About Summers County

Summers County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population was 12,999. Its county seat is Hinton. Summers County was created by an act of the West Virginia General Assembly on February 27, 1871 from parts of Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer and Monroe counties. It was named in honor of George W. Summers (1804-1868).

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 368 square miles (952 kmē), of which, 361 square miles (935 kmē) of it is land and 7 square miles (17 kmē) of it (1.78%) is water.

Major highways

• Interstate 64
• West Virginia Route 3
• West Virginia Route 12
• West Virginia Route 20

Adjacent counties

• Greenbrier County (northeast)
• Monroe County (east)
• Mercer County (southwest)
• Raleigh County (west)
• Fayette County (northwest)
• Giles County, Virginia (south southwest)(Connected by Bluestone Lake)

As of the census of 2000, there were 12,999 people, 5,530 households, and 3,754 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14/kmē). There were 7,331 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/kmē). The racial makeup of the county was 96.57% White, 2.15% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 5,530 households out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the county, the population was spread out with 20.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $21,147, and the median income for a family was $27,251. Males had a median income of $27,485 versus $18,491 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,419. 24.40% of the population and 20.30% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 34.30% of those under the age of 18 and 14.50% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Localities

City

• Hinton

Other places