Christian rock, and Pop music.

ee also

*List of cities and towns along the Ohio River

References

External links