Randolph County, West Virginia

Randolph County
County
Randolph County Courthouse in Elkins Beverly Historic District Tygarts Valley Church Old town square in Helvetia Barton Knob
Seal
Location of Randolph County in West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°47′N79°52′W / 38.78°N 79.87°W / 38.78; -79.87
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	October 16, 1787
Named for	Edmund Jennings Randolph
Seat	Elkins
and largest city
Government
• Commission President	David Kesling (D) [1] [2]
• County Commission	Cris Siler (R) [3] Chris See (D) [4]
Area
• Total	2,700 km2 (1,040 sq mi)
• Land	2,700 km2 (1,040 sq mi)
• Water	0.8 km2 (0.3 sq mi)  0.03%
• Rank	1st
Population  (2020)
• Total	27,932
• Estimate  (2021)	27,806
• Rank	21st
• Density	10/km2 (27/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Area code(s)	304, 681
Congressional district	2nd
Senate district	11th
House of Delegates district	66th, 67th
Website	https://randolphcountycommissionwv.org/

Randolph County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,932. ^[5] Its county seat is Elkins. ^[6] The county was founded in 1787 and is named for Edmund Jennings Randolph. ^[7]

Randolph County comprises the Elkins, West Virginia, Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The first attempt by Europeans to settle in present-day Randolph County came in 1752 or '53 when David Tygart — for whom the Tygart Valley River was named — and Robert Foyle (later called Files) located (separately) with their families in the vicinity of present-day Beverly. Although there had been no recent history of conflicts between Europeans and Native Americans in that immediate area, that summer a party of Native Americans traveling the Shawnee Trail discovered the Foyle cabin and killed seven members of the family. One son escaped and alerted the Tygart family, allowing all to escape. (The Tygart-Foyle settlements were the first European settlements attempted anywhere within the Monongahela River watershed in present-day West Virginia.) No other European settlement was attempted in present Randolph County until 1772. ^{[8] [9]}

Thomas Skidmore (ca. 1733–1807), born in Maryland, obtained a title to 400 acres of land (“by virtue of a settlement”) in the future Elkins area before 1778. This land, on the east side of the Tygart Valley River, was surveyed by John Poage in 1780 and included the land that is now most of downtown Elkins. Thus, Skidmore was probably the first European settler in what became Elkins. ^[10]

When Randolph County, Virginia (now West Virginia) was created out of the vast Harrison County on October 16, 1787, it included not only present-day Randolph County, but parts of what are now eight other counties. ^[11] It took its name from the surname of the then Governor of Virginia. The name of the new county seat, originally Randolph Court House, or Edmundton (the latter from the Governor's given name), was changed to Beverly by 1790. ^[12] Beverly remained the county seat until 1890 when county government was moved to Elkins.

Minor actions of the American Civil War which took place in Randolph County include the Battle of Rich Mountain and a part of the Battle of Cheat Mountain, both in 1861. These operations came in the course of the Western Virginia Campaign.

Randolph was one of fifty Virginia counties that were admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863. Later that year, the new state'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. ^[13] Randolph County was divided into nine districts: Beverly, Clarke, Clay, Dry Fork, Green, Mingo Flats, Reynolds, Scott, and Union. Several of these were renamed during the 1870s: Clark became Valley Bend, Clay became New Interest, Green became Leadsville, Mingo Flats was abbreviated to Mingo, Reynolds became Huttonsville, Scott became Roaring Creek, and Union became Middle Fork. ^[14]

Geography

Wildflowers add a splash of color to grazing fields near Osceola in July.

Fall in the forest

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,040 square miles (2,700 km²), of which 1,040 square miles (2,700 km²) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) (0.03%) is water. ^[15] It is the largest county in West Virginia by area.

Rivers

• Tygart Valley River
• Shavers Fork
• Laurel Fork

Mountains

• Point Mountain
• Cheat Mountain
  • White Top, a knob of Cheat Mountain
• Laurel Mountain
• Rich Mountain
• Shavers Mountain
  • Gaudineer Knob, a knob of Shavers Mountain

Caves and caverns

• Bowden Cave
• Sinks of Gandy

National Natural Landmarks

• Blister Run Swamp
• Gaudineer Scenic Area
• Shavers Mountain Spruce-Hemlock Stand

Major highways

U.S. Highway 33 U.S. Highway 48 U.S. Highway 219 U.S. Highway 250

West Virginia Route 15 West Virginia Route 32 West Virginia Route 55 West Virginia Route 92

Adjacent counties

• Tucker County (northeast)
• Pendleton County (east)
• Pocahontas County (south)
• Webster County (southwest)
• Upshur County (west)
• Barbour County (northwest)

National protected area

• Monongahela National Forest (part)
• United States National Radio Quiet Zone (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1790	951		—
1800	1,826		92.0%
1810	2,854		56.3%
1820	3,357		17.6%
1830	5,000		48.9%
1840	6,208		24.2%
1850	5,243		−15.5%
1860	4,990		−4.8%
1870	5,563		11.5%
1880	8,102		45.6%
1890	11,633		43.6%
1900	17,670		51.9%
1910	26,028		47.3%
1920	26,084		0.2%
1930	25,049		−4.0%
1940	30,259		20.8%
1950	30,558		1.0%
1960	26,349		−13.8%
1970	24,596		−6.7%
1980	28,734		16.8%
1990	27,803		−3.2%
2000	28,262		1.7%
2010	29,405		4.0%
2020	27,932		−5.0%
2021 (est.)	27,806	[16]	−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [17] 1790–1960 [18] 1900–1990 [19] 1990–2000 [20] 2010–2020 [5]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 27,932 people and 10,065 households residing in the county. There were 13,035 housing units in Randolph county. The racial makeup of the county was 93.6% White, 1.6% African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 10,065 households, of which 44.8% were married couples living together, 30.2% had a female householder with no spouse present, 19% had a male householder with no spouse present.The average household and family size was 3.36. The median age in the county was 44.7 years with 19% of the population being under 18. The median income for a household in the city was $47,343 and the poverty rate was 15.2% ^[21]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 29,405 people, 11,695 households, and 7,753 families living in the county. ^[22] The population density was 28.3 inhabitants per square mile (10.9/km²). There were 14,189 housing units at an average density of 13.6 per square mile (5.3/km²). ^[23] The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 1.2% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. ^[22] In terms of ancestry, 26.3% were German, 15.9% were Irish, 12.0% were English, 10.2% were American, and 5.4% were Italian. ^[24]

Of the 11,695 households, 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.7% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 43.4 years. ^[22]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,176 and the median income for a family was $47,071. Males had a median income of $34,903 versus $25,988 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,472. About 12.7% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.1% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over. ^[25]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 28,262 people, 11,072 households, and 7,661 families living in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (10 people/km²). There were 13,478 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.69% White, 1.07% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,072 households, out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% 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 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,299, and the median income for a family was $32,632. Males had a median income of $24,751 versus $17,819 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,918. About 13.40% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.30% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	8,356	72.07%	3,008	25.94%	230	1.98%
2020	8,673	71.09%	3,362	27.56%	165	1.35%
2016	7,629	69.55%	2,735	24.93%	605	5.52%
2012	6,160	63.00%	3,342	34.18%	276	2.82%
2008	6,060	55.94%	4,539	41.90%	234	2.16%
2004	6,512	56.68%	4,892	42.58%	86	0.75%
2000	5,248	55.00%	4,028	42.21%	266	2.79%
1996	3,348	33.18%	5,469	54.21%	1,272	12.61%
1992	3,496	34.20%	5,097	49.86%	1,629	15.94%
1988	4,746	47.38%	5,233	52.24%	38	0.38%
1984	6,100	55.64%	4,839	44.14%	25	0.23%
1980	4,374	40.05%	5,937	54.36%	610	5.59%
1976	4,822	39.89%	7,265	60.11%	0	0.00%
1972	6,923	64.51%	3,809	35.49%	0	0.00%
1968	4,508	41.11%	5,562	50.72%	897	8.18%
1964	2,984	27.14%	8,012	72.86%	0	0.00%
1960	5,018	41.79%	6,989	58.21%	0	0.00%
1956	5,448	48.88%	5,697	51.12%	0	0.00%
1952	5,452	43.87%	6,976	56.13%	0	0.00%
1948	3,802	36.52%	6,586	63.25%	24	0.23%
1944	3,681	36.88%	6,299	63.12%	0	0.00%
1940	4,196	33.14%	8,465	66.86%	0	0.00%
1936	3,711	31.34%	8,109	68.48%	22	0.19%
1932	3,418	31.29%	7,397	67.72%	108	0.99%
1928	4,436	46.22%	5,085	52.99%	76	0.79%
1924	3,526	36.59%	5,314	55.14%	797	8.27%
1920	4,158	46.11%	4,676	51.85%	184	2.04%
1916	2,165	39.78%	3,024	55.57%	253	4.65%
1912	756	14.82%	2,563	50.25%	1,782	34.93%

Communities

View from atop Yokum Knob, Randolph County, West Virginia

City

• Elkins (county seat)

Towns

• Beverly
• Harman
• Huttonsville
• Mill Creek
• Montrose
• Womelsdorf (Coalton)

Magisterial districts

• Beverly
• Dry Fork
• Huttonsville
• Leadsville
• Middle Fork
• Mingo
• New Interest
• Roaring Creek
• Valley Bend

Census-designated places

• Bowden
• Dailey
• East Dailey
• Helvetia
• Pickens
• Valley Bend
• Valley Head
• Whitmer

Unincorporated communities

• Adolph
• Aggregates
• Alpena
• Arnold Hill
• Bemis
• Brady Gate
• Bruxton
• Canfield
• Cassity
• Crystal Springs
• Czar
• Dryfork
• Elkins Junction
• Elkwater
• Ellamore
• Evenwood
• Faulkner
• Glady
• Horton
• Jimtown
• Kerens
• Little Italy
• Mabie
• Mingo
• Monterville
• Newlonton
• Norton
• Osceola
• Pumpkintown
• Read
• Spangler
• Sullivan
• Tigheville
• Upper Mingo
• Weaver
• Whyte

Notable people

• Herman Ball, football player
• Lemuel Chenoweth, master covered bridge builder
• William Wallace Barron, former governor who was indicted for bribery and jury tampering.
• Dellos Clinton "Sheriff" Gainer, major league baseball player
• Marshall Goldberg, football player
• Wilma Lee Cooper Grand Ole Opry and WWVA Jamboree star
• Stoney Cooper, Grand Ole Opry and WWVA Jamboree star
• Eldora Marie Bolyard Nuzum, American newspaper editor and interviewer of U.S. Presidents

See also

• Becky Creek Wildlife Management Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Randolph County, West Virginia

References

1. "Candidates' list balloons in Randolph". The Inter-Mountain. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
2. "County Commission". Randolph County Commission. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
3. "Randolph County 2022 General Election Results". WBOY-TV. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
4. "2020 General Election Results: Randolph County". WBOY-TV. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
5. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
7. "Randolph County history sources". Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
8. It has been thought that Tygart was again among those settling then, but this is not certain.
9. Maxwell, Hu (1899). The History of Barbour County, From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time, The Acme Publishing Company, Morgantown, W.Va. (Reprinted, McClain Printing Company, Parsons, W.Va., 1968). pp. 180–181.
10. “He obtained a clear title to 400 acres of land by virtue of a settlement made before 1778 on the east side of the Tygart Valley River, adjoining the land of Robert Cunningham. It was surveyed by John Poage on 14 November 1780, who with his chain carriers set off the tract as 288 acres, and on 1 June 1782 a perfected title to the land was returned to him from the Land Office. It included the land that is now most of downtown Elkins, the park, the Wees Addition, both sides of the river from roughly the rear entrance of McDonald's Restaurant to Porter Avenue, South Elkins north of 11th Street, and all of Diamond and Wees Street. David Armstrong, who has made a careful study of the early land titles in Elkins, thinks that his cabin stood on the west side of Randolph Avenue at its intersection with Henry Avenue where St. Brendan's Catholic School was later located. He credits Thomas Skidmore with being the first European settler in central Elkins. He does not seem to have made an immediate settlement at Elkins however, for he appears in 1784 on a tax list taken on the South Branch in Pendleton County where he headed a family of seven white souls.” (Skidmore, Warren (2010), Thomas Skidmore (Scudamore), 1605-1684, of Westerleigh, Gloucestershire, and Fairfield, Connecticut; his ancestors, and descendants to the ninth generation; Akron, Ohio; Sixth Edition; pg 143.)
11. These current counties are Upshur, Braxton, Pocohontas, Preston, Barbour, Tucker, Lewis and Webster.
12. Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 110.
13. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
14. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
15. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
16. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved October 19, 2022.
17. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
18. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
19. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
20. "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 11, 2014.
21. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
22. "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.
23. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
24. "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.
25. "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.
26. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.