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Clay County, West Virginia

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County in West Virginia, United States

County in West Virginia
Clay County
County
The Old Clay County Courthouse in Clay in 2007The Old Clay County Courthouse in Clay in 2007
Official seal of Clay CountySeal
Map of West Virginia highlighting Clay CountyLocation within the U.S. state of West Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting West VirginiaWest Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°28′N 81°04′W / 38.46°N 81.07°W / 38.46; -81.07
Country United States
State West Virginia
FoundedMarch 29, 1858
Named forHenry Clay
SeatClay
Largest townClay
Area
 • Total344 sq mi (890 km)
 • Land342 sq mi (890 km)
 • Water1.9 sq mi (5 km)  0.5%
Population
 • Total8,051
 • Estimate 7,892 Decrease
 • Density23/sq mi (9.0/km)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.claycountywv.us

Clay County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,051. Its county seat is Clay. The county was founded in 1858 and named in honor of Henry Clay, famous American statesman, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century. Clay County is part of the Charleston, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 344 square miles (890 km), of which 342 square miles (890 km) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km) (0.6%) is water.

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. Clay County was divided into four districts: Buffalo, Henry, Pleasant, and Union. A fifth district, Otter, was created from part of Henry in 1876. Between 1990 and 2000, these districts were consolidated into Districts A, B, and C. Though it does have access to an interstate highway, the county has no traffic lights or public transportation.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,787—
18702,19622.9%
18803,46057.6%
18904,65934.7%
19008,24877.0%
191010,23324.1%
192011,48612.2%
193013,12514.3%
194015,20615.9%
195014,961−1.6%
196011,942−20.2%
19709,330−21.9%
198011,26520.7%
19909,983−11.4%
200010,3303.5%
20109,386−9.1%
20208,051−14.2%
2021 (est.)7,892−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,330 people, 4,020 households, and 2,942 families living in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km). There were 4,836 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km). The racial makeup of the county was 98.22% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.02% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,020 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.60% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,120, and the median income for a family was $27,137. Males had a median income of $30,161 versus $16,642 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,021. About 24.40% of families and 27.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.00% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 9,386 people, 3,728 households, and 2,566 families living in the county. The population density was 27.5 inhabitants per square mile (10.6/km). There were 4,572 housing units at an average density of 13.4 per square mile (5.2/km). The racial makeup of the county was 98.8% white, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were Irish, 14.7% were English, 13.2% were German, 11.0% were American, and 5.0% were Dutch.

Of the 3,728 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 41.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,789 and the median income for a family was $40,634. Males had a median income of $42,269 versus $24,402 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,205. About 22.4% of families and 23.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Clay County was reliably Democratic throughout the 1900s, but it has shifted to being sharply Republican in recent years.

United States presidential election results for Clay County, West Virginia
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 2,597 80.15% 580 17.90% 63 1.94%
2020 2,679 79.61% 641 19.05% 45 1.34%
2016 2,300 76.79% 568 18.96% 127 4.24%
2012 1,971 65.31% 931 30.85% 116 3.84%
2008 1,755 53.75% 1,421 43.52% 89 2.73%
2004 2,198 53.98% 1,835 45.06% 39 0.96%
2000 1,887 52.68% 1,617 45.14% 78 2.18%
1996 1,137 31.79% 2,074 57.98% 366 10.23%
1992 1,255 34.32% 1,928 52.72% 474 12.96%
1988 1,536 40.30% 2,263 59.38% 12 0.31%
1984 1,667 43.91% 2,117 55.77% 12 0.32%
1980 1,452 38.60% 2,185 58.08% 125 3.32%
1976 1,282 32.51% 2,662 67.49% 0 0.00%
1972 2,168 54.23% 1,830 45.77% 0 0.00%
1968 1,474 39.42% 1,916 51.24% 349 9.33%
1964 1,366 30.04% 3,182 69.96% 0 0.00%
1960 2,406 45.70% 2,859 54.30% 0 0.00%
1956 2,820 51.76% 2,628 48.24% 0 0.00%
1952 2,534 47.38% 2,814 52.62% 0 0.00%
1948 2,366 44.21% 2,978 55.64% 8 0.15%
1944 2,114 46.88% 2,395 53.12% 0 0.00%
1940 2,881 45.26% 3,485 54.74% 0 0.00%
1936 2,513 42.56% 3,387 57.36% 5 0.08%
1932 2,443 44.43% 3,038 55.25% 18 0.33%
1928 2,551 56.76% 1,929 42.92% 14 0.31%
1924 1,843 47.02% 2,037 51.96% 40 1.02%
1920 1,981 56.37% 1,533 43.63% 0 0.00%
1916 1,021 48.76% 1,047 50.00% 26 1.24%
1912 352 16.72% 932 44.28% 821 39.00%

In popular culture

Clay County is also the birthplace of the Golden Delicious Apple. The original tree was found on the Mullins' family farm in Clay County, West Virginia, United States and was locally known as Mullin's Yellow Seedling and Annit apple.

See also

References

  1. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Clay County history sources". Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  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. Whang, Oliver; McGarvey, Maddie (September 19, 2022). "A Rural Doctor Gave Her All. Then Her Heart Broke". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  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 9, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  15. "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.
  16. "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.
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.

External links

Places adjacent to Clay County, West Virginia
Roane County Calhoun County Braxton County
Kanawha County Clay County, West Virginia
Nicholas County
Municipalities and communities of Clay County, West Virginia, United States
County seat: Clay
Town
Clay County map
Unincorporated
communities
Footnotes‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
State of West Virginia
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38°28′N 81°04′W / 38.46°N 81.07°W / 38.46; -81.07

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