Editing Wetzel County, West Virginia

{{Short description|County in West Virginia, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Wetzel County
 | state                = West Virginia
 | seal                 = Seal of Wetzel County, West Virginia.png
 | founded date         = January 10
 | founded year         = 1846
 | seat wl              = New Martinsville
 | largest city wl      = New Martinsville
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 361
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 358
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 3.3
 | area percentage      = 0.9%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 14442
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2021
 | population_est       = 14170 {{decrease}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | web                  = https://www.wetzelwv.com/
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | named for            = [[Lewis Wetzel]]
 | ex image             = 2006-10-05 10-41-03newmartinsvillecourthouse.JPG
 | ex image cap         = Wetzel County Courthouse
 | district             = 1st
}}

'''Wetzel County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[West Virginia]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 14,442.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/wetzelcountywestvirginia/PST045221 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[New Martinsville, West Virginia|New Martinsville]].<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, founded in 1846, is named for [[Lewis Wetzel]], a famous frontiersman and [[Native Americans in the United States|Indian]] fighter.<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> Its northern border aligns with the [[Mason-Dixon line]], but is to the west of [[Mason and Dixon Survey Terminal Point|the line's western terminus]].

==History==
Wetzel County was formed in 1846 from part of [[Tyler County, West Virginia|Tyler County, Virginia]]. On June 20, 1863, at the height of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Wetzel was one of fifty Virginia counties admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia.

Later that year, 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>  Wetzel County was divided into six districts: Center,{{efn-lr|Initially spelled "Centre".}} Church, Grant, Green, Magnolia, and Proctor. A seventh district, Clay, was formed in the 1880s. New Martinsville, the [[county seat]], was in Magnolia District. Except for minor adjustments, the seven historic magisterial districts remained largely unchanged for a century, until the 1980s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: District 1, District 2, and District 3.<ref>[[United States Census Bureau]], [[United States Census|U.S. Decennial Census]], Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.</ref>

{{expand section|date=December 2013}}

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|361|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|358|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.3|sqmi}} (0.9%) 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 31, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===Major highways===
* {{jct|state=WV|US|250}}
* {{jct|state=WV|WV|2}}
* {{jct|state=WV|WV|7}}
* {{jct|state=WV|WV|20}}
* {{jct|state=WV|WV|69}}
* {{jct|state=WV|WV|180}}

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Marshall County, West Virginia|Marshall County]] (north)
* [[Greene County, Pennsylvania]] (northeast)
* [[Monongalia County, West Virginia|Monongalia County]] (east)
* [[Marion County, West Virginia|Marion County]] (east)
* [[Harrison County, West Virginia|Harrison County]] (southeast)
* [[Doddridge County, West Virginia|Doddridge County]] (south)
* [[Tyler County, West Virginia|Tyler County]] (southwest)
* [[Monroe County, Ohio]] (west)

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

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 4284
|1860= 6703
|1870= 8595
|1880= 13896
|1890= 16841
|1900= 22880
|1910= 23855
|1920= 23069
|1930= 22334
|1940= 22342
|1950= 20154
|1960= 19347
|1970= 20314
|1980= 21874
|1990= 19258
|2000= 17693
|2010= 16583
|2020= 14442
|estyear=2021
|estimate=14170
|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 18, 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 16, 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 16, 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 16, 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 16, 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 14,442 people and 5,603 households residing in the county. There were 7,254 housing units in Wetzel. The racial makeup of the county was 95.2% [[White American|White]], 0.3% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.2% [[African American]], 0.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.3% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Race|other races]], and 3.7% from [[Multiracial American|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race were 1% of the population.

Of the 9,912 households, 47.2% were married couples living together, 27.2% had a female householder with no spouse present, 19.4% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.25. The median age in the county was 46.4 years with 20.4% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $47,611 and the poverty rate was 18.8%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Wetzel_County,_West_Virginia?g=050XX00US54103 |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 16,583 people, 6,968 households, and 4,768 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/DPDP1/0500000US54103 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014656/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54103 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|46.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 8,173 housing units at an average density of {{convert|22.8|/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.CY07/0500000US54103 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213184714/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54103 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 98.7% white, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 27.5% were [[Germans|German]], 16.0% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 12.8% were [[Americans|American]], and 12.4% 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/DP02/0500000US54103 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012832/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54103 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 6,968 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.6% were non-families, and 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 44.8 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $36,636 and the median income for a family was $48,523. Males had a median income of $45,833 versus $25,033 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,899. About 13.1% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 13.7% 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/DP03/0500000US54103 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020052/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54103 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 17,693 people, 7,164 households, and 5,079 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|49|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 8,313 housing units at an average density of {{convert|23|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.92% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.10% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.32% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.03% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 7,164 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,935, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $37,296 versus $19,339 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,818. About 15.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.60% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
Wetzel County was a rarity among northern West Virginia counties in supporting secession at [[Virginia Secession Convention of 1861|the Virginia Secession Convention]],<ref>[http://www.virginiamemory.com/docs/votes_on_secession.pdf?_ga=1.136899061.456866595.1437301396 ‘How Virginia Convention Delegates Voted on Secession, April 4 and April 17, 1861, and Whether They Signed a Copy of the Ordinance of Secession’]</ref> and it reliably supported Democratic presidential candidates for the next ninety years.<ref name="Geography">Menendez, Albert J.; ''The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004'', pp. 334-337 {{ISBN|0786422173}}</ref> The first Republican to carry Wetzel County was [[Herbert Hoover]] in 1928 due to anti-Catholicism, but the county afterwards stayed Democratic until 1952.<ref name="Geography" /> Since that time Wetzel County has followed the politics of West Virginia: a Democratic-leaning state up to the Clinton Era, after which the Democratic Party's consistent shift to social-liberal positions and support of green policies – an antithesis to the region's traditional economy – have caused Wetzel County to trend rapidly toward the Republican Party.
{{PresHead|place=Wetzel 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|4,718|1,294|156|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,993|1,539|137|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,519|1,359|434|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|3,473|2,217|185|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,342|2,942|170|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,656|3,330|52|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,239|2,849|200|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,037|3,209|1,031|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,271|3,753|1,573|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|3,381|3,928|41|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,626|3,549|32|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|3,588|4,035|392|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,793|5,042|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,046|3,276|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|4,122|4,038|789|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,215|6,239|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|5,149|4,338|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|5,024|3,809|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,476|4,375|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|3,326|4,477|26|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|3,604|4,335|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|4,443|5,590|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,770|6,463|29|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,351|6,118|78|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|4,428|4,052|59|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|3,458|4,998|276|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|3,619|4,103|82|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,910|2,797|77|West Virginia}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|1,092|2,710|896|West Virginia}}

==Local lore==
{{Unsourced section|date=November 2024}}
In the mid-to-late 19th century a band similar to the James Gang of legend existed that was known as the Jennings Gang. A number of robberies and murders were accounted to this gang. They were known to be located near the head of [[Doolin Run]] near Tarpan Ridge. The home they occupied was found to have an escape tunnel that had been used to escape capture on several occasions. A local group of citizens known as the "Redmen" ultimately cornered the gang at this home and a number of the members were killed. A detailed description exists in the Wetzel County History written approximately in 1900.

The oldest oil well location known is of one drilled on Long Run near Doolin Run which reached oil at a depth about 360&nbsp;ft.

Wetzel County has a long history in the Oil and Gas producing industry. During the Oil boom of the 19th century it is reported that the Proctor Creek watershed had 12 saloons and numerous livery/hotels to accommodate the hundreds of logging and oil field workers.

==Communities==

===Cities===
* [[New Martinsville, West Virginia|New Martinsville]] (county seat)
* [[Paden City, West Virginia|Paden City]] (part)

===Towns===
* [[Hundred, West Virginia|Hundred]]
* [[Pine Grove, Wetzel County, West Virginia|Pine Grove]]
* [[Smithfield, West Virginia|Smithfield]]

===Magisterial districts===
====Current====
* District 1
* District 2
* District 3

====Historic====
* Center
* Church
* Clay
* Grant
* Green
* Magnolia
* Proctor

===Census-designated places===
* [[Jacksonburg, West Virginia|Jacksonburg]]
* [[Littleton, West Virginia|Littleton]]
* [[Reader, West Virginia|Reader]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Bebee, West Virginia|Bebee]]
* [[Big Run, Wetzel County, West Virginia|Big Run]]
* [[Burton, West Virginia|Burton]]
* [[Coburn, West Virginia|Coburn]]
* [[Earnshaw, West Virginia|Earnshaw]]
* [[Folsom, West Virginia|Folsom]]
* [[Hastings, West Virginia|Hastings]]
* [[Knob Fork, West Virginia|Knob Fork]]
* [[Maud, West Virginia|Maud]]
* [[Porters Falls, West Virginia|Porters Falls]]
* [[Proctor, West Virginia|Proctor]]
* [[Rockport, Wetzel County, West Virginia|Rockport]]
* [[Silver Hill, Wetzel County, West Virginia|Silver Hill]]
* [[Wheat, West Virginia|Wheat]]
* [[Wileyville, West Virginia|Wileyville]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[Cecil H. Underwood Wildlife Management Area]]
* [[Harker Run (West Virginia)|Harker Run]]
* [[Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Wetzel County, West Virginia]]

{{coord|39.61|-80.64|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WV_source:UScensus1990}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=lower-roman}}

==References==
<references />

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Wetzel County, West Virginia
|North     = [[Marshall County, West Virginia|Marshall County]]
|Northeast = [[Greene County, Pennsylvania]]
|East      = [[Monongalia County, West Virginia|Monongalia County]] and [[Marion County, West Virginia|Marion County]]
|Southeast = [[Harrison County, West Virginia|Harrison County]]
|South     = [[Doddridge County, West Virginia|Doddridge County]]
|Southwest = [[Tyler County, West Virginia|Tyler County]]
|West      = [[Monroe County, Ohio]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{Wetzel County, West Virginia}}
{{West Virginia}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Wetzel County, West Virginia| ]]
[[Category:West Virginia counties on the Ohio River]]
[[Category:1846 establishments in Virginia]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1846]]