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Lewis County, West Virginia

Coordinates: 39°00′N 80°31′W / 39.00°N 80.51°W / 39.00; -80.51
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lewis County
County
Lewis County Courthouse
Lewis County Courthouse
Official seal of Lewis County
Seal
Map of West Virginia highlighting Lewis County
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°00′N 80°31′W / 39°N 80.51°W / 39; -80.51
Country United States
State West Virginia
FoundedDecember 18, 1816
SeatWeston
Largest cityWeston
Area
 • Total
390 sq mi (1,000 km2)
 • Land385 sq mi (1,000 km2)
 • Water4.8 sq mi (12 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
17,033
 • Estimate 
(2021)
16,892 Decrease
 • Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.lewiscounty.wv.gov

Lewis County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,033.[1] Its county seat is Weston.[2] The county was formed in 1816 from Harrison County[3] and named for Col. Charles Lewis (1733–1774), a Virginian killed in the Battle of Point Pleasant.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 390 square miles (1,000 km2), of which 385 square miles (1,000 km2) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 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] Lewis County was initially divided into five townships: Battelle, Jane Lew, Lincoln, Sheridan, and Willey. Between 1870 and '80, these were renamed "Collins Settlement", "Court House", "Freemans Creek",[i] "Hackers Creek",[ii] and "Skin Creek". In the 1990s, Collins Settlement and Court House Districts were consolidated into one district, known as "Courthouse-Collins Settlement"; Hackers Creek and Skin Creek were also consolidated, forming "Hackers Creek-Skin Creek".[6]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18204,247—
18306,24147.0%
18408,15130.6%
185010,03123.1%
18607,999−20.3%
187010,17527.2%
188013,26930.4%
189015,89519.8%
190016,9806.8%
191018,82110.8%
192020,4558.7%
193021,7946.5%
194022,2712.2%
195021,074−5.4%
196019,711−6.5%
197017,847−9.5%
198018,8135.4%
199017,223−8.5%
200016,919−1.8%
201016,372−3.2%
202017,0334.0%
2021 (est.)16,892[7]−0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 17,033 people and 6,662 households residing in the county. There were 8,204 housing units in Lewis County. The racial makeup of the city was 94.5% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 26,143 households, of which 48.6% were married couples living together, 24.7% had a female householder with no spouse present, 20.8% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.13. The median age in the city was 43.6 years with 21.2% of the population was under 18. The median income for a household in the city was $45,345 and the poverty rate was 17.2%.[12]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States census, there were 16,372 people, 6,863 households, and 4,570 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 42.5 inhabitants per square mile (16.4/km2). There were 7,958 housing units at an average density of 20.7 units per square mile (8.0 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 97.9% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 17.5% were American, 15.0% were German, 9.9% were Irish, and 7.2% were English.[15]

Of the 6,863 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.4% were non-families, and 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 43.4 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,293 and the median income for a family was $42,281. Males had a median income of $31,950 versus $25,945 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,240. About 13.6% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.[16]

2000 census

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As of the census of 2000, there were 16,919 people, 6,946 households, and 4,806 families living in the county. The population density was 44 people per square mile (17 people/km2). There were 7,944 housing units at an average density of 21 units per square mile (8.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.59% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,946 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,066, and the median income for a family was $32,431. Males had a median income of $27,906 versus $18,733 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,933. 19.90% of the population and 16.30% of families were below the poverty line. 27.00% of those under the age of 18 and 11.20% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Lewis County, West Virginia[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,782 77.52% 1,538 20.62% 139 1.86%
2016 5,274 76.04% 1,347 19.42% 315 4.54%
2012 4,375 69.51% 1,736 27.58% 183 2.91%
2008 4,335 65.60% 2,109 31.92% 164 2.48%
2004 4,445 63.51% 2,475 35.36% 79 1.13%
2000 3,606 58.79% 2,355 38.39% 173 2.82%
1996 2,285 37.02% 2,868 46.46% 1,020 16.52%
1992 2,413 36.77% 2,931 44.66% 1,219 18.57%
1988 3,602 52.14% 3,272 47.37% 34 0.49%
1984 5,297 65.96% 2,693 33.53% 41 0.51%
1980 3,747 49.23% 3,455 45.39% 409 5.37%
1976 3,736 48.54% 3,960 51.46% 0 0.00%
1972 5,778 73.70% 2,062 26.30% 0 0.00%
1968 4,027 51.40% 3,168 40.43% 640 8.17%
1964 2,979 36.21% 5,248 63.79% 0 0.00%
1960 5,157 58.56% 3,649 41.44% 0 0.00%
1956 6,203 66.01% 3,194 33.99% 0 0.00%
1952 6,254 65.60% 3,280 34.40% 0 0.00%
1948 4,829 57.89% 3,477 41.69% 35 0.42%
1944 4,984 59.80% 3,350 40.20% 0 0.00%
1940 5,935 56.52% 4,566 43.48% 0 0.00%
1936 5,499 49.61% 5,531 49.90% 54 0.49%
1932 4,704 45.31% 5,546 53.42% 131 1.26%
1928 5,290 57.37% 3,825 41.48% 106 1.15%
1924 4,839 51.10% 4,410 46.57% 221 2.33%
1920 4,618 57.14% 3,310 40.96% 154 1.91%
1916 2,263 49.06% 2,248 48.73% 102 2.21%
1912 1,029 24.21% 1,929 45.39% 1,292 30.40%

Communities

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City

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Town

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Magisterial districts

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  • Courthouse-Collins Settlement
  • Freemans Creek
  • Hackers Creek-Skin Creek

Unincorporated communities

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See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Originally spelled "Freeman's Creek".
  2. ^ Originally spelled "Hacker's Creek".

References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "West Virginia Counties". www.wvculture.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  5. ^ Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
  6. ^ United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.

39°00′N 80°31′W / 39.00°N 80.51°W / 39.00; -80.51

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