Mingo County, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 28,253 people, 11,303 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. The population density
was 67 people per square mile (26/km²). There were 12,898 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.39% White
, 2.34% Black
or African American
, 0.24% Native American
, 0.21% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.06% from other races
, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.48% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 11,303 households out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples
living together, 12.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,347, and the median income for a family was $26,581. Males had a median income of $31,660 versus $18,038 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $12,445. About 25.90% of families and 29.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.90% of those under age 18 and 18.60% of those age 65 or over.
in 1895 from parts of Logan County
. Its founding was related to a legal protest by a moonshine
r, who claimed that the Logan County Court that had found him guilty did not have jurisdiction over his case, because his still was actually located in Lincoln County
. A land survey was taken and discovered that the defendant was correct. The charges were then refiled in Lincoln County court. Although the moonshiner was ultimately found guilty of his crime, the state legislature was made aware of the situation and determined that Logan County was too large for the expeditious administration of justice and decided to create a new county, called Mingo. The county was named in honor of the Mingo
Native American
tribe, which had been the earliest known settlers of the region.
The attempt to unionize coal
miners in the county in the 1920s led to the Battle of Blair Mountain
in neighboring Logan County
.
Census
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 28,253 people, 11,303 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. 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 67 people per square mile (26/km²). There were 12,898 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.39% White
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...
, 2.34% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.24% Native American
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...
, 0.21% Asian
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...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
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...
, 0.06% 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 0.74% from two or more races. 0.48% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
There were 11,303 households out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% 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, 12.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,347, and the median income for a family was $26,581. Males had a median income of $31,660 versus $18,038 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 county was $12,445. About 25.90% of families and 29.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.90% of those under age 18 and 18.60% of those age 65 or over.
History
Mingo County is the newest county in the state, formed by an act of the state legislatureWest Virginia Legislature
The West Virginia Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of West Virginia. A bicameral legislative body, the Legislature is split between the upper Senate and the lower House of Delegates. It was established under Article VI of the West Virginia Constitution following the state's...
in 1895 from parts of Logan County
Logan County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 37,710 people, 14,880 households, and 10,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 83 people per square mile . There were 16,807 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
. Its founding was related to a legal protest by a moonshine
Moonshine
Moonshine is an illegally produced distilled beverage...
r, who claimed that the Logan County Court that had found him guilty did not have jurisdiction over his case, because his still was actually located in Lincoln County
Lincoln County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,108 people, 8,664 households, and 6,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 9,846 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
. A land survey was taken and discovered that the defendant was correct. The charges were then refiled in Lincoln County court. Although the moonshiner was ultimately found guilty of his crime, the state legislature was made aware of the situation and determined that Logan County was too large for the expeditious administration of justice and decided to create a new county, called Mingo. The county was named in honor of the Mingo
Mingo
The Mingo are an Iroquoian group of Native Americans made up of peoples who migrated west to the Ohio Country in the mid-eighteenth century. Anglo-Americans called these migrants mingos, a corruption of mingwe, an Eastern Algonquian name for Iroquoian-language groups in general. Mingos have also...
Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe, which had been the earliest known settlers of the region.
The attempt to unionize coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
miners in the county in the 1920s led to the Battle of Blair Mountain
Battle of Blair Mountain
The Battle of Blair Mountain was one of the largest civil uprisings in United States history and the largest armed insurrection since the American Civil War...
in neighboring Logan County
Logan County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 37,710 people, 14,880 households, and 10,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 83 people per square mile . There were 16,807 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
.
Notable residents
- Don BlankenshipDon BlankenshipDonald Leon "Don" Blankenship was Chairman and CEO of Massey Energy Co., the sixth largest coal company in the United States...
, president and CEO of Massey EnergyMassey EnergyMassey Energy Company was a coal extractor in the United States with substantial operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia. By revenue, it was the fourth largest producer of coal in the United States and the largest coal producer in Central Appalachia... - H. Truman ChafinH. Truman ChafinHarry Truman Chafin is a Democratic member of the West Virginia Senate, USA, representing the 6th District since 1982. He is currently Majority Leader, serving since 1998.-External links:* official government website* profile...
, state senator - Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong
- James H. "Buck" Harless, a timber and coal operator via International Industries
Incorporated cities and towns
- Town of DelbartonDelbarton, West VirginiaDelbarton is a town in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 474 at the 2000 census. Delbarton was incorporated September 6, 1946 by the Mingo County Circuit Court. The name Delbarton comes from the New Jersey country estate of one of the officials of the United Thacker Land Company...
- Town of GilbertGilbert, West VirginiaGilbert is a town in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States, along the Guyandotte River. The population was 417 at the 2000 census. Gilbert was incorporated in 1918 and named for Gilbert Creek, which derives its name from the name of an early traveler in the area who was killed by Native...
- Town of KermitKermit, West VirginiaKermit is a town in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 209 at the 2000 census. Kermit is located along the Tug Fork, opposite Warfield, Kentucky...
- Town of MatewanMatewan, West VirginiaMatewan is a town in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA at the confluence of the Tug Fork River and Mate Creek. The population was 498 at the 2000 census...
- City of WilliamsonWilliamson, West VirginiaWilliamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
Unincorporated communities
- BaisdenBaisden, Mingo County, West VirginiaBaisden is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Baisden is southwest of Gilbert. Baisden has a post office with ZIP code 25608....
- BorderlandBorderland, West VirginiaBorderland is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Borderland is located along the Tug Fork and U.S. Routes 52 and 119 northwest of Williamson. Borderland had a post office, which opened on March 6, 1905, and closed on June 20, 2009....
- BreedenBreeden, West VirginiaBreeden is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Breeden is northeast of Kermit. Breeden has a post office with ZIP code 25666....
- ChattaroyChattaroy, West VirginiaChattaroy is a census-designated place in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 756 at the 2010 census.The name "Chattaroy" has been recorded in several variations since 1775...
- DingessDingess, West VirginiaDingess is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Dingess is north of Delbarton. Dingess has a post office with ZIP code 25671....
- Edgarton
- Gilbert CreekGilbert Creek, West VirginiaGilbert Creek is a census-designated place in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,090 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Gilbert Creek is located at ....
- IsabanIsaban, West VirginiaIsaban is an unincorporated community located on Fourpole Creek in McDowell and Mingo counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia....
(part)
- JusticeJustice, West VirginiaJustice is an unincorporated census-designated place in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Justice is located on U.S. Route 52 southeast of Gilbert. Justice has a post office with ZIP code 24851. As of the 2010 census, its population was 412....
- LenoreLenore, West VirginiaLenore is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Lenore is located on West Virginia Route 65 southeast of Kermit. Lenore has a post office with ZIP code 25676....
- MeadorMeador, West VirginiaMeador is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Meador is east of Matewan....
- NaugatuckNaugatuck, West VirginiaNaugatuck is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Naugatuck is located on the Tug Fork and U.S. Route 52 southeast of Kermit. Naugatuck has a post office with ZIP code 25685. The community was established in 1892....
- NewtownNewtown, Mingo County, West VirginiaNewtown is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Newtown is east of Matewan. Newtown has a post office with ZIP code 25686....
- NolanNolan, West VirginiaNolan is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Nolan is located on the Tug Fork along U.S. Route 52 and U.S. Route 119, northwest of Williamson....
- RaglandRagland, West VirginiaRagland is an unincorporated area just outside of the town of Delbarton on the Mingo and Logan County border in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Ragland is home to the Coal Mac mining complex and the Ragland Church of Christ....
- RawlRawl, West VirginiaRawl is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Rawl is located on the Tug Fork across from Kentucky, southeast of Williamson. Rawl has a post office with ZIP code 25691....
- Red JacketRed Jacket, West VirginiaRed Jacket is a census-designated place in Mingo County, West Virginia, in the United States. The population was 581 at the 2010 census. The community was named for Red Jacket, a Seneca orator.-Geography:...
- VarneyVarney, West VirginiaVarney is a small unincorporated area just outside of the town of Delbarton in Mingo County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The North Matewan Church of Christ is the closest place of worship for the area....
- VernerVerner, West VirginiaVerner is a small unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States, just outside of the town of Gilbert. It lies at an altitude of 781 feet ....
- WharncliffeWharncliffe, West VirginiaWharncliffe is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Wharncliffe is southwest of Gilbert. Wharncliffe has a post office with ZIP code 25651....
- WilsondaleWilsondale, West VirginiaWilsondale is an unincorporated community located in southern Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Wilsondale has a post office with ZIP code 25699; as of the 2000 Census, the population of this ZIP Code Tabulation Area was 74. It is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan...
See also
- Elk Creek Wildlife Management AreaElk Creek Wildlife Management AreaElk Creek Wildlife Management Area is located on east of Wylo in Logan and Mingo counties, West Virginia. The wildlife management area was established in 2008 on land leased by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources from Heartwood Forestland Fund II, L.P.-See also:*Animal...
- Laurel Lake Wildlife Management AreaLaurel Lake Wildlife Management AreaLaurel Lake Wildlife Management Area is located in Mingo County, West Virginia about east of Kermit. Located on of steep terrain with narrow valleys and ridgetops, the WMA contains second growth mixed hardwoods and hemlock with thick understory of mountain laurel and rhododendron.To reach Laurel...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Mingo County, West Virginia