Mineral County, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
 Mineral County Courthouse in Keyser | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWest Virginia | |
 West Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:39°25′N78°56′W / 39.42°N 78.94°W /39.42; -78.94 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  West Virginia |
| Founded | February 1, 1866 |
| Seat | Keyser |
| Largest city | Keyser |
| Area | |
• Total | 329 sq mi (850 km2) |
| • Land | 328 sq mi (850 km2) |
| • Water | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km2) 0.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 26,938 |
• Estimate (2021) | 26,857 |
| • Density | 82.1/sq mi (31.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
Mineral County is acounty in theU.S. state ofWest Virginia. It is part of theCumberland metropolitan area, together withCumberland, Maryland. As of the2020 census, the population was 26,938.[1] Itscounty seat isKeyser.[2] The county was founded in 1866.[3]
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Indigenous peoples lived throughout the highlands along rivers in this area for thousands of years.Archeologists have identified artifacts of theAdena culture, dating from 1000 BC to 200 BC. They were among the several early Native American cultures who built majorearthwork mounds for ceremonial and burial use. Remnants of their culture have been found throughout West Virginia. They were followed by other indigenous peoples.
With the growth of fur trading to the north after European encounter in the coastal areas, the nations of theHaudenosaunee (or Iroquois Confederacy), based in present-day New York, moved into the Ohio Valley in search of new hunting grounds. By the 17th century they had conquered other tribes, pushed them out to the west, and preserved the area for hunting.
It was not until after West Virginia became a state in 1863 that present-day Mineral County was organized. It was created in 1866 by an Act of the West Virginia Legislature from the existingHampshire County. The name was selected due to its reserves of minerals, especiallycoal - although coal, a type of sedimentary rock, is not a mineral because it does not have a crystalline structure.
The seminal point in the creation of the county was the arrival of the main line of theBaltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1842. The county seat of Keyser was named for an executive of the railroad.[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] After its formation in 1866, Mineral County was divided into seven townships: Cabin Run, Elk,[i] Frankfort, Mill Creek, New Creek, Piedmont, and Welton. Mill Creek Township was returned to Hampshire County in 1871, and in 1872 the six remaining townships became magisterial districts. Except for minor adjustments, they remained relatively unchanged until the 1980s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: District 1, District 2, and District 3.[6]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 329 square miles (850 km2), of which 328 square miles (850 km2) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) (0.4%) is water.[7]
TheAllegheny Front in West Virginia lies in Mineral County and includes the highest point in the county. Known as "the Pinnacle", it is 3,104 feet (946 m) above sea level. From the abandoned fire tower four states are visible,Pennsylvania,Maryland,West Virginia, andVirginia. The Allegheny Front is the largest mountain in the county; on the north end it is also known as Green Mountain.Prior to 1830, the only medical aid available to the settlers was common sense, home remedies and liberal dosages of prayer. The first resident physician in what is now Mineral County was Dr. John Green, who was born in Bolton, England, in 1799, and immigrated to America in 1828. He lived on a farm, which he called Iceland, located near the ridge of the escarpment about three miles from Sulphur City. The area was later named for his son, Tom Green, and is known as Green Mountain. On top of theAllegheny Plateau is located the town of Sulphur City andElk Garden, West Virginia in the southwestern portion of the county. The Potomac River Valley lies to west and north of the mountain, and theNew Creek Valley lies to the east.
Knobly Mountain lies between the New Creek and Patterson Creek valleys. It is the longest mountain in Mineral County stretching from the Grant County line in the south to the Potomac River in the north atRidgeley, West Virginia.
To the east of the Patterson Creek Valley lie a series of low hills which form the eastern border of the county withHampshire County.
Natural gas is found east of the Allegheny Front as well asiron ore deposits. The county no longer producesiron, but several abandonediron furnaces from the 19th century still exist.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 6,332 | — | |
| 1880 | 8,630 | 36.3% | |
| 1890 | 12,085 | 40.0% | |
| 1900 | 12,883 | 6.6% | |
| 1910 | 16,674 | 29.4% | |
| 1920 | 19,849 | 19.0% | |
| 1930 | 20,084 | 1.2% | |
| 1940 | 22,215 | 10.6% | |
| 1950 | 22,333 | 0.5% | |
| 1960 | 22,354 | 0.1% | |
| 1970 | 23,109 | 3.4% | |
| 1980 | 27,234 | 17.9% | |
| 1990 | 26,697 | −2.0% | |
| 2000 | 27,078 | 1.4% | |
| 2010 | 28,212 | 4.2% | |
| 2020 | 26,938 | −4.5% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 26,857 | [9] | −0.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12] 1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, there were 26,938 people and 10,431 households residing in the county. There were 12,453 housing units in Preston. The racial makeup of the county was 91.9%White, 2.7%African American, 0.4%Asian, 0.2%Native American, 0.4% fromother races, and 4.5% fromtwo or more races.Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.15% of the population.
Of the 12,510 households, 50.2% were married couples living together, 27.6% had a female householder with no spouse present, 16.1% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.19. The median age in the county was 44.6 years with 20.2% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $57,345 and the poverty rate was 12.1%.[14]
At the2010 census, there were 28,212 people, 11,550 households, and 7,879 families residing in the county.[15] The population density was 86.1 inhabitants per square mile (33.2/km2). There were 13,039 housing units at an average density of 39.8 units per square mile (15.4 units/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% white, 2.8% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 32.9% wereGerman, 16.0% wereIrish, 11.3% wereEnglish, and 10.0% wereAmerican.[17]
Of the 11,550 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.8% were non-families, and 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 42.3 years.[15]
The median income for a household in the county was $36,571 and the median income for a family was $46,820. Males had a median income of $44,068 versus $25,675 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,805. About 11.7% of families and 16.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.[18]
At the2000 census, there were 27,078 people, 10,784 households, and 7,710 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 83 people per square mile (32 people/km2). There were 12,094 housing units at an average density of 37 units per square mile (14 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.16%White, 2.55%Black orAfrican American, 0.11%Native American, 0.20%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.21% fromother races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 10,784 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% weremarried couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.00% 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 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,149, and the median income for a family was $37,866. Males had a median income of $32,337 versus $20,090 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,384. About 11.50% of families and 14.70% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.
After having leaned strongly towards the Democratic Party between the New Deal andBill Clinton's presidency, most of West Virginia has, since 2000, seen a swing towards the Republican Party due to declining unionization[19] and differences with the Democratic Party's liberal views on social issues.[20] Mineral County, in contrast, was formed from theUnionist portion ofHampshire County followingthe Civil War and has always leaned Republican, although it has never been nearly so rock-ribbed as analogously createdGrant County. Nonetheless, Mineral County would not vote Democratic between 1888 and 1932 inclusive – although voting forTheodore Roosevelt in 1912[21] – and the last Democrat to carry the county wasJimmy Carter in 1976.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1868 | 363 | 56.45% | 280 | 43.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1872 | 528 | 55.35% | 426 | 44.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1876 | 697 | 41.79% | 971 | 58.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1880 | 772 | 44.37% | 922 | 52.99% | 46 | 2.64% |
| 1884 | 985 | 47.77% | 1,077 | 52.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1888 | 1,251 | 50.04% | 1,209 | 48.36% | 40 | 1.60% |
| 1892 | 1,356 | 49.69% | 1,279 | 46.87% | 94 | 3.44% |
| 1896 | 1,547 | 53.27% | 1,307 | 45.01% | 50 | 1.72% |
| 1900 | 1,661 | 56.40% | 1,241 | 42.14% | 43 | 1.46% |
| 1904 | 1,802 | 54.96% | 1,397 | 42.60% | 80 | 2.44% |
| 1908 | 1,986 | 55.46% | 1,512 | 42.22% | 83 | 2.32% |
| 1912 | 513 | 14.69% | 1,367 | 39.16% | 1,611 | 46.15% |
| 1916 | 1,965 | 51.83% | 1,747 | 46.08% | 79 | 2.08% |
| 1920 | 3,646 | 57.90% | 2,516 | 39.96% | 135 | 2.14% |
| 1924 | 3,551 | 49.62% | 2,860 | 39.96% | 746 | 10.42% |
| 1928 | 5,860 | 71.36% | 2,310 | 28.13% | 42 | 0.51% |
| 1932 | 4,519 | 50.95% | 4,098 | 46.21% | 252 | 2.84% |
| 1936 | 4,486 | 45.50% | 5,333 | 54.09% | 40 | 0.41% |
| 1940 | 5,133 | 49.70% | 5,195 | 50.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 4,635 | 53.75% | 3,989 | 46.25% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 4,382 | 48.71% | 4,586 | 50.98% | 28 | 0.31% |
| 1952 | 5,598 | 55.19% | 4,545 | 44.81% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 6,412 | 64.12% | 3,588 | 35.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 6,299 | 60.20% | 4,164 | 39.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,801 | 37.47% | 6,344 | 62.53% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,545 | 45.26% | 4,225 | 42.07% | 1,273 | 12.68% |
| 1972 | 7,157 | 68.60% | 3,276 | 31.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 5,130 | 46.52% | 5,898 | 53.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 6,125 | 54.33% | 4,671 | 41.43% | 478 | 4.24% |
| 1984 | 7,291 | 65.46% | 3,832 | 34.40% | 15 | 0.13% |
| 1988 | 6,015 | 59.49% | 4,059 | 40.14% | 37 | 0.37% |
| 1992 | 4,837 | 45.09% | 3,992 | 37.21% | 1,899 | 17.70% |
| 1996 | 4,380 | 48.26% | 3,487 | 38.42% | 1,209 | 13.32% |
| 2000 | 6,180 | 63.18% | 3,341 | 34.15% | 261 | 2.67% |
| 2004 | 7,854 | 68.53% | 3,518 | 30.70% | 89 | 0.78% |
| 2008 | 7,616 | 65.96% | 3,750 | 32.48% | 181 | 1.57% |
| 2012 | 7,833 | 71.29% | 2,885 | 26.26% | 270 | 2.46% |
| 2016 | 9,070 | 77.71% | 2,050 | 17.56% | 551 | 4.72% |
| 2020 | 10,040 | 77.97% | 2,660 | 20.66% | 176 | 1.37% |
| 2024 | 10,247 | 79.41% | 2,483 | 19.24% | 174 | 1.35% |
Mineral County is governed by a three-member commission, one member to be elected every two years to a six-year term of office. The County Commission, as the governing body, is responsible for the fiscal affairs and general administration of county government. The County Commission does not possesshome rule per Article 6, Section 39a of theConstitution of West Virginia.[24]
•Krista Dixon
The Clerk is elected to a six-year term with the right to succeed himself/herself. The primary duties and responsibilities of the Clerk of the County Commission may be identified as two basic functions:
The County Commissions through their clerks shall have the custody of all deeds and other papers presented for record in their counties and they shall be preserved therein. They shall have jurisdiction in all matters of probate, the appointment and qualification of personal representatives, guardians, committees, curators and the settlement of their accounts. The Clerk shall have custody of all election records, payroll and budgetary accounting, and accounts payable.[26]
County Clerk: Lauren Ellifritz, Republican
| District | Representative | Party | County/Counties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | Gary G. Howell | Republican | Mineral (part) |
| 88 | Rick Hillenbrand | Republican | Mineral (part),Hampshire (part) |
| District | Senator | Party | County/Counties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Jay Taylor | Republican | Barbour,Grant (part), Mineral, (part) Monongalia (part),Preston,Hardy,Taylor,Tucker |
| Randy Smith | Republican | ||
| 15 | Craig Blair | Republican | Berkeley (part),Hampshire, Mineral, (part) Morgan |
| Charles Trump | Republican |
TheMineral County Development Authority operates industrial parks nearKeyser, featuringrail access, and nearFort Ashby, with fiber optics and sitewide wireless InternetKeyser Industrial ParkFort Ashby Business and Technology Park
The school district for Mineral County isMineral County Schools.
Mineral County Schools includes two high schools:Frankfort High School located nearShort Gap andKeyser High School located south ofKeyser.
Potomac State College, a two-year school, is located in the county seat ofKeyser, West Virginia on the site ofCivil War Fort Fuller.
TheGreater Cumberland Regional Airport is located in Wiley Ford.
The Potomac Valley Transit Authority provides deviated fixed route and demand response public transportation services to residents.
CSX lines run along thePotomac River on the northern border of the county.Amtrak service is available inCumberland, Maryland, just across fromRidgeley, West Virginia.Keyser'srailroad station closed in the 1980s.
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Owned by Mineral County, the park size is 365 acres (1.48 km2). Includes two pavilions with 10 tables, anamphitheater withseating capacity of 600. One Little League field and one softball field. Fishing Areas; two flood control dams stocked by WVDNR, 5 and 2.5 acres (20,000 and 10,000 m2). All 365 acres (1.48 km2) are open to public hunting by permit. Approximately 5 miles of trails. An arboretum is under construction at Larenim to include a Shale Barrens Conservancy. Larenim Park is also home to the local theater group, McNeill's Rangers.[27][28]
Owned by Mineral County with size of approximately 40 acres (160,000 m2). Includes four miles (6.4 km) of rail/trail. This area has approximately 1-mile (1.6 km) of river frontage on the North Branch of thePotomac River below Jennings Randolph Lake, along the oldWestern Maryland Railway right-of-way. It is one of the best trout streams in West Virginia and also provides seven miles (11 km) of whitewater rafting and canoeing for the entire family to enjoy. Public hunting permitted on surrounding state lands.
Owned byMineral County Schools, MINCO Park's size is 13.5 acres (55,000 m2). Its facilities include two pavilions with 50 picnic tables, nine cabins, a dining field, a chapel, meeting room, and bath/shower facilities.
Owned by the State of West Virginia and leased by Mineral County, the campground area is 10 acres (40,000 m2). Three picnic tables, four mini-pavilions, and picnic area only comprise this facility.
Owned by Mineral County, 178 acres (0.72 km2), with no facilities. Fishing 10 acres (40,000 m2) flood control dam.
Jennings Randolph Lake, named for SenatorJennings Randolph. The lake was originally named Bloomington Lake. The lake was constructed in 1981 on top of the town ofShaw, West Virginia by theUnited States Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is located nearElk Garden. The lake offers extensive recreational opportunity with its 952 acres (3.85 km2) and more than 13 miles (21 km) of shoreline. Howell Run Picnic Area overlooks the lake and contains 40 picnic sites, two pavilions, a playground and vault toilets. The Howell Run Boat Launch consists of a two lane concrete ramp. the Robert W. Craig Campground is situated on a high ridge overlooking the dam site and features 87 campsites, potable water, hot showers, vault toilets and a playground. A 3/4 mile longinterpretive trail has been developed in the area. The West Virginia Overlook area contains a two tier Visitor Center. Waffle Rock, a unique natural rock formation, can also be viewed from the Overlook.[1]
Mineral County is home to the Keyser-Mineral County public library. It was a product of the Works Progress Administration and opened in 1937. In 1962 in moved to a larger location, in the building formerly occupied by the Farmers and Merchants bank. The library is funded by the West Virginia Library Commission, Mineral County Court, and Keyser City Council. In addition to the main branch in Keyser, the library also has branches in Burlington and Fort Ashby.[29]
There is also the Piedmont Public Library that is a County United Way agency. The library is funded by County United Way and West Virginia Library Commission.[30]
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Places adjacent to Mineral County, West Virginia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofMineral County, West Virginia,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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