Marion County, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
 Marion County Courthouse in Fairmont | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWest Virginia | |
 West Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:39°31′N80°14′W / 39.51°N 80.24°W /39.51; -80.24 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  West Virginia |
| Founded | January 14, 1842 |
| Named after | Francis Marion |
| Seat | Fairmont |
| Largest city | Fairmont |
| Area | |
• Total | 312 sq mi (810 km2) |
| • Land | 309 sq mi (800 km2) |
| • Water | 2.8 sq mi (7.3 km2) 0.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 56,205 |
• Estimate (2021) | 56,001 |
| • Density | 182/sq mi (70.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | marioncountywv |
Marion County is acounty in theU.S. state ofWest Virginia. As of the2020 census, the population was 56,205[1] and itscounty seat isFairmont.[2] The county was named in honor ofGeneral Francis Marion (ca. 1732–1795), known to history as "The Swamp Fox". Marion County comprises theFairmont, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the largerMorgantown–Fairmont, WV Combined Statistical Area.
TheAdena and successorHopewell cultures flourished in the area at one time. The region which includes the land now known as Marion County was sparsely occupied byNative Americans, if at all, in the late 18th century. Like much of theOhio Valley, it had been depopulated by theIroquois during the laterBeaver Wars (1670–1700). Only a few abortive attempts to start European settlements on theMonongahela River or its branches (including one which gave its name toDunkard Creek) are known prior to theFrench and Indian War. It was not until 1772 that any permanent settlements were made in this region.[3]
Marion County was created by an act of theVirginia Assembly on January 14, 1842, from parts ofMonongalia andHarrison counties. It was named after General Francis Marion, ofAmerican Revolutionary War fame, known to history as "The Swamp Fox".[4]
Starting with the great flood on Monday, April 5, 1852 was an eventful year in Marion County's history. Heavy rains the day before caused theMonongahela andWest Fork Rivers to rise at rate of 5 feet per hour until Tuesday afternoon, when the water reached 43 feet above its normal level. The greatest damage was sustained on the West Fork, where over 40 houses and buildings were swept away and floated pastFairmont.[5] The flood damaged the railroad, which was in the final stages of being completed. By June 23 theBaltimore and Ohio Railroad was completed, connecting Fairmont to the west and to large cities in the east like Baltimore. The railroad required the building of a bridge to cross theMonongahela River about 1 mile west of Fairmont. That was achieved by building a massive iron bridge spanning 650 feet and lifted 35 feet above the water.[5]
The third major event of the year 1852 was the completion of the Fairmont and Palatinesuspension bridge, connecting Fairmont to what was then the town of Palatine. The bridge was built under the direction of James L. Randolph, assistant engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars.[5]
Marion was one of fifty Virginia counties which were admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863, at the height of theCivil War. In the months which followed, 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.[6] Marion County was divided into seven districts: Fairmont, Grant, Lincoln, Mannington, Paw Paw,[i] Union, and Winfield. In the 1980s, the historic magisterial districts were consolidated into three new districts: Middletown, Palatine, and West Augusta.[7]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 312 square miles (810 km2), of which 309 square miles (800 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (0.9%) is water.[8]
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Interstate 79
U.S. Highway 19
U.S. Highway 250
West Virginia Route 218
West Virginia Route 273
West Virginia Route 310| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 10,552 | — | |
| 1860 | 12,722 | 20.6% | |
| 1870 | 12,107 | −4.8% | |
| 1880 | 17,198 | 42.1% | |
| 1890 | 20,721 | 20.5% | |
| 1900 | 32,430 | 56.5% | |
| 1910 | 42,794 | 32.0% | |
| 1920 | 54,571 | 27.5% | |
| 1930 | 66,655 | 22.1% | |
| 1940 | 68,683 | 3.0% | |
| 1950 | 71,521 | 4.1% | |
| 1960 | 63,717 | −10.9% | |
| 1970 | 61,356 | −3.7% | |
| 1980 | 65,789 | 7.2% | |
| 1990 | 57,249 | −13.0% | |
| 2000 | 56,598 | −1.1% | |
| 2010 | 56,418 | −0.3% | |
| 2020 | 56,205 | −0.4% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 56,001 | [9] | −0.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12] 1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, there were 56,205 people and 23,278 households residing in the county. There were 26,280 housing units in Marion. The racial makeup of the county was 90% White, 3.3% African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.25% Native American, 0.4% fromother races, and 5.6% fromtwo or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.6% of the population.
Of the 23,278 households, 48.3% were married couples living together, 26.2% 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 2.89. The median age in the county was 40.4 years with 20.2% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $55,094 and the poverty rate was 14.6%[14]
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 56,418 people, 23,786 households, and 15,271 families living in the county.[15] Thepopulation density was 182.7 inhabitants per square mile (70.5/km2). There were 26,463 housing units at an average density of 85.7 units per square mile (33.1 units/km2).[16]
The racial makeup of the county was 94.3% white, 3.3% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 23.5% wereGerman, 17.8% wereIrish, 13.7% wereAmerican, 12.0% wereEnglish, and 10.3% wereItalian.[17]
Of the 23,786 households, 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.8% were non-families, and 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 41.0 years.[15]
The median income for a household in the county was $38,115 and the median income for a family was $49,046. Males had a median income of $38,948 versus $27,179 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,752. About 11.3% of families and 16.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.[18]
As of the census of 2000, there were 56,598 people, 23,652 households, and 15,515 families living in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile (71 people/km2). There were 26,660 housing units at an average density of 86 units per square mile (33 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.10% White, 3.22% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.41%Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% fromother races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 23,652 households, out of which 26.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% weremarried couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.88. In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.60% under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,626, and the median income for a family was $37,182. Males had a median income of $29,005 versus $21,100 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,246. About 11.70% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.
Marion County, like most counties in West Virginia, was historicallyDemocratic, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century. From 1932 to 2008, the county only votedRepublican in a presidential election once: forRichard Nixon in1972 amidst a national landslide. However, like the rest of West Virginia, Marion County has trended heavily Republican in the 21st century, albeit at a somewhat slower pace than most of the state. In2012, RepublicanMitt Romney flipped the county for the first time since Nixon's victory, and it has voted Republican in each election since. In2016,2020, and2024, RepublicanDonald Trump carried Marion County with more than 60% of the vote, with all performances the best ever for any Republican in the county.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 1,625 | 17.23% | 4,535 | 48.08% | 3,273 | 34.70% |
| 1916 | 4,443 | 42.81% | 5,493 | 52.92% | 443 | 4.27% |
| 1920 | 11,494 | 55.23% | 8,734 | 41.97% | 583 | 2.80% |
| 1924 | 12,167 | 50.56% | 9,386 | 39.00% | 2,513 | 10.44% |
| 1928 | 16,088 | 60.34% | 10,133 | 38.00% | 442 | 1.66% |
| 1932 | 12,638 | 42.89% | 15,975 | 54.22% | 851 | 2.89% |
| 1936 | 11,403 | 35.15% | 20,859 | 64.29% | 181 | 0.56% |
| 1940 | 13,349 | 38.82% | 21,035 | 61.18% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 11,584 | 39.64% | 17,640 | 60.36% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 11,201 | 35.72% | 19,866 | 63.35% | 290 | 0.92% |
| 1952 | 14,979 | 42.96% | 19,890 | 57.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 16,112 | 49.88% | 16,192 | 50.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 14,138 | 44.12% | 17,903 | 55.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 7,707 | 25.90% | 22,047 | 74.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 10,177 | 34.78% | 17,246 | 58.94% | 1,838 | 6.28% |
| 1972 | 16,095 | 57.57% | 11,864 | 42.43% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 10,391 | 36.86% | 17,800 | 63.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 10,952 | 41.37% | 14,189 | 53.60% | 1,330 | 5.02% |
| 1984 | 13,106 | 48.50% | 13,833 | 51.20% | 81 | 0.30% |
| 1988 | 9,229 | 38.87% | 14,441 | 60.82% | 72 | 0.30% |
| 1992 | 6,380 | 25.32% | 14,042 | 55.74% | 4,772 | 18.94% |
| 1996 | 6,160 | 27.86% | 12,994 | 58.78% | 2,953 | 13.36% |
| 2000 | 9,972 | 43.60% | 12,315 | 53.84% | 586 | 2.56% |
| 2004 | 12,150 | 48.23% | 12,771 | 50.69% | 273 | 1.08% |
| 2008 | 11,501 | 48.45% | 11,618 | 48.94% | 621 | 2.62% |
| 2012 | 12,054 | 55.93% | 8,959 | 41.57% | 540 | 2.51% |
| 2016 | 14,668 | 62.77% | 6,964 | 29.80% | 1,735 | 7.43% |
| 2020 | 16,300 | 63.18% | 8,901 | 34.50% | 598 | 2.32% |
| 2024 | 15,881 | 64.47% | 8,185 | 33.23% | 568 | 2.31% |
In the1632 series ofscience fiction novels, the fictional town ofGrantville (closely modeled after real-lifeMannington) and its environs were part of Marion County until aspacetime anomaly caused byaliens which sent it to 17th-centuryThuringia. The county and its institutions are frequently mentioned in the course of the series, and writers interested in the series have held a number of "mini-cons" (miniaturescience fiction conventions) in Mannington.[21][22][23] Flint has said, "The town of Grantville is very closely modeled on the actual town of Mannington. There are rules that I require everyone to follow when they write in the series. One of them is that it if it wasn’t in the town of Mannington in 2000, you can’t have it in Grantville. The one cheat I had to do was that I needed a power plant. The power plant is about 15 miles away, in a town called Granttown, so I just sorta moved it over. That’s the only real cheat.”[24]
Places adjacent to Marion County, West Virginia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofMarion County, West Virginia,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
39°31′N80°14′W / 39.51°N 80.24°W /39.51; -80.24
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