Editing Pleasants County, West Virginia

{{Short description|County in West Virginia, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Pleasants County
 | state                = West Virginia
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = March 29
 | founded year         = 1851
 | seat wl              = St. Marys
 | largest city wl      = St. Marys
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 135
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 130
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.4
 | area percentage      = 3.3%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 7653
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2021
 | population_est       = 7601 {{decrease}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | web                  = http://pleasantscountywv.org/
 | ex image             = Pleasants County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Pleasants County Courthouse]] in St. Marys
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | named for            = [[James Pleasants]]
 | district             = 1st
}}

'''Pleasants County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[West Virginia]]. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 7,653.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/pleasantcountywestvirginia/PST045221 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[St. Marys, West Virginia|St. Marys]].<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==History==
Pleasants County was formed by the [[Virginia General Assembly]] from portions of adjacent [[Wood County, West Virginia|Wood]], [[Ritchie County, West Virginia|Ritchie]] and [[Tyler County, West Virginia|Tyler]] counties on March 29, 1851. The county's namesake is [[James Pleasants|James Pleasants, Jr.]], an esteemed former US Senator and [[Virginia]] Governor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvcounties.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010923185022/http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvcounties.html |archive-date=September 23, 2001 |access-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>[https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1871 e-WV The West Virginia Encyclopedia: Pleasants County.] Accessed April 16, 2022.</ref> On June 20, 1863, at the height of the Civil War, Pleasants County was one of fifty Virginia counties that entered the Union as the state of West Virginia.

In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into [[civil township]]s, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into [[minor civil division|magisterial districts]].<ref>Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, ''West Virginia: A History'', 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.</ref>  Pleasants County was divided into six districts: Grant, Jefferson, Lafayette, McKim, Union, and Washington. These remained largely unchanged for over a century, but in the 1980s the six historic magisterial districts were consolidated into four new districts: District A, District B, District C, and District D.<ref>[[United States Census Bureau]], [[United States Census|U.S. Decennial Census]], Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|135|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|130|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.4|sqmi}} (3.3%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_54.txt |access-date=July 30, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is the fourth-smallest county in West Virginia by area.

===Major highways===
*[[Image:WV-2.svg|20px]] [[West Virginia Route 2]]
*[[Image:WV-16.svg|20px]] [[West Virginia Route 16]]
*[[Image:WV-807.svg|20px]] [[West Virginia Route 807]]

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Washington County, Ohio]] (north)
*[[Tyler County, West Virginia|Tyler County]] (east)
*[[Ritchie County, West Virginia|Ritchie County]] (southeast)
*[[Wood County, West Virginia|Wood County]] (southwest)

===National protected area===
*[[Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 2945
|1870= 3012
|1880= 6256
|1890= 7539
|1900= 9345
|1910= 8074
|1920= 7379
|1930= 6545
|1940= 6692
|1950= 6369
|1960= 7124
|1970= 7274
|1980= 8236
|1990= 7546
|2000= 7514
|2010= 7605
|2020= 7653
|estyear=2021
|estimate=7601
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=January 11, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=January 11, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wv190090.txt |access-date=January 11, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=January 11, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 7,653 people and 2,688 households residing in the county. There were 3,209 housing units in Pleasants county. The racial makeup of the county was 94.7% [[White American|White]], 1.2% [[African American]], 0.2% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.3% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.3% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Race|other races]], and 3.3% from [[Multiracial American|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race were 0.8% of the population.

Of the 2,688 households, 58.1% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no spouse present, 18.2% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.06. The median age in the county was 43.1 years with 19.2% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $58,433 and the poverty rate was 7.4%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Pleasants_County,_West_Virginia?g=050XX00US54073}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 7,514 people, 2,887 households, and 2,136 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|58|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,214 housing units at an average density of {{convert|25|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.30% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.48% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.47% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.07% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.37% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 2,887 households, out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,736, and the median income for a family was $37,795. Males had a median income of $31,068 versus $18,077 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,920. About 10.90% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 7,605 people, 2,861 households, and 2,021 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013403/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54073 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|58.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 3,390 housing units at an average density of {{convert|26.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213233359/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54073 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 1.3% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry,<ref name="census-dp2">{{Cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213025035/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54073 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 2,861 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 42.4 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $38,882 and the median income for a family was $54,391. Males had a median income of $52,738 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,770. About 6.7% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{Cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213035340/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54073 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

==Education==
In Pleasants County, there is a single school district including one high school, one middle school, and two elementary schools. The county is also served by the Mid Ohio Valley Technical Institute, which offers vocational education in a variety of fields.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pleasants County, West Virginia - Education |url=http://pleasantscountywv.net/docs/education/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=pleasantscountywv.net |language=en}}</ref>

==Politics==
Although Pleasants County, like neighbouring rock-ribbed Unionist and Republican [[Ritchie County, West Virginia|Ritchie]], [[Doddridge County, West Virginia|Doddridge]] and [[Tyler County, West Virginia|Tyler Counties]], voted against secession at [[Virginia Secession Convention of 1861|the Virginia Secession Convention]],<ref>Hinkle, Harlan H.; ''Grayback Mountaineers: The Confederate Face Of Western Virginia'', p. 198 {{ISBN|0595268404}}</ref> during the [[Third Party System]] the county voted consistently Democratic.<ref>Menendez, Albert J.; ''The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004'', pp. 334-337 {{ISBN|0786422173}}</ref> However, from 1900 onwards the county has generally voted Republican except in strong Democratic election victories, and like all of West Virginia it has become rock-ribbed GOP in the twenty-first century as a consequence of de-unionization in the coal industry.<ref>Schwartzman, Gabe; [http://www.dailyyonder.com/how-coalfields-went-gop/2015/01/13/7668/ ‘How Central Appalachia Went Right’]; ''Daily Yonder'', January 13, 2015</ref>
{{PresHead|place=Pleasants County, West Virginia|source=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|2,632|656|60|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,742|699|50|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,358|621|200|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,825|955|61|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,772|1,142|61|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,061|1,349|25|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,884|1,267|57|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,265|1,478|428|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,248|1,387|741|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,761|1,421|5|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,255|1,458|12|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,852|1,494|101|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,608|1,699|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,025|1,207|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|1,534|1,522|204|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,339|2,287|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,982|1,742|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,144|1,581|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,900|1,632|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,548|1,536|15|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,622|1,507|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,896|1,779|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,820|1,907|8|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,580|1,921|24|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,821|1,210|1|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|1,619|1,675|29|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,657|1,449|26|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|876|899|7|West Virginia}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|493|796|386|West Virginia}}

==Communities==

===Cities===
*[[St. Marys, West Virginia|City of St. Marys]]

===Towns===
*[[Belmont, West Virginia|Town of Belmont]]

===Magisterial districts===
====Current====
*District A
*District B
*District C
*District D

====Historic====
*Grant
*Jefferson
*Lafayette
*McKim
*Union
*Washington

===Unincorporated communities===
*[[Arvilla, West Virginia|Arvilla]]
*[[Calcutta, West Virginia|Calcutta]]
*[[Hebron, Pleasants County, West Virginia|Hebron]]
*[[Pine Grove, Pleasants County, West Virginia|Pine Grove]]
*[[Vaucluse, Pleasants County, West Virginia|Vaucluse]]

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Pleasants County, West Virginia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Pleasants County, West Virginia
|North     = [[Washington County, Ohio]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Tyler County, West Virginia|Tyler County]]
|Southeast = [[Ritchie County, West Virginia|Ritchie County]]
|South     = 
|Southwest = [[Wood County, West Virginia|Wood County]]
|West      = 
|Northwest = 
}}

{{Pleasants County, West Virginia}}
{{West_Virginia}}

{{coord|39.37|-81.16|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WV_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Pleasants County, West Virginia| ]]
[[Category:West Virginia counties on the Ohio River]]
[[Category:1851 establishments in Virginia]]