Mercer County, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
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As of the census
of 2000, there were 62,980 people, 26,509 households, and 17,946 families residing in the county. The population density
was 150 people per square mile (58/km²). There were 30,143 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.56% White
, 5.82% Black
or African American
, 0.19% Native American
, 0.46% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.10% from other races
, and 0.85% from two or more races. 0.45% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 26,509 households out of which 26.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples
living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.10% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,628, and the median income for a family was $33,524. Males had a median income of $29,243 versus $19,013 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,564. About 14.70% of families and 19.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.90% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.
The county part of the Bluefield
, WV-VA
micropolitan area
which, with its population of 107,578, is the thirty-third largest micropolitan area in the United States
.
Higher educational institutions include Bluefield State College
, located in Bluefield
, Concord University
, located in Athens
and New River Community and Technical College, located in Princeton, WV.
K-9 Unit: Deputy Ballard (Quando), Deputy Parks (Arrow), Deputy Rose (Mitis), & Deputy Ellsion (Max).
Detective Bureau: Cpl. Murphy, Detective Sparks, & Detective Combs.
SWAT: Sgt. G. W. Woods, Cpl. J. J. Ruble, Cpl. S. A. Sommers, & Detective Combs; The rest of the team is compromised from other agencies within the County, excluding the WV State Police.
The Sheriff's Department has one dedicated Deputy that serves on the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
Mercer County is also home to the Princeton Detachment of the West Virginia State Police
and a Turnpike Detachment (Highway Patrol).
As of the census
Census
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 62,980 people, 26,509 households, and 17,946 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 150 people per square mile (58/km²). There were 30,143 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.56% 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...
, 5.82% 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...
, 0.19% 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...
, 0.46% 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...
, 0.01% 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 0.85% from two or more races. 0.45% 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 26,509 households out of which 26.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% 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, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.10% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,628, and the median income for a family was $33,524. Males had a median income of $29,243 versus $19,013 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 $15,564. About 14.70% of families and 19.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.90% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.
The county part of the Bluefield
Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 10,447 at the 2010 census. It is also the core city of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,342.-Geography & Climate:...
, WV-VA
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
micropolitan area
Bluefield micropolitan area
The Bluefield Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties – one in West Virginia and one in Virginia – anchored by the city of Bluefield, West Virginia....
which, with its population of 107,578, is the thirty-third largest micropolitan area in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Education
The Mercer County Public School System has nineteen elementary schools, including Athens, Bluefield Intermediate, Bluewell, Brushfork, Ceres, Glenwood Elementary, Lashmeet-Matoaka, Melrose, Memorial, Mercer County Early Learning - Bluefield and Princeton sites, Mercer, Montcalm, Oakvale (funding for constructing a new Oakvale school has been approved), Princeton Primary, Spanishburg, Straley, Sun Valley and Whitethorne. There are six middle school facilities including Princeton Middle, Bluefield Middle, Montcalm Middle, PikeView Middle, and Glenwood Middle. There are also four high school facilities including Princeton Senior (AAA), Bluefield High (AA), Montcalm High (A) and PikeView High (AA). There is also the Mercer County Technical Education Center, which is currently being transitioned into a comprehensive technical high school. Mercer County Schools educates approximately 9200 students. The professional and service staff are about 1200.Higher educational institutions include Bluefield State College
Bluefield State College
Bluefield State College is a historically black college located in Bluefield, West Virginia, United States. It is a part of West Virginia's public education system and offers baccalaureate and associate degrees. The school is not connected in any way with Bluefield College in nearby Bluefield,...
, located in Bluefield
Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 10,447 at the 2010 census. It is also the core city of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,342.-Geography & Climate:...
, Concord University
Concord University
Concord University is a comprehensive, public, liberal arts institution located in Athens, West Virginia, United States, founded on February 28, 1872, when the West Virginia Legislature passed "an Act to locate a Branch State Normal School, in Concord Church, in the County of Mercer".Founded by...
, located in Athens
Athens, West Virginia
Athens is a town in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,102 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578. It is the home of Concord University.-History:...
and New River Community and Technical College, located in Princeton, WV.
Law Enforcement
Mercer County is protected by 7 agencies. 5 agencies protect the incorporated area of the county but the non-incorporated area is the primary responsibility of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department. The Mercer County Sheriff's Department consists of 30 sworn law enforcement officers and a number of civilian employess. Within the Mercer County Sheriff's Department are several specialized units to better serve the citizens.K-9 Unit: Deputy Ballard (Quando), Deputy Parks (Arrow), Deputy Rose (Mitis), & Deputy Ellsion (Max).
Detective Bureau: Cpl. Murphy, Detective Sparks, & Detective Combs.
SWAT: Sgt. G. W. Woods, Cpl. J. J. Ruble, Cpl. S. A. Sommers, & Detective Combs; The rest of the team is compromised from other agencies within the County, excluding the WV State Police.
The Sheriff's Department has one dedicated Deputy that serves on the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
Mercer County is also home to the Princeton Detachment of the West Virginia State Police
West Virginia State Police
The West Virginia State Police is a paramilitary organization, state law enforcement agency in the United States that provides statewide police services to the 1.83 million residents in West Virginia...
and a Turnpike Detachment (Highway Patrol).
Cities and towns
- AthensAthens, West VirginiaAthens is a town in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,102 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578. It is the home of Concord University.-History:...
- BluefieldBluefield, West VirginiaBluefield is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 10,447 at the 2010 census. It is also the core city of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,342.-Geography & Climate:...
- BramwellBramwell, West VirginiaBramwell is a town in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States, along the Bluestone River. The population was 426 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578.-Geography:...
- LashmeetLashmeet, West VirginiaLashmeet is an unincorporated census-designated place in western Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. It lies along West Virginia Route 10 northwest of the city of Princeton, the county seat of Mercer County. Its elevation is 2,539 feet . Although Lashmeet is unincorporated, it has...
- MatoakaMatoaka, West VirginiaMatoaka is a small town in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 317 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578...
- MontcalmMontcalm, West VirginiaMontcalm is a census-designated place in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 726 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,342.-Geography:...
- OakvaleOakvale, West VirginiaOakvale is a town in Mercer County, West Virginia, along the East River. The population was 142 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578.-Geography:...
- PrincetonPrinceton, West VirginiaPrinceton is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 111,586. It is the county seat of Mercer County...
See also
- Camp Creek State ParkCamp Creek State ParkCamp Creek State Park was created in 1987 by dividing the area from Camp Creek State Forest. Camp Creek State Park is located about two miles from the Camp Creek Exit of I-77 in Mercer County, West Virginia.- Features :* 3 campgrounds...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Mercer County, West VirginiaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Mercer County, West VirginiaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Mercer County, West Virginia.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States...
- Pinnacle Rock State ParkPinnacle Rock State ParkPinnacle Rock State Park is a day use facility in Mercer County, West Virginia. The park surrounds Pinnacle Rock, a sandstone formation that rises to 3,100-ft elevation.-Features:* Pinnacle Rock* Jimmy Lewis Lake...
- Pipestem Resort State ParkPipestem Resort State ParkPipestem Resort State Park is a state park located in southern West Virginia, on the border between Mercer and Summers counties. The park was built with grants provided by the Area Redevelopment Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce under the administration of President John F. Kennedy...
- Pocahontas coalfieldPocahontas coalfieldPocahontas Coalfield, which is also known as the Flat Top-Pocahontas Coalfield, is located in Mercer County/McDowell County, West Virginia and Tazewell County, Virginia. The coal seams—Pocahontas No. 3, No. 4, No. 6, and No...
- Tate Lohr Wildlife Management AreaTate Lohr Wildlife Management AreaTate Lohr Wildlife Management Area, is located in Mercer County near the community of Oakvale, West Virginia. Tate Lohr WMA is located on of sloping terrain varying from to . The WMA is accessed from Pigeon Creek Road south of Oakvale off of U.S. Route 460....