Wayne County, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 42,903 people, 17,239 households, and 12,653 families residing in the county. The population density
was 85 people per square mile (33/km²). There were 19,107 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.79% White
, 0.13% Black
or African American
, 0.23% Native Americans
, 0.20% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.08% from other races
, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 17,239 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples
living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,352, and the median income for a family was $32,458. Males had a median income of $31,554 versus $20,720 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $14,906. About 16.20% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.
in 1842. The county was named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne
.
attack, who were already present. The area was made safe for white settlement in 1794 through the defeat of the Shawnee
at the Battle of Fallen Timbers
by General "Mad" Anthony Wayne.
When the first permanent European settlers came to Wayne County around the year 1800, the area was part of Kanawha County
. Most of the original pioneer
settlers were self-sufficient farmers. They raised their own food, sheep for wool
clothing, and made their buildings, furnishings and tools out of the surrounding forest. A few trading post
s provided the manufactured goods the pioneers could not make for themselves. Later, grist mills
at Wayne
, Dickson
, south of East Lynn
and at Lavalette
ground their corn
into meal
and their wheat
into flour
.
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 42,903 people, 17,239 households, and 12,653 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 85 people per square mile (33/km²). There were 19,107 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.79% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.13% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.23% Native Americans
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 17,239 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% 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, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,352, and the median income for a family was $32,458. Males had a median income of $31,554 versus $20,720 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 $14,906. About 16.20% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.
History
Wayne County, West Virginia was originally Wayne County, Virginia, which was created from part of Cabell CountyCabell County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 96,784 people, 41,180 households, and 25,490 families residing in the county. The population density was 344 people per square mile . There were 45,615 housing units at an average density of 162 per square mile...
in 1842. The county was named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
.
Settlement
There was no white settlement in the area that became Wayne County until after 1794 due to the constant threat of IndianNative 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...
attack, who were already present. The area was made safe for white settlement in 1794 through the defeat of the Shawnee
Shawnee
The Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
at the Battle of Fallen Timbers
Battle of Fallen Timbers
The Battle of Fallen Timbers was the final battle of the Northwest Indian War, a struggle between American Indian tribes affiliated with the Western Confederacy and the United States for control of the Northwest Territory...
by General "Mad" Anthony Wayne.
When the first permanent European settlers came to Wayne County around the year 1800, the area was part of Kanawha County
Kanawha County, West Virginia
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 . There were 93,788 housing units at an average density of 104 per square mile...
. Most of the original pioneer
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
settlers were self-sufficient farmers. They raised their own food, sheep for wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
clothing, and made their buildings, furnishings and tools out of the surrounding forest. A few trading post
Trading post
A trading post was a place or establishment in historic Northern America where the trading of goods took place. The preferred travel route to a trading post or between trading posts, was known as a trade route....
s provided the manufactured goods the pioneers could not make for themselves. Later, grist mills
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
at Wayne
Wayne, West Virginia
Wayne is a town in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,105 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wayne County. Wayne is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Dickson
Dickson, West Virginia
Dickson is an unincorporated community in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. Dickson is located along Interstate 64 southwest of White Sulphur Springs....
, south of East Lynn
East Lynn, West Virginia
East Lynn is an unincorporated community located in Wayne County, West Virginia on the banks of Twelvepole Creek about eight miles south of the county seat, Wayne.-History:...
and at Lavalette
Lavalette, West Virginia
right|thumb|300px|Road sign indicating the northern boundary of Lavalette along [[West Virginia Route 152]].Lavalette is an unincorporated census-designated place in Wayne County, West Virginia, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,073...
ground their corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
into meal
Flour
Flour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
and their wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
into flour
Flour
Flour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
.
Wayne County Railroads
- Norfolk Southern RailwayNorfolk Southern RailwayThe Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
's former N&W Kenova District - CSX TransportationCSX TransportationCSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
's former C&O Kanawha Sub - Kanawha River Terminal Railroad
Books about Wayne County
- Last Train to Dunlow by Kay and Jack Dickinson. .
- On the Trail of the Powhatan Arrow by Kay and Jack Dickinson. ISBN 9780977411610.
- Discovering Lavalette by Gina Simmons. ISBN 9781438987071.
- Pioneers, Rebels and Wolves by Robert Thompson.
- Climbing Trout's Hill by Robert Thompson.
- East Lynn Booming by Robert Thompson. .
Incorporated communities
- City of CeredoCeredo, West VirginiaCeredo is a city in Wayne County, West Virginia, along the Ohio River. The population was 1,675 at the 2000 census. Ceredo is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 288,649.The city is also near the location of...
- Town of Fort GayFort Gay, West VirginiaFort Gay is a town in Wayne County, West Virginia, along the Tug Fork and Big Sandy Rivers. The town adjoins Louisa, Kentucky. The population was 819 at the 2000 census. The estimate as of 2009 was 801....
- City of HuntingtonHuntington, West VirginiaHuntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
(partly, most of city in Cabell CountyCabell County, West VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 96,784 people, 41,180 households, and 25,490 families residing in the county. The population density was 344 people per square mile . There were 45,615 housing units at an average density of 162 per square mile...
) - City of KenovaKenova, West VirginiaKenova is a city in Wayne County, West Virginia, at the confluence of the Ohio and Big Sandy Rivers. The name of the town comes from its unique position where the borders of Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia meet. Founded in 1859 but not incorporated until 1894, the town's early history and...
- Town of WayneWayne, West VirginiaWayne is a town in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,105 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wayne County. Wayne is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Town of East LynnEast Lynn, West VirginiaEast Lynn is an unincorporated community located in Wayne County, West Virginia on the banks of Twelvepole Creek about eight miles south of the county seat, Wayne.-History:...
(no longer incorporated) - Town of DunlowDunlow, West VirginiaDunlow is an unincorporated community in southern Wayne County, West Virginia, on Twelvepole Creek. It was laid out as a railroad town along the Ohio Extension of the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1892. Dunlow was incorporated in 1892...
(no longer incorporated)
Unincorporated communities
|
Cove Gap, West Virginia Cove Gap is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Cove Gap is southeast of Wayne.... Crum, West Virginia Crum is an unincorporated census-designated place in southern Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 182. It is the home to Crum Elementary School and Crum Middle School. It is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area... Dickson, West Virginia Dickson is an unincorporated community in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. Dickson is located along Interstate 64 southwest of White Sulphur Springs.... |
Dunlow, West Virginia Dunlow is an unincorporated community in southern Wayne County, West Virginia, on Twelvepole Creek. It was laid out as a railroad town along the Ohio Extension of the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1892. Dunlow was incorporated in 1892... (incorporated at one time) East Lynn, West Virginia East Lynn is an unincorporated community located in Wayne County, West Virginia on the banks of Twelvepole Creek about eight miles south of the county seat, Wayne.-History:... (incorporated at one time) |
Fleming, West Virginia Fleming is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Fleming is located on West Virginia Route 152 east-southeast of Fort Gay.... Genoa, West Virginia Genoa is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Genoa is located on West Virginia Route 152 south of Wayne. Genoa has a post office with ZIP code 25517.... Glenhayes, West Virginia Glenhayes is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Glenhayes is located on the Tug Fork and U.S. Route 52 southeast of Fort Gay. Glenhayes had a post office, which closed on November 9, 2002.... |
Lavalette, West Virginia right|thumb|300px|Road sign indicating the northern boundary of Lavalette along [[West Virginia Route 152]].Lavalette is an unincorporated census-designated place in Wayne County, West Virginia, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,073... Missouri Branch, West Virginia Missouri Branch is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Missouri Branch is located on West Virginia Route 152 southeast of Fort Gay.... |
Prichard, West Virginia Prichard is an unincorporated census-designated place in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 527. It is located along the Big Sandy River and U.S. Route 52... Radnor, West Virginia Radnor is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Radnor is located on West Virginia Route 152 south of Wayne.... Shoals, West Virginia Shoals is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Shoals is located on West Virginia Route 75 south-southwest of downtown Huntington. Shoals has a post office with ZIP code 25562.... |
Stiltner, West Virginia Stiltner was a small unincorporated community that developed at the mouth of Brush Creek, a tributary of Twelvepole Creek, in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. The community was originally known as Fry because of its association with the Fry family, but the name was changed to Stiltner... (defunct) Wilsondale, West Virginia Wilsondale is an unincorporated community located in southern Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Wilsondale has a post office with ZIP code 25699; as of the 2000 Census, the population of this ZIP Code Tabulation Area was 74. It is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan... |
See also
- Beech Fork State ParkBeech Fork State ParkBeech Fork State Park is a state park located in Cabell County and Wayne County, West Virginia. The park is located on the tailwater shores of Beech Fork Lake, a flood control impoundment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Beech Fork of Twelvepole Creek...
- East Lynn LakeEast Lynn LakeEast Lynn Lake is a reservoir on the East Fork Twelvepole Creek in Wayne County, West Virginia. The lake is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, as part of a series of flood control projects for the Ohio River basin.-History:...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Wayne County, West Virginia