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Summersville, West Virginia facts for kids

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Summersville, West Virginia
Main Street (West Virginia Route 41) in downtown Summersville in 2007
Main Street (West Virginia Route 41) in downtown Summersville in 2007
Nickname(s): 
The World's Largest Speed Trap
Location of Summersville in Nicholas County, West Virginia.
Location of Summersville in Nicholas County, West Virginia.
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
 (2010)
 • Total 3,572
 • Estimate 
(2019)
3,274
 • Density 729.66/sq mi (281.75/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
26651
Area code(s) 304, 681
FIPS code 54-77980
GNIS feature ID 1547739

Summersville is a city in Nicholas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 3,572 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Nicholas County.

History

Summersville was laid out in 1824. The city was named for Lewis Summers, a local judge.

Summersville is home to the annual Potato Festival.

Geography

Summersville is located at 38°17′0″N 80°50′39″W / 38.28333°N 80.84417°W / 38.28333; -80.84417 (38.283342, -80.844207). It is located just north of the Gauley River which is famous for its challenging whitewater. The river is impounded by a large dam which creates Summersville Lake, creating flatwater recreation as well.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.26 square miles (11.03 km2), of which, 4.22 square miles (10.93 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Summersville has a marine west coast climate, abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
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%
2019 (est.) 3,274 −8.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
Nicholas County Courthouse Summersville
Nicholas County Courthouse in 2007

The median income for a household in the town was $29,783, and the median income for a family was $43,314. Males had a median income of $33,633 versus $22,348 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,217. About 6.9% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2018 Summersville has been home to a major economical increase due to a 303 mi 42in. natural gas pipeline running through eastern Nicholas county, bringing in close to 1,000 more people to the county generating more revenue for businesses, Lodging and much more.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,572 people, 1,640 households, and 974 families living in the town. The population density was 846.4 inhabitants per square mile (326.8/km2). There were 1,761 housing units at an average density of 417.3 per square mile (161.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 1,640 households, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.6% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.77.

The median age in the town was 43 years. 20.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.2% were from 25 to 44; 30.4% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

Education

Summersville is served by the Nicholas County Board of Education, which operates three schools, Summersville Elementary School, Summersville Middle School (Summersville Junior High School until 2006), and Nicholas County High School, in Summersville.

Summersville is also home to New Life Christian Academy, a private school.

New River Community and Technical College maintains a campus in Summersville.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Summersville (Virginia Occidental) para niños

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