Albright, West Virginia

Albright, West Virginia
Town
1854 Historical Iron Furnace (2013)
Location of Albright in Preston County, West Virginia.
Coordinates: 39°29′37″N79°38′19″W / 39.49361°N 79.63861°W / 39.49361; -79.63861
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Preston
Government
• Mayor	Brian Snyder
Area [1]
• Total	0.27 sq mi (0.71 km2)
• Land	0.23 sq mi (0.60 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2)
Elevation [2]	1,211 ft (369 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	260
• Estimate  (2021) [3]	261
• Density	1,215.52/sq mi (469.39/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	26519
Area code	304
FIPS code	54-00748 [4]
GNIS feature ID	1553704 [2]
Website	Town website

Albright is a town in central Preston County, West Virginia, United States, along the Cheat River. The population was 260 at the 2020 census. ^[3] A former coal town, it is part of the Morgantown metropolitan area.

History

Albright Power Station from across the Cheat River.

The town derives its name from David Albright, an early settler. ^[5] In 1985, a mass flooding of the Cheat River wiped out most structures in the town.

Located near Albright is the Virginia Furnace, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. ^[6]

The Albright Power Station, a former coal-fired power plant retired in 2012, sits across the Cheat River from Albright. ^[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.27 square miles (0.70 km²), of which 0.23 square miles (0.60 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water. ^[8]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	262		—
1930	343		30.9%
1940	334		−2.6%
1950	396		18.6%
1960	304		−23.2%
1970	319		4.9%
1980	357		11.9%
1990	195		−45.4%
2000	247		26.7%
2010	299		21.1%
2020	260		−13.0%
2021 (est.)	261	[3]	0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]

2010 census

At the 2010 census, ^[10] there were 299 people, 120 households and 79 families living in the town. The population density was 1,300.0 inhabitants per square mile (501.9/km²). There were 128 housing units at an average density of 556.5 per square mile (214.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% White, 0.3% African American, 1.0% Native American, and 1.3% from two or more races.

There were 120 households, of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.2% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the town was 38.2 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, ^[4] there were 247 people, 99 households and 61 families living in the town. The population density was 857.9 per square mile (328.9/km²). There were 113 housing units at an average density of 392.5 per square mile (150.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.79% White, 0.40% African American, and 0.81% from two or more races.

There were 99 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06.

27.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median household income was $21,389 and the median family income was $21,500. Males had a median income of $20,764 compared with $16,250 for females. The per capita income was $10,581. About 27.9% of families and 26.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 27.3% of those 65 or over.

Climate

The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Albright has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[11]

See also

• List of towns in West Virginia

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Albright, West Virginia
3. Bureau, US Census. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 74.
6. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
7. "Albright power station". SourceWatch. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 24, 2013.
11. Climate Summary for Albright, West Virginia

External links

Media related to Albright, West Virginia at Wikimedia Commons