Preston County, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 29,334 people, 11,544 households, and 8,357 families residing in the county. The population density
was 45 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 13,444 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.84% White
, 0.29% Black
or African American
, 0.11% Native American
, 0.15% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.05% from other races
, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 11,544 households out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.40% were married couples
living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,927, and the median income for a family was $32,904. Males had a median income of $26,440 versus $17,905 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $13,596. About 14.70% of families and 18.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.40% of those under age 18 and 14.50% of those age 65 or over.
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 29,334 people, 11,544 households, and 8,357 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 45 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 13,444 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.84% 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...
, 0.29% 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...
, 0.11% 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...
, 0.15% 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...
, 0.05% 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 0.54% from two or more races. 0.57% 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 11,544 households out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.40% 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, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,927, and the median income for a family was $32,904. Males had a median income of $26,440 versus $17,905 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 $13,596. About 14.70% of families and 18.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.40% of those under age 18 and 14.50% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
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Newburg, West Virginia Newburg is a town in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 360 at the 2000 census. At one time, Newburg was the largest town in Preston County.-Geography:Newburg is located at .... Reedsville, West Virginia Reedsville is a town in Preston County, West Virginia, in the United States. The population was 517 at the 2000 census.Reedsville was named for James Reed, who moved to the area in 1827 and owned land covering most of the future townsite. The first house in the community was built in 1855, and the... Rowlesburg, West Virginia Rowlesburg is a town in Preston County, West Virginia, United States, along the Cheat River. The population was 613 at the 2000 census.-History:The Downtown Rowlesburg Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.... Terra Alta, West Virginia Terra Alta is a town in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,456 at the 2000 census.-History:The James S. Lakin House and Terra Alta Bank are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-Geography:... Tunnelton, West Virginia Tunnelton is a town in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 336 at the 2000 census.-History:The Tunnelton Railroad Depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.-Geography:... |
Unincorporated communities
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Denver, West Virginia Denver is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. The Tunnelton Denver Elementary School is located along West Virginia Route 26 in Denver.... Eglon, West Virginia Eglon is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. Its elevation is 2,628 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 26716.... Evansville, West Virginia Evansville is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. It was named after Edward Evans. The land was given to Evans for serving under George Washington at Fort Necessity during the French and Indian War. Evans later served in the American Revolutionary War.... Fellowsville, West Virginia Fellowsville is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. Fellowsville is located at the junction of U.S. Route 50 and West Virginia Route 26 south-southeast of Newburg.... Hazelton, West Virginia Hazelton is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. Hazelton is located along Interstate 68 east of Bruceton Mills.... Hopemont, West Virginia Hopemont is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. It is located to the east of Terra Alta and is the home of Hopemont State Hospital, originally created as the West Virginia State Tuberculosis Sanitarium. According to the Geographic Names Information System,... Hopewell, Preston County, West Virginia Hopewell is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. It lies at an elevation of 1742 feet .... Horse Shoe Run, West Virginia Horse Shoe Run is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. Horse Shoe Run is located on West Virginia Route 24 north of Thomas.... Howesville, West Virginia Howesville is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. It sits at an altitude of 2,218 feet . The community once possessed a post office, which has since been closed.... |
Independence, Preston County, West Virginia Independence is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States, adjacent to the town of Newburg.-Notable residents:*Alexander Strausz- Hungarian-American soldier, architect and settler.... Israel, West Virginia Israel is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States.... Manheim, West Virginia Manheim is a small neighborhood located near the Cheat River that is incorporated within the town of Rowlesburg in Preston County, West Virginia, United States.... Mount Olivet, Preston County, West Virginia Mount Olivet is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. Mount Olivet is east of Rowlesburg.... |
Silver Lake, West Virginia Silver Lake is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. Silver Lake is located along U.S. Route 219 north of Thomas.... |
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See also
- Briery Mountain Wildlife Management AreaBriery Mountain Wildlife Management AreaThe former Briery Mountain Wildlife Management Area was located on near Kingwood in Preston County, West Virginia. The wildlife management area was part of the Camp Dawson Army Training Center, owned by the West Virginia State Armory Board. Briery Mountain WMA was sited on Briery Mountain,...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Preston County, West VirginiaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Preston County, West VirginiaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Preston County, West Virginia.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Preston County, West Virginia...
- Snake Hill Wildlife Management AreaSnake Hill Wildlife Management AreaThe Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area is a hilly area covering along the Cheat River canyon in Monongalia and Preston Counties, West Virginia...
- Upper Deckers Creek Wildlife Management AreaUpper Deckers Creek Wildlife Management AreaUpper Deckers Creek Wildlife Management Area, is located about north of Reedsville, West Virginia in Preston County. Upper Deckers Creek WMA is located on , consisting of two small fishing ponds and surrounding forested rolling hills.The WMA is accessed from County Route 27/3 about one mile north...
Further reading
- Cox, Connie Loraine, Our Place In History: Southwestern Preston County, West Virginia, Headline Books, Terra Alta, WVTerra Alta, West VirginiaTerra Alta is a town in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,456 at the 2000 census.-History:The James S. Lakin House and Terra Alta Bank are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-Geography:...
, 2005. (Written and oral histories, photographs)