Mingo County, West Virginia

Mingo County
County
The Coal House museum in Williamson.
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°44′N82°08′W / 37.73°N 82.14°W / 37.73; -82.14
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	January 30, 1895
Named for	Mingo people
Seat	Williamson
Largest city	Williamson
Area
• Total	424 sq mi (1,100 km2)
• Land	423 sq mi (1,100 km2)
• Water	0.9 sq mi (2 km2)  0.2%
Population  (2020)
• Total	23,568
• Estimate  (2021)	23,005
• Density	56/sq mi (21/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.mingocountywv.com

Mingo County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,568. ^[1] Its county seat and largest city is Williamson. ^[2] Created in 1895, ^[3] Mingo is West Virginia's newest county, named for the historic Iroquoian Mingo people. ^[4]

History

Mingo County is West Virginia's newest county, formed by an act of the state legislature in 1895 from parts of Logan County. The county was named for the Mingo Native Americans. ^[4]

At the time of its creation, Mingo County was divided into magisterial districts, which the United States Census Bureau classifies as a type of non-functional subdivision serving purely administrative purposes. ^[5] After West Virginia's establishment in 1863, its counties were initially divided into civil townships, with the intent to encourage local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts. ^[6]

Mingo County's five original districts were Hardee, Harvey, Lee, Magnolia, and Stafford. As West Virginia's only county established after 1871, Mingo is unique in never having been divided into townships, but Hardee, Lee, and Magnolia districts were formerly districts in Logan County, and Hardee and Magnolia were townships until 1872. ^[5]

A sixth district, Warfield, was created from part of Harvey District in 1906, followed by the formation of Williamson District from part of Lee in 1908; Williamson District was coextensive with the City of Williamson. In the 1920s, Warfield District was renamed Kermit, after its chief town. An eighth district, Tug River, was formed from part of Lee District in 1947. ^[5] Mingo County was redistricted in 2005, at which time Hardee and Tug River Districts were consolidated to form Tug Hardee, and Harvey and Kermit were consolidated to form Kermit Harvey. ^[7]

The attempt to unionize coal miners in the county in the 1920s led to the Battle of Blair Mountain in neighboring Logan County.

Politically, Mingo County strongly opposed former President Barack Obama. In 2008, Obama received only 8% of the vote in the Democratic primary, one of his worst performances nationwide. In 2012, Keith Russell Judd, a convicted felon who was the only other candidate on the ballot, received more Mingo County primary votes than Obama. ^[8]

In 2014 Mingo County native Jeremy T. K. Farley published The Ghosts of Mingo County, based on the real-life story of Timmy Barker, a history of what Farley called "the bloodiest county in America." The book met with mixed reviews; some residents said it portrayed the county as too lawless, while others believed the book told the county's history accurately. ^[9]

In 2016 Mingo County was "one of the places in America most touched by opioids." ^[10]

In 2023, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced funding for a clean ammonia production facility to be placed in Mingo County, known as the Adams Fork Energy clean ammonia project. ^[11] It will be the second-largest ammonia facility in the nation, producing 2 million pounds of ammonia per year. ^[12]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 424 square miles (1,100 km²), of which 423 square miles (1,100 km²) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) (0.2%) is water. ^[13]

Major highways

• I-73 (future)
• I-74 (future)
• U.S. Highway 52
• U.S. Highway 119
• West Virginia Route 49
• West Virginia Route 65
• West Virginia Route 80

Adjacent counties

• Lincoln County (north)
• Logan County (northeast)
• Wyoming County (east)
• McDowell County (southeast)
• Pike County, Kentucky (west)
• Martin County, Kentucky (west)
• Wayne County (northwest)
• Buchanan County, Virginia (southeast)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1900	11,359		—
1910	19,431		71.1%
1920	26,384		35.8%
1930	38,319		45.2%
1940	40,802		6.5%
1950	47,409		16.2%
1960	39,742		−16.2%
1970	32,780		−17.5%
1980	37,336		13.9%
1990	33,739		−9.6%
2000	28,253		−16.3%
2010	26,839		−5.0%
2020	23,568		−12.2%
2021 (est.)	23,005	[14]	−2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [15] 1790–1960 [16] 1900–1990 [17] 1990–2000 [18] 2010–2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 28,253 people, 11,303 households, and 8,217 families living in the county. The population density was 67 people per square mile (26 people/km²). There were 12,898 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.39% White, 2.34% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,303 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 12.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.20% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $21,347, and the median income for a family was $26,581. Males had a median income of $31,660 versus $18,038 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,445. About 25.90% of families and 29.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.90% of those under age 18 and 18.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 26,839 people, 11,125 households, and 7,707 families living in the county. ^[19] The population density was 63.4 inhabitants per square mile (24.5/km²). There were 12,699 housing units at an average density of 30.0 per square mile (11.6/km²). ^[20] The racial makeup of the county was 97.1% white, 1.8% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.0% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.4% of the population. ^[19] In terms of ancestry, 12.6% were Irish, 11.9% were American, 7.0% were German, and 6.9% were English. ^[21]

Of the 11,125 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.7% were non-families, and 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 40.9 years. ^[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,902 and the median income for a family was $40,199. Males had a median income of $46,917 versus $27,168 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,629. About 16.9% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over. ^[22]

Politics

The youngest of West Virginia's 55 counties, Mingo was created from deeply secessionist Logan County. ^[23] Consequently, for the 110 years following its creation, Mingo County was staunchly Democratic, voting for Walter Mondale—who came within 3,819 votes of losing all 50 states—by a two-to-one margin in 1984, and voting Republican only for William Howard Taft in 1908, Herbert Hoover in 1928 due to widespread anti-Catholic sentiment against Al Smith, and Richard Nixon against the left-wing George McGovern in 1972. Like all of West Virginia, since 2000 a combination of declining unionization ^[24] and differences with the Democratic Party's liberal views on social and environmental issues ^[25] has produced a dramatic swing to the Republican Party. Mingo County last backed a Democratic presidential nominee in 2004, when John Kerry carried the county by 13 percentage points despite losing the national election and popular vote. Only 12 years later, Democrat Hillary Clinton lost the county by almost 70 percentage points to Republican Donald Trump despite winning the national popular vote, with Mingo voting only five percentage points less Republican than historically Unionist and rock-ribbed GOP Grant County.

In state elections, Mingo County remained very Democratic up until the mid-2010s. In the 2018 U.S. Senate election, Democrat Joe Manchin lost Mingo County despite winning statewide. Nonetheless, Democrats enjoy a 2-to-1 advantage in party registration as of October 2023.

United States presidential election results for Mingo County, West Virginia ^[26]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	8,544	85.22%	1,397	13.93%	85	0.85%
2016	7,911	83.17%	1,370	14.40%	231	2.43%
2012	6,191	69.92%	2,428	27.42%	236	2.67%
2008	4,587	55.01%	3,582	42.96%	169	2.03%
2004	4,612	43.28%	5,983	56.15%	60	0.56%
2000	3,866	38.49%	6,049	60.23%	128	1.27%
1996	2,229	20.50%	7,584	69.74%	1,062	9.77%
1992	2,584	23.77%	7,342	67.53%	947	8.71%
1988	2,896	27.98%	7,429	71.78%	25	0.24%
1984	4,275	33.59%	8,434	66.27%	17	0.13%
1980	3,716	27.98%	9,328	70.24%	236	1.78%
1976	3,010	25.80%	8,655	74.20%	0	0.00%
1972	7,484	57.27%	5,585	42.73%	0	0.00%
1968	3,988	28.90%	8,677	62.89%	1,133	8.21%
1964	3,154	20.45%	12,266	79.55%	0	0.00%
1960	4,903	30.34%	11,259	69.66%	0	0.00%
1956	7,916	44.15%	10,014	55.85%	0	0.00%
1952	6,852	34.77%	12,856	65.23%	0	0.00%
1948	4,896	32.02%	10,362	67.76%	34	0.22%
1944	4,711	33.03%	9,550	66.97%	0	0.00%
1940	5,776	33.20%	11,619	66.80%	0	0.00%
1936	5,771	33.82%	11,278	66.09%	15	0.09%
1932	7,801	47.28%	8,657	52.46%	43	0.26%
1928	6,904	50.28%	6,801	49.53%	27	0.20%
1924	4,656	42.06%	5,313	47.99%	1,101	9.95%
1920	3,972	44.60%	4,934	55.40%	0	0.00%
1916	2,223	47.25%	2,472	52.54%	10	0.21%
1912	1,569	36.01%	1,832	42.05%	956	21.94%

Communities

City

• Williamson (county seat)

Towns

• Delbarton
• Gilbert
• Kermit
• Matewan

Magisterial districts

• Beech Ben Mate
• Kermit Harvey
• Lee
• Magnolia
• Stafford
• Tug Hardee
• Williamson

Historical magisterial districts

• Hardee
• Harvey
• Kermit
• Tug River

Census-designated places

• Chattaroy
• Gilbert Creek
• Justice
• Red Jacket

Unincorporated communities

• Ajax
• Baisden
• Belo
• Bias
• Blackberry City
• Borderland
• Breeden
• Delorme
• Dingess
• East Kermit
• Hampden
• Isaban (part)
• Lenore
• Lobata
• Meador
• Musick
• Myrtle
• Naugatuck
• Newtown
• Nolan
• Pie
• Ragland
• Rawl
• Taylorville
• Varney
• Verner (part)
• Vulcan
• Wharncliffe
• Wyoming City (part)

Notable people

• Don Blankenship, former president and CEO of Massey Energy, 2018 Senate candidate
• H. Truman Chafin, former and longest-serving state senator
• Doc Edwards, former Major League Baseball catcher and manager
• Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong, four-star general in the United States Air Force, president of Mississippi State University from 2006 to 2008
• James H. "Buck" Harless, timber and coal operator, former president and CEO of International Industries
• Sid Hatfield, Matewan chief of police and hero of the Battle of Matewan, murdered by Baldwin-Felts "detectives"
• Anse Hatfield, patriarch of Hatfield family involved in Hatfield–McCoy feud

See also

• Coal camps in Mingo County, West Virginia
• Elk Creek Wildlife Management Area
• Laurel Lake Wildlife Management Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Mingo County, West Virginia

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Mingo County history sources". Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
4. "West Virginia Counties". West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Archived from the original on September 23, 2001. Retrieved February 24, 2014. (WV County Etymology)
5. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
6. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
7. United States Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System.
8. Mathesian, Charles. How the felon won. The Politico. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
9. Wytheville Enterprise Wythe County official pens history of coalfields struggle.
10. Snyder, Timothy (2018). The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America . London, U.K.: The Bodley Head. p. 266. ISBN   978-1-847-92526-8. Mingo County, West Virginia, was one of the places in America most touched by opioids. A town in Mingo County with a population of 3,200 was shipped about two million opioid pills per year.
11. "Manchin Announces Multi-Billion Dollar Clean Ammonia Manufacturing Investment in Mingo County, WV". U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. April 4, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
12. "Virtual public hearing planned to discuss proposed ammonia facility". WBOY.com. February 16, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
13. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
14. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved October 20, 2022.
15. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
16. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
17. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
18. "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.
19. "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.
20. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
21. "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.
22. "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.
23. Hinkle, Harlan H.; Grayback Mountaineers: The Confederate Face of Western Virginia, pp. 189-190, 194 ISBN   0595268404
24. Schwartzman, Gabe; ‘How Central Appalachia Went Right’; Daily Yonder, January 13, 2015
25. Cohn, Nate; ‘Demographic Shift: Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats’, The New York Times , April 24, 2014
26. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

External links

• Mingo County official website
• Mingo County Board of Education
• Mingo County History
• East Fork VFD at Dingess, WV
• West Virginia Mine Wars Museum independent history museum covering the Mine Wars Era in Matewan, WV.

37°44′N82°08′W / 37.73°N 82.14°W / 37.73; -82.14