Wetzel County, West Virginia

Wetzel County
County
Wetzel County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°37′N80°38′W / 39.61°N 80.64°W / 39.61; -80.64
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	January 10, 1846
Named for	Lewis Wetzel
Seat	New Martinsville
Largest city	New Martinsville
Area
• Total	361 sq mi (930 km2)
• Land	358 sq mi (930 km2)
• Water	3.3 sq mi (9 km2)  0.9%
Population  (2020)
• Total	14,442
• Estimate  (2021)	14,170
• Density	40/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.wetzelwv.com

Wetzel County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,442. ^[1] Its county seat is New Martinsville. ^[2] The county, founded in 1846, is named for Lewis Wetzel, a famous frontiersman and Indian fighter. ^[3] Its northern border aligns with the Mason-Dixon line, but is to the west of the line's western terminus.

History

Wetzel County was formed in 1846 from part of Tyler County, Virginia. On June 20, 1863, at the height of the Civil War, Wetzel was one of fifty Virginia counties admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia.

Later that year, 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. ^[4] Wetzel County was divided into six districts: Center, ^[i] Church, Grant, Green, Magnolia, and Proctor. A seventh district, Clay, was formed in the 1880s. New Martinsville, the county seat, was in Magnolia District. Except for minor adjustments, the seven historic magisterial districts remained largely unchanged for a century, until the 1980s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: District 1, District 2, and District 3. ^[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 361 square miles (930 km²), of which 358 square miles (930 km²) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²) (0.9%) is water. ^[6]

Major highways

• US 250
• WV 2
• WV 7
• WV 20
• WV 69
• WV 180

Adjacent counties

• Marshall County (north)
• Greene County, Pennsylvania (northeast)
• Monongalia County (east)
• Marion County (east)
• Harrison County (southeast)
• Doddridge County (south)
• Tyler County (southwest)
• Monroe County, Ohio (west)

National protected area

• Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	4,284		—
1860	6,703		56.5%
1870	8,595		28.2%
1880	13,896		61.7%
1890	16,841		21.2%
1900	22,880		35.9%
1910	23,855		4.3%
1920	23,069		−3.3%
1930	22,334		−3.2%
1940	22,342		0.0%
1950	20,154		−9.8%
1960	19,347		−4.0%
1970	20,314		5.0%
1980	21,874		7.7%
1990	19,258		−12.0%
2000	17,693		−8.1%
2010	16,583		−6.3%
2020	14,442		−12.9%
2021 (est.)	14,170	[7]	−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790–1960 [9] 1900–1990 [10] 1990–2000 [11] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 14,442 people and 5,603 households residing in the county. There were 7,254 housing units in Wetzel. The racial makeup of the county was 95.2% White, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1% of the population.

Of the 9,912 households, 47.2% were married couples living together, 27.2% had a female householder with no spouse present, 19.4% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.25. The median age in the county was 46.4 years with 20.4% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $47,611 and the poverty rate was 18.8%. ^[12]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 16,583 people, 6,968 households, and 4,768 families living in the county. ^[13] The population density was 46.3 inhabitants per square mile (17.9/km²). There were 8,173 housing units at an average density of 22.8 units per square mile (8.8 units/km²). ^[14] The racial makeup of the county was 98.7% white, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population. ^[13] In terms of ancestry, 27.5% were German, 16.0% were Irish, 12.8% were American, and 12.4% were English. ^[15]

Of the 6,968 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.6% were non-families, and 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 44.8 years. ^[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,636 and the median income for a family was $48,523. Males had a median income of $45,833 versus $25,033 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,899. About 13.1% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over. ^[16]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,693 people, 7,164 households, and 5,079 families living in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19 people/km²). There were 8,313 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.92% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,164 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,935, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $37,296 versus $19,339 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,818. About 15.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.60% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Wetzel County was a rarity among northern West Virginia counties in supporting secession at the Virginia Secession Convention, ^[17] and it reliably supported Democratic presidential candidates for the next ninety years. ^[18] The first Republican to carry Wetzel County was Herbert Hoover in 1928 due to anti-Catholicism, but the county afterwards stayed Democratic until 1952. ^[18] Since that time Wetzel County has followed the politics of West Virginia: a Democratic-leaning state up to the Clinton Era, after which the Democratic Party's consistent shift to social-liberal positions and support of green policies – an antithesis to the region's traditional economy – have caused Wetzel County to trend rapidly toward the Republican Party.

United States presidential election results for Wetzel County, West Virginia ^[19]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	4,993	74.87%	1,539	23.08%	137	2.05%
2016	4,519	71.59%	1,359	21.53%	434	6.88%
2012	3,473	59.11%	2,217	37.74%	185	3.15%
2008	3,342	51.78%	2,942	45.58%	170	2.63%
2004	3,656	51.95%	3,330	47.31%	52	0.74%
2000	3,239	51.51%	2,849	45.31%	200	3.18%
1996	2,037	32.45%	3,209	51.12%	1,031	16.43%
1992	2,271	29.89%	3,753	49.40%	1,573	20.71%
1988	3,381	46.00%	3,928	53.44%	41	0.56%
1984	4,626	56.37%	3,549	43.24%	32	0.39%
1980	3,588	44.77%	4,035	50.34%	392	4.89%
1976	3,793	42.93%	5,042	57.07%	0	0.00%
1972	6,046	64.86%	3,276	35.14%	0	0.00%
1968	4,122	46.06%	4,038	45.12%	789	8.82%
1964	3,215	34.01%	6,239	65.99%	0	0.00%
1960	5,149	54.27%	4,338	45.73%	0	0.00%
1956	5,024	56.88%	3,809	43.12%	0	0.00%
1952	4,476	50.57%	4,375	49.43%	0	0.00%
1948	3,326	42.48%	4,477	57.18%	26	0.33%
1944	3,604	45.40%	4,335	54.60%	0	0.00%
1940	4,443	44.28%	5,590	55.72%	0	0.00%
1936	3,770	36.74%	6,463	62.98%	29	0.28%
1932	3,351	35.10%	6,118	64.08%	78	0.82%
1928	4,428	51.86%	4,052	47.45%	59	0.69%
1924	3,458	39.60%	4,998	57.24%	276	3.16%
1920	3,619	46.37%	4,103	52.58%	82	1.05%
1916	1,910	39.92%	2,797	58.47%	77	1.61%
1912	1,092	23.24%	2,710	57.68%	896	19.07%

Local lore

In the mid-to-late 19th century a band similar to the James Gang of legend existed that was known as the Jennings Gang. A number of robberies and murders were accounted to this gang. They were known to be located near the head of Doolin Run near Tarpan Ridge. The home they occupied was found to have an escape tunnel that had been used to escape capture on several occasions. A local group of citizens known as the "Redmen" ultimately cornered the gang at this home and a number of the members were killed. A detailed description exists in the Wetzel County History written approximately in 1900.

The oldest oil well location known is of one drilled on Long Run near Doolin Run which reached oil at a depth about 360 ft.

Wetzel County has a long history in the Oil and Gas producing industry. During the Oil boom of the 19th century it is reported that the Proctor Creek watershed had 12 saloons and numerous livery/hotels to accommodate the hundreds of logging and oil field workers.

Communities

Cities

• New Martinsville (county seat)
• Paden City (part)

Towns

• Hundred
• Pine Grove
• Smithfield

Magisterial districts

Current

• District 1
• District 2
• District 3

Historic

• Center
• Church
• Clay
• Grant
• Green
• Magnolia
• Proctor

Census-designated places

• Jacksonburg
• Littleton
• Reader

Unincorporated communities

• Bebee
• Big Run
• Burton
• Coburn
• Earnshaw
• Folsom
• Hastings
• Knob Fork
• Maud
• Porters Falls
• Proctor
• Rockport
• Silver Hill
• Wheat
• Wileyville

See also

• Cecil H. Underwood Wildlife Management Area
• Harker Run
• Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Wetzel County, West Virginia

39°37′N80°38′W / 39.61°N 80.64°W / 39.61; -80.64

Footnotes

1. Initially spelled "Centre".

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 23, 2001. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
4. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
5. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved October 18, 2022.
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
11. "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.
12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
13. "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.
14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
15. "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.
16. "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.
17. ‘How Virginia Convention Delegates Voted on Secession, April 4 and April 17, 1861, and Whether They Signed a Copy of the Ordinance of Secession’
18. Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 334-337 ISBN   0786422173
19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.