Smithers, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Smithers, West Virginia
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Michigan Avenue in Smithers
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Location of Smithers in Fayette County, West Virginia.
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| Counties | Fayette, Kanawha |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.65 sq mi (4.26 km2) |
| • Land | 1.45 sq mi (3.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0.20 sq mi (0.51 km2) |
| Elevation | 633 ft (193 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 751 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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737 |
| • Density | 506.91/sq mi (195.71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
25186
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| Area code(s) | 304 |
| FIPS code | 54-74740 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1547007 |
Smithers is a city in West Virginia, a state in the United States. It is located in both Fayette and Kanawha counties. Most of the city is in Fayette County. Smithers is found along the Kanawha River. The city likely got its name from Smithers Creek, a nearby stream. In 2020, about 751 people lived there. This small river city is known for its interesting history. It has strong ties to coal mining and Italian-American traditions.
Contents
Geography of Smithers
Smithers is located at coordinates 38°10′39″N 81°18′23″W. It sits right by the Kanawha River. This is where Smithers Creek flows into the river.
The United States Census Bureau says the city covers about 0.50 square miles (1.3 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population in Smithers
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 2,232 | — | |
| 1950 | 2,208 | −1.1% | |
| 1960 | 1,696 | −23.2% | |
| 1970 | 2,020 | 19.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,482 | −26.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,162 | −21.6% | |
| 2000 | 904 | −22.2% | |
| 2010 | 813 | −10.1% | |
| 2020 | 751 | −7.6% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 737 | −9.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Smithers has changed over the years. In 1940, there were over 2,200 people. By 2020, the population was 751.
Smithers Population in 2010
In 2010, the city had 813 people living in 405 households. There were 216 families. The city had about 1626 people per square mile. Most residents, about 89.8%, were White. About 8.0% were African American. A small number were Native American or of two or more races. Less than 1% were Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Smithers was 49.8 years old. About 17.1% of people were under 18. Many residents, 25.7%, were 65 or older. There were slightly more females (54.0%) than males (46.0%) in the city.
Education in Smithers
Smithers used to have a school called Valley High School. It taught students from 6th to 12th grade. This school closed after the 2018–2019 school year. Now, the same campus is used for Valley PK-8. This school serves younger students.
Famous People from Smithers
- Bertis Downs IV – He is known for being the legal and business manager for the music group R.E.M..
- Gino Marchetti – He was a famous defensive end in the NFL. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Smithers (Virginia Occidental) para niños
