Williamstown, West Virginia

Not to be confused with Williamson, West Virginia.
Williamstown, West Virginia
City

Highland Avenue in Williamstown in 2007, as viewed from the south end of the Williamstown Bridge

Location of Williamstown, West Virginia
Coordinates: 39°23′58″N 81°27′2″W / 39.39944°N 81.45056°W / 39.39944; -81.45056Coordinates: 39°23′58″N 81°27′2″W / 39.39944°N 81.45056°W / 39.39944; -81.45056
Country United States
State West Virginia
County Wood
Area[1]
 • Total 1.79 sq mi (4.64 km2)
 • Land 1.38 sq mi (3.57 km2)
 • Water 0.41 sq mi (1.06 km2)
Elevation 633 ft (193 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 2,908
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 2,911
 • Density 2,107.2/sq mi (813.6/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 26187
Area code(s) 304
FIPS code 54-87556[4]
GNIS feature ID 1555989[5]

Williamstown is a city in Wood County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna metropolitan area. The population was 2,908 at the 2010 census.[6] The Fenton Art Glass Company is located in the city.

History

Williamstown was named for Isaac Williams, an 18th-century settler.[7]

Located at Williamstown is the Tomlinson Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[8] Located near Williamstown is the Henderson Hall Historic District.[8]

Geography

Williamstown is located at 39°23′58″N 81°27′2″W / 39.39944°N 81.45056°W / 39.39944; -81.45056 (39.399574, -81.450558).[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.79 square miles (4.64 km2), of which 1.38 square miles (3.57 km2) is land and 0.41 square miles (1.06 km2) is water.[1]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860209—
187028234.9%
1880198−29.8%
189037689.9%
19101,139—
19201,79357.4%
19301,657−7.6%
19401,6871.8%
19502,00118.6%
19602,63231.5%
19702,7434.2%
19803,09512.8%
19902,774−10.4%
20002,9968.0%
20102,908−2.9%
Est. 20142,936[10]1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,908 people, 1,254 households, and 848 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,107.2 inhabitants per square mile (813.6/km2). There were 1,352 housing units at an average density of 979.7 per square mile (378.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 1,254 households of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.4% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 44 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 30.5% were from 45 to 64; and 18.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,996 people, 1,251 households, and 876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,233.5 people per square mile (863.3/km²). There were 1,330 housing units at an average density of 991.5 per square mile (383.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.26% White, 0.20% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.

There were 4,123 households out of which 2.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 69.9% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $54,818, and the median income for a family was $44,189. Males had a median income of $39,475 versus $21,415 for females. The per capita income for the city was $28,219. About 7.0% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

There are two elementary schools that feed into Williamstown High School, home of the "Yellow Jackets": Waverly Elementary, located in Waverly, and Williamstown Elementary. The high school has approximately 625 students. Wood County Christian School is also located within the city limits of Williamstown, with students from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade.

Local events and culture

Williamstown Bridge

Since 1976, the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival has been a major event on both sides of the Ohio River, in the towns of Williamstown and Marietta, Ohio. The celebration was created around the races of the sternwheelers (also known as the paddle steamer) that the Mid-Ohio Valley is known for, and today there are pageants, live music, food and a grand fireworks display. The event brings many local community members back to the area around the Labor Day weekend in the month of September.

The start of the Williamstown Fireman's Ice Cream Social was in 1944. This is also a form of homecoming for many local citizens. Many come home to gather for the hot dogs, donated cakes and other desserts from community members, ice cream and popcorn. It is also a time where many Williamstown High School alumni will hold and center their reunion events around the Friday night in July. The firemen put the event on to bring the community together and over a hundred gallons of ice cream each year . The Fire Company of Williamstown hold the social in Tomlinson Park as a fundraiser for the volunteer organization. The money brought in is needed for updates on equipment and training. They annually raise between $7,000-$8,000. However, most of the general sum of money comes purely from donations given and not the sale of food.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Williamstown has a Humid continental climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[12]

Climate data for Williamstown, West Virginia
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 18
(64)		 4
(39)		 6
(43)		 12
(53)		 18
(65)		 23
(74)		 28
(82)		 29
(85)		 25
(77)		 19
(66)		 12
(54)		 6
(43)		 16.7
(62.1)
Average low °C (°F) −5
(23)		 −4
(25)		 1
(33)		 6
(42)		 11
(51)		 16
(60)		 18
(64)		 17
(63)		 13
(56)		 7
(44)		 2
(36)		 −3
(27)		 6.6
(43.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 81
(3.2)		 71
(2.8)		 97
(3.8)		 86
(3.4)		 100
(4)		 97
(3.8)		 112
(4.4)		 97
(3.8)		 80
(3)		 71
(2.8)		 79
(3.1)		 80
(3)		 1,051
(41.1)
Source: Weatherbase [13]

Fenton Glass

Founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. and John W. Fenton, the Fenton Art Glass Company is the largest manufacturer of hand made glass in the United States. The firm is now led by third- and fourth-generation Fenton family members.

After officials of Fenton Art Glass announced the fifth generation family company would shut down the 100-year-old factory at the end of 2007, thousands of loyal Fenton customers reacted with an outpouring of orders, selling out the QVC show that was to be its last in just minutes instead of the scheduled 2-hour show. Fenton is now open and working to stay open; tours are run daily through the gift shop and orders are placed online, on QVC and via its decades-old catalog. Fenton Art Glass Company has officially stopped making glass.

As of May 24, 2012 completion the sale of selected assets as scheduled. This included the sale of the name and logo, the formulas for the glass, molds and other materials that were used by the company. However, today the company now makes handcrafted glass jewelry; including beads and Teardrop earrings. The jewelry is made in many of the classic Fenton colors and styles popular with collectors.

References

  1. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  2. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  4. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ "American Fact Finder". Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  7. ↑ Capace, Nancy (1999). Encyclopedia of West Virginia. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-403-09843-9.
  8. 1 2 Staff (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. ↑ Climate Summary for Williamstown, West Virginia
  13. ↑ "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on September 14, 2013.
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