Nicholas County, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
 TheNicholas County Courthouse in Summersville in 2007 | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWest Virginia | |
| Coordinates:38°17′N80°48′W / 38.29°N 80.8°W /38.29; -80.8 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  West Virginia |
| Founded | January 30, 1818 |
| Named after | Wilson Cary Nicholas |
| Seat | Summersville |
| Largest city | Summersville |
| Area | |
• Total | 654 sq mi (1,690 km2) |
| • Land | 647 sq mi (1,680 km2) |
| • Water | 7.6 sq mi (20 km2) 1.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 24,604 |
• Estimate (2021) | 24,300 |
| • Density | 38.0/sq mi (14.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
Nicholas County is acounty located in the central region ofU.S. state ofWest Virginia. As of the2020 census, the population was 24,604.[1] Itscounty seat isSummersville.[2] The county was created in 1818 by theVirginia General Assembly and named forVirginia GovernorWilson Cary Nicholas.[3]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 654 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 647 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 7.6 square miles (20 km2) (1.2%) is water.[4]
In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided intocivil townships, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted intomagisterial districts.[5] Nicholas County was divided into six districts: Grant, Jefferson, Kentucky, Mumble-the-peg, Summersville, and Wilderness. In 1873, Mumble-the-peg became Hamilton District. A seventh district, Beaver, was created in the 1880s.[6]
U.S. Highway 19
West Virginia Route 20
West Virginia Route 39
West Virginia Route 41
West Virginia Route 55Carnifex Ferry Battlefield,Keslers Cross Lanes
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 1,853 | — | |
| 1830 | 3,346 | 80.6% | |
| 1840 | 2,515 | −24.8% | |
| 1850 | 3,963 | 57.6% | |
| 1860 | 4,627 | 16.8% | |
| 1870 | 4,458 | −3.7% | |
| 1880 | 7,223 | 62.0% | |
| 1890 | 9,309 | 28.9% | |
| 1900 | 11,403 | 22.5% | |
| 1910 | 17,699 | 55.2% | |
| 1920 | 20,717 | 17.1% | |
| 1930 | 20,686 | −0.1% | |
| 1940 | 24,070 | 16.4% | |
| 1950 | 27,696 | 15.1% | |
| 1960 | 25,414 | −8.2% | |
| 1970 | 22,552 | −11.3% | |
| 1980 | 28,126 | 24.7% | |
| 1990 | 26,775 | −4.8% | |
| 2000 | 26,562 | −0.8% | |
| 2010 | 26,233 | −1.2% | |
| 2020 | 24,604 | −6.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 24,300 | [7] | −1.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 24,604. Of the residents, 19.6% were under the age of 18 and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 46.9 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.1 males.[12][13]
The racial makeup of the county was 95.9% White, 0.2%Black or African American, 0.2%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Asian, 0.2% from some other race, and 3.2% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.7% of the population.[13]
There were 10,630 households in the county, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
There were 12,496 housing units, of which 14.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.3% were owner-occupied and 20.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.2%.[12]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 26,170 | 25,688 | 23,525 | 98.52% | 97.92% | 95.61% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 10 | 42 | 56 | 0.04% | 0.16% | 0.23% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 64 | 51 | 44 | 0.24% | 0.19% | 0.18% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 50 | 69 | 72 | 0.19% | 0.26% | 0.29% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 2 | 2 | 15 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.06% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 133 | 229 | 712 | 0.50% | 0.87% | 2.89% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 127 | 146 | 173 | 0.48% | 0.56% | 0.70% |
| Total | 26,562 | 26,233 | 24,604 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 26,233 people, 10,938 households, and 7,591 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 40.6 inhabitants per square mile (15.7/km2). There were 13,064 housing units at an average density of 20.2 units per square mile (7.8 units/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 98.4% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry, 21.7% wereIrish, 19.0% wereGerman, 12.9% wereEnglish, and 10.1% wereAmerican.[19]
Of the 10,938 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 43.3 years.[17]
The median income for a household in the county was $38,457 and the median income for a family was $45,127. Males had a median income of $42,302 versus $25,859 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,359. About 14.3% of families and 18.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.[20]
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 26,562 people, 10,722 households, and 7,762 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 41 people per square mile (16 people/km2). There were 12,406 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.84%White, 0.05%Black orAfrican American, 0.24%Native American, 0.19%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.10% fromother races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.48% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 10,722 households, out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% weremarried couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.30% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,974, and the median income for a family was $32,074. Males had a median income of $30,508 versus $17,964 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,207. About 15.00% of families and 19.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 13.80% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 584 | 14.40% | 2,018 | 49.75% | 1,454 | 35.85% |
| 1916 | 2,056 | 44.77% | 2,467 | 53.72% | 69 | 1.50% |
| 1920 | 3,691 | 50.53% | 3,564 | 48.79% | 50 | 0.68% |
| 1924 | 3,347 | 45.02% | 3,956 | 53.21% | 131 | 1.76% |
| 1928 | 3,917 | 52.36% | 3,495 | 46.72% | 69 | 0.92% |
| 1932 | 3,684 | 40.50% | 5,327 | 58.56% | 86 | 0.95% |
| 1936 | 3,964 | 40.02% | 5,872 | 59.28% | 70 | 0.71% |
| 1940 | 4,299 | 44.73% | 5,312 | 55.27% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 3,259 | 43.09% | 4,305 | 56.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 3,391 | 40.22% | 5,018 | 59.51% | 23 | 0.27% |
| 1952 | 4,386 | 43.86% | 5,615 | 56.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 5,263 | 51.89% | 4,880 | 48.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,297 | 42.67% | 5,774 | 57.33% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 2,628 | 27.65% | 6,878 | 72.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 3,678 | 39.22% | 4,858 | 51.81% | 841 | 8.97% |
| 1972 | 5,907 | 61.95% | 3,628 | 38.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 3,462 | 35.70% | 6,235 | 64.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 3,885 | 40.83% | 5,265 | 55.33% | 366 | 3.85% |
| 1984 | 4,656 | 50.21% | 4,588 | 49.48% | 29 | 0.31% |
| 1988 | 3,731 | 41.75% | 5,173 | 57.89% | 32 | 0.36% |
| 1992 | 2,959 | 31.05% | 5,042 | 52.91% | 1,528 | 16.04% |
| 1996 | 2,649 | 31.03% | 4,769 | 55.87% | 1,118 | 13.10% |
| 2000 | 4,359 | 50.81% | 4,059 | 47.31% | 161 | 1.88% |
| 2004 | 5,485 | 52.99% | 4,788 | 46.26% | 78 | 0.75% |
| 2008 | 4,804 | 51.32% | 4,357 | 46.54% | 200 | 2.14% |
| 2012 | 5,898 | 67.09% | 2,664 | 30.30% | 229 | 2.60% |
| 2016 | 7,251 | 75.70% | 1,840 | 19.21% | 488 | 5.09% |
| 2020 | 8,279 | 77.86% | 2,226 | 20.93% | 128 | 1.20% |
| 2024 | 7,960 | 79.31% | 1,919 | 19.12% | 158 | 1.57% |
| Position | Elected Official |
|---|---|
| Nicholas County Commission |
|
| Nicholas County Assessor | Ernie Dennison |
| Nicholas County Circuit Clerk | Debbie Facemire |
| Nicholas County Clerk | Robert Painter |
| Nicholas County Prosecutor | Jonathan Sweeney |
| Nicholas County Sheriff | William Nunley |
Places adjacent to Nicholas County, West Virginia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofNicholas County, West Virginia,United States | ||
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| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities |
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| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
38°17′N80°48′W / 38.29°N 80.80°W /38.29; -80.80
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