Monongalia County, West Virginia
Monongalia County, West Virginia | ||
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 Monongalia County Courthouse | ||
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 Location in the U.S. state of West Virginia | ||
 West Virginia's location in the U.S. | ||
| Founded | October 9, 1776 | |
| Seat | Morgantown | |
| Largest city | Morgantown | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 366 sq mi (948 km2) | |
| • Land | 360 sq mi (932 km2) | |
| • Water | 5.8 sq mi (15 km2), 1.6% | |
| Population (est.) | ||
| • (2015) | 104,236 | |
| • Density | 287/sq mi (111/km2) | |
| Congressional district | 1st | |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC−5/−4 | |
| Website | www.co.monongalia.wv.us | |
New Monongalia County Justice Center in 2017
Monongalia County, known locally as Mon County, is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 96,189,[1] making it West Virginia's third-most populous county. Its county seat is at Morgantown.[2] The county was founded in 1776.[3]
Monongalia County is included in the Morgantown, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the largest county in North-Central West Virginia. It is part of the Pittsburgh media market.
Contents
1 History
2 Geography
2.1 Adjacent counties
2.2 Major Highways
2.3 Rivers, streams, and lakes
3 Demographics
3.1 2000 census
3.2 2010 census
4 Politics
5 Education
6 Communities
6.1 Cities
6.2 Towns
6.3 Census-designated places
6.4 Unincorporated communities
7 See also
7.1 Other sources
8 References
9 External links
History
Map of Ohio, Monongalia, & Yohogania Counties circa 1776. Monongalia County is in magenta.
Monongalia County takes its name from the Monongahela River. The name Monongalia may be a misspelling of Monongahela. Alternatively, the conventional Latinate ending "-ia" (designating "land of..." or "country of..." — as in Arabia, Bolivia or Columbia) may have been added to Monongahela (i.e., "Land of the Monongahela").
Monongalia County was formed in 1776 when Virginia's remote District of West Augusta was divided into three counties: Ohio, Yohogania and Monongalia, all named for their most prominent rivers. Ohio County then encompassed most of the western region of the district bordering the Ohio River, including parts of what is now southwestern Pennsylvania. Yohogania County consisted of much of what is now southwestern Pennsylvania and the present counties of Hancock and the northern part of Brooke in West Virginia. Monongalia County also encompassed what are now the counties of Tucker, Randolph, Harrison and Barbour in north-central West Virginia, as well as parts of what are now Washington, Greene and Fayette Counties in Pennsylvania. In 1780, in his Notes on the State of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson gave the militia enrollment of what was then the vast Monongalia County at 1,000 troops.
Geography
Adjacent counties
Fayette County, Pennsylvania (northeast)
Greene County, Pennsylvania (north)
Marion County (south)
Preston County (east)
Taylor County (southeast)
Wetzel County (west)
Major Highways
I‑68
I‑79
US 19
US 119
WV 7
WV 43
WV 100
WV 218
WV 705
Rivers, streams, and lakes
- Monongahela River
- Cheat River
- Deckers Creek
- Cam Harker Spring
- Cheat Lake
- Dunkard Creek
- Aarons Creek
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 4,768 | — | |
| 1800 | 8,540 | 79.1% | |
| 1810 | 12,793 | 49.8% | |
| 1820 | 11,060 | −13.5% | |
| 1830 | 14,056 | 27.1% | |
| 1840 | 17,368 | 23.6% | |
| 1850 | 12,387 | −28.7% | |
| 1860 | 13,048 | 5.3% | |
| 1870 | 13,547 | 3.8% | |
| 1880 | 14,985 | 10.6% | |
| 1890 | 15,705 | 4.8% | |
| 1900 | 19,049 | 21.3% | |
| 1910 | 24,334 | 27.7% | |
| 1920 | 33,618 | 38.2% | |
| 1930 | 50,083 | 49.0% | |
| 1940 | 51,252 | 2.3% | |
| 1950 | 60,797 | 18.6% | |
| 1960 | 55,617 | −8.5% | |
| 1970 | 63,714 | 14.6% | |
| 1980 | 75,024 | 17.8% | |
| 1990 | 75,509 | 0.6% | |
| 2000 | 81,866 | 8.4% | |
| 2010 | 96,189 | 17.5% | |
| Est. 2016 | 104,622 | [4] | 8.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7] 1990–2000[8] 2010–2015[1] | |||
2000 census
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 81,866 people, 33,446 households, and 18,495 families residing in the county. The population density was 227 people per square mile (88/km²). There were 36,695 housing units at an average density of 102 per square mile (39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.22% White, 3.38% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.45% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 33,446 households out of which 24.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.80% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.70% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% 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 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out with 18.20% under the age of 18, 23.40% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,625, and the median income for a family was $43,628. Males had a median income of $33,113 versus $23,828 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,106. About 11.30% of families and 22.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 96,189 people, 39,777 households, and 20,032 families residing in the county.[10] The population density was 267.1 inhabitants per square mile (103.1/km2). There were 43,238 housing units at an average density of 120.1 per square mile (46.4/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 91.0% white, 3.6% black or African American, 3.1% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 25.7% were German, 17.1% were Irish, 13.0% were English, 11.0% were Italian, 7.5% were American, and 5.0% were Polish.[12]
Of the 39,777 households, 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 49.6% were non-families, and 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 29.1 years.[10]
The median income for a household in the county was $39,167 and the median income for a family was $62,966. Males had a median income of $43,383 versus $32,164 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,116. About 8.6% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.[13]
Politics
In presidential elections since 1916, the winner of Monongalia County won West Virginia as a whole, even if the candidate in question lost the national election, such was the case in 1916, 1952, 1968, 1980, and 1988. In 2008 however, Democrat Barack Obama narrowly won the county while Republican John McCain comfortably carried West Virginia, the first time since Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 that the county failed to back the statewide winner.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 50.1% 18,432 | 40.0% 14,699 | 9.9% 3,633 |
2012 | 53.3% 16,831 | 43.8% 13,826 | 3.0% 934 |
2008 | 47.0% 15,775 | 50.8% 17,060 | 2.2% 734 |
2004 | 51.5% 17,670 | 47.6% 16,313 | 0.9% 323 |
2000 | 49.7% 13,595 | 46.1% 12,603 | 4.3% 1,169 |
1996 | 38.0% 10,189 | 50.0% 13,406 | 12.0% 3,225 |
1992 | 34.4% 9,831 | 49.4% 14,142 | 16.3% 4,650 |
1988 | 45.9% 12,091 | 53.8% 14,178 | 0.3% 69 |
1984 | 53.0% 14,972 | 46.8% 13,236 | 0.2% 66 |
1980 | 43.0% 11,972 | 46.3% 12,883 | 10.7% 2,971 |
1976 | 42.3% 11,827 | 57.8% 16,163 | |
1972 | 61.0% 16,758 | 39.0% 10,721 | |
1968 | 38.7% 9,261 | 54.8% 13,128 | 6.5% 1,556 |
1964 | 27.2% 6,473 | 72.8% 17,358 | |
1960 | 46.8% 11,523 | 53.2% 13,103 | |
1956 | 56.1% 14,046 | 44.0% 11,016 | |
1952 | 49.9% 13,111 | 50.1% 13,152 | |
1948 | 43.0% 9,329 | 56.0% 12,138 | 1.0% 216 |
1944 | 48.1% 9,647 | 52.0% 10,429 | |
1940 | 44.5% 10,367 | 55.5% 12,940 | |
1936 | 39.0% 8,811 | 60.6% 13,677 | 0.4% 94 |
1932 | 43.8% 8,417 | 53.7% 10,319 | 2.5% 485 |
1928 | 64.1% 11,364 | 34.9% 6,182 | 1.1% 188 |
1924 | 49.6% 6,994 | 35.3% 4,977 | 15.2% 2,139 |
1920 | 64.0% 6,773 | 32.5% 3,442 | 3.5% 369 |
1916 | 57.5% 3,412 | 37.5% 2,227 | 5.0% 297 |
1912 | 23.2% 1,216 | 31.9% 1,673 | 44.9% 2,352 |
Education
The county's public schools are operated by Monongalia County Schools. The county is also home to West Virginia's largest university, West Virginia University, located in Morgantown.
Communities
Cities
Morgantown (county seat)- Westover
Towns
- Blacksville
- Granville
- Star City
Census-designated places
- Brookhaven
- Cassville
- Cheat Lake
- Pentress
Unincorporated communities
- Arnettsville
- Baker Ridge
- Behler
- Bertha Hill
- Booth
- Bowlby
- Brewer Hill
- Browns Chapel
- Bula
- Canyon
- Cheat Neck
- Chestnut Ridge
- Clinton Furnace
- Core
- Crossroads
- Crown
- Daybrook
- Dellslow
- Delmar
- Easton
- Edna
- Everettville
- Fieldcrest
- Flaggy Meadow
- Fort Grand
- Fort Martin
- Georgetown
- Greer
- Greystone
- Gum Spring
- Hagans
- Halleck
- Harmony Grove
- Hilderbrand
- Hoard
- Hog Eye
- Holman
- Hunting Hills
- Jaco
- Jakes Run
- Jere
- Kimberly
- Klondike
- Laurel Point
- Little Falls
- Lowsville
- Macdale
- Maidsville
- Maple
- McCurdyville
- McMellin
- Miracle Run
- Mooresville
- Morgan Heights
- National
- New Hill
- Opekiska
- Osage
- Osgood
- Pedlar
- Pierpont
- Pioneer Rocks
- Price
- Price Hill
- Pursglove
- Ragtown
- Randall
- Richard
- Ridgedale
- Ringgold
- Rock Forge
- Rosedale
- Sabraton
- Saint Cloud
- Saint Leo
- Sandy
- Smithtown
- Stewartstown
- Suncrest Lake
- Sunset Beach
- Sturgisson
- The Mileground
- Triune
- Tyrone
- Uffington
- Van Voorhis
- Wadestown
- Wana
- West Sabraton
- West Van Voorhis
- Worley
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Monongalia County, West Virginia
- Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area
- West Virginia University
- Murder of Skylar Neese
Other sources
Core, Earl Lemley, The Monongalia Story: A Bicentennial History, Vol. I: Prelude (1974), Parsons, W.Va.: McClain Printing Co.
- Core, Earl Lemley, The Monongalia Story: A Bicentennial History, Vol. II: The Pioneers (1976), Parsons, W.Va.: McClain Printing Co.
- Core, Earl Lemley, The Monongalia Story: A Bicentennial History, Vol. III: Discord (1979), Parsons, W.Va.: McClain Printing Co.
- Core, Earl Lemley, The Monongalia Story: A Bicentennial History, Vol. IV: Industrialization (1984), Parsons, W.Va.: McClain Printing Co.
- Core, Earl Lemley, The Monongalia Story: A Bicentennial History, Vol. V: Sophistication (1984), Parsons, W.Va.: McClain Printing Co.
References
^ ab "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2014..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
^ West Virginia Counties Archived 2001-09-23 at the Wayback Machine.. Wvculture.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-24.
^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
^ abc "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
External links
- Official website
- Monongalia County History
Places adjacent to Monongalia County, West Virginia | ||||||||||
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Monongalia County, West Virginia
Municipalities and communities of Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States | ||
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County seat: Morgantown | ||
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 State of West Virginia | ||
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Charleston (capital) | ||
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|  Seal of West Virginia |
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Coordinates: 39°38′N 80°03′W / 39.63°N 80.05°W / 39.63; -80.05
