Nicholas County is a county located in the central region of U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,604.[1] Its county seat is Summersville.[2] The county was created in 1818 by the Virginia General Assembly and named for Virginia Governor Wilson Cary Nicholas.[3]
Nicholas County | |
|---|---|
 The Nicholas County Courthouse in Summersville in 2007 | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia | |
 West Virginia's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 38°17′N 80°48′W / 38.29°N 80.8°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  West Virginia |
| Founded | January 30, 1818 |
| Named for | Wilson Cary Nicholas |
| Seat | Summersville |
| Largest city | Summersville |
| Area | |
• Total | 654 sq mi (1,690 km2) |
| • Land | 647 sq mi (1,680 km2) |
| • Water | 7.6 sq mi (20 km2) 1.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 24,604 |
• Estimate (2021) | 24,300  |
| • Density | 38/sq mi (15/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 654 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 647 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 7.6 square miles (20 km2) (1.2%) is water.[4]
In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into civil townships, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts.[5] Nicholas County was divided into six districts: Grant, Jefferson, Kentucky, Mumble-the-peg, Summersville, and Wilderness. In 1873, Mumble-the-peg became Hamilton District. A seventh district, Beaver, was created in the 1880s.[6]
Major highways
edit
U.S. Highway 19
West Virginia Route 20
West Virginia Route 39
West Virginia Route 41
West Virginia Route 55
Battlefields
editCarnifex Ferry Battlefield, Keslers Cross Lanes
Adjacent counties
edit- Braxton County (north)
- Webster County (northeast)
- Greenbrier County (southeast)
- Fayette County (southwest)
- Clay County (northwest)
- Kanawha County (west)
National protected areas
editDemographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 1,853 | — | |
| 1830 | 3,346 | 80.6% | |
| 1840 | 2,515 | −24.8% | |
| 1850 | 3,963 | 57.6% | |
| 1860 | 4,627 | 16.8% | |
| 1870 | 4,458 | −3.7% | |
| 1880 | 7,223 | 62.0% | |
| 1890 | 9,309 | 28.9% | |
| 1900 | 11,403 | 22.5% | |
| 1910 | 17,699 | 55.2% | |
| 1920 | 20,717 | 17.1% | |
| 1930 | 20,686 | −0.1% | |
| 1940 | 24,070 | 16.4% | |
| 1950 | 27,696 | 15.1% | |
| 1960 | 25,414 | −8.2% | |
| 1970 | 22,552 | −11.3% | |
| 1980 | 28,126 | 24.7% | |
| 1990 | 26,775 | −4.8% | |
| 2000 | 26,562 | −0.8% | |
| 2010 | 26,233 | −1.2% | |
| 2020 | 24,604 | −6.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 24,300 | [7] | −1.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1] | |||
2000 census
editAs of the census of 2000, there were 26,562 people, 10,722 households, and 7,762 families living in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16 people/km2). There were 12,406 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.84% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 10,722 households, out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.30% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,974, and the median income for a family was $32,074. Males had a median income of $30,508 versus $17,964 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,207. About 15.00% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 13.80% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
editAs of the 2010 United States census, there were 26,233 people, 10,938 households, and 7,591 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 40.6 inhabitants per square mile (15.7/km2). There were 13,064 housing units at an average density of 20.2 units per square mile (7.8 units/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 98.4% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 21.7% were Irish, 19.0% were German, 12.9% were English, and 10.1% were American.[14]
Of the 10,938 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 43.3 years.[12]
The median income for a household in the county was $38,457 and the median income for a family was $45,127. Males had a median income of $42,302 versus $25,859 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,359. About 14.3% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.[15]
Politics
edit| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 8,279 | 77.86% | 2,226 | 20.93% | 128 | 1.20% |
| 2016 | 7,251 | 75.70% | 1,840 | 19.21% | 488 | 5.09% |
| 2012 | 5,898 | 67.09% | 2,664 | 30.30% | 229 | 2.60% |
| 2008 | 4,804 | 51.32% | 4,357 | 46.54% | 200 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | 5,485 | 52.99% | 4,788 | 46.26% | 78 | 0.75% |
| 2000 | 4,359 | 50.81% | 4,059 | 47.31% | 161 | 1.88% |
| 1996 | 2,649 | 31.03% | 4,769 | 55.87% | 1,118 | 13.10% |
| 1992 | 2,959 | 31.05% | 5,042 | 52.91% | 1,528 | 16.04% |
| 1988 | 3,731 | 41.75% | 5,173 | 57.89% | 32 | 0.36% |
| 1984 | 4,656 | 50.21% | 4,588 | 49.48% | 29 | 0.31% |
| 1980 | 3,885 | 40.83% | 5,265 | 55.33% | 366 | 3.85% |
| 1976 | 3,462 | 35.70% | 6,235 | 64.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1972 | 5,907 | 61.95% | 3,628 | 38.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 3,678 | 39.22% | 4,858 | 51.81% | 841 | 8.97% |
| 1964 | 2,628 | 27.65% | 6,878 | 72.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,297 | 42.67% | 5,774 | 57.33% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 5,263 | 51.89% | 4,880 | 48.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 4,386 | 43.86% | 5,615 | 56.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 3,391 | 40.22% | 5,018 | 59.51% | 23 | 0.27% |
| 1944 | 3,259 | 43.09% | 4,305 | 56.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 4,299 | 44.73% | 5,312 | 55.27% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 3,964 | 40.02% | 5,872 | 59.28% | 70 | 0.71% |
| 1932 | 3,684 | 40.50% | 5,327 | 58.56% | 86 | 0.95% |
| 1928 | 3,917 | 52.36% | 3,495 | 46.72% | 69 | 0.92% |
| 1924 | 3,347 | 45.02% | 3,956 | 53.21% | 131 | 1.76% |
| 1920 | 3,691 | 50.53% | 3,564 | 48.79% | 50 | 0.68% |
| 1916 | 2,056 | 44.77% | 2,467 | 53.72% | 69 | 1.50% |
| 1912 | 584 | 14.40% | 2,018 | 49.75% | 1,454 | 35.85% |
Elected officials
edit| Position | Elected Official |
|---|---|
| Nicholas County Commission |
|
| Nicholas County Assessor | Ernie Dennison |
| Nicholas County Circuit Clerk | Debbie Facemire |
| Nicholas County Clerk | Robert Painter |
| Nicholas County Prosecutor | Jonathan Sweeney |
| Nicholas County Sheriff | William Nunley |
Communities
editCities
edit- Richwood
- Summersville (county seat)
Magisterial districts
edit- Beaver
- Grant
- Hamilton
- Jefferson
- Kentucky
- Summersville
- Wilderness
Census-designated places
editUnincorporated communities
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Nicholas County history sources". Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
- ^ Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
- ^ United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 18, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- ^ "County Offices".
Further reading
edit- William Griffee Brown, History of Nicholas County West Virginia. Richmond, VA: Dietz Press, 1954.
- A.J. Legg, A History of Panther Mountain Community (Nicholas County, West Virginia). Morgantown, WV: Agricultural Extension Division, 1930.
- Nicholas County Historical and Genealogical Society, Nicholas County History. Summersville, WV: Nicholas County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1985.
- Nicholas County Historical and Genealogical Society, Nicholas County, West Virginia, History 1985 Book Index. Summersville, WV: Nicholas County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1992.
- Nicholas County, e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. Charleston: West Virginia Humanities Council, 2012.