Upshur County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,816. [2] Its county seat is Buckhannon. [3] The county was formed in 1851 from Randolph, Barbour, and Lewis counties and named for Abel Parker Upshur, a distinguished statesman and jurist of Virginia. [4] Upshur served as United States Secretary of State and Secretary of the Navy under President John Tyler.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 355 square miles (920 km2), of which 354.9 square miles (919 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.03%) is water. [5] The county falls within the United States National Radio Quiet Zone. The highest elevation in Upshur County is 3,160 feet, near Sugar Run on the Randolph and Upshur County lines just outside Palace Valley and Hemlock. It is reported there as an elevation marker at the site.
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] Upshur County was divided into six districts: Banks, Buckhannon, Meade, Union, Warren, and Washington. In the 1990s, the six historic magisterial districts were consolidated into three new districts: First, Second, and Third. [7]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 7,292 | — | |
1870 | 8,023 | 10.0% | |
1880 | 10,249 | 27.7% | |
1890 | 12,714 | 24.1% | |
1900 | 14,696 | 15.6% | |
1910 | 16,629 | 13.2% | |
1920 | 17,851 | 7.3% | |
1930 | 17,944 | 0.5% | |
1940 | 18,360 | 2.3% | |
1950 | 19,242 | 4.8% | |
1960 | 18,292 | −4.9% | |
1970 | 19,092 | 4.4% | |
1980 | 23,427 | 22.7% | |
1990 | 22,867 | −2.4% | |
2000 | 23,404 | 2.3% | |
2010 | 24,254 | 3.6% | |
2020 | 23,816 | −1.8% | |
2021 (est.) | 23,791 | [8] | −0.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11] 1990–2000 [12] 2010–2020 [2] |
As of the 2020 census, there were 23,816 people and 9,599 households residing in the county. There were 11,178 housing units in Upshur County. The racial makeup of the city was 94.4% White, 0.9% African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.3% of the population.
There were 26,143 households, of which 44.8% were married couples living together, 28% had a female householder with no spouse present,19.5% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 2.94. The median age in the county was 41.9 years with 20.8% of the population under 18. The median income for a household in the city was $44,470 and the poverty rate was 20%. [13]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 24,254 people, 9,619 households, and 6,528 families living in the county. [14] The population density was 68.4 inhabitants per square mile (26.4/km2). There were 11,099 housing units at an average density of 31.3 units per square mile (12.1 units/km2). [15] The racial makeup of the county was 97.6% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. [14] In terms of ancestry, 18.1% were German, 13.8% were American, 10.6% were Irish, and 8.6% were English. [16]
Of the 9,619 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.1% were non-families, and 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 40.9 years. [14]
The median income for a household in the county was $36,114 and the median income for a family was $44,937. Males had a median income of $36,517 versus $25,420 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,823. About 14.1% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over. [17]
As of the census of 2000, there were 24,254 people, 9,619 households, and 6,528 families living in the county. The population density was 68.4 people per square mile (26.4 people/km2). There were 11,099 housing units at an average density of 31.3 units per square mile (12.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.6% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1% from two or more races. 1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,619 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.7% from age 0 to 19, 7.60% from 20 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,381, whereas the median income for families was 44,937 . Males had a median income of $36,517 versus $25,420 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,498. About 14.1% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.
Upshur County was divided into six townships on July 31, 1863. They were replaced in the 1990s.
Whereas most of West Virginia has seen a rapid and continuing shift to the Republican Party since the 1990s, Upshur County—though strongly Democratic during the Second Party System—has ever since statehood been a Republican stronghold due to its powerful Unionist sympathies from Civil War days, and the association of the Democratic Party with the “Slave Power” and creating a war the yeoman residents had no desire to fight. [18] The solitary post-Civil War Democrat to win the county has been Lyndon Johnson in 1964, and he won by only 168 votes. Since 1896, only two other Democrats—Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1996—have topped forty percent in the county.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 7,633 | 77.42% | 2,033 | 20.62% | 193 | 1.96% |
2020 | 7,771 | 76.01% | 2,256 | 22.07% | 196 | 1.92% |
2016 | 7,005 | 75.34% | 1,766 | 18.99% | 527 | 5.67% |
2012 | 5,939 | 71.57% | 2,158 | 26.01% | 201 | 2.42% |
2008 | 5,911 | 65.89% | 2,925 | 32.61% | 135 | 1.50% |
2004 | 6,191 | 66.62% | 3,034 | 32.65% | 68 | 0.73% |
2000 | 5,165 | 63.58% | 2,770 | 34.10% | 188 | 2.31% |
1996 | 3,325 | 44.65% | 3,052 | 40.98% | 1,070 | 14.37% |
1992 | 3,505 | 42.47% | 3,161 | 38.30% | 1,587 | 19.23% |
1988 | 4,813 | 60.97% | 3,065 | 38.83% | 16 | 0.20% |
1984 | 5,951 | 70.29% | 2,468 | 29.15% | 47 | 0.56% |
1980 | 4,751 | 58.66% | 2,867 | 35.40% | 481 | 5.94% |
1976 | 4,789 | 57.68% | 3,513 | 42.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
1972 | 6,449 | 78.23% | 1,795 | 21.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
1968 | 4,565 | 62.44% | 2,319 | 31.72% | 427 | 5.84% |
1964 | 3,606 | 48.86% | 3,774 | 51.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 5,123 | 66.42% | 2,590 | 33.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 5,707 | 73.28% | 2,081 | 26.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 5,938 | 72.66% | 2,234 | 27.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 5,068 | 68.31% | 2,323 | 31.31% | 28 | 0.38% |
1944 | 5,332 | 72.47% | 2,026 | 27.53% | 0 | 0.00% |
1940 | 6,086 | 68.02% | 2,862 | 31.98% | 0 | 0.00% |
1936 | 5,745 | 64.30% | 3,163 | 35.40% | 26 | 0.29% |
1932 | 5,077 | 61.23% | 3,147 | 37.95% | 68 | 0.82% |
1928 | 5,277 | 75.20% | 1,683 | 23.98% | 57 | 0.81% |
1924 | 4,930 | 70.24% | 1,952 | 27.81% | 137 | 1.95% |
1920 | 4,936 | 77.17% | 1,418 | 22.17% | 42 | 0.66% |
1916 | 2,553 | 70.14% | 1,019 | 27.99% | 68 | 1.87% |
1912 | 835 | 23.88% | 895 | 25.59% | 1,767 | 50.53% |
Economy includes coal mining and timber, as well as higher education—the Upshur County seat of Buckhannon is home to the small, private, liberal arts institution West Virginia Wesleyan College. The West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek also generates some income as a popular tourist attraction. Upshur County also gained international attention during the Sago Mine disaster in 2006; the blast and ensuing aftermath trapped 13 coal miners for nearly two days, only one of whom survived. [20]
Barbour County is a county in north central West Virginia, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 15,465. The county seat is Philippi, which was chartered in 1844. Both county and city were named for Philip P. Barbour (1783–1841), a U.S. Congressman from Virginia and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The county was formed in 1843 when the region was still part of the state of Virginia. In 1871, a small part of Barbour County was transferred to Tucker County, West Virginia.
Braxton County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,447. The county seat is Sutton. The county was formed in 1836 from parts of Lewis, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties and named for Carter Braxton, a Virginia statesman and signer of the Declaration of Independence.
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.
Webster County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,378. Its county seat is Webster Springs. The county was founded in 1860 and named for Daniel Webster.
Tucker County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,762, making it West Virginia's fourth-least populous county. Its county seat is Parsons. The county was created in 1856 from a part of Randolph County, then part of Virginia. In 1871, a small part of Barbour County, was transferred to Tucker County. The county was named after Henry St. George Tucker, Sr., a judge and Congressman from Williamsburg, Virginia.
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. Taylor County is part of the Clarksburg, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area.
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 (1804–1868).
Roane County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,028. Its county seat is Spencer. The county was founded in 1856 and is named for Spencer Roane.
Ritchie County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,444. Its county seat is Harrisville. The county was created in 1843 by the Virginia General Assembly and named for Richmond newspaper publisher Thomas Ritchie.
Preston County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 34,216. Its county seat is Kingwood. The county was formed from Monongalia County in 1818 and named for Virginia Governor James Patton Preston.
Pleasants County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 7,653. Its county seat is St. Marys.
Lewis County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,033. Its county seat is Weston. The county was formed in 1816 from Harrison County and named for Col. Charles Lewis (1733–1774), a Virginian killed in the Battle of Point Pleasant.
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.
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.
East Mountain is a city in Upshur and Gregg counties, Texas, United States. The population was 899 at the 2020 census, an increase over the figure of 797 tabulated in 2010.
Flatwoods is a town in Braxton County, West Virginia, United States, located approximately one mile from exit 67 of Interstate 79.
Weston is a city in and the county seat of Lewis County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 3,943 at the 2020 census. It is home to the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia and the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.
Sophia is a town in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States. It was incorporated in 1912. The population was 1,124 at the 2020 census.
Buckhannon is the only incorporated city in, and the county seat of, Upshur County, West Virginia, United States. Located along the Buckhannon River, the population was 5,299 as of the 2020 census. The city is 46 miles (74 km) southwest of Morgantown, 88 miles (142 km) northeast of the capital city of Charleston, and 100 miles (160 km) south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is home to West Virginia Wesleyan College and the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, held annually during the third week of May.
Rock Cave is a census designated unincorporated community in Upshur County, West Virginia, United States. The town is located southwest of Buckhannon at the junction of West Virginia Route 4 with County Routes 11/2 and 20/28.
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