Monroe County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 37°34′N80°32′W / 37.56°N 80.54°W | |
Country | United States |
State | West Virginia |
Founded | January 14, 1799 |
Named for | James Monroe |
Seat | Union |
Largest town | Peterstown |
Government | |
• County Commission President | Kevin Galford [1] |
• County Commission | Kevin Mann Melvin Young |
Area | |
• Total | 1,230 km2 (474 sq mi) |
• Land | 1,230 km2 (473 sq mi) |
• Water | 2 km2 (0.9 sq mi) 0.2% |
• Rank | 20th |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,376 |
• Estimate (2021) | 12,332 |
• Rank | 34th |
• Density | 10/km2 (26/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Area code(s) | 304, 681 |
Congressional district | 1st |
Senate district | 10th |
House of Delegates district | 40th, 47th |
Website | https://www.monroecountywv.gov/ |
Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,376. [2] Its county seat is Union. [3]
Monroe County was the home of Andrew Summers Rowan of Spanish–American War fame, who is immortalized in Elbert Hubbard's classic A Message to Garcia. The county was also the site of the 1928 discovery of the 34.48 carat (6.896 g) Jones Diamond by Grover C. Jones and William "Punch" Jones.
Monroe County celebrates its own holiday, Farmers' Day.
Monroe County was created from Greenbrier County on January 14, 1799, and was named for Virginia civic figure James Monroe, who would be elected fifth President of the United States in November 1816. [4] It was one of fifty Virginia counties that were admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863, at the height of the Civil War. Monroe County did not participate in the creation of the new state, but was included by Congressional decree. Almost all the men from Monroe who served in the Civil War enlisted in the Confederate army. [5]
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. [6] Monroe County was initially divided into seven townships: Forest Hill, Red Sulphur, Second Creek, Springfield, Sweet Springs, Union, and Wolf Creek. In 1871, part of Forest Hill Township was added to the new county of Summers, and the remaining territory distributed between Red Sulphur and Springfield Townships. The following year, the six remaining townships became magisterial districts. Except for minor adjustments, the six historic magisterial districts were unchanged until the 1990s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: Central, Eastern, and Western. [7]
Monroe County lies on the southeast side of West Virginia. Its southeast border abuts the northwest border of the state of Virginia. The New River flows northward for a short distance along the county's southwest border. The county's terrain is mountainous and tree-covered, with all sufficiently level surfaces devoted to agriculture. [8] The terrain slopes to the north and west, with its highest part the middle part of its border with Virginia, at 3,862 ft (1,177 m) ASL. [9] The county has a total area of 474 square miles (1,230 km2), of which 473 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) (0.2%) is water. [10]
Tributaries of the James River, part of the Chesapeake Bay
Tributaries of the New River
Tributaries of the Greenbrier River
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1800 | 4,188 | — | |
1810 | 5,444 | 30.0% | |
1820 | 6,620 | 21.6% | |
1830 | 7,798 | 17.8% | |
1840 | 8,422 | 8.0% | |
1850 | 10,204 | 21.2% | |
1860 | 10,757 | 5.4% | |
1870 | 11,124 | 3.4% | |
1880 | 11,501 | 3.4% | |
1890 | 12,429 | 8.1% | |
1900 | 13,130 | 5.6% | |
1910 | 13,055 | −0.6% | |
1920 | 13,141 | 0.7% | |
1930 | 11,949 | −9.1% | |
1940 | 13,577 | 13.6% | |
1950 | 13,123 | −3.3% | |
1960 | 11,584 | −11.7% | |
1970 | 11,272 | −2.7% | |
1980 | 12,873 | 14.2% | |
1990 | 12,406 | −3.6% | |
2000 | 14,583 | 17.5% | |
2010 | 13,502 | −7.4% | |
2020 | 12,376 | −8.3% | |
2021 (est.) | 12,332 | [12] | −0.4% |
US Decennial Census [13] 1790–1960 [14] 1900–1990 [15] 1990–2000 [16] 2010–2020 [2] |
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,583 people, 5,447 households, and 3,883 families in the county. The population density was 30.8 people per square mile (11.9 people/km2). There were 7,267 housing units at an average density of 15.4 units per square mile (5.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.67% White, 5.98% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 0.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,447 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88.
The county population contained 20.10% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 79.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,575, and the median income for a family was $35,299. Males had a median income of $25,643 versus $22,104 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,435. About 12.60% of families and 16.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over.
As of the census of 2010, there were 13,502 people, 5,655 households, and 3,915 families in the county. [17] The population density was 28.5 people per square mile (11.0 people/km2). There were 7,601 housing units at an average density of 16.1 units per square mile (6.2 units/km2). [18] The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population. [17] In terms of ancestry, 19.5% were Irish, 16.7% were English, 16.3% were German, 10.4% were American, and 5.7% were Scotch-Irish. [19]
Of the 5,655 households, 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.8% were non-families, and 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.0 years. [17]
The median income for a household in the county was $39,574 and the median income for a family was $45,106. Males had a median income of $35,709 versus $23,782 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,927. About 10.3% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over. [20]
Monroe County was strongly pro-Confederate during the Virginia Secession Convention. [21] It voted Democratic consistently up until voting for William McKinley in 1900, but since then has leaned Republican except during Democratic landslides, and like all of West Virginia has become overwhelmingly Republican in the twenty-first century due to declining unionization [22] and differences with the Democratic Party's liberal views on social issues. [23]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 5,068 | 78.09% | 1,345 | 20.72% | 77 | 1.19% |
2016 | 4,443 | 75.92% | 1,111 | 18.98% | 298 | 5.09% |
2012 | 3,616 | 69.11% | 1,455 | 27.81% | 161 | 3.08% |
2008 | 3,397 | 60.93% | 2,014 | 36.13% | 164 | 2.94% |
2004 | 3,590 | 60.33% | 2,311 | 38.83% | 50 | 0.84% |
2000 | 2,940 | 57.21% | 2,094 | 40.75% | 105 | 2.04% |
1996 | 2,131 | 41.85% | 2,382 | 46.78% | 579 | 11.37% |
1992 | 2,311 | 42.64% | 2,418 | 44.61% | 691 | 12.75% |
1988 | 2,719 | 52.61% | 2,427 | 46.96% | 22 | 0.43% |
1984 | 3,612 | 60.67% | 2,333 | 39.18% | 9 | 0.15% |
1980 | 2,999 | 49.39% | 2,877 | 47.38% | 196 | 3.23% |
1976 | 2,750 | 45.48% | 3,297 | 54.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
1972 | 3,716 | 63.74% | 2,114 | 36.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
1968 | 2,925 | 49.66% | 2,412 | 40.95% | 553 | 9.39% |
1964 | 2,385 | 41.46% | 3,367 | 58.54% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 3,139 | 51.89% | 2,910 | 48.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 3,529 | 56.01% | 2,772 | 43.99% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 3,447 | 54.69% | 2,856 | 45.31% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 2,956 | 52.90% | 2,632 | 47.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
1944 | 3,130 | 54.48% | 2,615 | 45.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
1940 | 3,403 | 50.90% | 3,283 | 49.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
1936 | 3,268 | 48.81% | 3,413 | 50.98% | 14 | 0.21% |
1932 | 2,978 | 47.67% | 3,267 | 52.30% | 2 | 0.03% |
1928 | 3,025 | 56.14% | 2,346 | 43.54% | 17 | 0.32% |
1924 | 2,713 | 49.96% | 2,686 | 49.47% | 31 | 0.57% |
1920 | 3,001 | 54.25% | 2,519 | 45.54% | 12 | 0.22% |
1916 | 1,584 | 49.48% | 1,609 | 50.27% | 8 | 0.25% |
1912 | 798 | 25.52% | 1,570 | 50.21% | 759 | 24.27% |
The Federal Bureau of Prisons' Federal Prison Camp, Alderson was the nation's first women's federal prison. [25] It is located in Monroe and Summers counties, west of Alderson. [26] [27]
One of Monroe County's geological features is Haynes Cave, a former saltpeter mine. [28] Workers in the mine found strange bones in the cave at the end of the 18th Century, and mailed them to Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's study of the animal, the Megalonyx jeffersonii was arguably the birth of American paleontology. It is now the official West Virginia state fossil.
However, other saltpeter caves are in private ownership, and allow only limited public access due to ecological risks. One such is the Greenville Saltpeter Cave, designated a national natural landmark in 1973, and very important during the War of 1812. [29] [30] [31]
Monroe County Schools operates public schools:
Farmers' Day is an annual event, held on the first Saturday in June in Union, to recognize the farming families in the surrounding area. The event, founded by Louie H. Peters, fills the weekend, with a Friday dance, a 3k run, a Saturday pancake breakfast, Sunday activities, and a parade held in the town of Union.[ citation needed ]
Wetzel County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,442. Its county seat is New Martinsville. The county, founded in 1846, is named for Lewis Wetzel, a famous frontiersman and Indian fighter. Its northern border aligns with the Mason-Dixon line, but is to the west of the line's western terminus.
Taylor County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,705. Its county seat is Grafton. The county was formed in 1844 and named for Senator John Taylor of Caroline.
Summers County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,959. Its county seat is Hinton. The county was created by an act of the West Virginia Legislature on February 27, 1871, from parts of Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer and Monroe counties and named in honor of George W. Summers (1804–68).
Pocahontas County is a county located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,869. Its county seat is Marlinton. The county was established in 1821. It is named after the daughter of the Powhatan chief of the Native Americans in the United States who came from Jamestown, Virginia. She married an English settler, and their children became ancestors of many of the First Families of Virginia.
Nicholas County is a county located in the central region of U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,604. Its county seat is Summersville. The county was created in 1818 by the Virginia General Assembly and named for Virginia Governor Wilson Cary Nicholas.
Logan County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,567. Its county seat is Logan. Logan County comprises the Logan, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Charleston–Huntington–Ashland, WV–OH–KY Combined Statistical Area.
Lincoln County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,463. Its county seat is Hamlin. The county was created in 1867 and named for Abraham Lincoln.
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 and most populous city. Kanawha County is part of the Charleston, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Greenbrier County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,977. Its county seat is Lewisburg. The county was formed in 1778 from Botetourt and Montgomery counties in Virginia.
Fayette County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,488. Its county seat is Fayetteville. It is part of the Beckley, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area in Southern West Virginia.
Brooke County is a county in the Northern Panhandle of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,559. Its county seat is Wellsburg. The county was created in 1797 from part of Ohio County and named in honor of Robert Brooke, Governor of Virginia from 1794 to 1796. Brooke County is part of the Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.
Boone County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,809. Its county seat is Madison. Boone County is part of the Charleston, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. Leading industries and chief agricultural products in Boone County include coal, lumber, natural gas, tobacco, and strawberries.
Independence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,938. The county seat is Batesville. Independence County is Arkansas's ninth county, formed on October 20, 1820, from a portion of Lawrence County and named in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.
Lewisburg is a city in and the county seat of Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 3,930 at the 2020 census.
White Sulphur Springs is a city in Greenbrier County in southeastern West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,231 at the 2020 census. The city emblem consists of five dandelion flowers and the citizens celebrate spring with an annual Dandelion Festival.
Peterstown is a town in Monroe County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 456 at the 2020 census.
Union is a town in Monroe County, West Virginia, United States. Union’s population is 427 as of 2020. It is the county seat of Monroe County.
Durbin is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 235 at the 2020 census.
Alderson is a town in Greenbrier and Monroe counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, on both sides of the Greenbrier River. The population was 975 at the 2020 census.
West Virginia Route 12 is a north–south route located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of West Virginia. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 219 in Peterstown, Monroe County, less than 300 yards (270 m) from the Virginia state line. It compromises a portion of the Farm Heritage Road byway between Peterstown and West Virginia Route 122. The northern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 60 in Alta, Greenbrier County, near Interstate 64 exit 161.