Gassaway, West Virginia

Gassaway is a town in Braxton County, West Virginia, in the United States. The population was 908 at the 2010 census. Gassaway was incorporated in 1905 and named for Henry Gassaway Davis, the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President of the United States in 1904.[6] The center of population of West Virginia is located approximately 7 miles (11 km) north of Gassaway.[7]

Gassaway, West Virginia
Town
Elk Street (West Virginia Route 4) in downtown Gassaway in 2007
Location of Gassaway in Braxton County, West Virginia.
Coordinates: 38°40′15″N 80°46′13″W
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Braxton
Mayor	Richard Roach
Government
• Chief of Police	Logan M. Thompson
Area [1]
• Total	1.22 sq mi (3.15 km^2)
• Land	1.16 sq mi (2.99 km^2)
• Water	0.06 sq mi (0.16 km^2)
Elevation	860 ft (262 m)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	908
• Estimate  (2019)[3]	846
• Density	732.47/sq mi (282.77/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	26624
Area code(s)	304
FIPS code	54-30220[4]
GNIS feature ID	1539355[5]

History

The town was originally created at the ends of two divisions of the Coal and Coke Railway, one originating in Charleston and the other originating in Elkins. Because of its central location, the area was an ideal place to build shops to facilitate the transition between the relatively flat Charleston division, which could operate with standard equipment, and the more hilly Elkins division of the Coal & Coke which required heavier engines. The town was laid out in 1904, and over the next decade, businesses and infrastructure such as hotels, a bank, stores, schools, a hospital, office buildings and churches appeared to serve the growing population. By 1915, the Coal & Coke Railway Company had completed work on a depot to facilitate passenger service to the town.[8] The Gassaway Depot still stands today and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.[9]

Geography

Gassaway is located at 38°40′15″N 80°46′13″W (38.670712, -80.770413),[10] along the Elk River.[11]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.22 square miles (3.16 km²), of which, 1.16 square miles (3.00 km²) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km²) is water.[12]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	1,086		—
1920	1,518		39.8%
1930	1,618		6.6%
1940	1,429		−11.7%
1950	1,306		−8.6%
1960	1,223		−6.4%
1970	1,253		2.5%
1980	1,225		−2.2%
1990	946		−22.8%
2000	901		−4.8%
2010	908		0.8%
Est. 2019	846	[3]	−6.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 908 people, 434 households, and 228 families living in the town. The population density was 782.8 inhabitants per square mile (302.2/km²). There were 496 housing units at an average density of 427.6 per square mile (165.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.6% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.1% of the population.

There were 434 households of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.5% were non-families. 41.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the town was 44.5 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 28.1% were from 45 to 64; and 21.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 901 people, 420 households, and 243 families living in the town. The population density was 741.5 inhabitants per square mile (285.1/km²). There were 506 housing units at an average density of 416.4 per square mile (160.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.34% White, 0.55% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.11% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 420 households out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town, the population dispersal was 20.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males. The median income for a household in the town was $23,009, and the median income for a family was $31,667. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $17,396 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,965. About 10.8% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to freezing winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Gassaway has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[14]

Notable residents

• Lonnie Thompson, paleoclimatologist, was born in Gassaway

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
6. West Virginia Blue Book. Published annually by the Clerk's Office of the West Virginia Senate.
7. "Population and Population Centers by State: 2000". United States Census. Archived from the original on 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2007-07-15.
8. "Gassaway and Community: 1796-1942" (PDF). West Virginia Division of Culture and History. West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
9. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
11. West Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Me.: DeLorme. 1997. p. 45. ISBN 0-89933-246-3.
12. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
14. Climate Summary for Gassaway, West Virginia

External links

Gassaway Days celebration on the 4th of July weekend features live music, a parade, car show, and fireworks. Visit the link for a schedule of events.

• Gassaway Days - Facebook Page