Pleasants County
County
Pleasants County Courthouse in St. Marys
Pleasants County Courthouse in St. Marys
Map of West Virginia highlighting Pleasants County
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°22′N 81°10′W / 39.37°N 81.16°W / 39.37; -81.16
Country United States
State West Virginia
FoundedMarch 29, 1851
Named forJames Pleasants
SeatSt. Marys
Largest citySt. Marys
Area
 • Total135 sq mi (350 km2)
 • Land130 sq mi (300 km2)
 • Water4.4 sq mi (11 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total7,653
 • Estimate 
(2021)
7,601 Decrease
 • Density57/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitepleasantscountywv.org

Pleasants County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 7,653.[1] Its county seat is St. Marys.[2]

History

Pleasants County was formed by the Virginia General Assembly from portions of adjacent Wood, Ritchie and Tyler counties on March 29, 1851. The county's namesake is James Pleasants, Jr., an esteemed former US Senator and Virginia Governor.[3][4] 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 townships, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts.[5] 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.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 135 square miles (350 km2), of which 130 square miles (340 km2) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km2) (3.3%) is water.[7] It is the fourth-smallest county in West Virginia by area.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18602,945—
18703,0122.3%
18806,256107.7%
18907,53920.5%
19009,34524.0%
19108,074−13.6%
19207,379−8.6%
19306,545−11.3%
19406,6922.2%
19506,369−4.8%
19607,12411.9%
19707,2742.1%
19808,23613.2%
19907,546−8.4%
20007,514−0.4%
20107,6051.2%
20207,6530.6%
2021 (est.)7,601[8]−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

As of the 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, 1.2% African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. 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%.[13]

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 58 inhabitants per square mile (22/km2). There were 3,214 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.30% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.37% of the population were Hispanic or 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 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.[14] The population density was 58.5 inhabitants per square mile (22.6/km2). There were 3,390 housing units at an average density of 26.1 units per square mile (10.1 units/km2).[15] 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.[14] In terms of ancestry,[16]

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.[14]

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.[17]

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.[18]

Politics

Although Pleasants County, like neighbouring rock-ribbed Unionist and Republican Ritchie, Doddridge and Tyler Counties, voted against secession at the Virginia Secession Convention,[19] during the Third Party System the county voted consistently Democratic.[20] 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.[21]

United States presidential election results for Pleasants County, West Virginia[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 2,742 78.54% 699 20.02% 50 1.43%
2016 2,358 74.17% 621 19.53% 200 6.29%
2012 1,825 64.24% 955 33.61% 61 2.15%
2008 1,772 59.56% 1,142 38.39% 61 2.05%
2004 2,061 60.00% 1,349 39.27% 25 0.73%
2000 1,884 58.73% 1,267 39.50% 57 1.78%
1996 1,265 39.89% 1,478 46.61% 428 13.50%
1992 1,248 36.97% 1,387 41.08% 741 21.95%
1988 1,761 55.26% 1,421 44.59% 5 0.16%
1984 2,255 60.54% 1,458 39.14% 12 0.32%
1980 1,852 53.73% 1,494 43.34% 101 2.93%
1976 1,608 48.62% 1,699 51.38% 0 0.00%
1972 2,025 62.65% 1,207 37.35% 0 0.00%
1968 1,534 47.06% 1,522 46.69% 204 6.26%
1964 1,339 36.93% 2,287 63.07% 0 0.00%
1960 1,982 53.22% 1,742 46.78% 0 0.00%
1956 2,144 57.56% 1,581 42.44% 0 0.00%
1952 1,900 53.79% 1,632 46.21% 0 0.00%
1948 1,548 49.95% 1,536 49.56% 15 0.48%
1944 1,622 51.84% 1,507 48.16% 0 0.00%
1940 1,896 51.59% 1,779 48.41% 0 0.00%
1936 1,820 48.73% 1,907 51.06% 8 0.21%
1932 1,580 44.82% 1,921 54.50% 24 0.68%
1928 1,821 60.06% 1,210 39.91% 1 0.03%
1924 1,619 48.72% 1,675 50.41% 29 0.87%
1920 1,657 52.91% 1,449 46.26% 26 0.83%
1916 876 49.16% 899 50.45% 7 0.39%
1912 493 29.43% 796 47.52% 386 23.04%

Communities

Cities

Towns

Magisterial districts

Current

  • District A
  • District B
  • District C
  • District D

Historic

  • Grant
  • Jefferson
  • Lafayette
  • McKim
  • Union
  • Washington

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 23, 2001. Retrieved February 4, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ e-WV The West Virginia Encyclopedia: Pleasants County. Accessed April 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
  6. ↑ United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Explore Census Data".
  14. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  16. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  17. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Pleasants County, West Virginia - Education". pleasantscountywv.net. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  19. ↑ Hinkle, Harlan H.; Grayback Mountaineers: The Confederate Face Of Western Virginia, p. 198 ISBN 0595268404
  20. ↑ Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 334-337 ISBN 0786422173
  21. ↑ Schwartzman, Gabe; ‘How Central Appalachia Went Right’; Daily Yonder, January 13, 2015
  22. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

39°22′N 81°10′W / 39.37°N 81.16°W / 39.37; -81.16

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