英文互译镜像站

Wood County, West Virginia

Last updated

Wood County, West Virginia
County
Wood County Courthouse Parkersburg West Virginia.jpg
Wood County Courthouse
Parkersburg view from Quincy Hill.jpg
Quincy Hill Overlook
Blennerhassett Hotel (25768559045).jpg
Blennerhassett Hotel
Blennerhassett Mansion retouched.jpg
Blennerhassett Mansion
Map of West Virginia highlighting Wood County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
Coordinates: 39°13′N81°31′W / 39.21°N 81.51°W / 39.21; -81.51
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of West Virginia.svg West Virginia
FoundedDecember 21, 1798
Named after James Wood
Seat Parkersburg
Largest cityParkersburg
Area
 • Total
377 sq mi (980 km2)
 • Land367 sq mi (950 km2)
 • Water11 sq mi (28 km2)  2.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
84,296
 • Estimate 
(2023)
83,052 Decrease2.svg
 • Density230/sq mi (88.7/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website www.woodcountywv.com
First courthouse in Wood County (ca. 1802), sketch by Joseph H. Diss Debar Diss Debar5.jpg
First courthouse in Wood County (ca. 1802), sketch by Joseph H. Diss Debar

Wood County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 84,296, [1] making it West Virginia's fifth-most populous county. Its county seat is Parkersburg. [2] The county was formed in 1798 from the western part of Harrison County and named for James Wood, governor of Virginia from 1796 to 1799. [3]

Contents

Wood County is part of the Parkersburg-Vienna, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

1700s

Early European Settlement

After surviving a conflict with the local Native American tribes from 1791 to 1795, the area that would become Wood County entered an era of steady but slow expansion and development. Many early settlers had come from the Tidewater Region of Virginia, bringing with them Southern culture and the practice of slavery, using enslaved people to establish plantations. [4] Barbecues and horse racing were common activities among the early settlers. [5]

Wood County was formed on December 21, 1798, from portions of Harrison County. It was named for the then Governor of Virginia (1796–99), James Wood, formerly a brigadier general in the American Revolutionary War.

Blennerhassett Island and the Burr Conspiracy

Harman Blennerhassett, an Anglo-Irish aristocrat, purchased Blennerhassett Island in 1798, where he built Blennerhassett Mansion. Harman Blennerhassett was known for hosting lavish parties that attracted many high-profile guests. One of the most famous visitors was Aaron Burr. Aaron Burr's relationship with Harman Blennerhassett eventually led to the island being the headquarters for the Burr Conspiracy, with Harman providing financial support and men to Burr. [6]

When word of the Burr Conspiracy leaked out, both Harman Blennerhassett and Aaron Burr fled the island before the Ohio Militia raided the island in 1806. Both were later arrested, however the Supreme Court ruled that Burr's plot did not fit the definition of treason. Harman Blennerhassett never regained his wealth after the incident. A fire then burned Blennerhassett Mansion to the ground in 1811, even further complicating the financial issues of the Blennerhassetts. [7]

Harman Blennerhassett tried to regain his fortunes by establishing a cotton plantation in Mississippi, but crop failures doomed the venture. Harman eventually returned to Ireland where he lived off the charity of his relatives. He died in poverty in 1831. [8]

1800s

The economy of Wood County was boosted by the completion of two turnpikes by 1847 and the arrival of the Northwestern Virginia Railroad in Parkersburg a decade later. The discovery of oil in the area led to additional economic growth. As a result, Wood County attracted a diverse population, including the largest Irish Catholic, German, and Jewish settlements between Wheeling and Huntington. [9]

Civil War

In 1861, Virginia seceded from the Union. After Wood County received news of the secession via telegraph, a riot ensued at Courthouse Square. Fighting between Unionists and secessionists occurred, and the county militia attempted to seize the two cannons provided to them by the State of Virginia in 1860. The county militia then split into two factions, divided by their sympathies. [10] During the Civil War, Wood County was deeply divided, with large numbers of men serving on both sides. [11]

In July 1862, after sixteen Moccasin Rangers were spotted resting at Tygart Creek, a rumor spread that there was a Confederate invasion force preparing to march onto Parkersburg. Three Parkersburg residents then reported a supposed army of 500 men marching towards Parkersburg. While the town panicked, an extraordinary court was formed to deal with the imaginary army marching onto the town. The Wood County Court appointed a committee of three, consisting of two Confederates and one Unionist, to head south and negotiate with the army. The three then encountered a Union picket line and were fired upon before being arrested and taken back to Parkersburg. [12]

The delegates of the 40 western counties who opposed secession formed their own government and seceded from the Confederate state of Virginia. West Virginia was granted statehood in 1863. Later that year, 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. [13] Wood County was divided into ten districts: Clay, Harris, Lubeck, Parkersburg, Slate, Steele, Tygart, Union, Walker, and Williams. [14]

1900s

Flooding

Flooding in Wood County was a major issue for its inhabitants. Major floods occurred annually, [15] with the most devastating flood for Wood County being the Flood of 1913. On March 29, 1913, the Ohio River crested at 58.9 feet, causing millions of dollars in damage and catching many by surprise. In addition to the flood, Parkersburg officials were fighting a fire that destroyed an entire city block. Four banks were forced to relocate from Parkersburg and the city was left isolated for four days without telegraph, telephone, or rail service. Parkersburg received no federal aid. However, the National Guard was summoned. [16]

2010s

Klan rally held at Mountwood Park

Mountwood Park was the site of a Ku Klux Klan rally in 2014. Armed guards were present, local Grand Dragon John Himmler said it was to keep the "unwanted" out. Wood County Sherriff Ken Merritt said that there was no law prohibiting open carrying firearms at the park. Wood County Parks Director Jeremy Cross said he did know about the nature of the event until after it had happened. The gathering was announced through flyers months prior to the rally. Himmler said about 40 Klan members attended the rally, along with around 15 prospecting members. Himmler later said he would like to see the Ku Klux Klan be more active in the area, including community service, to show people “another side of the coin.” [17]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 377 square miles (980 km2), of which 366 square miles (950 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (2.8%) is water. [18]

Wood County's northern and western boundary is the Ohio River. The Little Kanawha River flows northwestward through the county to its mouth at the Ohio River in Parkersburg. Tributaries of the Little Kanawha River in Wood County include Worthington Creek, Tygart Creek, Beeson Run and Walker Creek. [19]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1800 1,217—
1810 3,036149.5%
1820 5,86093.0%
1830 6,4299.7%
1840 7,92323.2%
1850 9,45019.3%
1860 11,04616.9%
1870 19,00072.0%
1880 25,00631.6%
1890 28,61214.4%
1900 34,45220.4%
1910 38,00110.3%
1920 42,30611.3%
1930 56,52133.6%
1940 62,39910.4%
1950 66,5406.6%
1960 78,33117.7%
1970 86,81810.8%
1980 93,6487.9%
1990 86,915−7.2%
2000 87,9861.2%
2010 86,956−1.2%
2020 84,296−3.1%
2023 (est.)83,052 [20] Decrease2.svg−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [21]
1790–1960 [22] 1900–1990 [23]
1990–2000 [24] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 84,296. Of the residents, 20.6% were under the age of 18 and 20.9% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.3 males. [25] [26]

The racial makeup of the county was 92.7% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.5% from some other race, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.4% of the population. [26]

There were 36,192 households in the county; 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 28.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present, and 23.1% had a male householder with no spouse present. About 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household and family size was 2.86. [25]

There were 40,304 housing units, of which 10.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.0% were owner-occupied and 29.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.0%. [25]

The median income for a household was $54,750 and the poverty rate was 12.9%. [27]

Wood County, West Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000 [28] Pop 2010 [29] Pop 2020 [30] % 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)85,24783,35277,71896.89%95.86%92.20%
Black or African American alone (NH)8589401,0160.98%1.08%1.21%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1821841480.21%0.21%0.18%
Asian alone (NH)4484685640.51%0.54%0.67%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)2628170.03%0.03%0.02%
Other race alone (NH)58702090.07%0.08%0.25%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)6531,1703,4500.74%1.35%4.09%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)5147441,1740.58%0.86%1.39%
Total87,98686,95684,296100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 86,956 people, 36,571 households, and 24,262 families living in the county. [31] The population density was 237.4 inhabitants per square mile (91.7/km2). There were 40,215 housing units at an average density of 109.8 units per square mile (42.4 units/km2). [32] The racial makeup of the county was 96.4% white, 1.1% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population. [31] In terms of ancestry, 22.3% were German, 19.6% were American, 13.7% were English, and 13.6% were Irish. [33]

Of the 36,571 households, 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% 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 2.35 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 42.2 years. [31]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,146 and the median income for a family was $52,058. Males had a median income of $42,497 versus $27,893 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,890. About 12.3% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over. [34]

2000 census

As of the census [35] of 2000, there were 87,986 people, 36,275 households, and 24,884 families living in the county. The population density was 240 inhabitants per square mile (93/km2). There were 39,785 housing units at an average density of 108 units per square mile (42 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.32% White, 1.01% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 36,275 households, out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% 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 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.00% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,285, and the median income for a family was $40,436. Males had a median income of $34,899 versus $22,109 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,073. About 10.60% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.50% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

West Virginia gubernatorial election results for Wood County, West Virginia [36]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2024 64.72%23,42229.10% 10,5326.18% 2,237
2020 68.32%26,23225.87% 9,9333.03% 1,162
2016 44.67%% 15,95948.26%17,2407.08% 2,527
2012 48.51% 16,27248.55%16,2842.94% 986
2011 53.58%7,88843.45% 6,3962.96% 437
2008 21.56% 7,65875.35%26,7693.09% 1,098
2004 34.40% 13,38364.01%24,9041.60% 622

Wood County is an outlier in West Virginia. After being strongly Unionist during the Virginia Secession Convention [37] it mostly identified with the Republican Party after the Civil War. However, Between 1912 and 1964, Wood County was largely competitive, voting for both the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates 7 times each. Herbert Hoover was the best performing Republican candidate in that timespan, with Lyndon Baines Johnson being the best performing Democrat in the county's history.

Out of Democrats who won the county, Samuel Tilden and Harry S. Truman were the only ones who did not go on to win over 400 electoral votes. Wood County hasn't voted for a Democratic candidate in any presidential election since 1964. Richard Nixon has been the best performing Republican candidate in the county since 1912, winning 71.5% of the vote in 1972. Though Donald Trump achieved a wider margin of victory in 2016.

Between 1992 and 2024, the county shifted towards the Republican Party eight times out of the nine elections held in that time period. Democratic candidates in local and state elections historically performed better, with a plurality of voters in Wood County remaining registered as Democrats until after Barack Obama's election in 2008. [38] As of 2026, Joe Manchin was the last Democrat to win Wood County in any election, having won it in his 2018 Senate election.

United States presidential election results for Wood County, West Virginia [39]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1912 2,50929.37%3,78444.29%2,25126.35%
1916 4,52147.69%4,81750.81%1421.50%
1920 10,46353.72%8,83945.38%1760.90%
1924 10,08650.29%9,37846.76%5912.95%
1928 15,18469.90%6,41229.52%1250.58%
1932 12,14447.30%13,29451.78%2350.92%
1936 12,57442.75%16,82957.21%110.04%
1940 15,00548.45%15,96251.55%00.00%
1944 14,56651.58%13,67648.42%00.00%
1948 14,19849.83%14,22449.92%710.25%
1952 19,91758.46%14,15441.54%00.00%
1956 21,09661.30%13,32038.70%00.00%
1960 22,13158.97%15,39641.03%00.00%
1964 14,94740.94%21,56059.06%00.00%
1968 18,96051.76%14,29339.02%3,3799.22%
1972 27,31571.50%10,88628.50%00.00%
1976 18,38251.84%17,07548.16%00.00%
1980 20,08056.54%13,62238.36%1,8105.10%
1984 24,82168.42%11,35731.30%1010.28%
1988 19,45059.73%12,95939.80%1540.47%
1992 15,44142.83%13,52937.52%7,08419.65%
1996 15,50247.45%13,26140.59%3,90911.96%
2000 20,42860.34%12,66437.40%7652.26%
2004 24,94863.60%14,02535.75%2540.65%
2008 22,89663.38%12,57334.80%6571.82%
2012 22,18365.10%11,23032.96%6631.95%
2016 25,43470.51%8,40023.29%2,2376.20%
2020 27,20270.17%10,92628.19%6371.64%
2024 26,38070.46%10,31727.56%7431.98%

Communities

Cities

Town

Magisterial districts

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 23, 2001. Retrieved February 4, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ "Historic Guide to Wood County, WV" (PDF). Visit Greater Parkersburg. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Wood County - Greater Parkersburg CVB". December 6, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  6. ↑ Ferrell, Justin (February 9, 2016). "The treasonous secret of this elegant island". Almost Heaven - West Virginia. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  7. ↑ "High society and treason swirl around Blennerhassett Island's past". WV.gov. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  8. ↑ Jewett, Thomas. "The Tragedy of Harmon Blennerhassett". www.varsitytutors.com. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  9. ↑ Council, West Virginia Humanities. "Wood County". www.wvencyclopedia.org. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  10. ↑ Matheny, H. E. Wood County, W. Va. in Civil War Times. Parkersburg: Trans-Allegheny Books, 1987, pp. 27-29.
  11. ↑ "SR 28 Text". www.wvlegislature.gov. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  12. ↑ Matheny, H. E. Wood County, W. Va. in Civil War Times. Parkersburg: Trans-Allegheny Books, 1987, pp. 268-270.
  13. ↑ Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
  14. ↑ United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
  15. ↑ Council, West Virginia Humanities. "Wood County". www.wvencyclopedia.org. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Extreme Weather: Flood of 1913 was destructive in MOV". newsandsentinel.com/. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Klan rally held at Mountwood Park". mariettatimes.com. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  18. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  19. ↑ West Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Me.: DeLorme. 1997. pp. 22–23, 33–34. ISBN   0-89933-246-3.
  20. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  21. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  25. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  26. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  27. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  28. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Wood County, West Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  29. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Wood County, West Virginia". United States Census Bureau .
  30. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Wood County, West Virginia". United States Census Bureau .
  31. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved April 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  32. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved April 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  33. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved April 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  34. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved April 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  35. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  36. ↑ "West Virginia Election Results".
  37. ↑ ‘How Virginia Convention Delegates Voted on Secession, April 4 and April 17, 1861, and Whether They Signed a Copy of the Ordinance of Secession’
  38. ↑ West Virginia Blue Book. State of West Virginia, 2008, p. 670.
  39. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

39°13′N81°31′W / 39.21°N 81.51°W / 39.21; -81.51

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
蚪侠镜像站群 泛域名镜像 时间因子转换镜像 网站备份克隆 网站离线镜像