Pleasants County, West Virginia

Infobox U.S. County
county = Pleasants County
state = West Virginia




map size = 225
founded = 1851
seat = St. Marys | area_total_sq_mi =135
area_water_sq_mi =4
area percentage = 2.87%
census yr = 2000
pop = 7514
density_km2 =172
web =
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Pleasants County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 7,514. Its county seat is St. MarysGR|6. It was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1851 and named for US Senator and Virginia Governor James Pleasants, Jr. Pleasants County is included in the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, West Virginia-Ohio (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 135 square miles (349 km²), of which, 131 square miles (339 km²) of it is land and 4 square miles (10 km²) of it (2.87%) is water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

*Washington County, Ohio (north)
*Tyler County (east)
*Ritchie County (southeast)
*Wood County (southwest)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 7,514 people, 2,887 households, and 2,136 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 3,214 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.30% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,887 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,736, and the median income for a family was $37,795. Males had a median income of $31,068 versus $18,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,920. About 10.90% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated communities

*City of Belmont
*City of St. Marys

Unincorporated communities

*Calcutta
*Hebron
*Pine Grove

References