Summersville, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Summersville, West Virginia
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Main Street (West Virginia Route 41) in downtown Summersville in 2007
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| Nickname(s):
The World's Largest Speed Trap
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Location of Summersville in Nicholas County, West Virginia.
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | West Virginia | ||
| County | Nicholas | ||
| Founded | 1824 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 4.53 sq mi (11.73 km2) | ||
| • Land | 4.49 sq mi (11.62 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 1,880 ft (573 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,459 | ||
| • Estimate
(2021)
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3,408 | ||
| • Density | 729.66/sq mi (281.75/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
26651
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| Area code(s) | 304, 681 | ||
| FIPS code | 54-77980 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1547739 | ||
Summersville is a city located in Nicholas County, West Virginia, in the United States. In 2020, about 3,459 people lived there. It is the county seat of Nicholas County, which means it is where the main government offices for the county are located.
Contents
History of Summersville
Summersville was first planned out in 1824. The city was named after Lewis Summers. He was a local judge who helped create Nicholas County.
Civil War Times
During the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate soldiers camped in Summersville. A Confederate spy named Nancy Hart Douglas sadly burned down most of the town. But the people of Summersville worked hard to rebuild it by 1884.
Schools and Growth
In 1914, Nicholas County High School was started. It was first located in a building downtown called "Old Main." As more students joined, new buildings were added. Later, in 1978, a new, larger high school was built north of town.
Summersville Dam
Construction on the Summersville Dam began in 1960. It was finished and officially opened by President Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1966. This dam created Summersville Lake, which is now a popular spot for outdoor activities.
Modern Development
U.S. Route 19 was upgraded in Summersville from two lanes to four. This change helped the city become the main business hub of Nicholas County. Many travelers from the north use this road as a quick way to get to the southern states.
Summersville also hosts an annual event called the Potato Festival.
Recent Flooding
On June 23, 2016, Summersville experienced serious flooding. Summersville Middle School was badly damaged and had to be torn down. Students moved to temporary classrooms. New buildings for Summersville Middle School, Nicholas County High School, and the Nicholas County Career and Technical Center began construction on June 2, 2020.
Geography and Climate
Summersville is found at 38°17′0″N 80°50′39″W / 38.28333°N 80.84417°W. It is just north of the Gauley River. This river is famous for its exciting whitewater rafting. The large dam on the river creates Summersville Lake, which is great for calmer water activities.
The United States Census Bureau says the city covers about 4.26 square miles (11.03 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Local Climate
Summersville has a climate where the temperatures do not change too much between hot and cold. It also gets enough rain all year round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Summersville has a "marine west coast climate." This type of climate is often shown as "Cfb" on climate maps.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 165 | — | |
| 1900 | 223 | — | |
| 1910 | 204 | −8.5% | |
| 1920 | 279 | 36.8% | |
| 1930 | 536 | 92.1% | |
| 1940 | 643 | 20.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,628 | 153.2% | |
| 1960 | 2,008 | 23.3% | |
| 1970 | 2,429 | 21.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,972 | 22.4% | |
| 1990 | 2,906 | −2.2% | |
| 2000 | 3,294 | 13.4% | |
| 2010 | 3,572 | 8.4% | |
| 2020 | 3,459 | −3.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 3,408 | −4.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 3,572 people living in Summersville. They lived in 1,640 households, which are groups of people living together. About 97.4% of the people were White. Other groups included African American, Native American, and Asian people. About 1.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Summersville was 43 years old. About 20.4% of residents were under 18. About 17.1% were 65 years old or older. There were slightly more females (53.2%) than males (46.8%) in the town.
Economic Growth
Since 2018, Summersville has seen a big boost in its economy. This is partly because a large natural gas pipeline was built through eastern Nicholas County. This project brought almost 1,000 more people to the area. This has helped local businesses, hotels, and other services earn more money.
Education
The Nicholas County Board of Education manages the public schools in Summersville.
These schools include:
- Summersville Elementary School
- Summersville Middle School (which was called Summersville Junior High School until 2006)
- Nicholas County High School
Summersville is also home to a private school called New Life Christian Academy.
For older students, New River Community and Technical College has a campus in Summersville.
See also
In Spanish: Summersville (Virginia Occidental) para niños
