Kanawha County, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
As of the census
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.
that erupted when conservatives complained that material in some of the textbooks was morally offensive. Journalist John D. Maurice
won a Pulitzer Prize
for his editorials covering the controversy.
On 12 March 1974, the English Language Arts Textbook Committee of Kanawha County recommended 325 books and textbooks to the school board for use in Kanawha elementary schools. One of the school board members rejected the books as morally offensive and asked the county for support. The controversy that followed caused violent protests and school closings through 1975.
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Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 200,073 people, 86,226 households, and 55,960 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 6.97% Black or African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.21% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 0.85% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander American
Pacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Book banning
In 1974, Kanawha County gained national media attention for a school textbook controversyKanawha County textbook controversy
The Kanawha County textbook controversy was a violent school control struggle in the 20th century United States. It led to the largest protests ever in the history of the county, the shooting of one bystander, and extended school closings.-School Board Ruling:...
that erupted when conservatives complained that material in some of the textbooks was morally offensive. Journalist John D. Maurice
John D. Maurice
John D. Maurice won the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for his editorials about the Kanawha County schoolbook controversy.Maurice worked as a reporter in Huntington, West Virginia, prior to joining the Daily Mail of Charleston, West Virginia, in 1938.- References :...
won a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
for his editorials covering the controversy.
On 12 March 1974, the English Language Arts Textbook Committee of Kanawha County recommended 325 books and textbooks to the school board for use in Kanawha elementary schools. One of the school board members rejected the books as morally offensive and asked the county for support. The controversy that followed caused violent protests and school closings through 1975.
Cities
Towns
Census-designated places
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- Alum CreekAlum Creek, West VirginiaAlum Creek is a census-designated place in Kanawha and Lincoln counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Located along the Coal River, it had a population of 1,749 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Alum Creek is located at ....
(part) - Coal ForkCoal Fork, West VirginiaCoal Fork is an unincorporated census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,233 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Coal Fork is located at ....
- Cross LanesCross Lanes, West VirginiaCross Lanes is an unincorporated census-designated place and suburb of Charleston in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 9,995.-Geography:...
- ElkviewElkview, West VirginiaElkview is a census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,222 at the 2010 census. It is named after the Elk River, which flows into the Kanawha River....
- PinchPinch, West VirginiaPinch is an unincorporated census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 3,262 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Pinch is located at ....
- SissonvilleSissonville, West VirginiaSissonville is an unincorporated census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia, along the Pocatalico River. The population was 4,028 at the 2010 census...
- Upper FallsUpper Falls, West VirginiaUpper Falls is an unincorporated census designated place in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,701.The Coal River bisects the community and gives it its name from the cascading waters of its Upper Falls.-Geography:...
Other unincorporated communities
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- Aarons
- Acme
- Acup
- Airport Village
- Amandaville
- Amelia
- Annfred
- Barren Creek
- Big ChimneyBig Chimney, West VirginiaBig Chimney is an unincorporated census-designated place located on U.S. Route 119 in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 627. It is accessible by West Virginia Route 114 or exit 5 from I-79. The center of town includes a fast-food restaurant, a...
- Blackhawk
- Blakeley
- BlountBlount, West VirginiaBlount is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Blount is east-southeast of Charleston. Blount had a post office, which opened on October 30, 1946, and closed on October 24, 2009....
- Blue CreekBlue Creek, West VirginiaBlue Creek is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Blue Creek is located on the north bank of the Elk River northeast of Elkview. Blue Creek has a post office with ZIP code 25026....
- Blundon
- BreamBream, West VirginiaBream is an unincorporated community along Indian Creek Rd in Kanawha County, West Virginia.It is the first community after State Route 114 turns across the Elk River to Big Chimney....
- Brounland
- BurnwellBurnwell, West VirginiaBurnwell is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Burnwell is east-northeast of Sylvester....
- Cabin CreekCabin Creek, West VirginiaCabin Creek is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Cabin Creek is located on the south bank of the Kanawha River, southeast of Chesapeake. It was the site of an early African-American community in the late nineteenth century. A notable resident was Adam...
- CarbonCarbon, West VirginiaCarbon is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Carbon is northeast of Whitesville....
- ChelyanChelyan, West VirginiaChelyan is an unincorporated census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Chelyan is located on the south bank of the Kanawha River southeast of Chesapeake. It is served by Exit 85 of the West Virginia Turnpike. As of the 2010 census, its population was 776.Former NBA...
- Cinco
- CoalburgCoalburg, West VirginiaCoalburg is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Coalburg is located along the south bank of the Kanawha River west of East Bank....
- Coalridge
- Coco
- CortonCorton, West VirginiaCorton is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Corton is located on the Elk River and West Virginia Route 4 east of Clendenin....
- CredeCrede, West VirginiaCrede is a very small unincorporated community along U.S. Route 119 in Kanawha County West Virginia, located between Elk Hills and Big Chimney. Crede is mostly residential, but there are a lot of small places of business. It is not listed on most maps, but is on some atlases....
- Crown HillCrown Hill, West VirginiaCrown Hill is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Crown Hill is located on the south bank of the Kanawha River along West Virginia Route 61 west-southwest of Pratt. Crown Hill once had a post office, which closed on February 1, 1997....
- Davis CreekDavis Creek, West VirginiaDavis Creek is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Davis Creek is located on West Virginia Route 214 south of South Charleston....
- DawesDawes, West VirginiaDawes is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Dawes is south of East Bank. Dawes has a post office with ZIP code 25054....
- DecotaDecota, West VirginiaDecota is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Decota is northeast of Whitesville....
- Dial
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- DiamondDiamond, Kanawha County, West VirginiaDiamond is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Diamond is located on the north bank of the Kanawha River southeast of Belle. The community is served by U.S. Route 60....
- DickinsonDickinson, West VirginiaDickinson, also known as Quincy, is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Dickinson is located on the north bank of the Kanawha River southeast of Belle. The community is served by U.S. Route 60....
- Donwood
- Dry BranchDry Branch, West VirginiaDry Branch is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Dry Branch is southwest of East Bank. Dry Branch has a post office with ZIP code 25061....
- Dungriff
- Dupont City
- Durham Heights
- East Nitro
- East Side
- Edgewood
- Elk
- Elk ForestElk Forest, West VirginiaElk Forest is a residential community out Elk Forest road, which turns off of U.S. Route 119 in Kanawha County West Virginia. Originally built in the late 1950s-early 1960s, it is a part of Mink Shoals, originally willed for development by Amanda Pitzer at her death, now buried at a small cemetery...
- Elk HillsElk Hills, West VirginiaElk Hills is an unincorporated community in central Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. It lies on U.S. Route 119 along the Elk River, between the communities of Mink Shoals and Crede....
- EmmonsEmmons, West VirginiaEmmons is an unincorporated community located on the Big Coal River in Boone and Kanawha Counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Jay Rockefeller's political affiliation with West Virginia began in 1964-1965 while he served as a VISTA volunteer in Emmons....
(part) - EskdaleEskdale, West VirginiaEskdale is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Eskdale is south of East Bank. Eskdale has a post office with ZIP code 25075....
- Etowah
- Falling RockFalling Rock, West VirginiaFalling Rock is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Falling Rock is located on the north bank of the Elk River southwest of Clendenin. Falling Rock has a post office with ZIP code 25079....
- Ferrell
- Fivemile
- Forest Hills
- Forks of Coal
- Fort Hill
- Frame
- GallagherGallagher, West VirginiaGallagher is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Gallagher is south-southwest of Pratt. Gallagher has a post office with ZIP code 25083....
- Georges Creek,
- Giles
- Green ValleyGreen Valley, Kanawha County, West VirginiaGreen Valley is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Green Valley is southeast of St. Albans....
- GreencastleGreencastle, West VirginiaGreencastle is an unincorporated community in Wirt County, West Virginia, United States. Its elevation is 627 feet ....
- Grippe
- Guthrie
- HansfordHansford, West VirginiaHansford is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Hansford is located along the Kanawha River and West Virginia Route 61 southwest of Pratt. Hansford has a post office with ZIP code 25103....
- HernshawHernshaw, West VirginiaHernshaw is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Hernshaw is located on West Virginia Route 94 southwest of Marmet. Hernshaw has a post office with ZIP code 25107....
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- Hicumbottom
- Highlawn
- HillsdaleHillsdale, Kanawha County, West VirginiaHillsdale is a large community/residential area in Kanawha County and is part of the Charleston area, but stretches past city limits. It can be accessed by Hillsdale Drive, Westmoreland Road , or Cora Street. It is surrounded by extensive woodlands, stretching to Eden's Fork...
- Hitop
- Holly
- Hollygrove
- Hollyhurst
- HughestonHugheston, West VirginiaHugheston is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Hugheston is located on the north bank of the Kanawha River across from Pratt. Hugheston has a post office with ZIP code 25110. The average household income is $32,436....
- InstituteInstitute, West VirginiaInstitute is an unincorporated community on the Kanawha River in Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA. The community lies off of Interstate 64 and West Virginia Route 25, and has grown to intermingle with nearby Dunbar...
- Island Branch
- IvydaleIvydale, Kanawha County, West VirginiaIvydale is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Ivydale is southwest of Charleston....
- Jarrett
- Jarretts Ford
- JeffersonJefferson, West VirginiaJefferson is an unincorporated census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States, along the Kanawha River. The population was 676 at the 2010 census...
- Joplin
- Kanawha CityKanawha City, West VirginiaKanawha City is a neighborhood of the city of Charleston in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. It is in the southeastern part of the city, and located along WV 61 It officially starts at the 35th Street bridge, where there is a sign welcoming visitors. It comprises mostly small stores...
- Kanawha Estates
- KayfordKayford, West VirginiaKayford is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Kayford is east of Sylvester....
- Kelly Hill
- Kendalia
- Laing
- LeewoodLeewood, West VirginiaLeewood is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Leewood is northeast of Sylvester....
- Loudendale
- Louden Heights
- Lower Falls
- MammothMammoth, West VirginiaMammoth is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Mammoth is northeast of Cedar Grove. Mammoth has a post office with ZIP code 25132....
- MeadowbrookMeadowbrook, Kanawha County, West VirginiaMeadowbrook is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Meadowbrook is located on West Virginia Route 114 northeast of Charleston....
- Mink ShoalsMink Shoals, West VirginiaMink Shoals is an unincorporated community along U.S. Route 119 in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States and can be accessed by Interstate 79, Exit #1. It is located on the Elk River and has a public access site of the Elk River. It's rural-like feel attracts many residents, even though it...
- PocatalicoPocatalico, West VirginiaPocatalico is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Pocatalico is located along Interstate 77 south of and near Sissonville....
- Pond GapPond Gap, West VirginiaPond Gap is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Pond Gap is north-northeast of Smithers. Pond Gap has a post office with ZIP code 25160....
- QuickQuick, West VirginiaQuick is a small unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. It is located along Indian Creek Road . The community is where Whitoak Fork and Blue Creek come together and meet...
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- Quincy
- RandRand, West VirginiaRand is an unincorporated census-designated place on the Kanawha River in Kanawha County, West Virginia, U.S. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,631...
- River Bend
- Rocky Fork
- Rock Lake Village
- Rutledge
- Sanderson
- Tyler Heights
- Tyler Mountain
- Youngs Bottom
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Further reading
- Scott A. MacKenzie. "The Slaveholders' War: The Secession Crisis in Kanawha County, Western Virginia, 1860-1861," West Virginia History: A Journal of Regional Studies - New Series, Volume 4, Number 1, Spring 2010, pp. 33–57 in Project MUSEProject MUSEProject MUSE is an online database of current and back issues of peer-reviewed humanities and social sciences journals. It was founded in 1993 by Todd Kelley and Susan Lewis and is a project of the Johns Hopkins University Press and the Milton S. Eisenhower Library. It had support from the Mellon...