Wellsburg, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
_-_Flickr.jpg) Wellsburg in 2008 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Wellsburg in Brooke County, West Virginia. | |
| Coordinates:40°16′39″N80°36′34″W / 40.27750°N 80.60944°W /40.27750; -80.60944 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Brooke |
| Chartered | 1791 and 1887[1] |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Daniel Dudley |
| • City Manager | Stephen Maguschak |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.33 sq mi (3.44 km2) |
| • Land | 0.97 sq mi (2.51 km2) |
| • Water | 0.36 sq mi (0.93 km2) |
| Elevation | 676 ft (206 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 2,455 |
• Estimate (2021)[3] | 2,401 |
| • Density | 2,608.0/sq mi (1,006.97/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 26070 |
| Area code | 304 |
| FIPS code | 54-85324[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1555938[5] |
| Website | Official website |
Wellsburg is a city in and thecounty seat ofBrooke County, West Virginia, United States.[6] The2020 census recorded a population of 2,455.[3] It is a part of theWeirton–Steubenville metropolitan area. The city's economy includes several telemarketing facilities, and a factory that does metal fabrication and plastics molding.[7]
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The town was laid out in 1790, and its post office was opened on September 1, 1870.
In 1772, the Cox brothers, Friend, Israel, and Jonathan, madetomahawk rights claims totaling 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) in the area now including Wellsburg. In March 1788, Charles Prather purchased 481 acres (1.95 km2) from the Cox heirs for $3,000. In 1791, Prather petitioned Ohio County to incorporate the town of Charlestown, Virginia, naming it after himself. The original name continued until 1816, when it was changed to Wellsburg, to avoid confusion withCharles Town, Jefferson County. The new name was in honor of Alexander Wells, Charles Prather's son-in-law, builder of the first large flour warehouse in the east. Late in 1890, nearby Midway and Lazearville were annexed to Wellsburg.[7][8]
Wellsburg was the home ofPatrick Gass, the last surviving member of the Lewis and Clark expedition and author of a memoir of the famous journey. Here also was the home ofJoseph Doddridge, author ofNotes on the Settlement and Indian Wars.[9] In 1832, the originalGrimes Golden apple tree was found just east of Wellsburg. The first glass factory in Western Virginia was built at Wellsburg in 1813.[7]
Wellsburg has anumber of entries on theNational Register of Historic Places. The most notable areMiller's Tavern andWellsburg Wharf. TheWellsburg Historic District was listed in 1982.[10]
Wellsburg is located at40°16′39″N80°36′34″W / 40.27750°N 80.60944°W /40.27750; -80.60944 (40.277370, -80.609349),[11] along theOhio River.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.34 square miles (3.47 km2), of which 0.98 square miles (2.54 km2) is land and 0.36 square miles (0.93 km2) is water.[12]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 1,366 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,815 | 32.9% | |
| 1890 | 2,235 | 23.1% | |
| 1900 | 2,588 | 15.8% | |
| 1910 | 4,189 | 61.9% | |
| 1920 | 4,918 | 17.4% | |
| 1930 | 6,398 | 30.1% | |
| 1940 | 6,255 | −2.2% | |
| 1950 | 5,787 | −7.5% | |
| 1960 | 5,514 | −4.7% | |
| 1970 | 4,600 | −16.6% | |
| 1980 | 3,963 | −13.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,385 | −14.6% | |
| 2000 | 2,891 | −14.6% | |
| 2010 | 2,805 | −3.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,455 | −12.5% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 2,401 | [3] | −2.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[13] | |||
As of thecensus[14] of 2010, there were 2,805 people, 1,312 households, and 767 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 2,862.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,105.1/km2). There were 1,463 housing units at an average density of 1,492.9 units per square mile (576.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.3%White, 1.9%African American, 0.1%Native American, 0.2%Asian, 0.4% fromother races, and 1.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
There were 1,312 households, of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% weremarried couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.5% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.76.
The median age in the city was 48.3 years. 17.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 30.5% were from 45 to 64; and 22.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.
As of thecensus[4] of 2000, there were 2,891 people, 1,361 households, and 815 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 3,104.0 people per square mile (1,198.5 people/km2). There were 1,493 housing units at an average density of 1,603.0 units per square mile (618.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.68%White, 2.01%African American, 0.10%Native American, 0.10%Asian, 0.03% fromother races, and 1.07% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.24% of the population.
There were 1,361 households, out of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% weremarried couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 17.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,298, and the median income for a family was $36,750. Males had a median income of $29,808 versus $18,707 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $18,498. About 11.4% of families and 14.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
The county high school isBrooke High School, part ofBrooke County Schools. Wellsburg has one primary school and one middle school, with the county's consolidated high school and Alternate Learning Center situated nearby. Brooke County Public Library is also located in Wellsburg.[7]
40°16′39″N80°36′34″W / 40.27737°N 80.609349°W /40.27737; -80.609349
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