Tyler County, West Virginia

Tyler County
County
Tyler County Courthouse in Middlebourne
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°28′N80°53′W / 39.47°N 80.88°W / 39.47; -80.88
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	December 6, 1814
Named for	John Tyler Sr.
Seat	Middlebourne
Largest city	Paden City
Area
• Total	261 sq mi (680 km2)
• Land	256 sq mi (660 km2)
• Water	4.4 sq mi (11 km2)  1.7%
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,313
• Estimate  (2021)	8,155
• Density	32/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.tylercountywv.com

Tyler County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,313. ^[1] Its county seat is Middlebourne. ^[2] The county was founded in 1814 and is named after John Tyler, Sr., father of President John Tyler. ^[3]

History

The earliest white hunters (mainly of Scotch-Irish, English, and German descent) settled in what later became Tyler County in 1792 near the present town of Friendly. This area on the banks of the Ohio River was former Indian hunting grounds.

Tyler County was officially formed from a portion of what was then Ohio County, Virginia, on December 6, 1814. The following year, Middlebourne (founded 1798) became the county seat. This vast area was diminished over the years: in 1845 a small portion went the newly established Doddridge County; in 1846 the northern half went to make up the new Wetzel County; and in 1851 the southern third went to Pleasants County. ^[4]

On June 20, 1863, at the height of the Civil War, Tyler was one of fifty Virginia counties that entered the Union as the state of West Virginia. Later that year, the 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. ^[5] Tyler County was divided into six districts: Centreville, ^{[lower-roman 1]} Ellsworth, Lincoln, McElroy, Meade, and Union. Except for minor adjustments, these districts were largely unchanged until the 1980s, when they were consolidated into four new magisterial districts: Central, North, South, and West. ^[6] The names and boundaries of the historic magisterial districts continued to exist in the form of tax and assessment districts. ^[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 261 square miles (680 km²), of which 256 square miles (660 km²) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km²) (1.7%) is water. ^[8]

Major highways

• WV 2
• WV 18
• WV 23
• WV 74
• WV 180

Adjacent counties

• Wetzel County (northeast)
• Doddridge County (southeast)
• Ritchie County (southwest)
• Pleasants County (west)
• Washington County, Ohio (west)
• Monroe County, Ohio (northwest)

National protected area

• Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	2,314		—
1830	4,104		77.4%
1840	6,954		69.4%
1850	5,498		−20.9%
1860	6,517		18.5%
1870	7,832		20.2%
1880	11,073		41.4%
1890	11,962		8.0%
1900	18,252		52.6%
1910	16,211		−11.2%
1920	14,186		−12.5%
1930	12,785		−9.9%
1940	12,559		−1.8%
1950	10,535		−16.1%
1960	10,026		−4.8%
1970	9,929		−1.0%
1980	11,320		14.0%
1990	9,796		−13.5%
2000	9,592		−2.1%
2010	9,208		−4.0%
2020	8,313		−9.7%
2021 (est.)	8,155	[9]	−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [10] 1790–1960 [11] 1900–1990 [12] 1990–2000 [13] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 8,313 people and 2,894 households residing in the county. There were 4,119 housing units in Tyler. The racial makeup of the county was 96% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.04% African American, 0.03% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.6% of the population.

Of the 2,894 households, 50.1% were married couples living together, 27.1% had a female householder with no spouse present, 17.6% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.75. The median age in the county was 48.1 years with 19.5% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $50,601 and the poverty rate was 12%. ^[14]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,592 people, 3,836 households, and 2,834 families living in the county. The population density was 37 people per square mile (14 people/km²). There were 4,780 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 99.35% White, 0.02% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,836 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.10% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.30% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,290, and the median income for a family was $35,320. Males had a median income of $34,250 versus $18,140 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,216. About 12.20% of families and 16.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.00% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 9,208 people, 3,858 households, and 2,638 families living in the county. ^[15] The population density was 35.9 inhabitants per square mile (13.9/km²). There were 5,000 housing units at an average density of 19.5 units per square mile (7.5 units/km²). ^[16] The racial makeup of the county was 99.0% white, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population. ^[15] In terms of ancestry, 23.3% were German, 16.1% were English, 12.7% were Irish, and 11.8% were American. ^[17]

Of the 3,858 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.6% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 45.2 years. ^[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,496 and the median income for a family was $42,209. Males had a median income of $37,414 versus $25,335 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,245. About 12.9% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over. ^[18]

Politics

After having leaned strongly towards the Democratic Party between the New Deal and Bill Clinton's presidency, most of West Virginia has since 2000 seen an extremely rapid swing towards the Republican Party due to declining unionization. ^[19] In contrast, Tyler County, along with neighboring Doddridge County and Ritchie County were historically powerfully Unionist and have been rock-ribbed Republican since the Civil War. The only Democratic presidential candidates to have won Tyler County since West Virginia's statehood are Woodrow Wilson in 1912, who won by just 64 votes, and Bill Clinton in 1996. ^[20] Clinton's win in 1996 is the last time a Democrat has tallied 40 percent of the county's vote, and one of only three times the Democrats have done so since Franklin Roosevelt.

United States presidential election results for Tyler County, West Virginia ^[21]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	3,226	82.23%	631	16.08%	66	1.68%
2016	2,996	81.15%	507	13.73%	189	5.12%
2012	2,314	70.44%	890	27.09%	81	2.47%
2008	2,415	64.55%	1,241	33.17%	85	2.27%
2004	2,798	65.91%	1,401	33.00%	46	1.08%
2000	2,582	65.73%	1,214	30.91%	132	3.36%
1996	734	26.40%	1,459	52.48%	587	21.12%
1992	1,593	37.90%	1,587	37.76%	1,023	24.34%
1988	2,365	61.05%	1,501	38.75%	8	0.21%
1984	3,170	69.29%	1,395	30.49%	10	0.22%
1980	2,707	61.78%	1,482	33.82%	193	4.40%
1976	2,514	58.05%	1,817	41.95%	0	0.00%
1972	3,362	74.93%	1,125	25.07%	0	0.00%
1968	2,897	63.90%	1,324	29.20%	313	6.90%
1964	2,522	52.57%	2,275	47.43%	0	0.00%
1960	3,537	69.42%	1,558	30.58%	0	0.00%
1956	3,671	73.58%	1,318	26.42%	0	0.00%
1952	3,488	69.61%	1,523	30.39%	0	0.00%
1948	3,160	66.48%	1,579	33.22%	14	0.29%
1944	3,429	70.60%	1,428	29.40%	0	0.00%
1940	4,354	68.24%	2,026	31.76%	0	0.00%
1936	4,031	61.46%	2,509	38.25%	19	0.29%
1932	3,734	58.44%	2,582	40.41%	74	1.16%
1928	3,881	70.14%	1,591	28.75%	61	1.10%
1924	3,425	60.38%	2,137	37.68%	110	1.94%
1920	3,654	66.33%	1,762	31.98%	93	1.69%
1916	1,900	57.51%	1,336	40.44%	68	2.06%
1912	706	22.08%	1,193	37.30%	1,299	40.62%

Attractions

Festivals

• Sisters Fest, Sistersville, mid-March
• Tyler County Fair, Middlebourne, early August
• Heroes Day, Sistersville, early September
• West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival, Sistersville, mid-September
• Sistersville Marble Festival, Sistersville, late September
• Middle Island Harvest Festival, Middlebourne, early October

Historical

• Sistersville Ferry, Sistersville
• Tyler County Museum, Middlebourne. Previously Tyler County High School, replaced by Tyler Consolidated High School in 1993
• Wells Inn, Sistersville

Natural

• Conaway Run Lake Wildlife Management Area, near Centerville (man-made)
• The Jug Wildlife Management Area, near Middlebourne

Other attractions

• Tyler County Speedway, Middlebourne

Communities

Magisterial districts

Current

• Central
• North
• South
• West

Historic

• Centreville
• Ellsworth
• Lincoln
• McElroy
• Meade
• Union

Cities, Towns, and Villages

• Friendly
• Middlebourne (county seat)
• Paden City
• Sistersville

Unincorporated Communities

A

• Adonis
• Akron
• Alma

B

• Bens Run
• Bert
• Big Moses
• Blue
• Booher
• Braden

C

• Centerville
• Conaway

D

• Dale

E

• Everett

F

• Frew

I

• Iuka

J

• Josephs Mills

K

• Kidwell

L

• Link
• Little
• Long Reach
• Luzon

M

• McKim
• Meeker

P

• Plum Run
• Polard
• Pursley

S

• Sancho
• Sandusky
• Shiloh
• Shirley
• Stringtown
• Sunnyside

T

• Tyler

V

• Vincen

W

• Watkins
• Wick
• Wilbur

Notable people

• Wilbur Cooper (1892-1973) — Major League Baseball pitcher (1912–26), who spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born on Davis Run. ^[22]
• Arthur I. Boreman (1823–96) — West Virginia's first governor, moved to Middlebourne as an infant. He received his education and was admitted to the bar while resident here in 1845. ^[23]
• Cecil H. Underwood (1922-2008) — Twice governor of West Virginia, he was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia, from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He was born in Josephs Mills and graduated from Middlebourne High School in 1940. ^[24]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Tyler County, West Virginia

Notes

1. Also spelled "Centerville" in early records.

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. "Tyler County history sources". Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
4. History of County Formations in Virginia 1617-1995
5. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
6. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
7. West Virginia List of Districts by County, accessed February 2018.
8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
9. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved October 20, 2022.
10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
13. "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 16, 2014.
14. "Explore Census Data".
15. "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.
16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
17. "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.
18. "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.
19. Schwartzman, Gabe; 'How Central Appalachia Went Right'
20. "Presidential Election of 1912 – Map by Counties (.xlsx file for €15)". Géoelections. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
22. "Tyler County". The West Virginia Encyclopedia. West Virginia Humanities Council. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
23. "Arthur Ingraham Boreman". The West Virginia Encyclopedia. West Virginia Humanities Council. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
24. "Cecil Underwood". The West Virginia Encyclopedia. West Virginia Humanities Council. Retrieved September 18, 2014.

39°28′N80°53′W / 39.47°N 80.88°W / 39.47; -80.88