Summers County, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Summers County is a county located in the U.S. state
of West Virginia
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,927.http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/54089.html Its county seat
is Hinton
. Summers County was created by an act of the West Virginia General Assembly on February 27, 1871 from parts of Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer and Monroe counties. It was named in honor of George W. Summers
(1804-1868).
, the county has a total area of 368 square miles (952 km²), of which 361 square miles (935 km²) is land and 7 square miles (17 km²) (1.78%) is water.
National protected area
of 2000, there were 12,999 people, 5,530 households, and 3,754 families residing in the county. The population density
was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 7,331 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.57% White
, 2.15% Black
or African American
, 0.25% Native American
, 0.09% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.10% from other races
, and 0.79% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,530 households out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% were married couples
living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the county, the population was spread out with 20.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,147, and the median income for a family was $27,251. Males had a median income of $27,485 versus $18,491 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $12,419. 24.40% of the population and 20.30% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 34.30% of those under the age of 18 and 14.50% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Federal Prison Camp, Alderson is partly in unincorporated
Monroe County
and partly in unincorporated Summers County.
school district
; per West Virginia state law, all school districts in West Virginia follow county boundaries. 1,548 students are enrolled in the five public schools in Summers County. Summers County has one public high school, Summers County High School
, which serves students in grades 9-12; one middle school, Summers Middle School, which serves students in grades 6-8; and three elementary schools, all of which serve students in grades Pre-K through 5: Hinton Area Elementary School, Jumping Branch, Elementary School, and Talcott Elementary School. Summers County High School has a total enrollment of 458 students and a graduation rate of 78.45% Summers Middle School has an enrollment of 334 students, and Hinton Area Elementary School, Jumping Branch Elementary School, and Talcott Elementary School have enrollments of 469, 132, and 155 students respectively.
Summers County is also home to one private school
, Pipestem Christian Academy. Pipestem Christian Academy is part of the West Virginia Christian Education Association and has a total enrollment of 89 students in grades Pre-K through 11. Greenbrier Academy, a therapeutic boarding school
for girls, is also located in Summers County, in the community of Pence Springs. Additionally, 28 home schools serving 38 students are located in Summers County.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,927.http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/54089.html Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Hinton
Hinton, West Virginia
Hinton is a city in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,880 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Summers County. Hinton was established in 1873 and chartered in 1897. Hinton was named for John "Jack" Hinton, a prominent lawyer of Summers County and husband of...
. Summers County was created by an act of the West Virginia General Assembly on February 27, 1871 from parts of Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer and Monroe counties. It was named in honor of George W. Summers
George W. Summers
George William Summers was an attorney, politician, and jurist from Virginia .Summers was born in Fairfax County, Virginia, where his father served in the House of Delegates for four terms. His family moved to Kanawha County in 1814...
(1804-1868).
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited 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 county has a total area of 368 square miles (952 km²), of which 361 square miles (935 km²) is land and 7 square miles (17 km²) (1.78%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 64Interstate 64Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
West Virginia Route 3
West Virginia Route 12
West Virginia Route 20
Adjacent counties
- Greenbrier CountyGreenbrier County, West VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 34,453 people, 14,571 households, and 9,922 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile . There were 17,644 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
(northeast) - Monroe CountyMonroe County, West VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 14,583 people, 5,447 households, and 3,883 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 7,267 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
(east) - Mercer CountyMercer County, West Virginia-External links:* * * * * * *...
(southwest) - Raleigh CountyRaleigh County, West VirginiaAs 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) - Fayette CountyFayette County, West VirginiaAs 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...
(northwest) - Giles County, VirginiaGiles County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 16,657 people, 6,994 households, and 4,888 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 7,732 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
(south southwest)(Connected by Bluestone Lake)
National protected areaProtected areaProtected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
s
- Bluestone National Scenic RiverBluestone National Scenic RiverThe Bluestone National Scenic River protects a section of the Bluestone River in Summers and Mercer counties of southern West Virginia. It was created in 1988 under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and is protected by the National Park Service....
(part) - New River Gorge National RiverNew River Gorge National RiverThe New River Gorge National River is a unit of the United States National Park Service designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. Established in 1978, the NPS-protected area stretches for from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted.New...
(part)
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 12,999 people, 5,530 households, and 3,754 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 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 7,331 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.57% 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...
, 2.15% 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...
, 0.25% 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...
, 0.09% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 0.10% 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 0.79% from two or more races. 0.55% 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 5,530 households out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% 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, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the county, the population was spread out with 20.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,147, and the median income for a family was $27,251. Males had a median income of $27,485 versus $18,491 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 $12,419. 24.40% of the population and 20.30% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 34.30% of those under the age of 18 and 14.50% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Government and infrastructure
The Federal Bureau of PrisonsFederal Bureau of Prisons
The Federal Bureau of Prisons is a federal law enforcement agency subdivision of the United States Department of Justice and is responsible for the administration of the federal prison system. The system also handles prisoners who committed acts considered felonies under the District of Columbia's...
Federal Prison Camp, Alderson is partly in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Monroe County
Monroe County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,583 people, 5,447 households, and 3,883 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 7,267 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
and partly in unincorporated Summers County.
Education
Public schools in Summers County are governed by the Summers County SchoolsSummers County Schools
Summers County Schools is the operating school district within Summers County, West Virginia. It is governed by the Summers County Board of Education.-Middle schools:*Summers Middle School -Elementary schools:*Jumping Branch Elementary School...
school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
; per West Virginia state law, all school districts in West Virginia follow county boundaries. 1,548 students are enrolled in the five public schools in Summers County. Summers County has one public high school, Summers County High School
Summers County High School
Summers County High School is a public high school located in Hinton, West Virginia, United States. It serves 504 students in grades 9-12. Summers County High School opened in 1995.-Athletics:Summers County participates in athletics under the nickname Bobcats...
, which serves students in grades 9-12; one middle school, Summers Middle School, which serves students in grades 6-8; and three elementary schools, all of which serve students in grades Pre-K through 5: Hinton Area Elementary School, Jumping Branch, Elementary School, and Talcott Elementary School. Summers County High School has a total enrollment of 458 students and a graduation rate of 78.45% Summers Middle School has an enrollment of 334 students, and Hinton Area Elementary School, Jumping Branch Elementary School, and Talcott Elementary School have enrollments of 469, 132, and 155 students respectively.
Summers County is also home to one private school
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, Pipestem Christian Academy. Pipestem Christian Academy is part of the West Virginia Christian Education Association and has a total enrollment of 89 students in grades Pre-K through 11. Greenbrier Academy, a therapeutic boarding school
Therapeutic boarding school
A therapeutic boarding school , alternatively known as an emotional growth boarding school, is a boarding school based on the therapeutic community model that offers an educational program together with specialized structure and supervision for students with emotional and behavioral problems,...
for girls, is also located in Summers County, in the community of Pence Springs. Additionally, 28 home schools serving 38 students are located in Summers County.
Localities
Other places
- BrooksBrooks, West VirginiaBrooks is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies along the New River to the north of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 1,657 feet ....
- EltonElton, West VirginiaElton is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies to the northeast of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 1,749 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 25965....
- Forest HillForest Hill, West VirginiaForest Hill is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies along West Virginia Route 122 to the southeast of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 1,926 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with...
- Green Sulphur SpringsGreen Sulphur Springs, West VirginiaGreen Sulphur Springs is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies near Interstate 64 to the northeast of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 1,552 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with...
- HixHix, West VirginiaHix is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies to the northeast of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 2,618 feet . At some point, Hix possessed a post office, which has since been closed....
- Indian MillsIndian Mills, West VirginiaIndian Mills is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies to the southeast of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 1,545 feet ....
- NimitzNimitz, West VirginiaNimitz is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies along West Virginia Route 3 to the west of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 2,523 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code...
- Pence SpringsPence Springs, West VirginiaPence Springs is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies along the Greenbrier River to the east of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 1,539 feet , and it is located at...
- PipestemPipestem, West VirginiaPipestem is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies along West Virginia Route 20 to the south-southwest of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 2,382 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with...
- SandstoneSandstone, West VirginiaSandstone is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. It lies along West Virginia Route 20 and the New River to the north of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 1,352 feet...
- TalcottTalcott, West VirginiaTalcott is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States.It lies along West Virginia Route 3 and the Greenbrier River to the east of the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Its elevation is 1,526 feet , and it is located at about...
- Jumping Branch, West VirginiaJumping Branch, West VirginiaJumping Branch is an unincorporated community in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. Jumping Branch is west of Hinton. The name Jumping Branch was derived as settlers had to cross a stream to enter the area by crossing over a fallen tree. The Lilly Crews cemetery is located there as well...
See also
- Bluestone State ParkBluestone State ParkBluestone State Park is a state park in Summers County, West Virginia. The park is located along the western shores of Bluestone Lake, an impoundment of the New River built and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Summers County, West Virginia