Editing Roane County, West Virginia

{{Short description|County in West Virginia, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county         = Roane County
 | state         = West Virginia
 | ex image             = Robey Theatre in Spencer, West Virginia (2010).jpg
 | ex image size        = 300px
 | ex image cap         = [[Robey Theatre]] in [[Spencer, West Virginia|Spencer]]
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date       = March 11
 | founded year         = 1856
 | seat wl             = Spencer
 | largest city wl     = Spencer
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 484
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 484
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 0.2
 | area percentage      = 0.03%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 14028
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2021
 | population_est       = 13898 {{loss}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web         = www.roanewv.com
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | named for = [[Spencer Roane]]
 | district             = 1st
 | image_flag           = Flag of Roane County, West Virginia.png
 | image_seal           = Seal of Roane County, West Virginia.png }}

'''Roane County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[West Virginia]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 14,028.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/roanecountywestvirginia/PST045221 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Spencer, West Virginia|Spencer]].<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> The county was founded in 1856 and is named for [[Spencer Roane]].<ref>{{Cite web| title=West Virginia Archive and History - County list | 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>

==History==
Roane County was created by an act of the [[Virginia General Assembly]] on March 11, 1856. It was named for the jurist [[Spencer Roane]] of Virginia. He was born in [[Essex County, Virginia|Essex County]] April 4, 1762. The county's seat [[Spencer, West Virginia|Spencer]] was also named for Judge Roane.

On June 20, 1863, at the height of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Roane was one of fifty Virginia counties that were admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia. Later that year, the state'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>  Roane County was divided into seven districts: Curtis, Geary, Harper, Reedy, Smithfield, Spencer, and Walton. Except for minor adjustments, these districts were largely unchanged for more than a century, until in the 1980s they were consolidated into three new magisterial districts: Northern, Eastern, and Western. A fourth district, Southern, was added in the 1990s.<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|484|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|484|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.2|sqmi}} (0.03%) 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>

===Major highways===
*[[Image:I-79 (WV).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 79#West Virginia|Interstate 79]]
*[[Image:US 33.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 33 in West Virginia|U.S. Highway 33]]
*[[Image:US 119.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Route 119#West Virginia|U.S. Highway 119]]
*[[Image:WV-14.svg|20px]] [[West Virginia Route 14]]
*[[Image:WV-36.svg|20px]] [[West Virginia Route 36]]

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Wirt County, West Virginia|Wirt County]] (north)
*[[Calhoun County, West Virginia|Calhoun County]] (east)
*[[Clay County, West Virginia|Clay County]] (southeast)
*[[Kanawha County, West Virginia|Kanawha County]] (south)
*[[Jackson County, West Virginia|Jackson County]] (west)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 5381
|1870= 7232
|1880= 12184
|1890= 15303
|1900= 19852
|1910= 21543
|1920= 20129
|1930= 19478
|1940= 20787
|1950= 18408
|1960= 15720
|1970= 14111
|1980= 15952
|1990= 15120
|2000= 15446
|2010= 14926
|2020= 14028
|estyear=2021
|estimate=13898
|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" />
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 15,446 people, 6,161 households, and 4,479 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|32|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 7,360 housing units at an average density of {{convert|15|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.56% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.21% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.23% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.19% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 6,161 households, out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,511, and the median income for a family was $29,280. Males had a median income of $28,738 versus $17,207 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $13,195. About 17.80% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 32.10% of those under age 18 and 15.50% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 14,926 people, 6,195 households, and 4,193 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/DPDP1/0500000US54087 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021034/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54087 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|30.9|PD/sqmi}}. There were 7,351 housing units at an average density of {{convert|15.2|/sqmi}}.<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.CY07/0500000US54087 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213191455/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54087 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 98.4% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 20.7% were [[Americans|American]], 17.9% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 15.3% were [[Germans|German]], and 9.1% were [[English people|English]].<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/DP02/0500000US54087 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213024056/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54087 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 6,195 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.3% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 43.5 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $27,428 and the median income for a family was $35,289. Males had a median income of $32,106 versus $22,914 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,103. About 21.5% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 41.5% of those under age 18 and 15.5% 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/DP03/0500000US54087 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213025849/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54087 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Roane 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|4,189|1,218|114|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,213|1,455|95|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,781|1,222|313|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,982|1,939|139|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,943|2,511|122|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,440|2,612|48|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,172|2,332|121|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,069|2,572|639|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,207|2,607|1,043|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,861|2,447|24|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,751|2,468|21|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,219|2,498|236|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,216|3,519|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,253|2,386|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,851|2,639|424|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,451|3,820|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,443|3,280|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,701|3,153|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,922|3,603|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|4,213|3,684|11|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|4,650|3,787|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|5,317|5,158|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|5,282|5,047|12|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|4,361|5,094|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|4,472|3,007|32|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,097|3,504|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,232|3,082|10|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,406|2,186|38|West Virginia}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|708|2,045|1,722|West Virginia}}

==Communities==

===City===
*[[Spencer, West Virginia|Spencer]] (county seat)

===Town===
*[[Reedy, West Virginia|Reedy]]

===Magisterial districts===
====Current====
*Northern
*Southern
*Eastern
*Western

====Historic====
*Curtis
*Geary
*Harper
*Reedy
*Smithfield
*Spencer
*Walton

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Amma, West Virginia|Amma]]
*[[Billings, West Virginia|Billings]]
*[[Cotton, West Virginia|Cotton]]
*[[Elana, West Virginia|Elana]]
*[[Gandeeville, West Virginia|Gandeeville]]
*[[Lattimer, West Virginia|Lattimer]]
*[[Left Hand, West Virginia|Left Hand]]
*[[Linden, West Virginia|Linden]]
*[[Looneyville, West Virginia|Looneyville]]
*[[Peniel, West Virginia|Peniel]]
*[[Walton, West Virginia|Walton]]
*[[Newton, West Virginia|Newton]]{{div col end}}

==Notable inhabitants==
*William Franklin "Frank" George (1928-2017), old-time fiddler and folklorist<ref>{{Cite web | title=e-WV - Frank George | url=https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/2099 | access-date=2025-02-23 | website=www.wvencyclopedia.org}}</ref>

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Roane County, West Virginia
|North     = [[Wirt County, West Virginia|Wirt County]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Calhoun County, West Virginia|Calhoun County]]
|Southeast = [[Clay County, West Virginia|Clay County]]
|South     = [[Kanawha County, West Virginia|Kanawha County]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Jackson County, West Virginia|Jackson County]]
|Northwest = 
}}

{{Roane County, West Virginia}}
{{West Virginia}}

{{coord|38.72|-81.36|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WV_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Roane County, West Virginia| ]]
[[Category:1856 establishments in Virginia]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1856]]