Sissonville, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Sissonville is an unincorporated census-designated place
in Kanawha County
, West Virginia
, along the Pocatalico River
. The population was 4,028 at the 2010 census. The community was named for John Sisson, who owned the original townsite.
Many people erroneously believe "Sissonville" encompasses all of the area north of the City of Charleston along State Route 21 and Interstate 77 but in fact, the area comprises four separate communities: Guthrie, Pocatalico, Millertown, and Sissonville. The area has four (4) interstate interchanges: Edens Fork; Tuppers Creek; Sissonville-Pocatalico; and Haines Branch off Interstate 77.
The four closely connected communities are all served by the Sissonville Fire Department. There is a local branch of the Kanawha County Public Library located in the Pocatalico community near Virgil L. Flinn Elementary School. The largest employer in the Sissonville area is the NGK/NTK Manufacturing facility located just off the Sissonville-Pocatalico Exit of Interstate 77. The facility employs over 200 full-time employees. The area is served with three elementary schools (Sissonville Elementary, Flinn Elementary, and Bonham Elementary), one middle school
(Sissonville Middle School); and one high school (Sissonville High School). The high school has gained prominence in athletics with a consistent record of state championship girl's sports teams including softball, basketball, and soccer.
Sissonville is located at 38°30′17"N 81°38′43"W (38.504844, -81.645217).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the Sissonville CDP has a total area of 12.8 square miles (33.2 km²); 12.8 square miles (33.0 km²) of this is land, and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) is water.
of 2000, there were 4,399 people, 1,732 households, and 1,316 families residing in Sissonville. The population density
was 345.1 people per square mile (133.2/km²). There were 1,862 housing units at an average density of 146.1/sq mi (56.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.41% White, 0.48% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.02% Asian, 0.36% from other races
, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 1,732 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples
living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.84.
The age distribution is: 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a Sissonville household is $36,725, and the median income for a family was $46,420. Males had a median income of $35,408 versus $20,865 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $19,657. About 8.6% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
for its problem with methamphetamine
, being called "Sissonville's Slimfast."
In late 2001, the Katie Sierra suspension controversy
made national news when a Sissonville High School
student was suspended for wearing an anti-war shirt in school.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Kanawha County
Kanawha County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 200,073 people, 86,226 households, and 55,960 families residing in the county. The population density was 222 people per square mile . There were 93,788 housing units at an average density of 104 per square mile...
, 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...
, along the Pocatalico River
Pocatalico River
The Pocatalico River is a tributary of the Kanawha River, about 75 mi long, in west-central West Virginia in the United States. Via the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the Mississippi River watershed....
. The population was 4,028 at the 2010 census. The community was named for John Sisson, who owned the original townsite.
Many people erroneously believe "Sissonville" encompasses all of the area north of the City of Charleston along State Route 21 and Interstate 77 but in fact, the area comprises four separate communities: Guthrie, Pocatalico, Millertown, and Sissonville. The area has four (4) interstate interchanges: Edens Fork; Tuppers Creek; Sissonville-Pocatalico; and Haines Branch off Interstate 77.
The four closely connected communities are all served by the Sissonville Fire Department. There is a local branch of the Kanawha County Public Library located in the Pocatalico community near Virgil L. Flinn Elementary School. The largest employer in the Sissonville area is the NGK/NTK Manufacturing facility located just off the Sissonville-Pocatalico Exit of Interstate 77. The facility employs over 200 full-time employees. The area is served with three elementary schools (Sissonville Elementary, Flinn Elementary, and Bonham Elementary), one middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(Sissonville Middle School); and one high school (Sissonville High School). The high school has gained prominence in athletics with a consistent record of state championship girl's sports teams including softball, basketball, and soccer.
Geography
According 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 Sissonville CDP has a total area of 12.8 square miles (33.2 km²); 12.8 square miles (33.0 km²) of this is land, and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) is water.
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 4,399 people, 1,732 households, and 1,316 families residing in Sissonville. 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 345.1 people per square mile (133.2/km²). There were 1,862 housing units at an average density of 146.1/sq mi (56.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.41% White, 0.48% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.02% Asian, 0.36% 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 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 1,732 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% 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, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.84.
The age distribution is: 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a Sissonville household is $36,725, and the median income for a family was $46,420. Males had a median income of $35,408 versus $20,865 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 CDP was $19,657. About 8.6% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Toby HarrahToby HarrahColbert Dale Harrah is a former professional baseball player who played with the Texas Rangers both before and after their 1971 franchise shift before later being traded to the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees...
- Baseball player, manager, etc. - Steve Harrison - member of West Virginia State Senate (2003–2006) and West Virginia House of DelegatesWest Virginia House of DelegatesThe West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
(1993–2002). - Darrell Holmes - Clerk of the State Senate (1989–present) and member of West Virginia State Senate (1983–1989) and West Virginia House of DelegatesWest Virginia House of DelegatesThe West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
(1975–1982). - Charlotte PrittCharlotte PrittCharlotte Pritt is an educator, businesswoman, and politician in the U.S. state of West Virginia. From 1984 to 1988, she served in the West Virginia House of Delegates. From 1988 to 1996, she served in the West Virginia State Senate...
- Democratic nominee for Governor (1996), member of the West Virginia State Senate (1989–1992) and West Virginia House of DelegatesWest Virginia House of DelegatesThe West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
(1985–1988). - Walton "Tony" Shepherd - member of West Virginia House of DelegatesWest Virginia House of DelegatesThe West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
(1975–1982, 1985–1986, 1990). - Steve Thaxton - NCAA Division II pole vaultPole vaultPole vaulting is a track and field event in which a person uses a long, flexible pole as an aid to leap over a bar. Pole jumping competitions were known to the ancient Greeks, as well as the Cretans and Celts...
champion (1986), United States Olympic Trials (track and field)United States Olympic Trials (track and field)The United States Olympic Trials for the sport of Track and Field is the quadrennial meet to select the United States representatives at the Olympic Games. Since 1992, the meet has also served as the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Because of the depth of competition in some events,...
pole vaultPole vaultPole vaulting is a track and field event in which a person uses a long, flexible pole as an aid to leap over a bar. Pole jumping competitions were known to the ancient Greeks, as well as the Cretans and Celts...
qualifier (1984 & 1988). - David "Dave" Tucker - Sheriff of Kanawha County (1997–2005) and Drum Major of the Beni Kedem Shriners Oriental Band, a popular attraction in parades all across West Virginia.
In the news
At one point, Sissonville received national publicity from CNNCNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
for its problem with methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
, being called "Sissonville's Slimfast."
In late 2001, the Katie Sierra suspension controversy
Katie Sierra suspension controversy
The Katie Sierra suspension controversy began in October 2001 when high school student Katie Sierra was suspended from Sissonville High School for her activism in opposition to the bombing of Afghanistan. The fifteen-year old Sierra was engaged in anti-war activism at her school, near Charleston,...
made national news when a Sissonville High School
Sissonville High School
Sissonville High School is a public high school in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It is located in Sissonville, West Virginia, more specifically Pocatalico, which is a suburb of Charleston.- Activities :*Student Council*Yearbook*Academic Honorary...
student was suspended for wearing an anti-war shirt in school.
External links
- http://www.sissonvillehigh.com
- http://www.sissonvile.us
- http://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/sisshigh/