Lewis County, West Virginia

Lewis County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,033. Its county seat is Weston. The county was formed in 1816 from Harrison County.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.2%) is water.

In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into civil townships, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts. Lewis County was initially divided into five townships: Battelle, Jane Lew, Lincoln, Sheridan, and Willey. Between 1870 and 1880, these were renamed "Collins Settlement", "Court House", "Freemans Creek", "Hackers Creek", and "Skin Creek". In the 1990s, Collins Settlement and Court House Districts were consolidated into one district, known as "Courthouse-Collins Settlement"; Hackers Creek and Skin Creek were also consolidated, forming "Hackers Creek-Skin Creek".United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.

Major highways

* Interstate 79
* U.S. Highway 19
* U.S. Highway 48
* U.S. Highway 33/ 119
* West Virginia Route 4

Adjacent counties

* Harrison County (north)
* Upshur County (east)
* Webster County (south)
*Braxton County (southwest)
* Gilmer County (west)
* Doddridge County (northwest)

Demographics

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,919 people, 6,946 households, and 4,806 families living in the county. The population density was 44 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 7,944 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.59% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,946 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% 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 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,066, and the median income for a family was $32,431. Males had a median income of $27,906 versus $18,733 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,933. 19.90% of the population and 16.30% of families were below the poverty line. 27.00% of those under the age of 18 and 11.20% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 16,372 people, 6,863 households, and 4,570 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 7,958 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.9% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.5% were American, 15.0% were German, 9.9% were Irish, and 7.2% were English.

Of the 6,863 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.4% were non-families, and 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 43.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,293 and the median income for a family was $42,281. Males had a median income of $31,950 versus $25,945 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,240. About 13.6% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Communities

City

* Weston (county seat)

Town

* Jane Lew

Magisterial districts

*Courthouse-Collins Settlement
*Freemans Creek
*Hackers Creek-Skin Creek

Unincorporated communities

*Aberdeen
* Alkires Mills
* Alum Bridge
*Arnold
* Aspinall
* Bablin
* Bealls Mills
* Ben Dale
*Bennett
*Berlin
* Brownsville
* Butchersville
* Camden
* Churchville
* Copley
* Cox Town
* Crawford
* Emmart
* Freemansburg
*Gaston
* Georgetown
* Homewood
* Horner
*Ireland
* Jackson Mill
* Jacksonville
* Kitsonville
* Lightburn
* McGuire Park
* Orlando
* Pickle Street
* Roanoke
* Turnertown
* Walkersville
* Valley Chapel
* Vadis

See also

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Lewis County, West Virginia
* Stonewall Jackson Lake
* Stonewall Resort State Park
* Lewis County Schools

Footnotes

References

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1816 establishments in Virginia
Populated places established in 1816
Counties of Appalachia