1. History

2. Geography
    Major highways  Adjacent counties  National protected area 

3. Demographics
    2000 census  2010 census 

4. Politics

5. Local lore

6. Communities
    Cities  Towns  Census-designated places  Unincorporated communities 

7. See also

8. References

Wetzel County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,583.^[1] Its county seat is New Martinsville.^[2] The county, founded in 1846, is named for Lewis Wetzel, a famous frontiersman and Indian fighter.^[3] Its northern border aligns with the Mason-Dixon line but is to the west of the actual Mason-Dixon line.

History

Wetzel County was formed in 1846 out of Tyler County, Virginia. The county had a number of districts:^[4] Proctor, Magnolia, Center Church, Clay, Green,^[5] and Grant Districts. The community of Martinsville may have been within one of the districts.

Geography

According to the U.S. 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.^[6]

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 (north)
• Greene County, Pennsylvania (northeast)
• Monongalia County (east)
• Marion County (east)
• Harrison County (southeast)
• Doddridge County (south)
• Tyler County (southwest)
• Monroe County, Ohio (west)

National protected area

• Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

2000 census

As of the census^[12] of 2000, there were 17,693 people, 7,164 households, and 5,079 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 8,313 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.92% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population were Hispanic or 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 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.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 16,583 people, 6,968 households, and 4,768 families residing in the county.^[13] The population density was {{convert|46.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 8,173 housing units at an average density of {{convert|22.8|/sqmi}}.^[14] 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.^[13] In terms of ancestry, 27.5% were German, 16.0% were Irish, 12.8% were American, and 12.4% were English.^[15]

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.^[13]

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.^[16]

Politics

Wetzel County was a rarity among northern West Virginia counties in supporting secession at the Virginia Secession Convention,^[17] and thus consequently reliably supporting Democratic presidential candidates for the next ninety years.^[18] The first Republican to carry Wetzel County was Herbert Hoover in 1928 due to anti-Catholicism, but the county afterwards stayed Democratic until 1952.^[18] Since that time Wetzel County has followed the politics of West Virginia: a Democratic-leaning state up to the Clinton Era, after which Democratic party consistent shift to social-liberal positions and its support of green policies – an antithesis to the region's traditional economy – have caused extremely rapid trends toward the Republican Party.

Local lore

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 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 (county seat)
• Paden City (part)

Towns

• Hundred
• Pine Grove
• Smithfield

Census-designated places

• Jacksonburg
• Littleton
• Reader

Unincorporated communities

• Bebee
• Big Run
• Burton
• Coburn
• Earnshaw
• Folsom
• Hastings
• Knob Fork
• Maud
• Porters Falls
• Proctor
• Rockport
• Silver Hill
• Wheat
• Wileyville

See also

• Cecil H. Underwood Wildlife Management Area
• Harker Run
• Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Wetzel County, West Virginia

References

• Gilberto Ramirez Sánchez
• Gilberto Ramírez
• Gilberto Reis
• Gilbert Orengo
• Gilberto Ribeiro de Carvalho
• Gilberto Righi
• Gilberto Rincon Gallardo y Meltis
• Gilberto Rondon
• Gilberto Rondón
• Gilberto Serrano
• Gilberto Soriano
• Gilberto Sosa
• Gilbert O Sullivan
• Gilberto Telechea
• Gilberto Teodoro
• Gilberto Teodoro, Jr.
• Gilberto Teodoro Sr.
• Gilbert Ouedraogo
• Gilbert Ouédraogo
• Gilberto Velazquez
• Gilbert Ovens
• Gilberto Viadana
• Gilberto Vieira
• Gilberto Viera
• Gilbertown, Al