Marion County, West Virginia
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Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 56,418.[1] Its county seat is Fairmont. Marion County was named in honor of General Francis Marion, known in history as "The Swamp Fox".
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History [edit]
Although the Adena and successor Hopewell cultures had flourished in this area at one time, the region which includes the land now known as Marion County was sparsely occupied by Native Americans, if at all, in the late 18th century; like much of the Ohio Valley, it had been depopulated by the Iroquois during the later Beaver Wars (1670–1700). Only a few abortive attempts to start European settlements upon the Monongahela River or its branches (such as that which gave its name to Dunkard Creek) are known prior to the French and Indian War, and it was not until the year 1772 that any permanent settlements were made in this region.[2]
Marion County proper was created by an act of the Virginia Assembly on January 14, 1842, from parts of Monongalia and Harrison Counties, and was named after General Francis Marion, of American Revolutionary War fame, known to history as "The Swamp Fox".[3]
Geography [edit]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 311 square miles (807 km²), of which 310 square miles (802 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5 km²) (0.58%) is water.
Major highways [edit]
Interstate 79
U.S. Highway 19
U.S. Highway 250
West Virginia Route 218
West Virginia Route 273
West Virginia Route 310
Adjacent counties [edit]
- Monongalia County (north)
- Taylor County (southeast)
- Harrison County (south)
- Wetzel County (west)
Demographics [edit]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 10,552 |
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| 1860 | 12,722 | 20.6% | |
| 1870 | 12,107 | −4.8% | |
| 1880 | 17,198 | 42.1% | |
| 1890 | 20,721 | 20.5% | |
| 1900 | 32,430 | 56.5% | |
| 1910 | 42,794 | 32.0% | |
| 1920 | 54,571 | 27.5% | |
| 1930 | 66,655 | 22.1% | |
| 1940 | 68,683 | 3.0% | |
| 1950 | 71,521 | 4.1% | |
| 1960 | 63,717 | −10.9% | |
| 1970 | 61,356 | −3.7% | |
| 1980 | 65,789 | 7.2% | |
| 1990 | 57,249 | −13.0% | |
| 2000 | 56,598 | −1.1% | |
| 2010 | 56,418 | −0.3% | |
| Est. 2011 | 56,586 | 0.3% | |
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2011 estimate |
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As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 56,598 people, 23,652 households, and 15,515 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile (71/km²). There were 26,660 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile (33/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.10% White, 3.22% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 23,652 households out of which 26.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the county, the population was spread out with 20.60% under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,626, and the median income for a family was $37,182. Males had a median income of $29,005 versus $21,100 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,246. About 11.70% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.
Communities [edit]
Cities [edit]
Towns [edit]
Below is partial listing of known unincorporated communities within Marion County. A complete listing is available here
Unincorporated Communities [edit]
Notable natives [edit]
- David Carpenter, 376th pick in the 2006 MLB Draft by the St.Louis Cardinals.
- Frank Kendall Everest, Jr., The Fastest Man Alive
- Michael Garrison, former president of West Virginia University.
- Frank Gatski, athlete in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Sam Huff, Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Johnnie Johnson, musician
- John Knowles, author
- Joe Manchin, the former governor of West Virginia and current junior United States Senator from West Virginia.
- Luella Mundel, professor and McCarthyism victim
- Francis H. Pierpont, father of West Virginia
- Mary Lou Retton, all-around gymnastics Olympic gold medal winner (1984 Olympic Games).
- Rich Rodriguez, Arizona University head football coach.
- Nick Saban, current University of Alabama head football coach
- Harrison C. Summers, WWII hero
- Robert Tinnell, Director, Writer, Producer
- Hershel W. Williams, Medal of Honor recipient for the Battle of Iwo Jima
- Tom Wilson, creator of the comic strip Ziggy.
- Fielding H. Yost, Football Coach
Literary presence [edit]
The fictional town of Grantville (closely modelled after real-life Mannington) and its environs were part of Marion County until the alien-caused space-time anomaly which sent it to 17th-century Thuringia. The county and its institutions are frequently mentioned in the course of the 1632 series of science fiction novels.
See also [edit]
- Prickett's Fort State Park
- Fairmont Marion County Transit Authority
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, West Virginia
References [edit]
- ^ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ Dunnington, George A. History and Progress of the County of Marion, West Virginia Fairmont, West Virginia: George A. Dunnington, Publisher, 1880; Chap. II: First Settlements
- ^ http://www.wvculture.org/history/counties/marion.html
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
External links [edit]
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Monongalia County | |
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| Wetzel County |  |
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| Harrison County | Taylor County |
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