Wetzel County, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
 Wetzel County Courthouse | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWest Virginia | |
 West Virginia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:39°37′N80°38′W / 39.61°N 80.64°W /39.61; -80.64 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  West Virginia |
| Founded | January 10, 1846 |
| Named after | Lewis Wetzel |
| Seat | New Martinsville |
| Largest city | New Martinsville |
| Area | |
• Total | 361 sq mi (930 km2) |
| • Land | 358 sq mi (930 km2) |
| • Water | 3.3 sq mi (8.5 km2) 0.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 14,442 |
• Estimate (2024) | 13,766 |
| • Density | 40.3/sq mi (15.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
Wetzel County is acounty in theU.S. state ofWest Virginia. As of the2020 census, the population was 14,442.[1] Itscounty seat isNew Martinsville.[2] The county, founded in 1846, is named forLewis Wetzel, a famous frontiersman andIndian fighter.[3] Its northern border aligns with theMason-Dixon line, but is to the west ofthe line's western terminus.
Wetzel County was formed in 1846 from part ofTyler County, Virginia. On June 20, 1863, at the height of theCivil War, Wetzel was one of fifty Virginia counties admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia.
Later that year, 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.[4] Wetzel County was divided into six districts: Center,[i] Church, Grant, Green, Magnolia, and Proctor. A seventh district, Clay, was formed in the 1880s. New Martinsville, thecounty seat, was in Magnolia District. Except for minor adjustments, the seven historic magisterial districts remained largely unchanged for a century, until the 1980s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: District 1, District 2, and District 3.[5]
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According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 361 square miles (930 km2), of which 358 square miles (930 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.9%) is water.[6]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 4,284 | — | |
| 1860 | 6,703 | 56.5% | |
| 1870 | 8,595 | 28.2% | |
| 1880 | 13,896 | 61.7% | |
| 1890 | 16,841 | 21.2% | |
| 1900 | 22,880 | 35.9% | |
| 1910 | 23,855 | 4.3% | |
| 1920 | 23,069 | −3.3% | |
| 1930 | 22,334 | −3.2% | |
| 1940 | 22,342 | 0.0% | |
| 1950 | 20,154 | −9.8% | |
| 1960 | 19,347 | −4.0% | |
| 1970 | 20,314 | 5.0% | |
| 1980 | 21,874 | 7.7% | |
| 1990 | 19,258 | −12.0% | |
| 2000 | 17,693 | −8.1% | |
| 2010 | 16,583 | −6.3% | |
| 2020 | 14,442 | −12.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 13,766 | [7] | −4.7% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, there were 14,442 people and 5,603 households residing in the county. There were 7,254 housing units in Wetzel. The racial makeup of the county was 95.2%White, 0.3%Asian, 0.2%African American, 0.1%Native American, 0.3% fromother races, and 3.7% fromtwo or more races.Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1% of the population.
Of the 9,912 households, 47.2% were married couples living together, 27.2% had a female householder with no spouse present, 19.4% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.25. The median age in the county was 46.4 years with 20.4% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $47,611 and the poverty rate was 18.8%.[12]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 16,583 people, 6,968 households, and 4,768 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 46.3 inhabitants per square mile (17.9/km2). There were 8,173 housing units at an average density of 22.8 units per square mile (8.8 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 98.7% white, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 27.5% wereGerman, 16.0% wereIrish, 12.8% wereAmerican, and 12.4% wereEnglish.[15]
Of the 6,968 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.6% were non-families, and 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 44.8 years.[13]
The median income for a household in the county was $36,636 and the median income for a family was $48,523. Males had a median income of $45,833 versus $25,033 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,899. About 13.1% of families and 17.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.[16]
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 17,693 people, 7,164 households, and 5,079 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 49 people per square mile (19 people/km2). There were 8,313 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.92%White, 0.08%Black orAfrican American, 0.10%Native American, 0.32%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.03% fromother races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 7,164 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% weremarried couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,935, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $37,296 versus $19,339 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,818. About 15.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 26.60% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.
Wetzel County was a rarity among northern West Virginia counties in supporting secession atthe Virginia Secession Convention,[17] and it reliably supported Democratic presidential candidates for the next ninety years.[18] The first Republican to carry Wetzel County wasHerbert Hoover in 1928 due to anti-Catholicism, but the county afterwards stayed Democratic until 1952.[18] Since that time Wetzel County has followed the politics of West Virginia: a Democratic-leaning state up to the Clinton Era, after which the Democratic Party's consistent shift to social-liberal positions and support of green policies – an antithesis to the region's traditional economy – have caused Wetzel County to trend rapidly toward the Republican Party.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 1,092 | 23.24% | 2,710 | 57.68% | 896 | 19.07% |
| 1916 | 1,910 | 39.92% | 2,797 | 58.47% | 77 | 1.61% |
| 1920 | 3,619 | 46.37% | 4,103 | 52.58% | 82 | 1.05% |
| 1924 | 3,458 | 39.60% | 4,998 | 57.24% | 276 | 3.16% |
| 1928 | 4,428 | 51.86% | 4,052 | 47.45% | 59 | 0.69% |
| 1932 | 3,351 | 35.10% | 6,118 | 64.08% | 78 | 0.82% |
| 1936 | 3,770 | 36.74% | 6,463 | 62.98% | 29 | 0.28% |
| 1940 | 4,443 | 44.28% | 5,590 | 55.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 3,604 | 45.40% | 4,335 | 54.60% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 3,326 | 42.48% | 4,477 | 57.18% | 26 | 0.33% |
| 1952 | 4,476 | 50.57% | 4,375 | 49.43% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 5,024 | 56.88% | 3,809 | 43.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 5,149 | 54.27% | 4,338 | 45.73% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,215 | 34.01% | 6,239 | 65.99% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,122 | 46.06% | 4,038 | 45.12% | 789 | 8.82% |
| 1972 | 6,046 | 64.86% | 3,276 | 35.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 3,793 | 42.93% | 5,042 | 57.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 3,588 | 44.77% | 4,035 | 50.34% | 392 | 4.89% |
| 1984 | 4,626 | 56.37% | 3,549 | 43.24% | 32 | 0.39% |
| 1988 | 3,381 | 46.00% | 3,928 | 53.44% | 41 | 0.56% |
| 1992 | 2,271 | 29.89% | 3,753 | 49.40% | 1,573 | 20.71% |
| 1996 | 2,037 | 32.45% | 3,209 | 51.12% | 1,031 | 16.43% |
| 2000 | 3,239 | 51.51% | 2,849 | 45.31% | 200 | 3.18% |
| 2004 | 3,656 | 51.95% | 3,330 | 47.31% | 52 | 0.74% |
| 2008 | 3,342 | 51.78% | 2,942 | 45.58% | 170 | 2.63% |
| 2012 | 3,473 | 59.11% | 2,217 | 37.74% | 185 | 3.15% |
| 2016 | 4,519 | 71.59% | 1,359 | 21.53% | 434 | 6.88% |
| 2020 | 4,993 | 74.87% | 1,539 | 23.08% | 137 | 2.05% |
| 2024 | 4,718 | 76.49% | 1,294 | 20.98% | 156 | 2.53% |
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In the mid-to-late 19th century a band similar to the James Gang of legend existed that was known as the Jennings Gang. A number of robberies and murders were accounted to this gang. They were known to be located near the head ofDoolin Run near Tarpan Ridge. The home they occupied was found to have an escape tunnel that had been used to escape capture on several occasions. A local group of citizens known as the "Redmen" ultimately cornered the gang at this home and a number of the members were killed. A detailed description exists in the Wetzel County History written approximately in 1900.
The oldest oil well location known is of one drilled on Long Run near Doolin Run which reached oil at a depth about 360 ft.
Wetzel County has a long history in the Oil and Gas producing industry. During the Oil boom of the 19th century it is reported that the Proctor Creek watershed had 12 saloons and numerous livery/hotels to accommodate the hundreds of logging and oil field workers.
39°37′N80°38′W / 39.61°N 80.64°W /39.61; -80.64
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Places adjacent to Wetzel County, West Virginia | |
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Municipalities and communities ofWetzel County, West Virginia,United States | ||
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| Towns | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
