Nicholas County, West Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nicholas County
U.S. county
The Nicholas County Courthouse in Summersville in 2007
Seal
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

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 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.

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

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

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Nicholas (Virginia Occidental) para niños