Kanawha County, West Virginia

Not to be confused with Kanawha, West Virginia.
Kanawha County, West Virginia

Kanawha County Courthouse

Seal
Map of West Virginia highlighting Kanawha County
Location in the U.S. state of West Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting West Virginia
West Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded October 5, 1789
Named for Kanawha River
Seat Charleston
Largest city Charleston
Area
 • Total 911 sq mi (2,359 km2)
 • Land 902 sq mi (2,336 km2)
 • Water 9.3 sq mi (24 km2), 1.0%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 188,332
 • Density 211/sq mi (81/km²)
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.kanawha.us

Kanawha County (/kəˈnɔː/ kə-NAW or /kəˈnɔːə/ kə-NAW-ə) is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 193,063,[1] making it the most populous county in West Virginia. Its county seat is Charleston,[2] the state capital.

Kanawha County is included in the Charleston, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county began taking formation on November 14, 1788 under authorization of the Virginia General Assembly, and was founded on October 5, 1789. The county was named for the Kanawha River, which in turn was named after the Indian tribe that lived in the area.[3] The county was the site of a major Textbook controversy in 1974 that included bombings and received national attention.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 911 square miles (2,360 km2), of which 902 square miles (2,340 km2) is land and 9.3 square miles (24 km2) (1.0%) is water.[4] It is the fourth-largest county in West Virginia by area.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18003,239—
18103,86619.4%
18206,39965.5%
18309,32645.7%
184013,56745.5%
185015,35313.2%
186016,1505.2%
187022,34938.4%
188032,46645.3%
189042,75631.7%
190054,69627.9%
191081,45748.9%
1920119,65046.9%
1930157,66731.8%
1940195,61924.1%
1950239,62922.5%
1960252,9255.5%
1970229,515−9.3%
1980231,4140.8%
1990207,619−10.3%
2000200,073−3.6%
2010193,063−3.5%
Est. 2015188,332[5]−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2015[1]

2000 census

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 200,073 people, 86,226 households, and 55,960 families residing in the county. The population density was 222 people per square mile (86/km²). There were 93,788 housing units at an average density of 104 per square mile (40/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.46% White, 6.97% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 86,226 households out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.00% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 30.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.84.

The age distribution was 21.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,766, and the median income for a family was $42,568. Males had a median income of $33,842 versus $24,188 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,354. About 11.20% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.60% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 193,063 people, 84,201 households, and 52,172 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 214.1 inhabitants per square mile (82.7/km2). There were 92,618 housing units at an average density of 102.7 per square mile (39.7/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 89.1% white, 7.3% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 14.8% were German, 14.2% were Irish, 13.9% were English, and 13.4% were American.[13]

Of the 84,201 households, 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.0% were non-families, and 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 42.4 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,669 and the median income for a family was $54,203. Males had a median income of $42,522 versus $31,754 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,439. About 9.7% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Politics

Kanawha county was Democratic for much of the late 20th century. However, since 2004 it has been won by Republicans George W. Bush, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Donald Trump.

Kanawha County vote
by party in presidential elections[15]
Year Republican Democratic
2016 57.1% 43,464 36.7% 27,985
2012 54.9% 41,364 43.1% 32,480
2008 49.4% 40,952 49.0% 40,594
2004 50.5% 44,430 48.9% 43,010
2000 48.0% 36,809 50.3% 38,524
1996 38.3% 29,311 52.8% 40,357
1992 38.4% 31,358 46.9% 38,315
1988 47.9% 38,140 51.7% 41,144
1984 57.5% 51,499 42.3% 37,832
1980 46.4% 42,604 46.7% 42,829
1976 44.1% 42,213 55.9% 53,602
1972 63.1% 65,021 36.9% 38,032
1968 41.8% 41,712 46.7% 46,650
1964 35.2% 38,383 64.8% 70,511
1960 51.2% 57,130 48.8% 54,484

Government

Location Web Site
Kanawha County http://www.kanawha.us
Belle
Cedar Grove
Charleston (County Seat) http://www.cityofcharleston.org
Chesapeake
Clendenin http://www.clendeninwv.org
Dunbar http://www.cityofdunbarwv.com
East Bank
Glasgow
Handley
Marmet
Nitro http://www.cityofnitro.org
Pratt
South Charleston http://www.cityofsouthcharleston.com
St. Albans http://www.stalbanswv.com

Elected officials

Agency Elected Official
Kanawha County Commission Commissioner W. Kent Carper, President
Commissioner Dave Hardy
Commissioner Henry "Hoppy" Shores
Kanawha County Assessor Sallie Robinson
Kanawha County Circuit Clerk Cathy Gatson
Kanawha County Clerk Vera McCormick
Kanawha County Prosecutor Charles "Chuck" Miller
Kanawha County Sheriff Johnny Rutherford

Economy

According to the 2010 U.S. Census there are approximately 5,481 private sector businesses within Kanawha County. There are 89,768 people that are currently employed that live in Kanawha County.[16] The most notable businesses throughout Kanawha County; Tech Park in South Charleston, Gestamp in South Charleston, Mardi Gras Casino, Chesapeake Energy in Charleston, Walker Machinery in Belle, Charleston Area Medical Center throughout Charleston, Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, Saint Francis Hospital in Charleston, C&O Motors in Saint Albans, Bert Wolf Ford in Charleston, Smith Motor Company in Charleston, and Joe Holland Chevrolet in South Charleston to name a few. Kanawha County also well known for many businesses in the chemical industry with presence from Dow Chemical Company, Clearon Corporation, and FMC Corporation all located in South Charleston and DuPont in Belle.

Recreation

Parks Golf
Coonskin Park Coonskin Golf Course
Shawnee Park Shawnee Golf Course
Meadowood Park Edgewood Country Club
Pioneer Park Little Creek Golf Course
Wallace Hartman Nature Preserve Sleepy Hollow Golf Club
Cato Park Sandy Brae Golf Course
Ridenour Park Berry Hills Country Club
Big Bend Park Big Bend Golf Course
Kanawha State Forest
Saint Albans City Park

Events

Attractions

Sports

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Notable people

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "West Virginia Counties". West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Retrieved February 24, 2014. (WV County Etymology)
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  5. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  11. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  12. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  13. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  14. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  15. ↑ http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/
  16. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts".

Further reading

Convention & Visitors Bureau
 Jackson County Roane County Clay County
Putnam County Nicholas County and Fayette County
   Kanawha County, West Virginia  
Lincoln County Boone County Raleigh County

Coordinates: 38°20′N 81°32′W / 38.34°N 81.53°W / 38.34; -81.53

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