| Pocahontas County, West Virginia | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of West Virginia |
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 West Virginia's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1821 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Marlinton |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
942 sq mi (2,440 km²) 2 sq mi (5 km²), 0.71% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
9,131 10/sq mi (4/km²) |
Pocahontas County is located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population was 9,131. It was established in 1821 and is named in honor of the Native American princess, Pocahontas. Its county seat is Marlinton[1]. Pocahontas County is the home to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Green Bank Telescope and is part of the National Radio Quiet Zone.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 942 square miles (2,439 km²), of which, 940 square miles (2,435 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (4 km²) of it (0.17%) is water.
The highest point is believed to be Thorny Flat on Cheat Mountain in the northwestern part of the county. At an estimated 4,848 feet (1,478 m), it is the second-highest summit in West Virginia.[citation needed]
Birthplace of rivers
The county is the site of the headwaters for eight rivers: Cherry River, Cranberry River, Elk River, Gauley River, Greenbrier River, Tygart Valley River, Williams River, and Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. The Monongahela National Forest protects much of the river headwaters, thereby helping to ensure improved downstream water quality.
Major highways
National protected area
- Monongahela National Forest (part)
Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 9,131 people, 835 households, and 527 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 7,594 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.38% White, 0.78% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,835 households out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county, the population was spread out with 20.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 106.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,401, and the median income for a family was $32,511. Males had a median income of $26,173 versus $16,780 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,384. About 12.70% of families and 17.10% of individuals were below the poverty line, including 20.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
Incorporated towns & cities
Unincorporated communities
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Registered Historic Places in Pocahontas County
- Camp Allegheny
- Camp Bartow Historic District
- Cass Historic District
- Cass Scenic Railroad
- Reber Radio Telescope
- GW Jeep Site
- Locust Creek Covered Bridge
- The Pearl S. Buck Birthplace
- Richard Beard House
- Huntersville Presbyterian Church
- Droop Mountain Battlefield
- Frank and Anna Hunter House
- IOOF Lodge Building
- Marlinton Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Station
- Pocahontas County Opera House in Marlinton
- Pocahontas County Courthouse and Jail
- Pocahontas Times Print Shop
- McNeel Mill
National Natural Landmarks in Pocahontas County
- Cranberry Glades Botanical Area
- Gaudineer Scenic Area
- Swago Karst Area
National Literary Landmarks in Pocahontas County
Tourism
As of 2008, there were approximately 30,000 out-of-towners who own property in Pocahontas County. The tourism industry has continued to be one of the county's largest economic industries. The main tourist attraction is Snowshoe Mountain which attracts thousands of visitors every summer and winter.[citation needed]
Notable citizens
- Pearl S. Buck was born in Hillsboro and her house is preserved as The Pearl S. Buck Birthplace
- W. E. Blackhurst Known as "Tweard" by the citizens of Pocahontas County, this author wrote of the logging industry at the turn of the century in a style called "low level, high interest" (easy to understand language and dialog and interesting plotlines). His most famous work may be Riders of the Flood, which was turned into a subject for the outdoor theater in the town of Ronceverte.
- BJ Gudmundsson is award-winning film-maker for Patchwork Films, a nonprofit renowned for its documentaries on mountaintop removal, the Appalachian culture, the lives of remarkable citizens, and New England. Another Patchwork filmmaker, Doug Chadwick, also resides in Pocahontas County.[1]
See also
- Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
- Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
- Greenbrier River Trail
- Handley Wildlife Management Area
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory
- Watoga State Park
- Shavers Mountain
- Spice Run Wilderness
- Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County, West Virginia by William T. Price
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Webster County | Randolph County | Pendleton County |
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Highland County, Virginia | ||||||
 Pocahontas County, West Virginia  |
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| Greenbrier County | Bath County, Virginia |
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Coordinates: 38°19′N 80°01′W / 38.32°N 80.01°W
References
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
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