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Putnam County, West Virginia
Putnam Courthouse WV
Putnam County Courthouse in Winfield
Map of West Virginia highlighting Putnam County
Location in the state of West Virginia
Map of the U.S
West Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded March 11, 1848
Named for Israel Putnam
Seat Winfield
Largest city Hurricane
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

350 sq mi (906 km²)
346 sq mi (896 km²)
4.7 sq mi (12 km²), 1.3%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

57,440
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.putnamcounty.org/

Putnam County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 57,440.[1] Its county seat is Winfield and its largest city is Hurricane.[2] Putnam County is part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, across the Kanawha River from Charleston, West Virginia.

History[]

The Virginia General Assembly formed Putnam County on March 11, 1848, from parts of Cabell, Kanawha and Mason counties. It was named for Israel Putnam, who was a hero in the French and Indian War and a general in the American Revolutionary War. George Washington surveyed the area in 1770. Winfield, the county seat, had been founded in 1818 but was incorporated on February 21, 1868, and named to honor General Winfield Scott a General during the Mexican American War and early stage of the Civil War.[3]

Slavery was a divisive issue in Putnam County before and during the Civil War. In the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861, Putnam County voters elected James W. Hoge to represent them, and he voted against secession on April 17, 1861, when the convention passed the secession ordinance. However, he returned to Richmond for the second session in June, and signed the ordinance.[4] No one from Putnam county attended the Wheeling Convention which ultimately led to the creation of the state of West Virginia in 1863.

Two minor battles were fought in Putnam County during the Civil War. On July 17, 1861, Confederate soldiers defeated a Union force at the Battle of Scary Creek, before withdrawing to Charleston. The Confederates included a cavalry troop raised by Colonel Albert Gallatin Jenkins, who until Virginia's secession from the Union had represented the area in Congress. Jenkins would be commissioned a brigadier general in 1862, but died of wounds received at the Battle of Cloyd's Mountain in May, 1864. The second skirmish occurred on October 24, 1864, after West Virginia became a Union state. Confederate troops seized and sank a Union steamboat on the Kanawha River near Winfield, then attacked the courthouse, but the "Battle of Winfield" ended as a Union victory.[5] Putnam County's Civil War soldiers were about evenly split between Union and Confederate, with about four hundred on each side.[6]

Putnam County was one of fifty Virginia counties admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863. Later that year, its 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.[7] Putnam County was initially divided into six townships: Buffalo, Curry, Grant, Hutton, Scott, and Union. These became magisterial districts in 1872, and the following year two were renamed, with Grant becoming Teays Valley, while Hutton became Pocatalico. Except for minor adjustments, these districts were largely unchanged until the 1980s, when Buffalo and Union Districts were consolidated into Buffalo-Union District, and Teays Valley's name abbreviated to "Teays".[8]

A railroad was rebuilt through Putnam County in 1875.

Geography[]

The Kanawha River flows north-northwestward through the center of Putnam County. The county terrain consists of wooded hills, carved with drainages.[9] The terrain slopes to the north, with the highest point near its SW corner at 1,129' (344m) ASL.[10] The county has a total area of 350 square miles (910 km2), of which 346 square miles (900 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (1.3%) is water.[11]

Major highways[]

  • I-64 (WV) Interstate 64
  • US 35 U.S. Route 35
  • US 60 U.S. Route 60
  • WV-25 West Virginia Route 25
  • WV-34 West Virginia Route 34
  • WV-62 West Virginia Route 62
  • WV-817 West Virginia Route 817
  • WV-869 West Virginia Route 869

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1850 5,335
1860 6,301 18.1%
1870 7,794 23.7%
1880 11,375 45.9%
1890 14,342 26.1%
1900 17,330 20.8%
1910 18,587 7.3%
1920 17,531 −5.7%
1930 16,737 −4.5%
1940 19,511 16.6%
1950 21,021 7.7%
1960 23,561 12.1%
1970 27,625 17.2%
1980 38,181 38.2%
1990 42,835 12.2%
2000 51,589 20.4%
2010 55,486 7.6%
US Decennial Census[12]
1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14]
1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 51,589 people, 20,028 households, and 15,281 families in the county. The population density was 149/sqmi (57.6/km2). There were 21,621 housing units at an average density of 62.5/sqmi (24.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.97% White, 0.56% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 20,028 households, out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.20% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.70% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.96.

The county population contained 25.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,892, and the median income for a family was $48,674. Males had a median income of $40,782 versus $23,532 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,471. About 7.10% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.30% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 55,486 people, 21,981 households, and 16,176 families in the county.[16] The population density was 160/sqmi (61.9/km2). There were 23,438 housing units at an average density of 67.7/sqmi (26.2/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 96.8% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 13.2% were American, 12.9% were German, 11.3% were English, and 10.6% were Irish.[18]

Of the 21,981 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.4% were non-families, and 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 40.9 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $52,618 and the median income for a family was $63,642. Males had a median income of $51,837 versus $31,198 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,857. About 8.5% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.[19]

Politics[]

Putnam County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic candidate. The Putnam County Republican Party has traditionally been very active. The Republican Party in Putnam County maintains active Executive Committees and a Republican Club.[20]

United States presidential election results for Putnam County, West Virginia[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 20,034 70.29% 7,878 27.64% 589 2.07%
2016 17,788 70.56% 5,884 23.34% 1,539 6.10%
2012 16,032 67.47% 7,256 30.54% 472 1.99%
2008 15,162 60.92% 9,334 37.51% 391 1.57%
2004 15,716 62.49% 9,301 36.98% 134 0.53%
2000 12,173 59.60% 7,891 38.63% 362 1.77%
1996 8,803 46.80% 8,029 42.69% 1,977 10.51%
1992 7,653 43.91% 6,817 39.12% 2,958 16.97%
1988 8,163 55.00% 6,640 44.74% 38 0.26%
1984 9,238 63.75% 5,208 35.94% 46 0.32%
1980 7,561 51.48% 6,409 43.64% 716 4.88%
1976 6,334 43.50% 8,226 56.50% 0 0.00%
1972 8,265 63.40% 4,771 36.60% 0 0.00%
1968 5,252 45.27% 5,009 43.18% 1,340 11.55%
1964 4,165 37.61% 6,910 62.39% 0 0.00%
1960 5,702 53.44% 4,968 46.56% 0 0.00%
1956 5,560 53.91% 4,754 46.09% 0 0.00%
1952 4,944 50.73% 4,802 49.27% 0 0.00%
1948 3,722 45.59% 4,426 54.21% 16 0.20%
1944 4,025 50.67% 3,918 49.33% 0 0.00%
1940 4,268 46.61% 4,888 53.39% 0 0.00%
1936 3,938 45.16% 4,756 54.54% 26 0.30%
1932 3,411 44.94% 4,098 53.99% 81 1.07%
1928 3,346 57.76% 2,406 41.53% 41 0.71%
1924 2,862 46.74% 2,946 48.11% 315 5.14%
1920 3,223 54.49% 2,578 43.58% 114 1.93%
1916 1,925 49.45% 1,837 47.19% 131 3.37%
1912 531 13.98% 1,540 40.55% 1,727 45.47%



Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Hurricane
  • Nitro (part)

Towns[]

  • Bancroft
  • Buffalo
  • Eleanor
  • Poca
  • Winfield (county seat)

Magisterial districts[]

  • Buffalo-Union
  • Curry
  • Pocatalico
  • Scott
  • Teays

Census-designated places[]

  • Culloden (part)
  • Hometown
  • Teays Valley

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Black Betsy
  • Confidence
  • Extra
  • Fraziers Bottom
  • Lanham
  • Liberty
  • Midway
  • Pliny
  • Plymouth
  • Raymond City
  • Red House
  • Scary
  • Scott Depot
  • Teays

See also[]

  • Amherst-Plymouth Wildlife Management Area
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Putnam County, West Virginia

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/54079.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ "History of Putnam County, WV". http://www.wvgenweb.org/putnam/putnam_history.htm. 
  4. ^ How Virginia Convention Delegates Voted on Secession, April 4 and April 17, 1861, and Whether They Signed a Copy of the Ordinance of Secession
  5. ^ Steelhammer, Rick. "Confederate troops fought, died to take Winfield 150 years ago today" (in en). https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/putnam_county/confederate-troops-fought-died-to-take-winfield-150-years-ago-today/article_e9174676-25ff-5fee-89c4-c2ee34c47b64.html. 
  6. ^ Sullivan, Ken (ed.), The West Virginia Encyclopedia, The West Virginia Humanities Council,2006, pg. 592, ISBN 0-9778498-0-5
  7. ^ Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
  8. ^ United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
  9. ^ Putnam County WV Google Maps (accessed March 20, 2019)
  10. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Putnam County WV" Google Maps (accessed March 20, 2019)". https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm. 
  11. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_54.txt. 
  12. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  14. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wv190090.txt. 
  15. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  16. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54079. 
  17. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54079. 
  18. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau]]. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54079. 
  19. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54079. 
  20. ^ "Putnam County WV Republican Party" (in en). https://www.putnamwvgop.com/. 
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

External links[]

Coordinates: 38°31′N 81°55′W / 38.51, -81.91

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Putnam County, West Virginia. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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