Pendleton County, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
 Pendleton County Courthouse | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWest Virginia | |
 West Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:38°41′N79°22′W / 38.68°N 79.36°W /38.68; -79.36 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  West Virginia |
| Founded | May 1, 1788 |
| Named after | Edmund Pendleton |
| Seat | Franklin |
| Largest town | Franklin |
| Area | |
• Total | 698 sq mi (1,810 km2) |
| • Land | 696 sq mi (1,800 km2) |
| • Water | 2.1 sq mi (5.4 km2) 0.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 6,143 |
• Estimate (2021) | 6,142 |
| • Density | 8.83/sq mi (3.41/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | www |
Pendleton County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofWest Virginia. As of the2020 census, the population was 6,143,[1] making it the second-least populous county in West Virginia. Itscounty seat isFranklin.[2] The county was created by theVirginia General Assembly in 1788[3] from parts ofAugusta,Hardy, andRockingham counties and was named forEdmund Pendleton (1721–1803), a distinguished Virginia statesman andjurist.[4][5]
Spruce Knob, located in Pendleton County, is the highest point in the state and in theAlleghenies, its elevation being 4,863 feet. Parts of theMonongahela andGeorge Washington National Forests are also located in Pendleton County.
By the 1740s, the three main valleys of what became Pendleton County had been visited and named by white hunters and prospectors. One of the hunters, a single man named Abraham Burner, built himself a log cabin about a half mile downstream of the future site ofBrandywine in 1745. He was the county's first white settler. A local historian recorded that:
The site ... [was] on the left bank of the river, and near the beginning of a long, eastward bend. From almost at his very door his huntsman's eye was at times gladdened by seeing perhaps fifty deer either drinking from the steam or plunging in their heads up to their ears in search of moss.[6]
By 1747, immigrants were impinging on the (future) borders of Pendleton from two directions: the larger community was mostlyGermans moving up the valley of theSouth Branch Potomac; the lesser consisted mainly ofScotch-Irish moving northwest fromStaunton up into the headwaters of theJames River. In an April 1758, surprise raid of Fort Seybert and nearby Fort Upper Tract occasioned by theFrench and Indian War (1754–63), most of the 60 white settlers sheltering there were massacred byShawnee andDelaware warriors and the forts were burned.
Pendleton County was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1788 from parts ofAugusta,Hardy, andRockingham counties and was named forEdmund Pendleton, a distinguished Virginia statesman andjurist. Pendleton County was split between Northern and Southern sympathies during theAmerican Civil War. The northern section of the county, including the enclave in theSmoke Hole community was staunchly Unionist. In June 1863, the county was included by the federal government in the new state of West Virginia against the wishes of many of the inhabitants. That fall, UnionGeneralW.W. Averell swept up the South Branch valley, and destroyed the Confederatesaltpetre works above Franklin.[7]
In the months following the state's establishment, 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.[8] Pendleton County was divided into six districts: Bethel, Circleville, Franklin, Mill Run, Sugar Grove, and Union. Except for minor adjustments, these magisterial districts remained largely unchanged until the 1990s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: Central, Eastern, and Western.[9]
Pendleton County and the surrounding area were hit by severe flooding in November 1985. AtFranklin, thecounty seat, the South Branch of thePotomac crested at 22.6 feet, more than fifteen feet[i] above flood stage in the shallow riverbed.[10] Sixty-two people were killed in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, in what became known as the "1985 Election Day floods" in Virginia, or the "Killer Floods of 1985" in West Virginia. According to theNational Weather Service, thirty-eight of the deaths occurred in Pendleton andGrant Counties, West Virginia.[10] Twenty-two people were killed inVirginia, and there was one fatality each attributed to the flooding inMaryland andPennsylvania.
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According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 698 square miles (1,810 km2), of which 696 square miles (1,800 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.3%) is water.[11] It is the fifth-largest county in West Virginia by area.
Pendleton County's economy consists mainly of small to medium-sized farms and small businesses. Most of these are inFranklin, the county's only incorporated town. The North Fork Valley, on the western side of the county, has a number of businesses that cater to tourists who come for the area's outdoor recreation opportunities. These include motels, restaurants, and guide services. In recent years, maple syrup has emerged as a major growth industry in the county. Dry Fork Maple Works, the state's largest maple sugaring operation, is based in Pendleton County (though its sugaring operation occurs mainly in neighboringRandolph County).[12]
The county is also home to a number ofnon-profits whose reaches extend well beyond the county lines. These include Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, Future Generations andFuture Generations Graduate School,The Mountain Institute, and Mountain Springs Farm and Heritage Center.
Sugar Grove Station, an electronic listening post for theNational Security Agency, is located near the southeast corner of the Pendleton County.[13]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 2,452 | — | |
| 1800 | 3,962 | 61.6% | |
| 1810 | 4,239 | 7.0% | |
| 1820 | 4,846 | 14.3% | |
| 1830 | 6,271 | 29.4% | |
| 1840 | 6,940 | 10.7% | |
| 1850 | 5,795 | −16.5% | |
| 1860 | 6,164 | 6.4% | |
| 1870 | 6,455 | 4.7% | |
| 1880 | 8,022 | 24.3% | |
| 1890 | 8,711 | 8.6% | |
| 1900 | 9,167 | 5.2% | |
| 1910 | 9,349 | 2.0% | |
| 1920 | 9,652 | 3.2% | |
| 1930 | 9,660 | 0.1% | |
| 1940 | 10,884 | 12.7% | |
| 1950 | 9,313 | −14.4% | |
| 1960 | 8,093 | −13.1% | |
| 1970 | 7,031 | −13.1% | |
| 1980 | 7,910 | 12.5% | |
| 1990 | 8,054 | 1.8% | |
| 2000 | 8,196 | 1.8% | |
| 2010 | 7,695 | −6.1% | |
| 2020 | 6,143 | −20.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 6,142 | [14] | 0.0% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[15] 1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17] 1990–2000[18] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, there were 6,143 people and 2,299 households residing in the county. There were 3,666 housing units in Pendleton County. The racial makeup of the county was 95.1%White, 1.3%African American, 0.2%Native American, 0.3% fromother races, and 2.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.9% of the population.
Of the 2,299 households, 59.2% weremarried couples living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no spouse present, 16.8% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.16. The median age in the county was 50.8 years with 18.9% of the population under 18. The median income for a household in the city was $61,738 and the poverty rate was 16.3%.[19]
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,196 people, 3,350 households, and 2,355 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 5,102 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.34%White, 2.12%Black orAfrican American, 0.27%Native American, 0.18%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.28% fromother races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 3,350 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% weremarried couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.80% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,429, and the median income for a family was $34,860. Males had a median income of $25,342 versus $16,753 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,805. About 8.00% of families and 11.40% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 7,695 people, 3,285 households, and 2,179 families residing in the county.[20] The population density was 11.1 inhabitants per square mile (4.3/km2). There were 5,132 housing units at an average density of 7.4 per square mile (2.9/km2).[21] The racial makeup of the county was 96.2% white, 1.9% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[20] In terms of ancestry, 30.1% wereGerman, 8.1% wereAmerican, 7.3% wereIrish, and 6.4% wereEnglish.[22]
Of the 3,285 households, 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.7% were non-families, and 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 47.3 years.[20]
The median income for a household in the county was $33,323 and the median income for a family was $49,613. Males had a median income of $38,190 versus $23,243 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,401. About 11.0% of families and 15.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 22.2% of those age 65 or over.[23]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 475 | 22.75% | 1,162 | 55.65% | 451 | 21.60% |
| 1916 | 888 | 40.87% | 1,276 | 58.72% | 9 | 0.41% |
| 1920 | 1,581 | 46.51% | 1,814 | 53.37% | 4 | 0.12% |
| 1924 | 1,462 | 41.68% | 2,037 | 58.07% | 9 | 0.26% |
| 1928 | 1,710 | 47.09% | 1,921 | 52.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 1,502 | 37.11% | 2,530 | 62.52% | 15 | 0.37% |
| 1936 | 1,800 | 40.45% | 2,637 | 59.26% | 13 | 0.29% |
| 1940 | 1,977 | 42.18% | 2,710 | 57.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 1,838 | 45.78% | 2,177 | 54.22% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 1,592 | 44.93% | 1,944 | 54.87% | 7 | 0.20% |
| 1952 | 1,859 | 48.29% | 1,991 | 51.71% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,959 | 49.49% | 1,999 | 50.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,930 | 48.41% | 2,057 | 51.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,296 | 34.16% | 2,498 | 65.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,687 | 46.50% | 1,643 | 45.29% | 298 | 8.21% |
| 1972 | 2,207 | 63.88% | 1,248 | 36.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,554 | 42.48% | 2,104 | 57.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 1,677 | 47.86% | 1,724 | 49.20% | 103 | 2.94% |
| 1984 | 2,047 | 58.19% | 1,464 | 41.61% | 7 | 0.20% |
| 1988 | 1,901 | 54.27% | 1,595 | 45.53% | 7 | 0.20% |
| 1992 | 1,589 | 44.35% | 1,626 | 45.38% | 368 | 10.27% |
| 1996 | 1,431 | 43.26% | 1,591 | 48.10% | 286 | 8.65% |
| 2000 | 1,996 | 61.97% | 1,172 | 36.39% | 53 | 1.65% |
| 2004 | 2,146 | 60.55% | 1,381 | 38.97% | 17 | 0.48% |
| 2008 | 2,035 | 59.94% | 1,310 | 38.59% | 50 | 1.47% |
| 2012 | 2,095 | 64.34% | 1,074 | 32.99% | 87 | 2.67% |
| 2016 | 2,398 | 73.69% | 729 | 22.40% | 127 | 3.90% |
| 2020 | 2,782 | 76.03% | 820 | 22.41% | 57 | 1.56% |
| 2024 | 2,687 | 78.45% | 680 | 19.85% | 58 | 1.69% |
The following sites are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.
| Site | Year built | Address | Community | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ananias Pitsenbarger Farm | 19th century | 3576 Dry Run Road, Franklin | Dahmer, nearFranklin | 2011 |
| Bowers House | late 19th century | Brandywine-Sugar Grove Road | Sugar Grove | 1985 |
| Circleville School | 1930s | 81 Price Way, Circleville | Circleville | 1995 |
| Cunningham-Hevener House | late 19th century | US 220 | Upper Tract | 1985 |
| Franklin Historic District | 19th-20th centuries | US 33, Main Street,South Branch Potomac River, and High Street | Franklin | 1986 |
| McCoy House | 1848 | 17 South Main Street, Franklin | Franklin | 1982 |
| McCoy Mill | early 19th century | 293 Thorn Creek Road, Franklin | Franklin | 1986 |
| Old Judy Church (Old Log Church) | early 19th century | US 220 | nearPetersburg | 1976 |
| Old Propst Church | late 18th century | CR 21/9 | Brandywine | 1986 |
| Pendleton County Poor Farm | early 20th century | US 220 | Upper Tract | 1986 |
| Priest Mill | early 20th century | OffUS 220, near Low-Water Bridge | Franklin | 2000 |
| Sites Homestead (Wayside Inn) | early 19th century | Seneca Rocks Visitor Center | Seneca Rocks | 1993 |
Places adjacent to Pendleton County, West Virginia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofPendleton County, West Virginia,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
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