Clendenin, West Virginia | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 38°29′19″N81°20′56″W / 38.48861°N 81.34889°W | |
Country | United States |
State | West Virginia |
County | Kanawha |
Government | |
• Type | Strong City Council |
• Mayor | Kay Summers |
• Recorder | Amanda N. Amburgey |
Area | |
• Total | 1.52 sq mi (3.94 km2) |
• Land | 1.44 sq mi (3.73 km2) |
• Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2) |
Elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
Population | |
• Total | 850 |
• Estimate (2021) [2] | 850 |
• Density | 762.83/sq mi (294.56/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code | 25045 |
Area code | 304 |
FIPS code | 54-16012 [3] |
GNIS feature ID | 1537398 [4] |
Website | Official website |
Clendenin is a town in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States, situated along the Elk River. The population was 850 at the 2020 census. [2]
In the 1800s, Clendenin was a small settlement at the confluence of Big Sandy Creek and the Elk River that eventually became a small village named Chilton. At this time, timber and coal mining were the principal industries in the area. In 1846, one of the first cannel coal veins was discovered at Falling Rock (only a few miles from Chilton/Clendenin) and became a rich source for manufacturing artificial gas. [5] Clendenin was platted in 1877. [6]
In 1893, the Coal and Coke railroad was built running through Clendenin, paralleling the Elk River and allowing the logging industry to set up residence. Along with the drilling of the first gas well in the area in 1900, this allowed the development of one of the largest oil and gas fields in West Virginia. The town was incorporated in 1904 and named after the Clendenin family, an early pioneer family in the Kanawha River Valley. The first petrochemical plant in the world was built in Clendenin in 1920. This plant was the original Union Carbide Corporation facility. Other chief economic staples included timber, coal, gas, oil, and salt. The decades from 1900 to 1930 saw most of the towns growth, and construction of most of the major buildings in town, including the elementary, middle, and high schools, several large churches, three banks, and several blocks of commercial buildings. When Union Carbide moved their production plant from Falling Rock to Charleston, the economy slowed but Clendenin remained a commercial hub for northern Kanawha County, southern Roane County, and western Clay County until Interstate 79 bypassed the town in the 1980s.
Clendenin suffered damage during the 2016 West Virginia flood. Recovery was largely complete by January 2020, although some homes remained in need of demolition or rebuilding. [7]
The current mayor of Clendenin is Kay Summers. [8] Town elections (including the office of mayor and city council) occur every two years. Recent efforts have been made by 25045-A New Clendenin (a non-profit corporation based in Clendenin) and the Business and Industrial Development Corporation (headquartered in Charleston) to enhance economic and cultural development in the town.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.51 square miles (3.91 km2), of which 1.44 square miles (3.73 km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) is water. [9]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Clendenin has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [10] In Clendenin, 236 days out of the year have fog, and 153 days have precipitation. [11]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 815 | — | |
1920 | 1,263 | 55.0% | |
1930 | 1,217 | −3.6% | |
1940 | 1,200 | −1.4% | |
1950 | 1,475 | 22.9% | |
1960 | 1,510 | 2.4% | |
1970 | 1,438 | −4.8% | |
1980 | 1,373 | −4.5% | |
1990 | 1,203 | −12.4% | |
2000 | 1,116 | −7.2% | |
2010 | 1,227 | 9.9% | |
2020 | 850 | −30.7% | |
2021 (est.) | 850 | [2] | 0.0% |
U.S. Decennial Census [12] |
The median income for a household in the town was $32,000, and the median income for a family was $38,021. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $18,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,587. About 9.7% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 20.2% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2010 census, [13] there were 1,227 people, 524 households, and 335 families residing in the town. The population density was 852.1 inhabitants per square mile (329.0/km2). There were 576 housing units at an average density of 400.0 per square mile (154.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.1% of the population.
There were 524 households, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the town was 43.5 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 29% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
The Clendenin Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Elk River Trail is a 75-mile (121 km) trail from Clendenin to Gassaway, West Virginia. The trail features waterfalls, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. [14]
Kindergarten through 12th grade students in Clendenin attend Clendenin Elementary School (PK-5), Elkview Middle School (6-8), and Herbert Hoover High School (West Virginia) (9-12). Only the Clendenin Elementary lies within the boundaries of the city. Elkview Middle School is located 7 miles from Clendenin in neighboring Elkview, WV. Herbert Hoover High School was located just outside of Clendenin town limits until it was destroyed in the June 2016 floods. The new Herbert Hoover High School is located on Frame Road in Elkview and has an opening date of August 2023.
Various claims of seeing "a large brown winged man take flight" have been made in the area. [15] Others described seeing "a large gray creature whose eyes 'glowed red' when the car headlights picked it up." [16] The alleged creature became known as the Mothman. [17]
Charleston is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of West Virginia and the seat of Kanawha County. Located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers, the city had a population of 48,864 at the 2020 census and an estimated population of 48,018 in 2021. The Charleston metropolitan area had 210,605 residents in 2020.
Kanawha County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 180,745, making it West Virginia's most populous county. The county seat is Charleston, which is also the state capital. Kanawha County is part of the Charleston, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Burnsville is a town in Braxton County, West Virginia, United States, at the confluence of the Little Kanawha River and Saltlick Creek. The population was 401 at the 2020 census. Burnsville was incorporated in 1902 by the Circuit Court and named for Captain John Burns who operated the first sawmill in that section of the state and who established the town shortly after the close of the American Civil War. It was named "All West Virginia City" in 1976.
Clay is a town in and the county seat of Clay County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 399 at the 2020 census. It is the only incorporated town in Clay County.
Ansted is a town in Fayette County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The population was 1,404 at the 2010 census. It is situated on high bluffs along U.S. Route 60 on a portion of the Midland Trail near Hawks Nest overlooking the New River far below.
Gauley Bridge is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 614 at the 2010 census. The Kanawha River is formed at Gauley Bridge by the confluence of the New and Gauley Rivers. Two miles to the southwest of Gauley Bridge, in Glen Ferris, is Kanawha Falls, a popular stopping point on Midland Trail Scenic Highway.
Glenville is a town in and the county seat of Gilmer County, West Virginia, United States, along the Little Kanawha River. The population was 1,128 at the 2020 census. It is the home of Glenville State University.
Elkview is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,222 at the 2010 census. It is named after the Elk River, which flows into the Kanawha River.
Pinch is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 3,262 at the 2010 census.
Pratt is a town in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States, along the Kanawha River. The population was 482 at the 2020 census.
Alum Creek is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kanawha and Lincoln counties along the Coal River in the U.S. state of West Virginia. It includes the unincorporated communities of Alum Creek, Forks of Coal, and Priestley. The CDP had a population of 1,749 at the 2010 census, down from 1,839 at the 2000 census.
Chapmanville is a town in Logan County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,025 at the 2020 census. Chapmanville is named for Ned Chapman, an early settler who operated a store and post office. It was incorporated in 1947.
Henderson is an unincorporated community and former town in Mason County, West Virginia, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers. The population was 231 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Point Pleasant, WV–OH Micropolitan Statistical Area. The town was incorporated in 1893 and named for Samuel Bruce Henderson, who owned the townsite at the time. The town was unincorporated following a public hearing on August 11, 2022.
Leon is a town in Mason County, West Virginia, United States, situated along the Kanawha River. The population was 137 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Point Pleasant, WV–OH Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Point Pleasant is a city in and the county seat of Mason County, West Virginia, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers. The population was 4,101 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Point Pleasant micropolitan area extending into Ohio. The town is best known for the Mothman, a purported humanoid creature reportedly sighted in the area that has become a part of West Virginia folklore.
Bramwell is a town in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States, along the Bluestone River. The population was 277 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578.
Elizabeth is a town in and the county seat of Wirt County, West Virginia, United States, situated along the Little Kanawha River. The population was 724 as of the 2020 census.
Montgomery is a city in West Virginia, along the Kanawha River. Most of the city is in Fayette County, with the remainder in Kanawha County. The population was 1,280 at the 2020 census.
Nitro is a city in Kanawha and Putnam counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia. It takes its name from a World War I era nitrocellulose plant. The population was 6,618 according to the 2020 census. It is part of the Charleston metropolitan area.
Tornado, also called Upper Falls, is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States.