War, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
War is a city in McDowell County
, West Virginia
, USA. The population was 788 at the 2000 census. War was incorporated in 1920 by the Circuit Court
of McDowell County. Its name is derived from War Creek, whose confluence
with Dry Fork
is located within the city. Legend has it that War Creek was in turn named by the local Native Americans
about 1788 because of a battle which occurred near the source of the creek. War is the only place in the United States
with this name. War was formerly known as Miner's City. It is well known for being a setting in the movie "October Sky
" as writer Homer Hickam
is a Big Creek High School
alumni.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.9 square mile (2.4 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 788 people, 331 households, and 225 families residing in the city. The population density
was 870.6 people per square mile (334.3/km²). There were 388 housing units at an average density of 428.7 per square mile (164.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.67% White, 4.57% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.38% from other races
, and 0.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.
There were 331 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples
living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.7% 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 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $16,012, and the median income for a family was $20,521. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $18,438 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $9,285. About 34.8% of families and 43.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 66.5% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.
McDowell County, West Virginia
McDowell County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The land that became McDowell was originally part of Tazewell County, Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,113. Its county seat is Welch. McDowell county is the southern-most county in the state, geographically...
, 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...
, USA. The population was 788 at the 2000 census. War was incorporated in 1920 by the Circuit Court
Circuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
of McDowell County. Its name is derived from War Creek, whose confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
with Dry Fork
Dry Fork (Tug Fork)
The Dry Fork is a tributary of the Tug Fork, belonging to the Ohio River watershed. The river is located in McDowell County, West Virginia and Tazewell County, Virginia, in the United States...
is located within the city. Legend has it that War Creek was in turn named by the local Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
about 1788 because of a battle which occurred near the source of the creek. War is the only place in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with this name. War was formerly known as Miner's City. It is well known for being a setting in the movie "October Sky
October Sky
October Sky is a 1999 American biographical film directed by Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Laura Dern. It is based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 to take up rocketry against his father's wishes, and who...
" as writer Homer Hickam
Homer Hickam
Homer Hadley Hickam, Jr. is an American author, Vietnam veteran, and a former NASA engineer. His autobiographical novel Rocket Boys: A Memoir, was a #1 New York Times Best Seller, is studied in many American and international school systems, and was the basis for the popular film October Sky...
is a Big Creek High School
Big Creek High School
Big Creek High School was a Grade 9 through 12 public high school located in War, West Virginia. It was operated by the McDowell County Schools and governed by the McDowell County Board of Education...
alumni.
Geography
War is located at 37°18′4"N 81°41′3"W (37.301140, −81.684031).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 0.9 square mile (2.4 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 788 people, 331 households, and 225 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 870.6 people per square mile (334.3/km²). There were 388 housing units at an average density of 428.7 per square mile (164.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.67% White, 4.57% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.38% 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 0.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.
There were 331 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% 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, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.7% 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 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $16,012, and the median income for a family was $20,521. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $18,438 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 $9,285. About 34.8% of families and 43.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 66.5% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.