Nicholas County, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas County
|
||
---|---|---|
The Nicholas County Courthouse in Summersville in 2007
|
||
|
||
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
|
||
West Virginia's location within the U.S. |
||
Country | United States | |
State | West Virginia | |
Founded | January 30, 1818 | |
Named for | Wilson Cary Nicholas | |
Seat | Summersville | |
Largest city | Summersville | |
Area | ||
• Total | 654 sq mi (1,690 km2) | |
• Land | 647 sq mi (1,680 km2) | |
• Water | 7.6 sq mi (20 km2) 1.2%% | |
Population
(2020)
|
||
• Total | 24,604 | |
• Estimate
(2021)
|
24,300 | |
• Density | 37.621/sq mi (14.525/km2) | |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
Congressional district | 1st |
Nicholas County is a county located in the central region of U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,604. Its county seat is Summersville. The county was created in 1818 by the Virginia General Assembly and named for Virginia Governor Wilson Cary Nicholas.
Contents
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 654 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 647 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 7.6 square miles (20 km2) (1.2%) is water.
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. Nicholas County was divided into six districts: Grant, Jefferson, Kentucky, Mumble-the-peg, Summersville, and Wilderness. In 1873, Mumble-the-peg became Hamilton District. A seventh district, Beaver, was created in the 1880s.
Major highways
- U.S. Highway 19
- West Virginia Route 20
- West Virginia Route 39
- West Virginia Route 41
- West Virginia Route 55
Battlefields
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield, Keslers 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 population | |||
---|---|---|---|
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% | |
2010 | 26,233 | −1.2% | |
2020 | 24,604 | −6.2% | |
2021 (est.) | 24,300 | −7.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 26,233 people, 10,938 households, and 7,591 families living in the county. The population density was 40.6 inhabitants per square mile (15.7/km2). There were 13,064 housing units at an average density of 20.2 units per square mile (7.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.4% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 21.7% were Irish, 19.0% were German, 12.9% were English, and 10.1% were American.
Of the 10,938 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 43.3 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,457 and the median income for a family was $45,127. Males had a median income of $42,302 versus $25,859 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,359. About 14.3% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
- Richwood
- Summersville (county seat)
Magisterial districts
- Beaver
- Grant
- Hamilton
- Jefferson
- Kentucky
- Summersville
- Wilderness
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Nicholas (Virginia Occidental) para niños