Randolph County is a

county A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposes Chambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...

located in the U.S. state of

West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the ...

. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,932. Its

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US ...

is Elkins. The county was founded in 1787 and is named for Edmund Jennings Randolph. Randolph County comprises the Elkins, West Virginia, Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The first attempt by whites at settlement in present-day Randolph County came in 1752 or '53 when David Tygart — for whom the Tygart Valley River was named — and Robert Foyle (later called Files) located (separately) with their families in the vicinity of present-day Beverly. Although there had been no recent history of conflicts between whites and Indians in that immediate area, that summer a party of Indians traveling the Shawnee Trail discovered the Foyle cabin and killed seven members of the family. One son escaped and alerted the Tygart family, allowing all to escape. (The Tygart-Foyle settlements were the first white settlements attempted anywhere within the

Monongahela River The Monongahela River ( , )—often referred to locally as the Mon ()—is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed August 15, 2011 river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-c ...

watershed in present-day West Virginia.) No other white settlement was attempted in present Randolph until 1772. Thomas Skidmore (''ca.'' 1733–1807), born in Maryland, obtained a title to 400 acres of land (“by virtue of a settlement”) in the future Elkins area before 1778. This land, on the east side of the Tygart Valley River, was surveyed by John Poage in 1780 and included the land that is now most of downtown Elkins. Thus, Skidmore was probably the first white settler in what became Elkins. When Randolph County,

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

( now West Virginia) was created out of the vast Harrison County on October 16, 1787, it included not only present-day Randolph County, but parts of what are now eight other counties. It took its name from the surname of the then Governor of Virginia. The name of the new county seat, originally Randolph Court House, or Edmundton (the latter from the Governor's given name), was changed to Beverly by 1790. Beverly remained the county seat until 1890 when county government was moved to Elkins. Minor actions of the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and t ...

which took place in Randolph County include the Battle of Rich Mountain and a part of the Battle of Cheat Mountain, both in 1861. These operations came in the course of the Western Virginia Campaign. Randolph was one of fifty Virginia counties that were admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863. Later that year, the new state's counties were divided into

civil township A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States that is subordinate to a county, most often in the northern and midwestern parts of the country. The term town is used in New England, New York, and Wisconsin to ref ...

s, 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. Randolph County was divided into nine districts: Beverly, Clarke, Clay, Dry Fork, Green, Mingo Flats, Reynolds, Scott, and Union. Several of these were renamed during the 1870s: Clark became Valley Bend, Clay became New Interest, Green became Leadsville, Mingo Flats was abbreviated to Mingo, Reynolds became Huttonsville, Scott became Roaring Creek, and Union became Middle Fork.

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of th ...

, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.

Geography

According to the

, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.03%) is water. It is the largest county in West Virginia by area.

Rivers

* Tygart Valley River * Shavers Fork * Laurel Fork

Mountains

*Point Mountain * Cheat Mountain ** White Top, a knob of Cheat Mountain * Laurel Mountain * Rich Mountain * Shavers Mountain **

Gaudineer Knob Gaudineer Knob is a mountain summit on the Randolph/ Pocahontas County line in eastern West Virginia, USA. It is the highest elevation (4,449 ft/1,356 m) of Shavers Mountain, a ridge of the Alleghenies, and is located about east of Cheat ...

, a knob of Shavers Mountain

Caves and caverns

* Bowden Cave * Sinks of Gandy

National Natural Landmarks

* Blister Run Swamp *

Gaudineer Scenic Area The Gaudineer Scenic Area (GSA) is a scenic area and National Natural Landmark in the Monongahela National Forest (MNF). It is situated just north of Gaudineer Knob of Shavers Mountain on the border of Randolph and Pocahontas Counties, West Vir ...

* Shavers Mountain Spruce-Hemlock Stand

Major highways

Adjacent counties

* Tucker County (northeast) * Pendleton County (east) * Pocahontas County (south) * Webster County (southwest) * Upshur County (west) * Barbour County (northwest)

National protected area

* Monongahela National Forest (part) * United States National Radio Quiet Zone (part)

Demographics

2000 census

As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses inc ...

of 2000, there were 28,262 people, 11,072 households, and 7,661 families living in the county. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopu ...

was 27 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 13,478 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.69%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White ...

, 1.07%

Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ha ...

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

, 0.16% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.01%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/ racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...

, 0.16% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...

or Latino of any race. There were 11,072 households, out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...

living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% 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 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males. The median income for a household in the county was $27,299, and the median income for a family was $32,632. Males had a median income of $24,751 versus $17,819 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the county was $14,918. About 13.40% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 24.30% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the

2010 United States census The United States census of 2010 was the twenty-third United States national census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2010. The census was taken via mail-in citizen self-reporting, with enumerators serving ...

, there were 29,405 people, 11,695 households, and 7,753 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 14,189 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 1.2% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.3% were

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

, 15.9% were Irish, 12.0% were

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

, 10.2% were

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

, and 5.4% were Italian. Of the 11,695 households, 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.7% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 43.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $36,176 and the median income for a family was $47,071. Males had a median income of $34,903 versus $25,988 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,472. About 12.7% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the

, including 26.1% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Communities

City

* Elkins (county seat)

Towns

* Beverly * Harman * Huttonsville * Mill Creek * Montrose * Womelsdorf (Coalton)

Magisterial districts

*Beverly *Dry Fork *Huttonsville *Leadsville *Middle Fork *Mingo *New Interest *Roaring Creek *Valley Bend

Census-designated places

* Bowden *

Dailey Dailey is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: ;Entertainment *Dan Dailey (1915–1978), American actor and dancer *Irene Dailey (1920–2008), American actress * Peter F. Dailey (1868–1908), American burlesque comedian * Will Daile ...

* East Dailey * Helvetia * Pickens * Valley Bend * Valley Head * Whitmer

Unincorporated communities

Adolph Adolf (also spelt Adolph or Adolphe, Adolfo and when Latinised Adolphus) is a given name used in German-speaking countries, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Flanders, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Latin America and to a lesser extent in var ...

* Aggregates * Alpena * Arnold Hill * Bemis * Brady Gate * Bruxton * Canfield * Cassity * Crystal Springs * Czar * Dryfork * Elkins Junction * Elkwater * Ellamore *

Evenwood Evenwood is a village in County Durham, in England. It is situated to the south west of Bishop Auckland. It is in the civil parish of Evenwood and Barony, which has a population of 2,534 falling to 2,455 at the 2011 Census. A former coal mini ...

Faulkner William Cuthbert Faulkner (; September 25, 1897 – July 6, 1962) was an American writer known for his novels and short stories set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, based on Lafayette County, Mississippi, where Faulkner spent most of ...

* Glady * Horton * Jimtown * Kerens * Little Italy * Mabie * Mingo * Monterville * Newlonton * Norton * Osceola * Pumpkintown * Read *

Spangler Spangler is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Aaron Spangler (born 1971), American sculptor and printmaker * Al Spangler (born 1933), American baseball player *Amy Spangler (born 1949), American breastfeeding activist and consu ...

* Sullivan * Tigheville * Upper Mingo * Weaver * Whyte

Notable people

Herman Ball Herman Ball (May 9, 1910 – January 12, 1999) was a football player and coach who was a long-time assistant in the National Football League and served as head coach of the Washington Redskins from 1949 to 1951. A native of Elkins, West Virgi ...

, football player * Lemuel Chenoweth, master covered bridge builder *

William Wallace Barron William Wallace Barron (December 8, 1911 – November 12, 2002) was an American Democratic politician in West Virginia. He was the state's 26th Governor from 1961 to 1965. Life and career He was born in Elkins, West Virginia. He attended Washi ...

, former governor who was indicted for bribery and jury tampering. * Dellos Clinton "Sheriff" Gainer, major league baseball player * Marshall Goldberg, football player *

Wilma Lee Cooper Wilma Lee Leary (February 7, 1921 – September 13, 2011), known professionally as Wilma Lee Cooper, was an American country music entertainer. She was a guitarist, banjo player and vocalist, and was given the title of “First Lady of Bluegrass ...

Grand Ole Opry and WWVA Jamboree star *

Stoney Cooper Dale Troy Cooper (October 16, 1918 – March 22, 1977), known professionally as Stoney Cooper, was an American country star and member of the Grand Ole Opry. He played the fiddle and the guitar. Biography Cooper was the son of Kenny and Stella ...

, Grand Ole Opry and WWVA Jamboree star * Eldora Marie Bolyard Nuzum, American newspaper editor and interviewer of U.S. Presidents

References

{{authority control 1787 establishments in Virginia Populated places established in 1787 Counties of Appalachia