Sophia, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Sophia is an incorporated town in Raleigh County
, West Virginia
, United States
. It was incorporated in 1912. The population was 1,301 at the 2000 census. Sophia was the hometown of the late U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd.
In Winter of 2006, Taylor allowed Independence High School senior Brett Hatfield to become "Mayor for the day" for his senior project. In this event, Hatfield became a fifth generation mayor of the town, as a great-great-great-great grandfather of his was the very first mayor of the town. The event was covered twice in local newspaper, The Register-Herald. In his brief time in office, Hatfield created a brand new logo for the town.
The town is also home to the week long Community Gospel Nights festival, which was started in 2005. The festival is a 5 night event full of music, preaching, and prayer. The festival has been a hit since its first year. Gospel Nights was the vision of local Pastor Mark Hatfield.
In January, 2009 both Mayor Taylor and the town of Sophia were featured on the local television network WVVA. The main focus of the said media was the fact that even with the economy failing, the town of Sophia continues to strive and grow.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 1,301 people, 588 households, and 386 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,902.5 inhabitants per square mile (738.7/km²). There were 643 housing units at an average density of 940.3 per square mile (365.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.62% White, 1.15% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.15% from other races
, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.
There were 588 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples
living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $26,008, and the median income for a family was $31,200. Males had a median income of $30,875 versus $17,273 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,296. About 22.1% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.9% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.
Raleigh County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,220 people, 31,793 households, and 22,096 families residing in the county. The population density was 130 people per square mile . There were 35,678 housing units at an average density of 59 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was incorporated in 1912. The population was 1,301 at the 2000 census. Sophia was the hometown of the late U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd.
In Winter of 2006, Taylor allowed Independence High School senior Brett Hatfield to become "Mayor for the day" for his senior project. In this event, Hatfield became a fifth generation mayor of the town, as a great-great-great-great grandfather of his was the very first mayor of the town. The event was covered twice in local newspaper, The Register-Herald. In his brief time in office, Hatfield created a brand new logo for the town.
The town is also home to the week long Community Gospel Nights festival, which was started in 2005. The festival is a 5 night event full of music, preaching, and prayer. The festival has been a hit since its first year. Gospel Nights was the vision of local Pastor Mark Hatfield.
In January, 2009 both Mayor Taylor and the town of Sophia were featured on the local television network WVVA. The main focus of the said media was the fact that even with the economy failing, the town of Sophia continues to strive and grow.
Geography
Sophia is located at 37°42′51"N 81°15′2"W (37.714197, -81.250659).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 town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 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 1,301 people, 588 households, and 386 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 1,902.5 inhabitants per square mile (738.7/km²). There were 643 housing units at an average density of 940.3 per square mile (365.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.62% White, 1.15% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.15% 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 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.
There were 588 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% 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, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $26,008, and the median income for a family was $31,200. Males had a median income of $30,875 versus $17,273 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 $15,296. About 22.1% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.9% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.