Taylor County, West Virginia

Taylor County, West Virginia
Location in the state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded	1844
Seat	Grafton
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	176 sq mi (456 km²) 173 sq mi (448 km²) 3 sq mi (8 km²), 1.66%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	16,089 93/sq mi (36/km²)

Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,895. [1] Its county seat is Grafton. Named for Sen. John Taylor of Caroline, it was formed in 1844.

Taylor County is part of the Clarksburg, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 176 square miles (455 km²), of which 173 square miles (448 km²) is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) (1.66%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 50
• U.S. Highway 119
• U.S. Highway 250
• West Virginia Route 76

Adjacent counties

• Monongalia County (north)
• Preston County (east)
• Barbour County (south)
• Harrison County (west)
• Marion County (northwest)

History

This area was populated by the Adena culture in the Pre-Columbian Woodland period of the Native Americans in the United States.

Some of the first Europeans to visit the area are thought to have been British Army deserters from Fort Pitt, who reportedly fled their post in 1761 during the French and Indian War and roamed northwestern Virginia for several years thereafter. A European trader with the Hudson's Bay Company reportedly set foot in these lands as early as 1764.

Pruntytown is the oldest remaining town in present-day Taylor County. Initially known as Cross Roads, Pruntytown was renamed Williamsport in honor of Abraham Williams, a long time resident, on January 1, 1801. The name was changed to honor pioneer resident John Prunty on January 23, 1845. The town served as the county seat of government from the county's founding in 1844 until a county election in 1878 moved that honor to Grafton, West Virginia.

The county was established by the Virginia General Assembly on January 19, 1844. It was formed out of parts of Barbour, Harrison, and Marion counties in Virginia. Most historians think the county was named after John Taylor of Caroline, while a minority believe it was named after Zachary Taylor.

The county became part of West Virginia in 1863.

The county is home of Anna Jarvis, founder of the Mother's Day holiday, as well as the International Mother's Day Shrine.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	5,367		—
1860	7,463		39.1%
1870	9,367		25.5%
1880	11,455		22.3%
1890	12,147		6.0%
1900	14,978		23.3%
1910	16,554		10.5%
1920	18,742		13.2%
1930	19,114		2.0%
1940	19,919		4.2%
1950	18,422		−7.5%
1960	15,010		−18.5%
1970	13,878		−7.5%
1980	16,584		19.5%
1990	15,144		−8.7%
2000	16,089		6.2%

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,089 people, 6,320 households, and 4,487 families residing in the county. The population density was 93 people per square mile (36/km²). There were 7,125 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile (16/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.07% White, 0.83% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,320 households out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,124, and the median income for a family was $32,222. Males had a median income of $29,349 versus $20,116 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,681. About 15.30% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.00% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities and towns

• Town of Flemington
• City of Grafton

Unincorporated communities

Astor Belgium Blueville Brownlow

Elliotsville Fetterman Hepzibah Knottsville

Lucretia McGee Meadland Millertown

Oreide Park View Pruntytown Rosemont

Santiago Simpson South Grafton Tappan

Thornton Webster Wendel West Grafton

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Taylor County, West Virginia
• Pruntytown Wildlife Management Area
• Tygart Lake State Park
• Valley Falls State Park

External links

• West Virginia Archives and History references for Taylor County, West Virginia
• Taylor County Public Library