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| Mercer County, West Virginia | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of West Virginia |
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 West Virginia's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | March 17, 1837 |
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| Seat | Princeton |
| Largest City | Bluefield |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
421 sq mi (1,090 km²) 419 sq mi (1,085 km²) 1.7 sq mi (4 km²), 0.4% |
| PopulationEst. - (2015) - Density |
61,164 147/sq mi (57/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website: www.mercercounty.wv.gov/ | |
Mercer County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. At the 2010 census, the population was 62,264. Its county seat is Princeton. The county was originally established in the state of Virginia by act of its General Assembly on 17 March 1837, using lands taken from Giles and Tazewell counties.
Mercer County is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA Micropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 421 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 419 square miles (1,090 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.4%) is water.
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The West Virginia Turnpike, now part of Interstate 77, begins in Princeton.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 2,233 | — | |
| 1850 | 4,222 | 89.1% | |
| 1860 | 6,819 | 61.5% | |
| 1870 | 7,064 | 3.6% | |
| 1880 | 7,467 | 5.7% | |
| 1890 | 16,002 | 114.3% | |
| 1900 | 23,023 | 43.9% | |
| 1910 | 38,371 | 66.7% | |
| 1920 | 49,558 | 29.2% | |
| 1930 | 61,323 | 23.7% | |
| 1940 | 68,289 | 11.4% | |
| 1950 | 75,013 | 9.8% | |
| 1960 | 68,206 | −9.1% | |
| 1970 | 63,206 | −7.3% | |
| 1980 | 73,942 | 17.0% | |
| 1990 | 64,980 | −12.1% | |
| 2000 | 62,980 | −3.1% | |
| 2010 | 62,264 | −1.1% | |
| Est. 2015 | 61,164 | −1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2015 |
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At the census of 2000, there were 62,980 people, 26,509 households, and 17,946 families residing in the county. The population density was 150 people per square mile (58/km²). There were 30,143 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.56% White, 5.82% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 0.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 26,509 households out of which 26.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.10% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,628, and the median income for a family was $33,524. Males had a median income of $29,243 versus $19,013 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,564. About 14.70% of families and 19.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.90% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.
The county is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which, with its population of 107,578, is the thirty-third largest micropolitan area in the United States.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 62,264 people, 26,603 households, and 17,313 families residing in the county. The population density was 148.6 inhabitants per square mile (57.4/km2). There were 30,115 housing units at an average density of 71.9 per square mile (27.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.6% white, 6.1% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 16.4% were Irish, 14.2% were German, 12.0% were English, and 11.2% were American.
Of the 26,603 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.9% were non-families, and 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 42.5 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,131 and the median income for a family was $42,517. Males had a median income of $37,423 versus $25,778 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,431. About 16.0% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.
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