Wyoming County, West Virginia

For other uses, see Wyoming County (disambiguation).

Wyoming County
County
Wyoming County Courthouse and Jail in Pineville
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°37′N81°32′W / 37.61°N 81.54°W / 37.61; -81.54
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	January 26, 1850
Seat	Pineville
Largest city	Mullens
Area
• Total	502 sq mi (1,300 km2)
• Land	499 sq mi (1,290 km2)
• Water	2.4 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Population  (2020)
• Total	21,382
• Estimate  (2021)	21,051
• Density	43/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.wyomingcounty.com

Wyoming County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,382. ^[1] Its county seat is Pineville. ^[2] The county was created in 1850 from Logan County and named for the Lenape word meaning "large plains". ^[3]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 502 square miles (1,300 km²), of which 499 square miles (1,290 km²) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) (0.5%) is water. ^[4] The county is drained by the branches of Sandy and Guyandotte rivers. The land surface is mountainous. ^[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] Wyoming County was divided into six districts: Barkers Ridge, ^{[lower-roman 1]} Center, ^{[lower-roman 2]} Clear Fork, Huff Creek, ^{[lower-roman 3]} Oceana, and Slab Fork. A seventh district, Baileysville, was created from portions of Clear Fork and Huff Creek in 1881. Except for minor adjustments, the seven historic magisterial districts remained largely unchanged for over a century. In the 1990s, they were consolidated into three new districts: District 1, District 2, and District 3. ^[7]

Major highways

U.S. Route 52 West Virginia Route 10 West Virginia Route 16 West Virginia Route 54 West Virginia Route 80

West Virginia Route 85 West Virginia Route 97 West Virginia Route 99 West Virginia Route 121 West Virginia Route 971

Adjacent counties

• Boone County (north)
• Raleigh County (northeast)
• Mercer County (southeast)
• McDowell County (south)
• Mingo County (west)
• Logan County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	1,645		—
1860	2,861		73.9%
1870	3,171		10.8%
1880	4,322		36.3%
1890	6,247		44.5%
1900	8,380		34.1%
1910	10,392		24.0%
1920	15,180		46.1%
1930	20,926		37.9%
1940	29,774		42.3%
1950	37,540		26.1%
1960	34,836		−7.2%
1970	30,095		−13.6%
1980	35,993		19.6%
1990	28,990		−19.5%
2000	25,708		−11.3%
2010	23,796		−7.4%
2020	21,382		−10.1%
2021 (est.)	21,051	[8]	−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11] 1990–2000 [12] 2010–2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 25,709 people, 10,454 households, and 7,704 families living in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile (20 people/km²). There were 11,698 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.59% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,454 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% 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 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.40% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $23,932, and the median income for a family was $29,709. Males had a median income of $32,493 versus $18,812 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,220. About 20.20% of families and 25.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.90% of those under age 18 and 13.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 23,796 people, 9,687 households, and 6,947 families living in the county. ^[13] The population density was 47.6 inhabitants per square mile (18.4/km²). There were 10,958 housing units at an average density of 21.9 units per square mile (8.5 units/km²). ^[14] The racial makeup of the county was 98.2% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.4% of the population. ^[13] The largest ancestry groups were: 13.8% Irish, 13.2% English, 13.2% American, 12.6% German, 2.1% Italian, 1.2% Scotch-Irish, 1.2% Dutch, and 1.1% Scottish. ^[15]

Of the 9,687 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.3% were non-families, and 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 42.6 years. ^[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,343 and the median income for a family was $46,221. Males had a median income of $43,942 versus $26,428 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,662. About 13.4% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over. ^[16]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Wyoming County, West Virginia ^[17]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	7,353	85.58%	1,157	13.47%	82	0.95%
2016	6,547	83.08%	1,062	13.48%	271	3.44%
2012	5,769	76.65%	1,583	21.03%	174	2.31%
2008	4,621	61.37%	2,735	36.32%	174	2.31%
2004	4,985	57.18%	3,694	42.37%	39	0.45%
2000	3,473	44.08%	4,289	54.44%	116	1.47%
1996	2,155	25.21%	5,550	64.92%	844	9.87%
1992	2,821	29.36%	5,782	60.19%	1,004	10.45%
1988	3,516	36.31%	6,138	63.38%	30	0.31%
1984	5,379	48.48%	5,691	51.29%	25	0.23%
1980	4,537	39.41%	6,624	57.54%	351	3.05%
1976	4,286	35.54%	7,775	64.46%	0	0.00%
1972	7,926	63.95%	4,468	36.05%	0	0.00%
1968	3,947	34.04%	6,641	57.27%	1,007	8.68%
1964	3,377	26.88%	9,188	73.12%	0	0.00%
1960	5,083	37.14%	8,603	62.86%	0	0.00%
1956	7,044	49.74%	7,118	50.26%	0	0.00%
1952	6,124	40.41%	9,029	59.59%	0	0.00%
1948	4,198	38.34%	6,725	61.43%	25	0.23%
1944	4,253	38.66%	6,748	61.34%	0	0.00%
1940	4,378	35.94%	7,802	64.06%	0	0.00%
1936	3,601	34.84%	6,734	65.16%	0	0.00%
1932	4,007	47.69%	4,396	52.31%	0	0.00%
1928	3,987	56.68%	3,047	43.32%	0	0.00%
1924	3,327	54.69%	2,358	38.76%	398	6.54%
1920	2,950	61.78%	1,825	38.22%	0	0.00%
1916	1,484	55.17%	1,199	44.57%	7	0.26%
1912	569	27.38%	881	42.40%	628	30.22%

Communities

City

• Mullens

Towns

• Oceana
• Pineville (county seat)

Magisterial districts

Current

• District 1
• District 2
• District 3

Historic

• Baileysville
• Barkers Ridge
• Center
• Clear Fork
• Huff
• Oceana
• Slab Fork

Census-designated places

• Brenton
• Bud
• Corinne
• Covel
• Glen Fork
• Itmann
• Kopperston
• Matheny
• New Richmond

Unincorporated communities

• Allen Junction
• Alpoca
• Amigo
• Baileysville
• Beechwood
• Black Eagle
• Clear Fork
• Coal Mountain
• Crany
• Cyclone
• Fanny
• Fanrock
• Garwood
• Glen Rogers
• Glover
• Hanover
• Herndon
• Ikes Fork
• Jesse
• Key Rock
• Lacoma
• Lynco
• Maben
• Marianna
• McGraws-Tipple
• Milam
• North Spring
• Otsego
• Pierpont
• Ravencliff
• Rock View
• Sabine
• Saulsville
• Simon
• Stephenson
• Tralee
• Windom
• Wolf Pen
• Wyco
• Wyoming

Notable people

• Bernie Casey, football player and actor
• Mike D'Antoni, NBA coach
• William C. Marland, West Virginia Governor
• Christy Martin, professional boxer
• Jamie Noble, professional wrestler
• Joe Pendry, NFL coach
• Heath Slater, professional wrestler
• Curt Warner, football player
• Greg White, college basketball coach and motivational speaker

See also

• Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Wyoming County West Virginia
• Twin Falls Resort State Park

Footnotes

1. Spelled "Barker's Ridge" before 1890.
2. Originally spelled "Centre".
3. Originally "Huff's Creek".

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Wyoming County history sources". Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
5. Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Wyoming. III. A S. county of West Virginia"  . The American Cyclopædia .
6. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
7. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved October 18, 2022.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
12. "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.
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. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

External links

• Rural Appalachian Improvement League

37°37′N81°32′W / 37.61°N 81.54°W / 37.61; -81.54