Braxton County, West Virginia

Braxton County is a county located in the central part of the State of West Virginia. It was established in 1836, and named for Carter Braxton (1736-1797), a signer of the Declaration of Independence. By the 2000 census its population reached 14,702. The county seat is in Sutton, West Virginia.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,337 km² (516 mi²). 1,330 km² (513 mi²) of it is land and 7 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.52% water.

Demographics As of the census¹ of 2000, there are 14,702 people, 5,771 households, and 4,097 families residing in the county. The population density is 11/km² (29/mi²). There are 7,374 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (14/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 98.02% White, 0.69% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.44% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 5,771 households out of which 30.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% are married couples living together, 9.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% are non-families. 25.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.46 and the average family size is 2.92.

In the county, the population is spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 102.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 103.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $24,412, and the median income for a family is $29,133. Males have a median income of $27,560 versus $17,778 for females. The per capita income for the county is $13,349. 22.00% of the population and 17.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 27.90% are under the age of 18 and 13.70% are 65 or older.

Towns and Cities

• Burnsville, West Virginia
• Canfield, Braxton, West Virginia
• Caress, West Virginia
• Centralia, West Virginia
• Clem, West Virginia[?]
• Copen, West Virginia[?]
• Corley, West Virginia[?]
• Cutlips, West Virginia[?]
• Elmira, West Virginia[?]
• Exchange, West Virginia
• Falls Mill, West Virginia[?]
• Flatwoods, West Virginia
• Frametown, West Virginia[?]
• Gassaway, West Virginia
• Gem, West Virginia[?]
• Glendon, West Virginia[?]
• Heaters, West Virginia[?]
• Herold, West Virginia[?]
• Knapp, West Virginia[?]
• Little Birch, West Virginia[?]
• Little Otter, West Virginia[?]
• Napier, West Virginia[?]
• Newville, West Virginia[?]
• Riffle, West Virginia[?]
• Strange Creek, West Virginia[?]
• Sutton
• Tague, West Virginia
• Tesla, West Virginia[?]
• Wilsie, West Virginia[?]