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Hancock County, West Virginia facts for kids

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Hancock County
U.S. county
Peter Tarr Furnace Site
Peter Tarr Furnace Site
Official seal of Hancock County
Seal
Map of West Virginia highlighting Hancock County
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  West Virginia
Founded January 15, 1848
Named for John Hancock
Seat New Cumberland
Largest city Weirton
Area
 • Total 88 sq mi (230 km2)
 • Land 83 sq mi (210 km2)
 • Water 5.4 sq mi (14 km2)  6.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 29,095
 • Estimate 
(2021)
 28,656 Decrease
 • Density 330.6/sq mi (127.7/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 1st

Hancock County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 29,095. Its county seat is New Cumberland and its largest city is Weirton. The county was created from Brooke County in 1848 and named for John Hancock, first signer of the Declaration of Independence. Located at the tip of the state's Northern Panhandle, Hancock County is the northernmost point in both West Virginia and, by some definitions, the Southern United States. Hancock County is part of the Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.

History

Hancock County was formed from Brooke County in 1848, some 15 years before West Virginia became a state. Both counties were once part of Ohio County, Virginia, which had been formed from the District of West Augusta in 1776. Hancock County has significant Revolutionary-period roots due to its location on the Ohio River south of Fort Pitt in Pittsburgh and north of Fort Henry in Wheeling.

Hancock County was the site of the infamous massacre of Iroquois leader Chief Logan's family in 1774, at Baker's Tavern across the Ohio River from the mouth of Yellow Creek. The event, known as the Yellow Creek massacre, sparked Lord Dunmore's War. Adam Poe had his famous fight with the Indian known as Big Foot at the mouth of Tomlinson Run in 1781. Historical markers commemorate both events. Significant Revolutionary War forts and blockhouses in Hancock County included Holliday's Cove Fort in downtown Weirton and Chapman's Blockhouse in New Cumberland.

In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into civil townships, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts. Hancock County was divided into four districts: Butler, Clay, Grant, and Poe. Poe, the least populous district, was discontinued in the 1920s.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 88 square miles (230 km2), of which 83 square miles (210 km2) is land and 5.4 square miles (14 km2) (6.1%) is water. It is the smallest county in West Virginia by area, as well as one of the smallest in the United States. The highest point of elevation in Hancock County is approximately 1363 ft. and located about 1800 ft. ESE of Emmanuel Mission Church.

Major highways

  • US 22
  • US 30
  • WV 2
  • WV 8
  • WV 105

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 4,050 —
1860 4,445 9.8%
1870 4,363 −1.8%
1880 4,882 11.9%
1890 6,414 31.4%
1900 6,693 4.3%
1910 10,465 56.4%
1920 19,975 90.9%
1930 28,511 42.7%
1940 31,572 10.7%
1950 34,388 8.9%
1960 39,615 15.2%
1970 39,749 0.3%
1980 40,418 1.7%
1990 35,233 −12.8%
2000 32,667 −7.3%
2010 30,676 −6.1%
2020 29,095 −5.2%
2021 (est.) 28,656 −6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 30,676 people, 13,297 households, and 8,732 families living in the county. The population density was 371.3 inhabitants per square mile (143.4/km2). There were 14,541 housing units at an average density of 176.0 units per square mile (68.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.7% white, 2.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 21.1% were German, 18.7% were Irish, 15.6% were Italian, 12.5% were English, 8.0% were Polish, and 6.2% were American.

Of the 13,297 households, 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.3% were non-families, and 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 45.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,565 and the median income for a family was $46,978. Males had a median income of $40,961 versus $28,915 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,118. About 11.2% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Magisterial districts

  • Butler
  • Clay
  • Grant

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Hancock County.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2020 Census) Population (2021 Estimate) Municipal type
1 Weirton partially in Brooke County 19,163 18,813 City
2 Chester 2,208 2,173 City
3 Newell 1,203 -- CDP
4 † New Cumberland 1,020 1,007 City

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Hancock (Virginia Occidental) para niños

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