Ritchie County, West Virginia

Ritchie County, West Virginia

Map of West Virginia highlighting Ritchie County
Location in the state of West Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting West Virginia
West Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded February 18, 1843
Named for Thomas Ritchie
Seat Harrisville
Largest town Harrisville
Area
 • Total 454 sq mi (1,176 km2)
 • Land 452 sq mi (1,171 km2)
 • Water 1.7 sq mi (4 km2), 0.4%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 9,982
 • Density 22/sq mi (8/km²)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.ritchiecounty.wv.gov

Ritchie County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 10,449.[1] Its county seat is Harrisville.[2] The county was created in 1843 by the Virginia General Assembly and named for Richmond newspaper publisher Thomas Ritchie.[3]

History

In 1911, historian Minnie Kendall Lowther published "The History of Ritchie County." Her book is still regarded as one of the most comprehensive histories of any county in West Virginia.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 454 square miles (1,180 km2), of which 452 square miles (1,170 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.4%) is water.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18503,902—
18606,84775.5%
18709,05532.2%
188013,47448.8%
189016,62123.4%
190018,90113.7%
191017,875−5.4%
192016,506−7.7%
193015,594−5.5%
194015,389−1.3%
195012,535−18.5%
196010,877−13.2%
197010,145−6.7%
198011,44212.8%
199010,233−10.6%
200010,3431.1%
201010,4491.0%
Est. 20159,982[6]−4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2015[1]

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 10,343 people, 4,184 households, and 2,999 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 5,513 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.68% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,184 households out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% 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 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,332, and the median income for a family was $34,809. Males had a median income of $28,147 versus $18,149 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,175. About 14.30% of families and 19.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.60% of those under age 18 and 14.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,449 people, 4,367 households, and 2,960 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 23.1 inhabitants per square mile (8.9/km2). There were 5,843 housing units at an average density of 12.9 per square mile (5.0/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 98.7% white, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 20.3% were German, 14.6% were Irish, 13.2% were American, and 11.3% were English.[14]

Of the 4,367 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.2% were non-families, and 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 44.3 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,619 and the median income for a family was $39,919. Males had a median income of $31,807 versus $23,966 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,255. About 13.9% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Politics

Presidential election results[16]
Year Republican Democrat
2012 77.07% 2,921 20.26% 768
2008 72.31% 2,781 25.95% 998
2004 73.55% 3,086 25.50% 1,070
2000 71.27% 2,717 26.86% 1,024

Notable sights

Communities

City

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ http://www.wvculture.org/history/counties/ritchie.html
  4. ↑ "September 18, 1947: Historian Minnie Kendall Lowther Dies in Harrisville". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. 2015-08-26. Retrieved 2015-09-20.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  12. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  13. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  14. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  15. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  16. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved 2016-04-10.
 Wood County Pleasants County Tyler County
Wirt County Doddridge County
   Ritchie County, West Virginia  
Calhoun County Gilmer County

Coordinates: 39°11′N 81°04′W / 39.18°N 81.07°W / 39.18; -81.07

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