Wetzel County, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 17,693 people, 7,164 households, and 5,079 families residing in the county. The population density
was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 8,313 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.92% White
, 0.08% Black
or African American
, 0.10% Native American
, 0.32% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.03% from other races
, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 7,164 households out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples
living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,935, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $37,296 versus $19,339 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,818. About 15.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.60% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.
The oldest oil well location known is of one drilled on Long Run near Doolin Run which reached oil at a depth about 360 ft.
Wetzel County has a long history in the Oil and Gas producing industry. During the Oil boom of the 19th century it is reported that the Proctor Creek watershed had 12 saloons and numerous livery/hotels to accommodate the hundreds of logging and oil field workers.
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 17,693 people, 7,164 households, and 5,079 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 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 8,313 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.92% 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...
, 0.08% 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...
, 0.10% 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...
, 0.32% 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...
, 0.02% 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...
, 0.03% 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 0.53% from two or more races. 0.42% 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 7,164 households out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% 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, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,935, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $37,296 versus $19,339 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 $16,818. About 15.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.60% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.
Local Lore
In the mid-to-late 19th century a band similar to the James Gang of legend existed that was known as the Jennings Gang. A number of robberies and murders were accounted to this gang. They were known to be located near the head of Doolin Run near Tarpan Ridge. The home they occupied was found to have an escape tunnel that had been used to escape capture on several occasions. A local group of citizens known as the "Redmen" ultimately cornered the gang at this home and a number of the members were killed. A detailed description exists in the Wetzel County History written approximately in 1900.The oldest oil well location known is of one drilled on Long Run near Doolin Run which reached oil at a depth about 360 ft.
Wetzel County has a long history in the Oil and Gas producing industry. During the Oil boom of the 19th century it is reported that the Proctor Creek watershed had 12 saloons and numerous livery/hotels to accommodate the hundreds of logging and oil field workers.
Incorporated towns & cities
|
Paden City, West Virginia Paden City is a city in Tyler and Wetzel Counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,860 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Paden City is located at .... (part) Pine Grove, Wetzel County, West Virginia Pine Grove is a town in Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 571 at the 2000 census. It was so named because it was settled in a large pine thicket.... Smithfield, West Virginia Smithfield is a town in Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 177 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Smithfield is located at .... |
Unincorporated communities
|
Hastings, West Virginia Hastings is an unincorporated community in Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. It lies at an elevation of 755 feet .... Jacksonburg, West Virginia Jacksonburg is an unincorporated census-designated place in Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. It lies at an elevation of 748 feet . As of the 2010 census, its population was 182.... Knob Fork, West Virginia Knob Fork is an unincorporated community in Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. It lies at an elevation of 1050 feet . Other names for the community include Geaneytown, Jolliff, Jolliffe, Jolliffes Store, Knobfork Store, Sugar Run, and Uniontown.... Littleton, West Virginia Littleton is an unincorporated census-designated place in Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 198 at the 2010 census... Porters Falls, West Virginia Porters Falls is an unincorporated community in Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. It lies at an elevation of 682 feet .... |
Proctor, West Virginia Proctor is an unincorporated community in northwestern Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. It lies on West Virginia Route 2 along the Ohio River, north of the city of New Martinsville, the county seat of Wetzel County. Its elevation is 630 feet... Reader, West Virginia Reader is an unincorporated census-designated place in Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 397. It was named either for Benjamin Reader who "traded a bay mare and a ten gallon copper kettle for the land", or for Jacob Reader.... Wileyville, West Virginia Wileyville is an unincorporated community in Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States. It lies at an elevation of 804 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it once had a post office, with the ZIP code of 26186.Currently there is no longer a post office in Wileyville... |
See also
- Cecil H. Underwood Wildlife Management AreaCecil H. Underwood Wildlife Management AreaCecil H. Underwood Wildlife Management Area is located on near in Marshall and Wetzel counties near Cameron, West Virginia. The rugged, steep terrain varies in elevation from about 800 feet along the banks of the West Virginia Fork of Fish Creek to over 1500 feet. The steep slopes are covered...
- Harker RunHarker Run (West Virginia)Harker Run is a stream located in Wetzel County, West Virginia, USA. The mouth of Harker Run is approximately 300 m south-southwest of the small village of Earnshaw. The creek flows roughly from southwest to northeast, and is approximately in total length. It drains into Long Drain at its...
- Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management AreaLewis Wetzel Wildlife Management AreaLewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area is located in Wetzel County about south of Jacksonburg, West Virginia on County Route 82. Located on of steep terrain with narrow valleys and ridgetops...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Wetzel County, West Virginia