Union, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Union, West Virginia
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The historic Monroe County Courthouse in Union.
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Location of Union in Monroe County, West Virginia.
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Monroe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.45 sq mi (1.16 km2) |
| • Land | 0.45 sq mi (1.16 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,073 ft (632 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 427 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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425 |
| • Density | 1,208.05/sq mi (466.77/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
24983
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| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| FIPS code | 54-81940 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1548463 |
Union is a small town in Monroe County, West Virginia, United States. It is the main town where the county government is located, also known as the county seat. In 2020, about 427 people lived in Union.
Contents
History of Union
Monroe County was created on January 14, 1799, from parts of Greenbrier County. Union did not exist yet when the county first started. Soon after, a man named James Alexander offered 25 acres of land. This land included a spot for a courthouse, which eventually became the town of Union.
On January 6, 1800, the government group that made laws in Virginia passed a rule to create the town of Union. They named seven people, including William Haynes and John Gray, as "trustees." These trustees were chosen to help manage the new town.
By 1810, many land lots had been sold in Union. A courthouse and a jail were built in the center of town. By 1835, Union had about 400 people. It had two hotels, two places for tanning leather, a school, two churches, and two doctors.
Union was located on important stagecoach routes. These routes helped settlers travel across the Allegheny Mountains. Several mineral spring resorts in Monroe County also helped the area grow. These resorts, like Sweet Springs and Red Sulphur Springs, were popular places for people to visit.
During the American Civil War, not much fighting happened directly in Union. However, soldiers often moved through the area. In 1864, U.S. Army groups camped near the town. Some small fights happened around Union and Monroe County during the war. Most people in Union supported the Confederacy. They did not want West Virginia to become a separate state, which included Monroe County. Union officially became a town in 1868.
Union still has many old buildings from before the Civil War. This was a time when the local economy was doing very well because of the resorts. The current Monroe County Courthouse was built in 1881. It shows the popular Romanesque style of building from the late 1800s.
Some historic churches in Union include the Old Baptist Church (built in 1845) and the All Saints Episcopal Church (built in 1875). The Monroe County Historical Society helps protect several old buildings in town. These include the Caperton Law Office and the Old Baptist Church. Because of its rich history and well-preserved streets, the Union Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
East of Union is Rehoboth Church, built in 1784. It is the oldest church building still standing in West Virginia.
Geography of Union
Union is located at 37°35′28″N 80°32′35″W / 37.59111°N 80.54306°W.
The town covers a total area of about 0.45 square miles (1.16 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 356 | — | |
| 1890 | 312 | −12.4% | |
| 1900 | 623 | 99.7% | |
| 1910 | 779 | 25.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,270 | 63.0% | |
| 1930 | 984 | −22.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,020 | 3.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,341 | 31.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,186 | −11.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,141 | −3.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,090 | −4.5% | |
| 1990 | 830 | −23.9% | |
| 2000 | 806 | −2.9% | |
| 2010 | 565 | −29.9% | |
| 2020 | 427 | −24.4% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 425 | −24.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Union's Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 565 people living in Union. These people lived in 264 households, and 156 of these were families. The town had about 1255.6 people per square mile. There were 310 housing units, which are places where people live.
Most of the people in Union were White (94.9%). There were also African American, Native American, and people from other backgrounds. About 0.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
In 26.1% of households, there were children under 18. About 38.3% of households were married couples. Some households had a female head without a husband (16.3%), or a male head without a wife (4.5%). About 36.0% of all households were single people living alone. Nearly 20% of households had someone aged 65 or older living alone. The average household had 2.14 people.
The average age of people in Union was 44.3 years. About 21.8% of residents were under 18. About 24.4% were 65 years or older. The town had slightly more females (51.9%) than males (48.1%).
Notable People from Union
- Allen T. Caperton (1810–1876) — He was a senator for the Confederate States and later for the U.S.
- Augustus A. Chapman — He was a congressman and lawyer from Virginia. He also served as a general for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
- Matthew W. Clair — He was one of the first African American bishops in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
- Thomas H. Stack, S.J. — He was an American Jesuit and an artilleryman for the Confederacy in the Civil War. He was also the shortest-serving president of Boston College.
See also
In Spanish: Union (Virginia Occidental) para niños
