Editing Wirt County, West Virginia

{{Short description|County in West Virginia, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Wirt County
 | state                = West Virginia
 | seal                 = Seal of Wirt County, West Virginia.png
 | founded date         = January 19
 | founded year         = 1848
 | seat wl              = Elizabeth
 | largest city wl      = Elizabeth
 | city type            = town
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 235
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 233
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 2.3
 | area percentage      = 1.0%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 5194
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2021
 | population_est       = 5063 {{decrease}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | web                  = www.wirtcounty.wv.gov/
 | ex image             = Wirt County Courthouse Elizabeth West Virginia.jpg
 | ex image cap         = The [[Wirt County Courthouse]] in Elizabeth
 | named for            = [[William Wirt (Attorney General)|William Wirt]]
 | district             = 2nd
}}

'''Wirt 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 5,194,<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/wirtcountywestvirginia/PST045221 |access-date=August 14, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> making it the least populous county in West Virginia. Its [[county seat]] is [[Elizabeth, West Virginia|Elizabeth]].<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 created in 1848<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> by the [[Virginia General Assembly]] and named for [[United States Attorney General|U.S. Attorney General]]  and presidential candidate [[William Wirt (Attorney General)|William Wirt]]. The county is served by one high school, [[Wirt County High School]].

Wirt County is part of the [[Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna metropolitan area|Parkersburg-Vienna, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Wirt County was created from parts of Jackson and Wood counties on January 19, 1848. The county was named after [[William Wirt (Attorney General)|William Wirt]] (1772–1834).<ref name="Early">{{Cite web |title=Early History of Wirt County |url=http://www.littlekanawha.com/wirthistory.htm |access-date=August 1, 2014 |publisher=littlekanawha.com}}</ref>

The first European pioneer was William Beauchamp (1743–1808), a veteran of the Continental Navy and a Methodist minister. Beauchamp arrived in 1796 with a claim to 1400 acres on the Little Kanawha River. He farmed, built a mill, and laid out the town of Elizabeth, named after his daughter.<ref name="Early" />

Burning Springs was the site of an oil rush in the 1860s. In 1863 the town was burned, along with 100,000 gallons of oil, by Confederate cavalrymen.<ref name="Early" />

On June 20, 1863, at the height of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Wirt County 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>  Wirt County was divided into seven districts: Burning Springs, Clay, Elizabeth, Newark, Reedy, Spring Creek, and Tucker. Except for minor adjustments, the seven historic magisterial districts remained largely unchanged for over a century. In the 1980s, they were consolidated into three new districts: Central, Northeast, and Southwest.<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|235|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|233|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.3|sqmi}} (1.0%) 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===
* [[Image:WV-5.svg|20px]] [[West Virginia Route 5]]
* [[Image:WV-14.svg|20px]] [[West Virginia Route 14]]
* [[Image:WV-47.svg|20px]] [[West Virginia Route 47]]
* [[Image:WV-53.svg|20px]] [[West Virginia Route 53]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Wood County, West Virginia|Wood County]] (northwest)
* [[Ritchie County, West Virginia|Ritchie County]] (northeast)
* [[Calhoun County, West Virginia|Calhoun County]] (southeast)
* [[Roane County, West Virginia|Roane County]] (south)
* [[Jackson County, West Virginia|Jackson County]] (southwest)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 3353
|1860= 3751
|1870= 4804
|1880= 7104
|1890= 9411
|1900= 10284
|1910= 9047
|1920= 7536
|1930= 6358
|1940= 6475
|1950= 5119
|1960= 4391
|1970= 4154
|1980= 4922
|1990= 5192
|2000= 5873
|2010= 5717
|2020= 5194
|estyear=2021
|estimate=5063
|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=August 14, 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" />
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 5,873 people, 2,284 households, and 1,699 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|25|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,266 housing units at an average density of {{convert|14|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.55% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.29% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.10% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.10% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.75% from two or more races. 0.31% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 2,284 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.50% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,748, and the median income for a family was $33,872. Males had a median income of $29,088 versus $17,965 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,000. About 17.00% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 5,717 people, 2,391 households, and 1,689 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/DPDP1/0500000US54105 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213024241/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54105 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|24.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 3,231 housing units at an average density of {{convert|13.9|/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.CY07/0500000US54105 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213183022/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54105 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 1.5% black or African American, 1.7% two or more races, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 23.5% were [[Americans|American]], 23.0% were [[Germans|German]], 12.4% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 9.3% 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/DP02/0500000US54105 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014013/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54105 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 2,391 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 44.4 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $36,705 and the median income for a family was $43,517. Males had a median income of $35,829 versus $28,460 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,438. About 11.8% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 8.3% 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/DP03/0500000US54105 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033351/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54105 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Wirt County, West Virginia|whig=no|source1=<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/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|2,120|409|52|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,134|466|53|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,911|386|125|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,427|676|68|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,496|782|48|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,727|896|31|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,518|818|46|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|928|906|297|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|939|1,043|400|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,125|929|12|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,450|868|4|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,176|1,058|59|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,031|1,182|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,442|691|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,051|820|140|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|899|1,286|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,347|1,045|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,444|1,184|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,474|1,050|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,291|1,233|8|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,418|1,170|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,818|1,554|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,612|1,783|18|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,486|1,944|46|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,561|1,272|36|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|1,491|1,587|26|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,680|1,376|5|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|951|1,072|12|West Virginia}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|213|953|790|West Virginia}}

==Notable People==
* [[Howard B. Lee|Howard B. Lee-]] served as the [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] [[List of Attorneys General of West Virginia|Attorney General of West Virginia]] from 1925 to 1933. His efforts to eliminate government corruption during that time helped to end the [[West Virginia Mine Wars]].
* [[Jessica Lynch|Jessica Dawn Lynch]] (born April 26, 1983) is an American teacher, actress, and former [[United States Army Special Forces selection and training|United States Army]] soldier who served in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] as a [[private first class]].
{| class="wikitable"
|}
* [[Charles Brooks Smith]] - was a Union Army veteran, businessman and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politician who served in the [[United States House of Representatives]] for a single term from [[West Virginia's 4th congressional district]].

==Communities==

===Town===
* [[Elizabeth, West Virginia|Elizabeth]] (county seat)

===Magisterial districts===
====Current====
* Central
* Northeast
* Southwest

====Historic====
* Burning Springs
* Clay
* Elizabeth
* Newark
* Reedy
* Spring Creek
* Tucker

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Beaverdam, West Virginia|Beaverdam]]
* [[Beulah Hill, West Virginia|Beulah Hill]]
* [[Brohard, West Virginia|Brohard]]
* [[Burning Springs, West Virginia|Burning Springs]]
* [[Cherry, West Virginia|Cherry]]
* [[Creston, West Virginia|Creston]]
* [[Enterprise, Wirt County, West Virginia|Enterprise]]
* [[Freeport, West Virginia|Freeport]]
* [[Garfield, West Virginia|Garfield]]
* [[Greencastle, West Virginia|Greencastle]]
* [[Hilbert, West Virginia|Hilbert]]
* [[Ivan, West Virginia|Ivan]]
* [[Lucile, West Virginia|Lucile]]
* [[McClain, West Virginia|McClain]]
* [[Morristown, West Virginia|Morristown]]
* [[Munday, West Virginia|Munday]]
* [[Newark, West Virginia|Newark]]
* [[Palestine, Wirt County, West Virginia|Palestine]]
* [[Peewee, West Virginia|Peewee]]
* [[Rover, West Virginia|Rover]]
* [[Sanoma, West Virginia|Sanoma]]
* [[Two Run, Wirt County, West Virginia|Two Run]]
* [[Windy, West Virginia|Windy]]
* [[Zackville, West Virginia|Zackville]]
* Adriengrad
{{div col end}}
*

==See also==
* [[Hughes River Wildlife Management Area]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Wirt County, West Virginia]]

==References==
<references />

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

{{Wirt County, West Virginia}}
{{West_Virginia}}

{{coord|39.02|-81.38|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WV_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Wirt County, West Virginia| ]]
[[Category:1848 establishments in Virginia]]