Braxton County, West Virginia

Braxton County
County
The Braxton County Courthouse in Sutton in 2007
Seal Logo
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°42′N80°44′W / 38.7°N 80.73°W / 38.7; -80.73
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	January 15, 1836
Named for	Carter Braxton
Seat	Sutton
Largest town	Sutton
Area
• Total	516.28 sq mi (1,337.2 km2)
• Land	510.74 sq mi (1,322.8 km2)
• Water	5.54 sq mi (14.3 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	12,447
• Estimate  (2021)	12,247
• Density	24.37/sq mi (9.41/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.braxtoncountywv.gov

Braxton County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,447. ^[1] The county seat is Sutton. ^[2] The county was formed in 1836 ^[3] from parts of Lewis, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties and named for Carter Braxton, a Virginia statesman and signer of the Declaration of Independence.

In 2010, the center of population of West Virginia was in northern Braxton County. ^[4]

Important salt works were located at Bulltown and here, in 1772, Captain Bull and his family and friendly Delaware Indians were massacred by frontiersmen. ^[5] Jesse Hughes helped Jeremiah Carpenter ^[6] track and kill the Indians responsible for the Carpenter massacre. Jeremiah was a notable fiddle player who wrote a song Shelvin’ Rock about the experience of escaping to rock shelter.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 516 square miles (1,340 km²), of which 511 square miles (1,320 km²) is land and 5.5 square miles (14 km²) (1.1%) is water. ^[7]

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. ^[8] Braxton County was originally divided into four townships: Clay, Franklin, Lincoln, and Washington, which became magisterial districts in 1872. All four districts were renamed in 1873: Clay District became Kanawha, Franklin became Holly, Lincoln became Otter, and Washington became Birch. Two years later, Salt Lick District was formed from part of Kanawha. The two districts were reconsolidated between 1910 and 1920, when the territory of Kanawha District was added to Salt Lick; otherwise they remained stable for the next sixty years. Between 1980 and 1990, the county was reorganized into four new magisterial districts: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western. ^[9]

Major highways

• Interstate 79
• U.S. Highway 19
• West Virginia Route 4
• West Virginia Route 5
• West Virginia Route 15

Adjacent counties

• Lewis County (northeast)
• Webster County (southeast)
• Nicholas County (south)
• Clay County (southwest)
• Calhoun County (west)
• Gilmer County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	2,575		—
1850	4,212		63.6%
1860	4,992		18.5%
1870	6,480		29.8%
1880	9,787		51.0%
1890	13,928		42.3%
1900	18,904		35.7%
1910	23,023		21.8%
1920	23,973		4.1%
1930	22,579		−5.8%
1940	21,658		−4.1%
1950	18,082		−16.5%
1960	15,152		−16.2%
1970	12,666		−16.4%
1980	13,894		9.7%
1990	12,998		−6.4%
2000	14,702		13.1%
2010	14,523		−1.2%
2020	12,447		−14.3%
2021 (est.)	12,247	[10]	−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [11] 1790–1960 [12] 1900–1990 [13] 1990–2000 [14] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 12,447 people and 4,532 households residing in the county. There were 6,251 housing units in Braxton. The racial makeup of the county was 96.2% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.7% of the population.

Of the 4,352 households, 55.5% were married couples living together, 23.5% had a female householder with no spouse present, 16.2% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.23. The median age in the county was 46.3 years with 19.6% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $42,519 and the poverty rate was 18.3%. ^[15]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 14,523 people, 6,000 households, and 4,043 families living in the county. ^[16] The population density was 28.4 people per square mile (11.0 people/km²). There were 7,415 housing units at an average density of 14.5 units per square mile (5.6 units/km²). ^[17] The racial makeup of the county was 98.2% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population. ^[16] In terms of ancestry, 19.7% were German, 15.0% were Irish, 11.7% were English, and 8.0% were American. ^[18]

Of the 6,000 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.6% were non-families, and 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 43.8 years. ^[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,158 and the median income for a family was $40,421. Males had a median income of $42,355 versus $22,557 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,469. About 17.0% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.4% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over. ^[19]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,702 people, 5,771 households, and 4,097 families living in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11 people/km²). There were 7,374 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.02% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,771 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% 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 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.80% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 102.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,412, and the median income for a family was $29,133. Males had a median income of $27,560 versus $17,778 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,349. About 17.90% of families and 22.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.90% of those under age 18 and 13.70% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Braxton County, although initially opposed to secession during the first session of the Virginia Secession Convention, later became supportive. Consequently, up until the decline of coal mining unionization, ^[20] and growing opposition to socially controversial issues, ^[21] Braxton County was overwhelmingly Democratic. Like all of West Virginia, it has seen an extremely rapid shift to the Republicans over the past five elections.

United States presidential election results for Braxton County, West Virginia ^[22]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	4,120	72.74%	1,457	25.72%	87	1.54%
2016	3,537	69.35%	1,321	25.90%	242	4.75%
2012	2,725	56.65%	1,998	41.54%	87	1.81%
2008	2,629	48.55%	2,704	49.94%	82	1.51%
2004	2,986	49.35%	3,035	50.16%	30	0.50%
2000	2,529	47.47%	2,719	51.03%	80	1.50%
1996	1,441	28.84%	3,001	60.07%	554	11.09%
1992	1,535	26.63%	3,396	58.91%	834	14.47%
1988	2,024	37.32%	3,377	62.27%	22	0.41%
1984	2,902	46.32%	3,350	53.47%	13	0.21%
1980	2,403	37.50%	3,795	59.22%	210	3.28%
1976	1,913	32.29%	4,012	67.71%	0	0.00%
1972	3,155	53.24%	2,771	46.76%	0	0.00%
1968	2,441	40.35%	3,268	54.02%	341	5.64%
1964	1,867	28.06%	4,787	71.94%	0	0.00%
1960	2,977	41.57%	4,185	58.43%	0	0.00%
1956	3,441	46.79%	3,913	53.21%	0	0.00%
1952	3,382	44.26%	4,259	55.74%	0	0.00%
1948	2,864	40.01%	4,287	59.89%	7	0.10%
1944	3,023	41.21%	4,313	58.79%	0	0.00%
1940	4,056	41.54%	5,709	58.46%	0	0.00%
1936	3,709	39.49%	5,667	60.34%	16	0.17%
1932	3,560	36.85%	6,043	62.55%	58	0.60%
1928	4,028	46.56%	4,582	52.96%	41	0.47%
1924	4,192	44.17%	5,168	54.46%	130	1.37%
1920	4,274	49.91%	4,269	49.85%	20	0.23%
1916	2,332	44.02%	2,957	55.81%	9	0.17%
1912	580	11.49%	2,611	51.74%	1,855	36.76%

Communities

Towns

• Burnsville
• Flatwoods
• Gassaway
• Sutton (county seat)

Magisterial districts

• Eastern
• Northern
• Southern
• Western

Unincorporated communities

• Bonnie
• Braxton
• Canfield
• Caress
• Centralia
• Clem
• Copen
• Corley
• Cutlips
• Dingy
• Duck
• Elmira
• Exchange
• Falls Mill
• Frametown
• Gem
• Gip
• Glendon
• Heaters
• Herold
• Little Birch
• Little Otter
• Napier
• Newville
• Riffle
• Rosedale
• Servia
• Strange Creek
• Tague
• Tesla
• Wilsie

See also

• Elk River Wildlife Management Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Braxton County, West Virginia

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 23, 2001. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
4. "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
5. The Border Settlers of Northwestern Virginia from 1768 to 1795 1915 The Republican Publishing Company Hamilton, OH
6. "e-WV | Carpenter Family". West Virginia Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
8. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
9. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
10. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved October 21, 2022.
11. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
13. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
14. "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 9, 2014.
15. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
16. "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.
17. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
18. "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.
19. "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.
20. Schwartzman, Gabe; ‘How Central Appalachia Went Right’; Daily Yonder, January 13, 2015
21. Cohn, Nate; ‘Demographic Shift: Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats’, The New York Times , April 24, 2014
22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.

38°42′N80°44′W / 38.70°N 80.73°W / 38.70; -80.73