Bolivar, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Bolivar is a town in Jefferson County
in the U.S. state
of West Virginia
's Eastern Panhandle. The population was 1,045 at the 2000 census. Originally known as Mudfort, Bolivar was granted a charter as a town by the Virginia General Assembly
in December 1825. Upon petitioning the Assembly for a town charter, the citizens of Mudfort chose to name their town for the South America
n revolutionary leader, Simón Bolívar
(July 24, 1783 – December 17, 1830).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 1,045 people, 479 households, and 274 families residing in the town. The population density
was 2,141.1 inhabitants per square mile (823.4/km²). There were 519 housing units at an average density of 1,063.4 per square mile (409.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.10% White, 5.36% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races
, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.63% of the population.
There were 479 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $42,375, and the median income for a family was $47,375. Males had a median income of $36,667 versus $25,500 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $20,969. About 8.1% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.
Jefferson County, West Virginia
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 53,498. Its county seat is Charles Town...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
's Eastern Panhandle. The population was 1,045 at the 2000 census. Originally known as Mudfort, Bolivar was granted a charter as a town by the Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
in December 1825. Upon petitioning the Assembly for a town charter, the citizens of Mudfort chose to name their town for the South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n revolutionary leader, Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Yeiter, commonly known as Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader...
(July 24, 1783 – December 17, 1830).
Geography
Bolivar is located at 39°19.4′N 77°45.1′W (39.3241, -77.7515). It is contiguous with, and immediately up-hill from, the famous historic town Harpers FerryAccording to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,045 people, 479 households, and 274 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,141.1 inhabitants per square mile (823.4/km²). There were 519 housing units at an average density of 1,063.4 per square mile (409.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.10% White, 5.36% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.63% of the population.
There were 479 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $42,375, and the median income for a family was $47,375. Males had a median income of $36,667 versus $25,500 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $20,969. About 8.1% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.