Clay County, West Virginia

Clay County
County
The Old Clay County Courthouse in Clay in 2007
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°28′N81°04′W / 38.46°N 81.07°W / 38.46; -81.07
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	March 29, 1858
Named for	Henry Clay
Seat	Clay
Largest town	Clay
Area
• Total	344 sq mi (890 km2)
• Land	342 sq mi (890 km2)
• Water	1.9 sq mi (5 km2)  0.5%
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,051
• Estimate  (2021)	7,892
• Density	23/sq mi (9.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.claycountywv.us

Clay County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,051. ^[1] Its county seat is Clay. ^[2] The county was founded in 1858 and named in honor of Henry Clay, famous American statesman, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century. ^[3] Clay County is part of the Charleston, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 344 square miles (890 km²), of which 342 square miles (890 km²) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) (0.6%) 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] Clay County was divided into four districts: Buffalo, Henry, Pleasant, and Union. A fifth district, Otter, was created from part of Henry in 1876. Between 1990 and 2000, these districts were consolidated into Districts A, B, and C. ^[6] Though it does have access to an interstate highway, the county has no traffic lights or public transportation. ^[7]

Major highways

• Interstate 79
• West Virginia Route 4
• West Virginia Route 16
• West Virginia Route 36

Adjacent counties

• Calhoun County (north)
• Braxton County (northeast)
• Nicholas County (southeast)
• Kanawha County (west)
• Roane County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	1,787		—
1870	2,196		22.9%
1880	3,460		57.6%
1890	4,659		34.7%
1900	8,248		77.0%
1910	10,233		24.1%
1920	11,486		12.2%
1930	13,125		14.3%
1940	15,206		15.9%
1950	14,961		−1.6%
1960	11,942		−20.2%
1970	9,330		−21.9%
1980	11,265		20.7%
1990	9,983		−11.4%
2000	10,330		3.5%
2010	9,386		−9.1%
2020	8,051		−14.2%
2021 (est.)	7,892	[8]	−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11] 1990–2000 [12] 2010–2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,330 people, 4,020 households, and 2,942 families living in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km²). There were 4,836 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.22% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.02% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,020 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.60% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,120, and the median income for a family was $27,137. Males had a median income of $30,161 versus $16,642 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,021. About 24.40% of families and 27.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.00% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 9,386 people, 3,728 households, and 2,566 families living in the county. ^[13] The population density was 27.5 inhabitants per square mile (10.6/km²). There were 4,572 housing units at an average density of 13.4 per square mile (5.2/km²). ^[14] The racial makeup of the county was 98.8% white, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.4% of the population. ^[13] In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were Irish, 14.7% were English, 13.2% were German, 11.0% were American, and 5.0% were Dutch. ^[15]

Of the 3,728 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 41.5 years. ^[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $30,789 and the median income for a family was $40,634. Males had a median income of $42,269 versus $24,402 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,205. About 22.4% of families and 23.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those age 65 or over. ^[16]

Politics

Clay County was reliably Democratic throughout the 1900s, but it has shifted to being sharply Republican in recent years.

United States presidential election results for Clay County, West Virginia ^[17]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	2,679	79.61%	641	19.05%	45	1.34%
2016	2,300	76.79%	568	18.96%	127	4.24%
2012	1,971	65.31%	931	30.85%	116	3.84%
2008	1,755	53.75%	1,421	43.52%	89	2.73%
2004	2,198	53.98%	1,835	45.06%	39	0.96%
2000	1,887	52.68%	1,617	45.14%	78	2.18%
1996	1,137	31.79%	2,074	57.98%	366	10.23%
1992	1,255	34.32%	1,928	52.72%	474	12.96%
1988	1,536	40.30%	2,263	59.38%	12	0.31%
1984	1,667	43.91%	2,117	55.77%	12	0.32%
1980	1,452	38.60%	2,185	58.08%	125	3.32%
1976	1,282	32.51%	2,662	67.49%	0	0.00%
1972	2,168	54.23%	1,830	45.77%	0	0.00%
1968	1,474	39.42%	1,916	51.24%	349	9.33%
1964	1,366	30.04%	3,182	69.96%	0	0.00%
1960	2,406	45.70%	2,859	54.30%	0	0.00%
1956	2,820	51.76%	2,628	48.24%	0	0.00%
1952	2,534	47.38%	2,814	52.62%	0	0.00%
1948	2,366	44.21%	2,978	55.64%	8	0.15%
1944	2,114	46.88%	2,395	53.12%	0	0.00%
1940	2,881	45.26%	3,485	54.74%	0	0.00%
1936	2,513	42.56%	3,387	57.36%	5	0.08%
1932	2,443	44.43%	3,038	55.25%	18	0.33%
1928	2,551	56.76%	1,929	42.92%	14	0.31%
1924	1,843	47.02%	2,037	51.96%	40	1.02%
1920	1,981	56.37%	1,533	43.63%	0	0.00%
1916	1,021	48.76%	1,047	50.00%	26	1.24%
1912	352	16.72%	932	44.28%	821	39.00%

In popular culture

Clay County is also the birthplace of the Golden Delicious Apple. The original tree was found on the Mullins' family farm in Clay County, West Virginia, United States and was locally known as Mullin's Yellow Seedling and Annit apple.^{[ citation needed ]}

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Clay County, West Virginia

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Clay County history sources". Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 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. Whang, Oliver; McGarvey, Maddie (September 19, 2022). "A Rural Doctor Gave Her All. Then Her Heart Broke". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved September 19, 2022.
8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved October 20, 2022.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
13. "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.

External links

• Clay County Schools
• WVGenWeb Clay County

38°28′N81°04′W / 38.46°N 81.07°W / 38.46; -81.07