Monroe County | |
|---|---|
 Monroe County Courthouse inUnion  Main Building atSweet Springs Resort, designed byThomas Jefferson. | |
 Seal | |
 Location of Monroe County inWest Virginia | |
 West Virginia's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates:37°34′N80°32′W / 37.56°N 80.54°W /37.56; -80.54 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  West Virginia |
| Founded | January 14, 1799 |
| Named after | James Monroe |
| Seat | Union |
| Largest town | Peterstown |
| Government | |
| • County Commission President | Kevin Galford[1] |
| • County Commission | Kevin Mann Melvin Young |
| Area | |
• Total | 474 sq mi (1,230 km2) |
| • Land | 473 sq mi (1,230 km2) |
| • Water | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km2) 0.2% |
| • Rank | 20th |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,376 |
• Estimate (2021) | 12,382 |
| • Rank | 34th |
| • Density | 26.2/sq mi (10.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Area codes | 304, 681 |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Senate district | 10th |
| House of Delegates district | 40th, 47th |
| Website | https://www.monroecountywv.gov/ |
Monroe County is acounty in theU.S. state ofWest Virginia. As of the2020 census, the population was 12,376.[2] Itscounty seat isUnion.[3]
Monroe County was the home ofAndrew Summers Rowan, a soldier in theSpanish–American War commemorated inElbert Hubbard's essay "A Message to Garcia."
In 1928 theJones Diamond was found lying on the ground here by two menpitching horseshoes. It is the largest alluvial diamond ever found in North America.
Monroe County was created fromGreenbrier County on January 14, 1799, and was named forVirginia civic figureJames Monroe, who would be elected fifthPresident of the United States in November 1816.[4] It was one of fifty Virginia counties that were admitted to theUnion as the state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863, at the height of theCivil War. Monroe County did not participate in the creation of the new state, but was included by Congressional decree. Almost all the men from Monroe who served in the Civil War enlisted in the Confederate army.[5]
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.[6] Monroe County was initially divided into seven townships: Forest Hill, Red Sulphur, Second Creek, Springfield, Sweet Springs, Union, and Wolf Creek. In 1871, part of Forest Hill Township was added to the new county ofSummers, and the remaining territory distributed between Red Sulphur and Springfield Townships. The following year, the six remaining townships became magisterial districts. Except for minor adjustments, the six historic magisterial districts were unchanged until the 1990s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: Central, Eastern, and Western.[7]
Monroe County lies on the southeast side of West Virginia. Its southeast border abuts the northwest border of the state ofVirginia. TheNew River flows northward for a short distance along the county's southwest border. The county's terrain is mountainous and tree-covered, with all sufficiently level surfaces devoted to agriculture.[8] The terrain slopes to the north and west, with its highest part the middle part of its border with Virginia, at 3,862 ft (1,177 m) ASL.[9] The county has a total area of 474 square miles (1,230 km2), of which 473 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) (0.2%) is water.[10]
Tributaries of theJames River, part of theChesapeake Bay
Tributaries of theNew River
Tributaries of theGreenbrier River
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 4,188 | — | |
| 1810 | 5,444 | 30.0% | |
| 1820 | 6,620 | 21.6% | |
| 1830 | 7,798 | 17.8% | |
| 1840 | 8,422 | 8.0% | |
| 1850 | 10,204 | 21.2% | |
| 1860 | 10,757 | 5.4% | |
| 1870 | 11,124 | 3.4% | |
| 1880 | 11,501 | 3.4% | |
| 1890 | 12,429 | 8.1% | |
| 1900 | 13,130 | 5.6% | |
| 1910 | 13,055 | −0.6% | |
| 1920 | 13,141 | 0.7% | |
| 1930 | 11,949 | −9.1% | |
| 1940 | 13,577 | 13.6% | |
| 1950 | 13,123 | −3.3% | |
| 1960 | 11,584 | −11.7% | |
| 1970 | 11,272 | −2.7% | |
| 1980 | 12,873 | 14.2% | |
| 1990 | 12,406 | −3.6% | |
| 2000 | 14,583 | 17.5% | |
| 2010 | 13,502 | −7.4% | |
| 2020 | 12,376 | −8.3% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 12,382 | [12] | 0.0% |
| US Decennial Census[13] 1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15] 1990–2000[16] 2010–2020, 2023[2] | |||
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 14,583 people, 5,447 households, and 3,883 families in the county. Thepopulation density was 30.8 people per square mile (11.9 people/km2). There were 7,267 housing units at an average density of 15.4 units per square mile (5.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.67%White, 5.98%Black orAfrican American, 0.23%Native American, 0.16%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.03% fromother races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 0.49% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 5,447 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% weremarried couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88.
The county population contained 20.10% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 79.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,575, and the median income for a family was $35,299. Males had a median income of $25,643 versus $22,104 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,435. About 12.60% of families and 16.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over.
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 13,502 people, 5,655 households, and 3,915 families in the county.[17] The population density was 28.5 people per square mile (11.0 people/km2). There were 7,601 housing units at an average density of 16.1 units per square mile (6.2 units/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry, 19.5% wereIrish, 16.7% wereEnglish, 16.3% wereGerman, 10.4% wereAmerican, and 5.7% wereScotch-Irish.[19]
Of the 5,655 households, 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.8% were non-families, and 26.9% 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 45.0 years.[17]
The median income for a household in the county was $39,574 and the median income for a family was $45,106. Males had a median income of $35,709 versus $23,782 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,927. About 10.3% of families and 13.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.[20]
Monroe County was strongly pro-Confederate duringthe Virginia Secession Convention.[21] It voted Democratic consistently up until voting forWilliam McKinley in 1900, but since then has leaned Republican except during Democratic landslides, and like all of West Virginia has become overwhelmingly Republican in the twenty-first century due to declining unionization[22] and differences with the Democratic Party's views on social issues.[23]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 798 | 25.52% | 1,570 | 50.21% | 759 | 24.27% |
| 1916 | 1,584 | 49.48% | 1,609 | 50.27% | 8 | 0.25% |
| 1920 | 3,001 | 54.25% | 2,519 | 45.54% | 12 | 0.22% |
| 1924 | 2,713 | 49.96% | 2,686 | 49.47% | 31 | 0.57% |
| 1928 | 3,025 | 56.14% | 2,346 | 43.54% | 17 | 0.32% |
| 1932 | 2,978 | 47.67% | 3,267 | 52.30% | 2 | 0.03% |
| 1936 | 3,268 | 48.81% | 3,413 | 50.98% | 14 | 0.21% |
| 1940 | 3,403 | 50.90% | 3,283 | 49.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 3,130 | 54.48% | 2,615 | 45.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 2,956 | 52.90% | 2,632 | 47.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 3,447 | 54.69% | 2,856 | 45.31% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 3,529 | 56.01% | 2,772 | 43.99% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,139 | 51.89% | 2,910 | 48.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 2,385 | 41.46% | 3,367 | 58.54% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,925 | 49.66% | 2,412 | 40.95% | 553 | 9.39% |
| 1972 | 3,716 | 63.74% | 2,114 | 36.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 2,750 | 45.48% | 3,297 | 54.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 2,999 | 49.39% | 2,877 | 47.38% | 196 | 3.23% |
| 1984 | 3,612 | 60.67% | 2,333 | 39.18% | 9 | 0.15% |
| 1988 | 2,719 | 52.61% | 2,427 | 46.96% | 22 | 0.43% |
| 1992 | 2,311 | 42.64% | 2,418 | 44.61% | 691 | 12.75% |
| 1996 | 2,131 | 41.85% | 2,382 | 46.78% | 579 | 11.37% |
| 2000 | 2,940 | 57.21% | 2,094 | 40.75% | 105 | 2.04% |
| 2004 | 3,590 | 60.33% | 2,311 | 38.83% | 50 | 0.84% |
| 2008 | 3,397 | 60.93% | 2,014 | 36.13% | 164 | 2.94% |
| 2012 | 3,616 | 69.11% | 1,455 | 27.81% | 161 | 3.08% |
| 2016 | 4,443 | 75.92% | 1,111 | 18.98% | 298 | 5.09% |
| 2020 | 5,068 | 78.09% | 1,345 | 20.72% | 77 | 1.19% |
| 2024 | 5,089 | 79.81% | 1,155 | 18.11% | 132 | 2.07% |
Monroe County is governed by a three-person, elected county commission. Other elected officers include the sheriff, county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, prosecuting attorney, surveyor, one circuit judge, two magistrates, and a family court judge. There is also a five-member school board and six conservation district supervisors, with at least two from each county in the district.
| Position | Holder | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Dr. Scott Womack | non-partisan | 2028 |
| Vice President | Terry Utterback | non-partisan | 2026 |
| Board Member | Everett Fraley | non-partisan | 2026 |
| Board Member | Roho French | non-partisan | 2028 |
| Board Member | Candace Sabol | non-partisan | 2026 |
The Board of Education is elected through non-partisan general elections, without primaries. While West Virginia law allows for elections by sub-districts or at-large, Monroe County's board members are elected from Magisterial Districts. Each of the three Magisterial Districts (Eastern, Central, and Western) is represented by one board member.
| District | Holder | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Kenny Mann[27] | Republican | Unknown |
| Eastern | Kevin Galford[28] | Republican | Unknown |
| Western | Melvin Young[29] | Unknown | Unknown |
There are three members in the county commission. One member resides in each magisterial district, but are elected countywide. Commissioners hold six-year terms, and one commissioner is elected every two years.
| Office | Holder | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervisor (Chairperson) | Gary Sawyers (Greenbrier)[32] | non-partisan | 2028 |
| Supervisor (Vice-chair) | Timothy VanReenen (Pocahontas)[33] | non-partisan | 2028 |
| Supervisor (Treasurer) | Gary Truex (Greenbrier)[34] | non-partisan | 2026 |
| Supervisor | Donald McNeel (Pocahontas)[33] | non-partisan | 2028 |
| Supervisor | Avery Atkins (Monroe)[35] | non-partisan | 2026 |
| Supervisor | Carolyn Miller (Monroe)[36] | non-partisan | 2028 |
Monroe, along withMonroe andPocahontas counties, is represented by the Greenbrier Valley district. At least two supervisors per county are elected during primaries and serve four-year terms.[37]
| Office | Holder | Party | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessor | Sarah Martin[38] | Republican | Unknown |
| Clerk | Jeremy Meadows[39][40] | Republican | Unknown |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Justin St. Clair[41] | Democrat | Unknown |
| Sheriff | Michael Heller[42] | Republican | Unknown |
| Surveyor | David Holz[43] | Democrat | Unknown |
Monroe, along withSummers County is in the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit.
| Office | Holder | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judge | Amy Mann[45] | non-partisan | 2032 |
| Clerk | Daniel Tickle[46] | Republican | Unknown |
Circuit Court Judges are elected to eight-year terms. Clerks are elected to eight-year terms.[47][48]
| Office | Holder | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judge | R. Grady Ford[49] | non-partisan | 2032 |
Monroe, andGreenbrier county make up the 15th Family Court Circuit. Judges are elected to eight-year terms.[50][51]
| Division[52] | Holder | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Miller[53] | non-partisan | 2028 |
| 2 | Frank Basile[54] | non-partisan | 2028 |
| Clerk | Jeanne Gullette[55] |
Magistrates are elected in non-partisan elections during primaries, and serve four-year terms.[56]
Each county in West Virginia is represented by one or more House of Delegates members and state senators.
| District | Holder | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Roy Cooper | Republican | 2026 |
| 47 | Ray Canterbury | Republican | 2026 |
Monroe County is represented by the 40th and 47th District in theWest Virginia House of Delegates. Delegates serve two-year terms with all of the seats in the House up for election every two years.
| Holder[60] | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|
| Vince Deeds | Republican | 2026 |
| Jack Woodrum | Republican | 2028 |
Monroe County is currently represented byWest Virginia's 10th Senate district. Senators serve four-year terms with half of those seats up for election every two years.
| District | Holder | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Carol Miller | Republican | 2027 |
Monroe County is represented in congress by the 1st congressional district of West Virginia.
| Senator | Party | Term expires |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Justice | Republican | 2031 |
| Shelley Moore Capito | Republican | 2027 |
TheFederal Bureau of Prisons'Federal Prison Camp, Alderson was the nation's first women's federal prison.[62] It is located in Monroe andSummers counties, west ofAlderson.[63][64]
One of Monroe County's geological features isHaynes Cave, a formersaltpeter mine.[65] Workers in the mine found strange bones in the cave at the end of the 18th Century, and mailed them toThomas Jefferson. Jefferson's study of the animal, theMegalonyx jeffersonii was arguably the birth of Americanpaleontology. It is now the officialWest Virginia statefossil.
However, other saltpeter caves are in private ownership, and allow only limited public access due to ecological risks. One such is the Greenville Saltpeter Cave, designated a national natural landmark in 1973, and very important during theWar of 1812.[66][67][68]
Monroe County Schools operates public schools:
Farmers' Day is an annual event, held on the first Saturday in June in Union, to recognize the farming families in the surrounding area. The event, founded by Louie H. Peters, fills the weekend, with a Friday dance, a 3k run, a Saturday pancake breakfast, Sunday activities, and a parade held in the town of Union.[citation needed]
Places adjacent to Monroe County, West Virginia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofMonroe County, West Virginia,United States | ||
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| Towns |  | |
| Unincorporated communities |
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| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| National | |
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| Geographic | |
| Other | |
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