Cameron, West Virginia

Cameron, West Virginia
City
Front of the Curved Building, a local landmark
Nickname:  Dragon Country
Location of Cameron in Marshall County, West Virginia.
Coordinates: 39°49′36″N80°33′58″W / 39.82667°N 80.56611°W / 39.82667; -80.56611
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Marshall
Area [1]
• Total	0.87 sq mi (2.26 km2)
• Land	0.86 sq mi (2.22 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation	1,066 ft (325 m)
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	849
• Estimate  (2021) [2]	834
• Density	981.37/sq mi (379.02/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	26033
Area code	304
FIPS code	54-12484 [3]
GNIS feature ID	1536882 [4]
Website	https://cameronwv.com

Cameron is a city in Marshall County, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Wheeling metropolitan area. The population was 849 at the 2020 census. ^[2]

Geography

Cameron is located at 39°49′36″N80°33′58″W / 39.82667°N 80.56611°W / 39.82667; -80.56611 (39.826579, -80.566107). ^[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.87 square miles (2.25 km²), of which 0.86 square miles (2.23 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water. ^[6]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1900	964		—
1910	1,660		72.2%
1920	2,404		44.8%
1930	2,281		−5.1%
1940	1,998		−12.4%
1950	1,736		−13.1%
1960	1,652		−4.8%
1970	1,537		−7.0%
1980	1,474		−4.1%
1990	1,177		−20.1%
2000	1,212		3.0%
2010	946		−21.9%
2020	849		−10.3%
2021 (est.)	834	[2]	−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 946 people, 400 households, and 258 families living in the city. The population density was 1,100.0 inhabitants per square mile (424.7/km²). There were 542 housing units at an average density of 630.2 per square mile (243.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.6% White, 0.2% African American, 0.4% Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6%. ^[8]

Of the 400 households 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.5% were non-families. 31.5% of households were one person and 15.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age was 39.4 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 1,212 people, 478 households, and 305 families living in the city. The population density was 1,357.9 people per square mile (525.8/km²). There were 533 housing units at an average density of 597.2 per square mile (231.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.93% White, 0.17% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.08% from other races, and (0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.25%. ^[3]

Of the 478 households 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 31.0% of households were one person and 20.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.

The median household income was $25,119 and the median family income was $26,958. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $14,438 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,447. About 26.9% of families and 30.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.4% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

History and culture

The town has the name of Samuel Cameron, a railroad worker. ^[9]

Cameron's historical beach-style swimming pool, known as Cameron City Pool-PWA Project 1196, is one of a few in the entire nation. ^[10] Cameron was a Socialist Party of America stronghold in the early 1900s. ^[11] Cameron Downtown is a national historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. ^[10] The Spencer Cemetery was added in 2012. ^[12]

Notable People

• Charles Sheedy, resident and member of the West Virginia House of Delegates

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
6. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
9. 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. 149. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
10. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
11. Nyden, Paul J. (January 6, 2013). "Labor historian to speak about W.Va. Socialist Party". Charleston Gazette. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
12. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/10/12 through 12/14/12. National Park Service. December 21, 2012. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2014.