Monroe County, West Virginia

Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,376.[1] Its county seat is Union.[2]

Monroe County
County
Main Building at Sweet Springs Resort, designed by Thomas Jefferson.
Main Building at Sweet Springs Resort, designed by Thomas Jefferson.
Official seal of Monroe County
Seal
Map of West Virginia highlighting Monroe 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: 37°34′N 80°32′W
Country United States
State West Virginia
FoundedJanuary 14, 1799
Named forJames Monroe
SeatUnion
Largest townPeterstown
Area
 • Total474 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Land473 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Water0.9 sq mi (2 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total12,376
 • Estimate 
(2021)
12,332 Decrease
 • Density26.11/sq mi (10.08/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.monroecountywv.net

Monroe County was the home of Andrew Summers Rowan of Spanish–American War fame, who is immortalized in Elbert Hubbard's classic A Message to Garcia. The county was also the site of the 1928 discovery of the 34.48 carat (6.896 g) Jones Diamond by Grover C. Jones and William "Punch" Jones.

Monroe County celebrates its own holiday, Farmers' Day.

History

Monroe County was created from Greenbrier County on January 14, 1799, and was named for Virginia civic figure James Monroe, who would be elected fifth President of the United States in November 1816.[3] It was one of fifty Virginia counties that were admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863, at the height of the Civil War. Monroe County did not participate in the creation of the new state, but was included by Congressional decree. Almost all the men from Monroe who served in the Civil War enlisted in the Confederate army.[4]

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] Monroe County was initially divided into seven townships: Forest Hill, Red Sulphur, Second Creek, Springfield, Sweet Springs, Union, and Wolf Creek. In 1871, part of Forest Hill Township was added to the new county of Summers, and the remaining territory distributed between Red Sulphur and Springfield Townships. The following year, the six remaining townships became magisterial districts. Except for minor adjustments, the six historic magisterial districts were unchanged until the 1990s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: Central, Eastern, and Western.[6]

Geography

Monroe County lies on the southeast side of West Virginia. Its southeast border abuts the northwest border of the state of Virginia. The New River flows northward for a short distance along the county's southwest border. The county's terrain is mountainous and tree-covered, with all sufficiently level surfaces devoted to agriculture.[7] The terrain slopes to the north and west, with its highest part the middle part of its border with Virginia, at 3,862 ft (1,177 m) ASL.[8] The county has a total area of 474 square miles (1,230 km2), of which 473 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) (0.2%) is water.[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Watersheds

Tributaries of the James River, part of the Chesapeake Bay

Tributaries of the New River

Tributaries of the Greenbrier River

National Natural Landmark
  • Greenville Saltpeter Cave

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18004,188—
18105,44430.0%
18206,62021.6%
18307,79817.8%
18408,4228.0%
185010,20421.2%
186010,7575.4%
187011,1243.4%
188011,5013.4%
189012,4298.1%
190013,1305.6%
191013,055−0.6%
192013,1410.7%
193011,949−9.1%
194013,57713.6%
195013,123−3.3%
196011,584−11.7%
197011,272−2.7%
198012,87314.2%
199012,406−3.6%
200014,58317.5%
201013,502−7.4%
202012,376−8.3%
2021 (est.)12,332[11]−0.4%
US Decennial Census[12]
1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14]
1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,583 people, 5,447 households, and 3,883 families in the county. The population density was 30.8 people per square mile (11.9 people/km2). There were 7,267 housing units at an average density of 15.4 units per square mile (5.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.67% White, 5.98% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 0.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,447 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88.

The county population contained 20.10% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 79.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,575, and the median income for a family was $35,299. Males had a median income of $25,643 versus $22,104 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,435. About 12.60% of families and 16.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 13,502 people, 5,655 households, and 3,915 families in the county.[16] The population density was 28.5 people per square mile (11.0 people/km2). There were 7,601 housing units at an average density of 16.1 units per square mile (6.2 units/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 19.5% were Irish, 16.7% were English, 16.3% were German, 10.4% were American, and 5.7% were Scotch-Irish.[18]

Of the 5,655 households, 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.8% were non-families, and 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.0 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,574 and the median income for a family was $45,106. Males had a median income of $35,709 versus $23,782 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,927. About 10.3% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.[19]

Politics

Monroe County was strongly pro-Confederate during the Virginia Secession Convention.[20] It voted Democratic consistently up until voting for William McKinley in 1900, but since then has leaned Republican except during Democratic landslides, and like all of West Virginia has become overwhelmingly Republican in the twenty-first century due to declining unionization[21] and differences with the Democratic Party's liberal views on social issues.[22]

United States presidential election results for Monroe County, West Virginia[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 5,068 78.09% 1,345 20.72% 77 1.19%
2016 4,443 75.92% 1,111 18.98% 298 5.09%
2012 3,616 69.11% 1,455 27.81% 161 3.08%
2008 3,397 60.93% 2,014 36.13% 164 2.94%
2004 3,590 60.33% 2,311 38.83% 50 0.84%
2000 2,940 57.21% 2,094 40.75% 105 2.04%
1996 2,131 41.85% 2,382 46.78% 579 11.37%
1992 2,311 42.64% 2,418 44.61% 691 12.75%
1988 2,719 52.61% 2,427 46.96% 22 0.43%
1984 3,612 60.67% 2,333 39.18% 9 0.15%
1980 2,999 49.39% 2,877 47.38% 196 3.23%
1976 2,750 45.48% 3,297 54.52% 0 0.00%
1972 3,716 63.74% 2,114 36.26% 0 0.00%
1968 2,925 49.66% 2,412 40.95% 553 9.39%
1964 2,385 41.46% 3,367 58.54% 0 0.00%
1960 3,139 51.89% 2,910 48.11% 0 0.00%
1956 3,529 56.01% 2,772 43.99% 0 0.00%
1952 3,447 54.69% 2,856 45.31% 0 0.00%
1948 2,956 52.90% 2,632 47.10% 0 0.00%
1944 3,130 54.48% 2,615 45.52% 0 0.00%
1940 3,403 50.90% 3,283 49.10% 0 0.00%
1936 3,268 48.81% 3,413 50.98% 14 0.21%
1932 2,978 47.67% 3,267 52.30% 2 0.03%
1928 3,025 56.14% 2,346 43.54% 17 0.32%
1924 2,713 49.96% 2,686 49.47% 31 0.57%
1920 3,001 54.25% 2,519 45.54% 12 0.22%
1916 1,584 49.48% 1,609 50.27% 8 0.25%
1912 798 25.52% 1,570 50.21% 759 24.27%

Government and infrastructure
Monroe County Courthouse in 2022

FPC Alderson
Alderson Federal Prison Camp entrance
Main article: Federal Prison Camp, Alderson

The Federal Bureau of Prisons' Federal Prison Camp, Alderson was the nation's first women's federal prison.[24] It is located in Monroe and Summers counties, west of Alderson.[25][26]

Natural Landmarks

One of Monroe County's geological features is Haynes Cave, a former saltpeter mine.[27] Workers in the mine found strange bones in the cave at the end of the 18th Century, and mailed them to Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's study of the animal, the Megalonyx jeffersonii was arguably the birth of American paleontology. It is now the official West Virginia state fossil.

However, other saltpeter caves are in private ownership, and allow only limited public access due to ecological risks. One such is the Greenville Saltpeter Cave, designated a national natural landmark in 1973, and very important during the War of 1812.[28][29][30]

Historic Landmarks

Education

Monroe County Schools operates public schools:

Farmers' Day

Farmers' Day is an annual event, held on the first Saturday in June in Union, to recognize the farming families in the surrounding area. The event, founded by Louie H. Peters, fills the weekend, with a Friday dance, a 3k run, a Saturday pancake breakfast, Sunday activities, and a parade held in the town of Union.

Communities

Towns

Magisterial districts
  • Central
  • Eastern
  • Western

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Monroe County history sources". Archived from the original on June 1, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  4. Morton, Oren F., A History of Monroe County, West Virginia, Ruebush-Elkins Co., 1916, pgs. 422-460
  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. Monroe County WV Google Maps (accessed April 12, 2019)
  8. ""Find an Altitude/Monroe County WV" Google Maps (accessed April 12, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  9. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  10. "WV MetroNews – Judge rules not enough evidence to kick WV pipeline protesters out of trees". wvmetronews.com. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  11. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  12. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  16. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  17. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  18. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  19. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  20. Hinkle, Harlan H.; Grayback Mountaineers: The Confederate Face of Western Virginia, p. 194 ISBN 0595268404
  21. Schwartzman, Gabe; ‘How Central Appalachia Went Right’; Daily Yonder, January 13, 2015
  22. Cohn, Nate; ‘Demographic Shift: Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats’, New York Times, April 24, 2014
  23. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  24. Keller, Julia. "It's a gosh-darned good thing: Stewart heads to West Virginia." Chicago Tribune. October 1, 2004. Tempo 1. Retrieved on January 5, 2010.
  25. "Martha's Prison Thanksgiving." The Cincinnati Post. November 24, 2004. Retrieved on January 5, 2010. "Mullins said the prison dormitories are in Summers County."
  26. FPC Alderson Contact Information Archived January 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on January 5, 2010.
  27. [Steelhammer, Rick (2008), "W.Va.'s 'Official' Sloth Fossil on Display near Cheat Lake" , Charleston Gazette, Thursday, September 19, 2008. Archived January 11, 2013, at archive.today
  28. National Park Service, Site GRSA-WV
  29. Hajenga, Jeff (Winter 2005). "The Twilight Zone" (PDF). West Virginia Wildlife: 8–10. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022.
  30. "Great Saltpetre Cave History". www.rkci.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

37°34′N 80°32′W

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