Jefferson County, West Virginia

Jefferson County is located in the Shenandoah Valley and is the easternmost county of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census the population was 53,498.[1] Its county seat is Charles Town.[2] The county was founded in 1801, and today is part of the Washington metropolitan area.[3]

Jefferson County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°19′N 77°52′W
Country United States
State West Virginia
FoundedJanuary 8, 1801
Named forThomas Jefferson
SeatCharles Town
Largest cityCharles Town
Area
 • Total212 sq mi (550 km2)
 • Land210 sq mi (500 km2)
 • Water2.0 sq mi (5 km2)  1.0%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total53,498
 • Estimate 
(2019)
57,146
 • Density250/sq mi (97/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.jeffersoncountywv.org

History

Formation

Jefferson County was formed from Berkeley County in 1801 because the citizens of southeastern Berkeley county felt they had to travel too far to the county seat of Martinsburg. Charles Washington, the founder of Charles Town and brother to George Washington petitioned for a new county to be formed. It was named for Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States.[4] Virginia previously had a Jefferson County, which is now part of Kentucky. Accordingly, in the State records of Virginia, there are listings for Jefferson County from 1780–1792 and Jefferson County from 1801–1863, neither of which is still in Virginia.

John Brown Rebellion
Coverage of John Brown's raid in Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, v. 8, no. 205 (1859 Nov. 5), p. 359

The county's courthouse was the site of the trial for the abolitionist John Brown after his October 1859 raid on the federal armory in Harpers Ferry. Some 90 U.S. Marines serving under then Army Colonel Robert E. Lee and Lieutenants J.E.B. Stuart and Israel Green put down the rebellion.

Brown was sentenced to death for murder, treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, and conspiring with slaves to rebel. On 2 December 1859 John Brown was taken from the Charles Town jail a short distance to an open field and hanged. Among those attending the Brown execution was a contingent of 1500 cadets from Virginia Military Institute sent by the Governor of Virginia Henry A. Wise under the supervision of Major William Gilham and Major Thomas J. Jackson. In the ranks of a Richmond militia company stood John Wilkes Booth.

Civil War

The county was a frequent site of conflict during the civil war, as Union and Confederate lines moved back and forth along the Shenandoah Valley. Some towns in the county changed hands between the Union and Confederacy over a dozen times, including Charles Town, and especially Harpers Ferry.

Jefferson County is the only part of modern-day West Virginia not exempted from the effects of the Emancipation Proclamation (as Berkeley County and the 48 counties designated as West Virginia had been). Slaves in the county were legally free as of January 1, 1863.

The Jefferson County Courthouse is the only courthouse in America to have held two treason trials: the trial of John Brown in 1859 and a trial arising from the Battle of Blair Mountain labor rebellion.[5]

Joining West Virginia
Tripoint of Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland in Potomac River east of Harper's Ferry and the lowest point in West Virginia.

Both Berkeley and Jefferson counties had voted for secession in the vote taken on May 23, 1861. However, these counties lying on the Potomac River in the Shenandoah Valley, with the consent of the Reorganized Government of Virginia voted in favor of annexation to West Virginia in 1863 in a dubious election supervised by the occupying Union Army. Virginia tried to nullify this after the American Civil War, but the counties remained part of West Virginia.

The question of the constitutionality of the formation of the new state was brought before the Supreme Court of the United States in the following manner: Berkeley and Jefferson County, West Virginia, counties lying on the Potomac east of the mountains, in 1863, with the consent of the Reorganized Government of Virginia, had supposedly voted in favor of annexation to West Virginia. However, many voters were absent in the Confederate Army when the vote was taken and they refused to accept the transfer upon their return. The Virginia General Assembly repealed the Act of Secession and in 1866 brought suit against West Virginia, asking the Supreme Court to declare the counties still part of Virginia. Congress, on March 10, 1866, passed a joint resolution recognizing the transfer. In 1871, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Virginia v. West Virginia,[6] upholding the "secession" of West Virginia, including Berkeley and Jefferson counties, from Virginia.[7] In 2011, West Virginia state delegate Larry Kump sponsored legislation to allow Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties to rejoin Virginia by popular vote.[8]

County subdivisions

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.[9] Jefferson County was initially divided into five townships, which became magisterial districts in 1872: Averill, Bolivar, Chapline, Grant, and Shepherd. In 1873, Averill District was renamed "Middleway", Chapline became "Potomac", and Grant District became "Charlestown".[lower-roman 1] Two additional districts, Harpers Ferry[lower-roman 2] and Osburn, were created during the 1870s. In the 1880s, Bolivar District was annexed by Harpers Ferry; Potomac and Shepherd were consolidated into Shepherdstown District, and Osburn was renamed "Kabletown".[10]

Rural Free Delivery

In October 1896, Jefferson County became the first county in the United States to begin Rural Free Delivery service in the towns of Halltown and Uvilla.[11]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 212 square miles (550 km2), of which 210 square miles (540 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) (1.0%) is water.[12] It is the only West Virginia county where the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River can be found as referenced in West Virginia's state song, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver. The lowest point in the state of West Virginia is located on the Potomac River (just east of Harpers Ferry) in Jefferson County, where it flows out of West Virginia and into Maryland.

National protected area

Rivers and streams

Adjacent counties

Major highways
US 340 and WV 9 run concurrently for a few miles in Charles Town

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
181011,851—
182013,08710.4%
183012,927−1.2%
184014,0828.9%
185015,3579.1%
186014,535−5.4%
187013,219−9.1%
188015,00513.5%
189015,5533.7%
190015,9352.5%
191015,889−0.3%
192015,729−1.0%
193015,7800.3%
194016,7626.2%
195017,1842.5%
196018,6658.6%
197021,28014.0%
198030,30242.4%
199035,92618.6%
200042,19017.4%
201053,49826.8%
Est. 201957,146[13]6.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2018[1]

2000 census

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 42,190 people, 16,165 households, and 11,315 families residing in the county. The population density was 201 people per square mile (78/km2). There were 17,623 housing units at an average density of 84 per square mile (32/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.02% White, 6.09% Black or African American, 0.60% Asian, 0.28% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 16,165 households out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,374, and the median income for a family was $51,351. Males had a median income of $35,235 versus $26,531 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,441. About 7.20% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 53,498 people, 19,931 households, and 13,971 families residing in the county.[19] The population density was 255.2 inhabitants per square mile (98.5/km2). There were 22,037 housing units at an average density of 105.1 per square mile (40.6/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 87.6% white, 6.6% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.8% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.7% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 25.9% were German, 17.3% were English, 12.1% were Irish, and 6.6% were American.[21]

Of the 19,931 households, 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 38.9 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $65,603 and the median income for a family was $77,185. Males had a median income of $54,959 versus $36,782 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,733. About 4.4% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.[22]

Politics

Jefferson County has been a Republican-leaning county in the 21st century. However, since 2008, it has rivaled Monongalia County (home to West Virginia University) as the most Democratic part of the state, likely due to its status as an exurban county of Washington, DC. For much of the 20th century, the county trended strongly Democratic due to historical sympathies for Confederate Virginia. In contrast to its rock-ribbed Unionist and Republican Eastern Panhandle sister Morgan County, Jefferson did not vote Republican until Dwight D. Eisenhower won by twenty-seven votes in 1956, and afterwards voted Republican only in the 1972 and 1984 landslides, and in 1988.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 53.9% 13,204 38.8% 9,518 7.3% 1,786
2012 50.6% 11,258 46.8% 10,398 2.6% 580
2008 46.8% 10,600 51.6% 11,687 1.6% 372
2004 52.7% 10,539 46.5% 9,301 0.8% 153
2000 49.0% 7,045 47.7% 6,860 3.3% 473
1996 40.5% 5,287 48.7% 6,361 10.9% 1,420
1992 38.2% 4,656 44.0% 5,363 17.8% 2,166
1988 55.0% 5,349 44.6% 4,334 0.4% 43
1984 58.1% 5,884 41.6% 4,216 0.3% 34
1980 45.4% 4,454 47.7% 4,679 7.0% 685
1976 42.8% 3,864 57.2% 5,166
1972 63.4% 4,822 36.6% 2,782
1968 39.2% 2,718 45.2% 3,129 15.6% 1,082
1964 28.0% 1,901 72.0% 4,892
1960 39.9% 2,887 60.1% 4,352
1956 50.2% 3,380 49.8% 3,353
1952 43.7% 3,134 56.3% 4,036
1948 36.6% 2,199 63.2% 3,797 0.2% 13
1944 35.8% 2,103 64.2% 3,767
1940 30.6% 2,332 69.4% 5,297
1936 27.2% 2,040 72.6% 5,443 0.2% 18
1932 24.4% 1,734 75.2% 5,350 0.5% 35
1928 47.8% 3,050 51.9% 3,312 0.3% 22
1924 29.1% 1,870 67.9% 4,368 3.0% 195
1920 35.3% 2,168 64.2% 3,944 0.6% 35
1916 31.3% 1,181 67.5% 2,544 1.2% 44
1912 26.7% 993 67.8% 2,525 5.6% 207

Communities

Cities

Towns

Magisterial districts
  • Charles Town
  • Harpers Ferry
  • Kabletown
  • Middleway
  • Shepherdstown

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Historic buildings and structures
Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson County, West Virginia
  • Mount Ellen
  • Happy Retreat
  • Blakeley
  • Claymont Court
  • Grace Episcopal Church
  • Kabletown Church

See also

Footnotes
  1. Spelled "Charles Town" by 1900.
  2. Originally spelled "Harper's Ferry".

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. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved January 29, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 168.
  5. Ted McGee (March 7, 1973). "National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Jefferson County Courthouse" (pdf). National Park Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 4, 2011. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. Virginia v. West Virginia, 78 U.S. 39 (1871).
  7. http://www.newsgroups-index.com/group/soc_-answers_l51.html Archived December 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  8. Vincent, Jenni (January 25, 2011). "Secession bill planned to 'stir pot'". The Journal. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  9. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
  10. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
  11. "First Rural Routes by State". United States Postal Service. Archived from the original on 2013-12-28. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
  12. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  13. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  14. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  17. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  19. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  20. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  21. "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 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  22. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  23. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  24. "Landmarks Nomination Report: New Hopewell" (PDF). Jefferson County Historic Landmark Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 11, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2012.

Further reading
  • Coletti, Matthew, "'The Fate Which Takes Us:' Benjamin F. Beall and Jefferson County, (West) Virginia in the Civil War Era" (U. Of Massachusetts MA Thesis 2014) online, major local newspaper 1848–1870.

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