Mercer County, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
 TheMercer County Courthouse in Princeton in 2007 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWest Virginia | |
| Coordinates:37°25′N81°07′W / 37.41°N 81.11°W /37.41; -81.11 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  West Virginia |
| Founded | March 17, 1837 |
| Seat | Princeton |
| Largest town | Bluefield |
| Area | |
• Total | 421 sq mi (1,090 km2) |
| • Land | 419 sq mi (1,090 km2) |
| • Water | 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km2) 0.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 59,664 |
• Estimate (2021) | 59,097 |
| • Density | 142/sq mi (55.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
Mercer County is acounty inSouthern West Virginia on the southeastern border of theU.S. state ofWest Virginia. At the2020 census, the population was 59,664.[1] Itscounty seat isPrinceton.[2] The county was originally established in theState of Virginia by act of itsGeneral Assembly on March 17, 1837,[3][4] using lands taken fromGiles andTazewell counties.
Mercer County is part of theBluefield, WV-VAMicropolitan Statistical Area.
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding missing information.(November 2022) |
Mercer County was named for the American Revolutionary GeneralHugh Mercer.[5]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 421 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 419 square miles (1,090 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6]
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.[7] Mercer County was divided into five districts: Beaver Pond, East River, Jumping Branch, Plymouth, and Rock. In the 1970s, Mercer County's five historic districts were consolidated into three new magisterial districts: District 1, District 2, and District 3. The new districts were renamed "District I", "District II" and "District III" during the 1980s.[8]
|
The West Virginia Turnpike, now part ofInterstate 77, begins inPrinceton.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 2,233 | — | |
| 1850 | 4,222 | 89.1% | |
| 1860 | 6,819 | 61.5% | |
| 1870 | 7,064 | 3.6% | |
| 1880 | 7,467 | 5.7% | |
| 1890 | 16,002 | 114.3% | |
| 1900 | 23,023 | 43.9% | |
| 1910 | 38,371 | 66.7% | |
| 1920 | 49,558 | 29.2% | |
| 1930 | 61,323 | 23.7% | |
| 1940 | 68,289 | 11.4% | |
| 1950 | 75,013 | 9.8% | |
| 1960 | 68,206 | −9.1% | |
| 1970 | 63,206 | −7.3% | |
| 1980 | 73,942 | 17.0% | |
| 1990 | 64,980 | −12.1% | |
| 2000 | 62,980 | −3.1% | |
| 2010 | 62,264 | −1.1% | |
| 2020 | 59,664 | −4.2% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 57,524 | [9] | −3.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12] 1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 59,664. Of the residents, 20.2% were under the age of 18 and 22.1% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 44.0 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.1 males.[14][15]
The racial makeup of the county was 88.1% White, 6.2%Black or African American, 0.3%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Asian, 0.4% from some other race, and 4.4% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.2% of the population.[15]
There were 25,356 households in the county, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 30.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]
There were 29,321 housing units, of which 13.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.3% were owner-occupied and 29.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.3%.[14]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[16] | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 58,073 | 56,711 | 52,264 | 92.20% | 91.08% | 87.59% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3,657 | 3,740 | 3,694 | 5.80% | 6.00% | 6.19% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 121 | 135 | 159 | 0.19% | 0.21% | 0.26% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 288 | 323 | 292 | 0.45% | 0.51% | 0.48% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 7 | 2 | 6 | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 37 | 38 | 139 | 0.05% | 0.06% | 0.23% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 512 | 835 | 2,405 | 0.81% | 1.34% | 4.03% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 285 | 480 | 705 | 0.45% | 0.77% | 1.18% |
| Total | 62,980 | 62,264 | 59,664 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 62,264 people, 26,603 households, and 17,313 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 148.6 inhabitants per square mile (57.4/km2). There were 30,115 housing units at an average density of 71.9 units per square mile (27.8 units/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 91.6% white, 6.1% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 16.4% wereIrish, 14.2% wereGerman, 12.0% wereEnglish, and 11.2% wereAmerican.[21]
Of the 26,603 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.9% were non-families, and 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 42.5 years.[19]
The median income for a household in the county was $32,131 and the median income for a family was $42,517. Males had a median income of $37,423 versus $25,778 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,431. About 16.0% of families and 22.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.[22]
As of thecensus[23] of 2000, there were 62,980 people, 26,509 households, and 17,946 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 150 people per square mile (58 people/km2). There were 30,143 housing units at an average density of 72 units per square mile (28 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.56%White, 5.82%Black orAfrican American, 0.19%Native American, 0.46%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.10% fromother races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 0.45% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 26,509 households, out of which 26.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% weremarried couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.10% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,628, and the median income for a family was $33,524. Males had a median income of $29,243 versus $19,013 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,564. About 14.70% of families and 19.70% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 28.90% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.
The county is part of theBluefield, WV-VAmicropolitan area.
Mercer County's political history is largely typical of West Virginia. It was supportive of remaining withConfederate Virginia when the state was created and voted Democratic in the first few post-Civil War elections.[24] However, the influence of coal industry executives turned the county towards the GOP during the"System of 1896".[25] As with most of West Virginia, extensive unionization caused the county to swing to the Democratic Party during most of the twentieth century, but an extremely rapid swing towards the Republican Party has occurred since 2000, due to declining unionization,[26] along with regional views on environmental, social and cultural issues that are increasingly at odds with the national Democratic Party.[27]
| Political Party | Number of registered voters (March 31, 2022)[28] | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 14,120 | 39.57 | |
| Democratic | 10,861 | 30.43 | |
| Independent | 9,266 | 25.96 | |
| Libertarian | 222 | 0.62 | |
| Mountain | 78 | 0.22 | |
| Other | 1,141 | 3.20 | |
| Total | 35,688 | 100.00 | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 1,507 | 18.56% | 3,497 | 43.07% | 3,116 | 38.37% |
| 1916 | 4,788 | 49.47% | 4,836 | 49.96% | 55 | 0.57% |
| 1920 | 8,613 | 51.73% | 7,981 | 47.93% | 56 | 0.34% |
| 1924 | 9,159 | 42.86% | 10,058 | 47.07% | 2,153 | 10.07% |
| 1928 | 12,887 | 55.52% | 10,273 | 44.26% | 50 | 0.22% |
| 1932 | 11,088 | 40.93% | 15,900 | 58.69% | 105 | 0.39% |
| 1936 | 10,762 | 36.88% | 18,391 | 63.02% | 30 | 0.10% |
| 1940 | 11,395 | 38.55% | 18,163 | 61.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 10,034 | 40.31% | 14,861 | 59.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 10,065 | 39.71% | 15,201 | 59.97% | 82 | 0.32% |
| 1952 | 14,267 | 46.08% | 16,694 | 53.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 14,648 | 52.53% | 13,236 | 47.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 11,719 | 40.40% | 17,289 | 59.60% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 8,905 | 32.74% | 18,298 | 67.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 9,985 | 38.28% | 12,739 | 48.83% | 3,363 | 12.89% |
| 1972 | 17,846 | 69.52% | 7,826 | 30.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 10,791 | 42.23% | 14,761 | 57.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 12,273 | 49.61% | 11,804 | 47.71% | 664 | 2.68% |
| 1984 | 13,910 | 60.07% | 9,164 | 39.58% | 81 | 0.35% |
| 1988 | 10,221 | 50.03% | 10,152 | 49.69% | 57 | 0.28% |
| 1992 | 7,888 | 38.91% | 9,511 | 46.91% | 2,876 | 14.18% |
| 1996 | 7,768 | 41.54% | 8,721 | 46.64% | 2,211 | 11.82% |
| 2000 | 10,206 | 54.07% | 8,347 | 44.22% | 322 | 1.71% |
| 2004 | 13,057 | 58.34% | 9,178 | 41.01% | 144 | 0.64% |
| 2008 | 13,246 | 62.81% | 7,450 | 35.33% | 393 | 1.86% |
| 2012 | 15,450 | 72.49% | 5,432 | 25.49% | 431 | 2.02% |
| 2016 | 17,404 | 75.03% | 4,704 | 20.28% | 1,089 | 4.69% |
| 2020 | 19,237 | 76.53% | 5,556 | 22.10% | 342 | 1.36% |
| 2024 | 18,372 | 77.70% | 4,851 | 20.52% | 422 | 1.78% |
TheMercer County Public School System has nineteen elementary schools, including Athens, Bluefield Intermediate, Bluewell, Brushfork, Ceres, Glenwood Elementary, Lashmeet-Matoaka, Melrose, Memorial, Mercer County Early Learning - Bluefield and Princeton sites, Mercer, Montcalm, Oakvale (funding for constructing a new Oakvale school has been approved), Princeton Primary, Spanishburg, Straley, Sun Valley and Whitethorn. There are six middle school facilities including Princeton Middle, Bluefield Middle, Montcalm Middle, PikeView Middle, and Glenwood Middle. There are also four high school facilities, including Princeton Senior (AAA), Bluefield High (AA), Montcalm High (A) and PikeView High (AA). The Mercer County Technical Education Center, which is being transitioned into a comprehensive technical high school. Mercer County Schools educates approximately 9200 students. The professional and service staff number about 1200.
Higher educational institutions includeBluefield State College, located inBluefield;Concord University, located inAthens; and New River Community and Technical College, located in Princeton, West Virginia.
Mercer County is protected by seven agencies. Five agencies protect the incorporated areas of the county, but the non-incorporated area is the primary responsibility of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department. The Mercer County Sheriff's Department consists of 30 sworn law enforcement officers and a number of civilian employees. Within the Mercer County Sheriff's Department are several specialized units to better serve the citizens.
K-9 Unit: Deputy Ballard (Quando), Deputy Parks (Arrow), Deputy Rose (Mitis), & Deputy Ellsion (Max).
Detective Bureau: Cpl. Murphy, Detective Sparks, & Detective Combs.
SWAT: Sgt. G. W. Woods, Cpl. J. J. Ruble, Cpl. S. A. Sommers, & Detective Combs. The rest of the team consists of other agencies within the county, excluding the State Police.
The Sheriff's Department has one dedicated Deputy who serves on the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
Mercer County is also home to the Princeton Detachment of theWest Virginia State Police and a Turnpike Detachment (Highway Patrol).
Places adjacent to Mercer County, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
Municipalities and communities ofMercer County, West Virginia,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities |
| |
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
37°25′N81°07′W / 37.41°N 81.11°W /37.41; -81.11
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
.svg)
