Mercer County, West Virginia

Mercer County is a county on the southeastern border of the U.S. state of West Virginia. At the 2010 census, the population was 62,264.[1] Its county seat is Princeton.[2] The county was originally established in the state of Virginia by act of its General Assembly on 17 March 1837,[3][4] using lands taken from Giles and Tazewell counties.

Mercer County
U.S. county
The Mercer County Courthouse in Princeton in 2007
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°25′N 81°07′W
Country United States
State West Virginia
FoundedMarch 17, 1837
SeatPrinceton
Largest cityBluefield
Area
 • Total421 sq mi (1,090 km2)
 • Land419 sq mi (1,090 km2)
 • Water1.7 sq mi (4 km2)  0.4%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total62,264
 • Estimate 
(2018)
59,131
 • Density150/sq mi (57/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.mercercounty.wv.gov

Mercer County is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 421 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 419 square miles (1,090 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.4%) is water.[5]

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.[6] Mercer County was divided into five districts: Beaver Pond, East River, Jumping Branch, Plymouth, and Rock. In the 1970s, Mercer County's five historic districts were consolidated into three new magisterial districts: District 1, District 2, and District 3. The new districts were renamed "District I", "District II" and "District III" during the 1980s.[7]

Major highways

The West Virginia Turnpike, now part of Interstate 77, begins in Princeton.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18402,233—
18504,22289.1%
18606,81961.5%
18707,0643.6%
18807,4675.7%
189016,002114.3%
190023,02343.9%
191038,37166.7%
192049,55829.2%
193061,32323.7%
194068,28911.4%
195075,0139.8%
196068,206−9.1%
197063,206−7.3%
198073,94217.0%
199064,980−12.1%
200062,980−3.1%
201062,264−1.1%
Est. 201859,131[8]−5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2018[1]

2000 census

At the census[13] of 2000, there were 62,980 people, 26,509 households, and 17,946 families living in the county. The population density was 150 people per square mile (58/km²). There were 30,143 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.56% White, 5.82% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 0.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 26,509 households out of which 26.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.10% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,628, and the median income for a family was $33,524. Males had a median income of $29,243 versus $19,013 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,564. About 14.70% of families and 19.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.90% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.

The county is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 62,264 people, 26,603 households, and 17,313 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 148.6 inhabitants per square mile (57.4/km2). There were 30,115 housing units at an average density of 71.9 per square mile (27.8/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 91.6% white, 6.1% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 16.4% were Irish, 14.2% were German, 12.0% were English, and 11.2% were American.[16]

Of the 26,603 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.9% were non-families, and 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 42.5 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,131 and the median income for a family was $42,517. Males had a median income of $37,423 versus $25,778 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,431. About 16.0% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Politics

Mercer County's political history is largely typical of West Virginia. It was supportive of remaining with Confederate Virginia when the state was created and voted Democratic in the first few post-Civil War elections.[18] However, the influence of coal industry executives turned the county towards the GOP during the "System of 1896".[19] As with most of West Virginia, extensive unionization caused the county to swing to the Democratic Party during most of the twentieth century, but an extremely rapid swing towards the Republican Party has occurred since 2000, due to declining unionization,[20] along with regional views on environmental, social and cultural issues that are increasingly at odds with the national Democratic party.[21]

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 75.0% 17,404 20.3% 4,704 4.7% 1,089
2012 72.5% 15,450 25.5% 5,432 2.0% 431
2008 62.8% 13,246 35.3% 7,450 1.9% 393
2004 58.3% 13,057 41.0% 9,178 0.6% 144
2000 54.1% 10,206 44.2% 8,347 1.7% 322
1996 41.5% 7,768 46.6% 8,721 11.8% 2,211
1992 38.9% 7,888 46.9% 9,511 14.2% 2,876
1988 50.0% 10,221 49.7% 10,152 0.3% 57
1984 60.1% 13,910 39.6% 9,164 0.4% 81
1980 49.6% 12,273 47.7% 11,804 2.7% 664
1976 42.2% 10,791 57.8% 14,761
1972 69.5% 17,846 30.5% 7,826
1968 38.3% 9,985 48.8% 12,739 12.9% 3,363
1964 32.7% 8,905 67.3% 18,298
1960 40.4% 11,719 59.6% 17,289
1956 52.5% 14,648 47.5% 13,236
1952 46.1% 14,267 53.9% 16,694
1948 39.7% 10,065 60.0% 15,201 0.3% 82
1944 40.3% 10,034 59.7% 14,861
1940 38.6% 11,395 61.5% 18,163
1936 36.9% 10,762 63.0% 18,391 0.1% 30
1932 40.9% 11,088 58.7% 15,900 0.4% 105
1928 55.5% 12,887 44.3% 10,273 0.2% 50
1924 42.9% 9,159 47.1% 10,058 10.1% 2,153
1920 51.7% 8,613 47.9% 7,981 0.3% 56
1916 49.5% 4,788 50.0% 4,836 0.6% 55
1912 18.6% 1,507 43.1% 3,497 38.4% 3,116

Education

The Mercer County Public School System has nineteen elementary schools, including Athens, Bluefield Intermediate, Bluewell, Brushfork, Ceres, Glenwood Elementary, Lashmeet-Matoaka, Melrose, Memorial, Mercer County Early Learning - Bluefield and Princeton sites, Mercer, Montcalm, Oakvale (funding for constructing a new Oakvale school has been approved), Princeton Primary, Spanishburg, Straley, Sun Valley and Whitethorne. There are six middle school facilities including Princeton Middle, Bluefield Middle, Montcalm Middle, PikeView Middle, and Glenwood Middle. There are also four high school facilities, including Princeton Senior (AAA), Bluefield High (AA), Montcalm High (A) and PikeView High (AA). The Mercer County Technical Education Center, which is being transitioned into a comprehensive technical high school. Mercer County Schools educates approximately 9200 students. The professional and service staff number about 1200.

Higher educational institutions include Bluefield State College, located in Bluefield; Concord University, located in Athens; and New River Community and Technical College, located in Princeton, West Virginia.

Law enforcement

Mercer County is protected by seven agencies. Five agencies protect the incorporated areas of the county, but the non-incorporated area is the primary responsibility of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department. The Mercer County Sheriff's Department consists of 30 sworn law enforcement officers and a number of civilian employees. Within the Mercer County Sheriff's Department are several specialized units to better serve the citizens.

K-9 Unit: Deputy Ballard (Quando), Deputy Parks (Arrow), Deputy Rose (Mitis), & Deputy Ellsion (Max).

Detective Bureau: Cpl. Murphy, Detective Sparks, & Detective Combs.

SWAT: Sgt. G. W. Woods, Cpl. J. J. Ruble, Cpl. S. A. Sommers, & Detective Combs. The rest of the team consists of other agencies within the County, excluding the State Police.

The Sheriff's Department has one dedicated Deputy who serves on the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

Mercer County is also home to the Princeton Detachment of the West Virginia State Police and a Turnpike Detachment (Highway Patrol).

Communities

Cities

Towns

Magisterial districts
  • District I
  • District II
  • District III

Census-designated places
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See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "West Virginia Counties". West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Archived from the original on September 23, 2001. Retrieved February 24, 2014. (WV County Etymology)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 23, 2001. Retrieved July 23, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  6. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
  7. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. "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 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  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. Johnston, David E., A History of Middle New River Settlements and Contiguous Territory, Standard Ptg. & Pub. Co., 1908, pg. 187
  19. Drake, Richard B.; A History of Appalachia ISBN 0813137934
  20. Schwartzman, Gabe; ‘How Central Appalachia Went Right’; Daily Yonder, January 13, 2015
  21. Cohn, Nate; "Demographic Shift: Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats", New York Times, April 24, 2014
  22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-27.

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