kids encyclopedia robot

Nicholas County, West Virginia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas County
The Nicholas County Courthouse in Summersville in 2007
The Nicholas County Courthouse in Summersville in 2007
Official seal of Nicholas County
Seal
Map of West Virginia highlighting Nicholas 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 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 Decrease
 • Density 37.621/sq mi (14.525/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 1st
NicholasCountySignWV
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

  • US 19.svg U.S. Highway 19
  • WV-20.svg West Virginia Route 20
  • WV-39.svg West Virginia Route 39
  • WV-41.svg West Virginia Route 41
  • WV-55.svg West Virginia Route 55

Battlefields

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield, Keslers Cross Lanes

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

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

Magisterial districts

  • Beaver
  • Grant
  • Hamilton
  • Jefferson
  • Kentucky
  • Summersville
  • Wilderness

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

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

kids search engine
Nicholas County, West Virginia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.