Grant County, West Virginia

Grant County
County
Old Grant County Courthouse in Petersburg Smoke Hole Caverns Fairfax Stone Historical Monument State Park Rolling countryside in southern Grant County
Seal Logo
Location of Grant County in West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°04′N79°07′W / 39.06°N 79.12°W / 39.06; -79.12
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	February 6, 1866
Named for	Ulysses S. Grant
Seat	Petersburg
and largest city
Government
• County Administrator	Michelle Sites
• County Commission	Kevin P. Hagerty Scotty Miley Tyson Riggleman
Area
• Total	1,200 km2 (480 sq mi)
• Land	1,240 km2 (477 sq mi)
• Water	8 km2 (2.9 sq mi)  0.6%
• Rank	19th
Population  (2020)
• Total	10,976
• Estimate  (2021)	10,983
• Rank	42nd
• Density	8.8/km2 (23/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Area code(s)	304, 681
Congressional district	2nd
Senate district	14th
House of Delegates district	85th
Website	https://www.grantcountywv.org

Grant County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,976. ^[1] Its county seat is Petersburg. ^[2] The county was created from Hardy County in 1866 and named for Civil War General and the 18th president of the United States Ulysses S. Grant. ^[3]

History

The territory that became Grant County in 1866 was originally part of Hampshire County, the oldest county formed within the present boundaries of West Virginia, in 1754. In 1786, Hardy County was formed from the southern portion of Hampshire County. The county's boundaries were relatively stable from 1788 until 1866, when Grant County was formed from the western portion of Hardy. The first counties formed in the state following the admission of West Virginia to the Union were Grant and Mineral in 1866, the latter formed from the western portion of Hampshire County, and thus adjoining Grant. They were the fifty-first and fifty-second counties in West Virginia, and only Lincoln, Summers, and Mingo were created after them.

Beginning 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. ^[4] Between its establishment and 1870, Grant County was divided into three townships: Grant, Milroy, and Union, which became magisterial districts in 1872. ^[5]

Grant County Bank, Petersburg

Most of the 47 people killed in the 1985 Election day floods were in Pendleton and Grant counties, according to the National Weather Service. ^[6] At Franklin, the Pendleton County seat, the South Branch of the Potomac River crested at 22.6 feet during the incident. Flood stage in the shallow riverbed was only 7 feet. ^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 480 square miles (1,200 km²), of which 477 square miles (1,240 km²) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) (0.6%) is water. ^[7]

Major highways

US 48 in Grant County

• U.S. Route 48
• U.S. Route 50
• U.S. Route 220
• West Virginia Route 28
• West Virginia Route 42
• West Virginia Route 55
• West Virginia Route 93

Adjacent counties

• Mineral County (northeast)
• Hardy County (east)
• Pendleton County (south)
• Randolph County (southwest)
• Tucker County (west)
• Preston County (northwest)
• Garrett County, Maryland (northwest)

National protected areas

• Monongahela National Forest (part)
• Spruce Knob–Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	4,467		—
1880	5,542		24.1%
1890	6,802		22.7%
1900	7,275		7.0%
1910	7,838		7.7%
1920	8,993		14.7%
1930	8,441		−6.1%
1940	8,805		4.3%
1950	8,756		−0.6%
1960	8,304		−5.2%
1970	8,607		3.6%
1980	10,210		18.6%
1990	10,428		2.1%
2000	11,299		8.4%
2010	11,937		5.6%
2020	10,976		−8.1%
2021 (est.)	10,983	[8]	0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11] 1990–2000 [12] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 10,976 people and 4,147 households residing in the county. There were 5,598 housing units in Preston. The racial makeup of the county was 95.6% White, 0.8% African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.8% of the population.

Of the 12,510 households, 48.9% were married couples living together, 24.3% had a female householder with no spouse present, 23.1% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.49. 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 $47,224 and the poverty rate was 12.1%. ^[13]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 11,937 people, 4,941 households, and 3,435 families living in the county. ^[14] The population density was 25.0 inhabitants per square mile (9.7/km²). There were 6,366 housing units at an average density of 13.3 units per square mile (5.1 units/km²). ^[15] The racial makeup of the county was 97.7% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. ^[14] In terms of ancestry, 26.9% were German, 15.0% were American, 9.3% were Irish, and 5.3% were English. ^[16]

Of the 4,941 households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.5% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 44.0 years. ^[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,593 and the median income for a family was $46,193. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $24,643 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,358. About 10.6% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over. ^[17]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,299 people, 4,591 households, and 3,273 families living in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km²). There were 6,105 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.33% White, 0.67% Black or African American, 0.26% Indigenous American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,591 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,916, and the median income for a family was $33,813. Males had a median income of $24,796 versus $18,354 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,696. About 12.60% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 18.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Petersburg (county seat)

Town

• Bayard

Magisterial districts

• Grant
• Milroy
• Union

Unincorporated communities

• Arthur
• Bismarck
• Cabins
• Dobbin
• Dorcas
• Fairfax
• Forman
• Gormania
• Greenland
• Henry
• Hopeville
• Lahmansville
• Maysville
• Medley
• Mount Storm
• Old Arthur
• Scherr
• Williamsport
• Wilsonia

Politics and government

Federal politics

Grant County lies within West Virginia's 2nd congressional district. The current representative of the district is Alex Mooney (R).

Politically, Grant County was historically a major outlier in West Virginia. While the rest of the state did not become a Republican bastion until the 21st century after having leaned heavily Democratic between the New Deal and Bill Clinton’s presidency, Grant County has always been among the most strongly Republican counties in the country. Since Grant County was created in 1866, no Democrat has managed to receive 40 percent of the county's vote in any Presidential election. The only Republican to ever lose Grant County has been William Howard Taft in 1912 when the GOP was divided and Progressive Theodore Roosevelt claimed the majority of the county's vote.

The county's Republican bent has held even in national Democratic landslides. Franklin Delano Roosevelt never tallied more than 26.8 percent of the vote in any of his four successful campaigns, and Lyndon Johnson only managed 37.8 percent in 1964. Jimmy Carter is the only other Democrat besides LBJ to have cracked the 30 percent barrier.

Notably, in 2016, 2020, and 2024, Donald Trump received the highest percentages of the vote ever cast for a presidential candidate in this county. He held Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris to 10%, 11%, and 10% of the vote, respectively.

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment of Grant County [18]
Party		Total	Percentage
	Democratic	663	9.00%
	Republican	5,086	69.05%
	Independents, unaffiliated, and other	1,617	21.95%
Total		7,366	100.00%

United States presidential election results for Grant County, West Virginia ^[19]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	4,949	88.88%	552	9.91%	67	1.20%
2020	4,871	88.40%	607	11.02%	32	0.58%
2016	4,346	87.53%	512	10.31%	107	2.16%
2012	3,783	82.45%	718	15.65%	87	1.90%
2008	3,166	75.06%	997	23.64%	55	1.30%
2004	4,063	80.50%	963	19.08%	21	0.42%
2000	3,571	78.76%	891	19.65%	72	1.59%
1996	2,599	60.48%	1,206	28.07%	492	11.45%
1992	2,762	64.26%	1,011	23.52%	525	12.21%
1988	3,215	77.85%	893	21.62%	22	0.53%
1984	3,715	81.58%	828	18.18%	11	0.24%
1980	3,452	75.19%	1,041	22.67%	98	2.13%
1976	2,976	69.23%	1,323	30.77%	0	0.00%
1972	3,556	85.28%	614	14.72%	0	0.00%
1968	2,936	73.81%	786	19.76%	256	6.44%
1964	2,464	62.25%	1,494	37.75%	0	0.00%
1960	3,333	78.59%	908	21.41%	0	0.00%
1956	3,408	84.31%	634	15.69%	0	0.00%
1952	3,282	82.96%	674	17.04%	0	0.00%
1948	2,816	80.83%	664	19.06%	4	0.11%
1944	2,996	84.02%	570	15.98%	0	0.00%
1940	3,195	78.85%	857	21.15%	0	0.00%
1936	2,923	74.51%	995	25.36%	5	0.13%
1932	2,477	72.15%	920	26.80%	36	1.05%
1928	2,648	82.83%	542	16.95%	7	0.22%
1924	2,344	75.49%	658	21.19%	103	3.32%
1920	2,417	82.15%	492	16.72%	33	1.12%
1916	1,438	78.41%	391	21.32%	5	0.27%
1912	349	20.02%	356	20.42%	1,038	59.55%

State politics

At the state level, Grant County voted for popular Democratic governor Joe Manchin over his GOP opponent Russ Weeks by over 20 points in 2008. ^[20]

Grant County is represented in one Senate district with two Senators in the West Virginia Senate. Senate members Senate members Jay Taylor (R) and Randy Smith (R) both serve in West Virginia's 14th Senate district. ^[21] The county is represented in the West Virginia House of Delegates by one Delegate. The Delegate for Grant County is John Paul Hott (R) for district 85. ^[22]

County government

Grant County's government consists the County Administrator and the County Commission. The County Administrator is the county executive that handles all administrative duties for and reports to the County Commission. The position of the Grant County Administrator is currently held by Michelle Sites. ^[23]

The Grant County Commission consists of three members. The current members of the County Commission are Kevin P. Hagerty, Scotty Miley and Tyson Riggleman. ^[24]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Grant 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. "Grant County history sources". Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
4. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
5. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
6. West Virginia Gazette: "Remembering the '85 floods" (D. White) November 4, 2010
7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
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 10, 2014.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
12. "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 10, 2014.
13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
14. "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.
15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
16. "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.
17. "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.
18. "West Virginia Voter Registration" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
20. Leip, Dave. "2008 Gubernatorial Election Results- West Virginia". Dave Leip's Atlas. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
21. "Senate District Map". West Virginia Legislature.
22. "House Select Committee on Redistricting" (PDF). West Virginia Legislature.
23. "Grant County Administrator". Grant County.
24. "Grant County Commission". Grant County.

External links

• Grant County - Gateway to the Potomac Highlands
• Grant County Chamber of Commerce
• Grant County Press
• Grant County Development Authority
• Grant County Schools
• Grant County Historical/Genealogy Society, Inc.
• WVGenWeb Grant County