McDowell County, West Virginia

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,385 km² (535 mi²). 1,385 km² (535 mi²) of it is land and 0 km² (0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.03% water.

McDowell County is bounded in the northwest is Mingo County, West Virginia, in the north by Wyoming County, West Virginia, in the east Mercer County, West Virginia, in the south by Tazewell County, Virginia, and in the west by Buchanan County, Virginia

Demographics As of the census¹ of 2000, there are 27,329 people, 11,169 households, and 7,840 families residing in the county. The population density is 20/km² (51/mi²). There are 13,582 housing units at an average density of 10/km² (25/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 87.06% White, 11.89% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.48% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 11,169 households out of which 29.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.10% are married couples living together, 14.90% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% are non-families. 27.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 2.92.

In the county, the population is spread out with 23.20% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 90.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $16,931, and the median income for a family is $20,496. Males have a median income of $25,994 versus $18,685 for females. The per capita income for the county is $10,174. 37.70% of the population and 33.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 52.50% are under the age of 18 and 21.60% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Algoma
• Anawalt
• Asco
• Ashland
• Avondale
• Bartley
• Berwind
• Big Four
  • This is reported to have been named from the four men who operated the coal mines in the area.
• Big Sandy
  • The name comes from the Big Sandy River, a mojor branch of the Ohio River which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Kentucky.
• Bradshaw
• Canebrake
  • It was named for a thicket of canes.
• Capels
• Caretta
  • This was named for the transposed syllables in the name of Mrs. Etta Carter. It is the only place in the United States with this name.
• Coalwood
• Crumpler
• Cucumber
  • It was named either for Cucumber Creek or for the cucumber trees. It is the only community in the United States with this name.
• Davy
• Eckman
• Elbert
• Elkhorn
• English
• Filbert
• Gary
• Gilliam
• Havaco
• Hemphill
• Hensley
• Iaeger
• Isaban
• Jenkinjones
• Jolo
• Keystone
• Kimball
• Kyle
• Leckie
• Maybeury
• McDowell
• Mohawk
• Newhall
• Northfork
• Pageton
• Panther
• Paynesville
• Powhatan
• Premier
• Raysal
• Rockridge
  • It was previously named Collins Ridge because of the large number of people named Collins in the area. The present name reflects the rocky scenery.
• Roderfield
• Skygusty
• Squire
• Superior
• Switchback
• Thorpe
• Twin Branch
• Vallscreek
• Vivian
• War
  • It was named for War Creek, which runs through the town. It was in turn named by the indians because of a battle which occurred near the source of the creek. It is the only place in the United States with this name.
• Warriormine
• Welch
• Wilcoe
• Worth
• Yukon