Smithers, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Smithers is a city in West Virginia
, along the Kanawha River
. Almost all of the city is in Fayette County
, with a very small part in Kanawha County
. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 904 (901 in Fayette County, 3 in Kanawha County). The small river city is noted for having a rich cultural history related to both its coal mining and Italian-American heritages.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²).None of the area is covered with water.
of 2000, there were 904 people, 450 households, and 259 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,686.9 people per square mile (646.4/km²). There were 553 housing units at an average density of 1,031.9 per square mile (395.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.15% White, 8.41% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.11% from other races
, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.22% of the population.
There were 450 households out of which 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples
living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.63.
The age distribution is 19.8% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,417, and the median income for a family was $27,734. Males had a median income of $22,353 versus $18,846 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,807. About 20.0% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
, serving grades 6-12.
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 Kanawha River
Kanawha River
The Kanawha River is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately 97 mi long, in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The largest inland waterway in West Virginia, it has formed a significant industrial region of the state since the middle of the 19th century.It is formed at the town of Gauley...
. Almost all of the city is in Fayette County
Fayette County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,579 people, 18,945 households, and 13,128 families residing in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile . There were 21,616 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
, with a very small part 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...
. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 904 (901 in Fayette County, 3 in Kanawha County). The small river city is noted for having a rich cultural history related to both its coal mining and Italian-American heritages.
Geography
Smithers is located at 38°10′39"N 81°18′23"W (38.177389, -81.306269).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 city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²).None of the area is covered with 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 904 people, 450 households, and 259 families residing in the city. 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 1,686.9 people per square mile (646.4/km²). There were 553 housing units at an average density of 1,031.9 per square mile (395.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.15% White, 8.41% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.11% 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 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.22% of the population.
There were 450 households out of which 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% 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, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.63.
The age distribution is 19.8% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,417, and the median income for a family was $27,734. Males had a median income of $22,353 versus $18,846 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 city was $12,807. About 20.0% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Smithers has a combined middle school and high school, Valley High SchoolValley High School (Smithers, West Virginia)
For schools of the same name, see Valley High SchoolValley High School is a combined middle and high school, serving grades 6 through 12, located in Smithers, West Virginia. It is one of six high schools operated by Fayette County Schools, serving roughly the northwest portion of the county....
, serving grades 6-12.
Notable natives
- Gino MarchettiGino MarchettiGino John Marchetti is a former professional American football player in the National Football League. A defensive end, he played in 1952 for the Dallas Texans and from 1953 to 1966 for the Baltimore Colts.-Early years:...
-Inductee in the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. - Bertis Downs, manager and legal consul to alternative rock band R.E.M.R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...