Smithers, West Virginia
Smithers, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
Michigan Avenue in Smithers | |
Location of Smithers in Fayette County, West Virginia. | |
| Coordinates: 38°10′39″N 81°18′23″W / 38.17750°N 81.30639°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| Counties | Fayette, Kanawha |
| Incorporated | 1938[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.64 sq mi (4.26 km2) |
| • Land | 1.45 sq mi (3.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0.20 sq mi (0.51 km2) |
| Elevation | 633 ft (193 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 754 |
• Estimate (2021)[3] | 737 |
| • Density | 506.9/sq mi (195.71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 25186 |
| Area code | 304 |
| FIPS code | 54-74740[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1547007[5] |
| Website | local |
Smithers is a city in Fayette and Kanawha counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Located along the Kanawha River, it lies almost entirely in Fayette County. The population was 751 at the 2020 census.[3] The city most likely takes its name from Smithers Creek.[6]
History
Smithers was incorporated in 1938.[1] The city was named for James Smithers, an early settler who resided at the mouth of Smithers Creek.[1]
Geography
Smithers is located at 38°10′39″N 81°18′23″W / 38.17750°N 81.30639°W (38.177389, -81.306269),[7] along the Kanawha River at the mouth of Smithers Creek.[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.50 square miles (1.29 km2), all land.[9]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 2,232 | — | |
| 1950 | 2,208 | −1.1% | |
| 1960 | 1,696 | −23.2% | |
| 1970 | 2,020 | 19.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,482 | −26.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,162 | −21.6% | |
| 2000 | 904 | −22.2% | |
| 2010 | 813 | −10.1% | |
| 2020 | 754 | −7.3% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 737 | [3] | −2.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Smithers had a population of 754. The median age was 44.8 years, with 19.8% of residents under the age of 18 and 25.1% 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 77.9 males age 18 and over.[11][12]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[13]
There were 352 households in Smithers, of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 27.6% were married-couple households, 21.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 40.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]
There were 429 housing units, of which 17.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.9%.[11]
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 663 | 87.9% |
| Black or African American | 34 | 4.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 1 | 0.1% |
| Asian | 0 | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0.0% |
| Some other race | 2 | 0.3% |
| Two or more races | 54 | 7.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 12 | 1.6% |
2010 census
As of the census[14] of 2010, there were 813 people, 405 households, and 216 families living in the city. The population density was 1,626.0 inhabitants per square mile (627.8/km2). There were 473 housing units at an average density of 946.0 units per square mile (365.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.8% White, 8.0% African American, 0.6% Native American, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.
There were 405 households, of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.1% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.7% were non-families. 41.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.67.
The median age in the city was 49.8 years. 17.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 29.1% were from 45 to 64; and 25.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 904 people, 450 households, and 259 families living in the city. The population density was 1,686.9 people per square mile (651.3 people/km2). There were 553 housing units at an average density of 1,031.9 units per square mile (398.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.15% White, 8.41% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.22% of the population.
There were 450 households, out of which 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.63.
The age distribution is 19.8% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,417, and the median income for a family was $27,734. Males had a median income of $22,353 versus $18,846 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,807. About 20.0% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Smithers had a combined middle school and high school, Valley High School, serving grades 6–12. The school closed at the end of the 2018–19 school year. The campus is now used as Valley PK-8.
Notable people
- Bertis Downs IV – legal and managerial representative of the musical group R.E.M.[15]
- Gino Marchetti – former NFL defensive end, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
References
- ^ a b c West Virginia Legislature (2018). "Section Ten: Municipalities". West Virginia Blue Book, 2017-2018 (PDF). Charleston, West Virginia: West Virginia Legislature. p. 1026.
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Smithers". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 588.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ The National Map, accessed 2013-11-26
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
- ^ Barnes, M.A. (July 9, 2002). "Classic Profile: Athens Attorney Committed to Living Life With Passion". Athens Banner-Herald.