39-765: Follansbee is a city in Brooke County , West Virginia , United States, located along the Ohio River . The population was 2,853 at the 2020 census, a decrease from 2,986 at the 2010 census . It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville metropolitan area . The city was named after the Follansbee brothers, the proprietors of a local steel mill. Follansbee is located at 40°19′59″N 80°35′39″W / 40.33306°N 80.59417°W / 40.33306; -80.59417 (40.332919, -80.594048). According to
78-542: A county in the Northern Panhandle of the U.S. state of West Virginia . As of the 2020 census , the population was 22,559. Its county seat is Wellsburg . The county was created in 1797 from part of Ohio County and named in honor of Robert Brooke , Governor of Virginia from 1794 to 1796. Brooke County is part of the Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area , which
117-622: A dramatic swing to the Republican Party. Brooke County is the home of Bethany College which is the oldest private college in the state. 40°16′N 80°35′W / 40.27°N 80.58°W / 40.27; -80.58 List of counties in West Virginia The U.S. state of West Virginia has 55 counties . Fifty of them existed at the time of the Wheeling Convention in 1861, during
156-480: A female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.90% 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 2.36 and the average family size was 2.88. In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.40% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
195-707: A ferry further west. In 1818 Alexander Campbell founded the first Virginia school west of the Appalachians, which the Virginia General Assembly chartered in 1840 as Bethany College . During the American Civil War , Brooke County's elected officials helped found the new state of West Virginia , after their efforts to block secession failed at the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861 . Wellsburg received
234-567: A largely German-American culture unlike any other part of antebellum Virginia, Brooke County and the rest of the Northern Panhandle were central to the vanguard who made West Virginia a new state during the Civil War . For the next six and a half decades the county, aided by its association with Pennsylvania's powerful ironmonger-led Republican machines, voted solidly Republican to the point of supporting William Howard Taft during
273-510: A male householder with no wife present, and 35.3% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age in the city was 44.6 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 30.9% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
312-487: A new charter in 1866 from the newly established West Virginia legislature, and Samuel Marks became Wellsburg's first elected mayor. 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 . Brooke County was divided into three districts: Buffalo, Cross Creek, and Wellsburg. Wellsburg District
351-497: A new county is prohibited if it would bring another county below these thresholds. Three counties ( Greenbrier , Kanawha , and Randolph ) have sufficient population (based on the 2020 United States Census ) and land area to allow a new county to be split off. The remaining counties cannot be split, as either their land area would decrease to under 400 square miles, or their population would decrease to below 6,000. The role of counties in local government had been minimized under
390-656: Is also included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area . The Ohio Company of Virginia petitioned the British King for 500,000 acres of land in the Ohio River Valley in 1747, but the first settlers to this area, in what later became known as West Virginia's Northern Panhandle, were brothers Jonathan, Israel and Friend Cox. They staked a " tomahawk claim " to 1200 acres (400 acres for each brother) at
429-537: Is the largest by area at 1,040 square miles (2,694 km ), and Hancock County is the smallest at 83 square miles (215 km ). Kanawha County contributed land to the founding of 12 West Virginia counties and has the largest population (174,805 in 2023). Wirt County has the smallest population (5,000 in 2023). The oldest county is Hampshire , established in 1754, and the newest is Mingo, established in 1895. Spruce Knob , located in Pendleton County ,
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#1732802117512468-619: Is the second-smallest county in West Virginia by area. The highest point of elevation in Brooke County is approximately 1372 ft. and located about 1.5 miles south of Franklin. As of the census of 2000, there were 25,447 people, 10,396 households, and 7,152 families living in the county. The population density was 286 inhabitants per square mile (110/km ). There were 11,150 housing units at an average density of 126 units per square mile (49 units/km ). The racial makeup of
507-499: Is up for election in even years. The County Commission annually chooses its own President. The Brooke County Commissioners in 2022 are President AJ Thomas, Tim Ennis, and Stacey Wise. Brooke County is part of the First Judicial Circuit of West Virginia , which also includes Hancock and Ohio counties. In West Virginia, Circuit Judges are elected in non-partisan elections to eight-year terms. The current judges of
546-563: The American Civil War , when those counties seceded from the Commonwealth of Virginia to form the new state of West Virginia. West Virginia was admitted as a separate state of the United States on June 20, 1863. Five additional counties ( Grant , Mineral , Lincoln , Summers , and Mingo ) were formed from the original counties in the decades following admission. After the Civil War, Berkeley County and Jefferson County ,
585-572: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 2.09 square miles (5.41 km), of which 1.84 square miles (4.77 km) is land and 0.25 square miles (0.65 km) is water. As of the census of 2010, there were 2,986 people, 1,302 households, and 842 families living in the city. The population density was 1,622.8 inhabitants per square mile (626.6/km). There were 1,432 housing units at an average density of 778.3 per square mile (300.5/km). The racial makeup of
624-425: The poverty line , including 16.40% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 24,069 people, 10,020 households, and 6,636 families living in the county. The population density was 269.8 inhabitants per square mile (104.2/km ). There were 10,967 housing units at an average density of 122.9 units per square mile (47.5 units/km ). The racial makeup of
663-406: The 10,020 households, 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 44.8 years. The median income for a household in
702-541: The 1863 constitution, which vested most local government authority in a system of townships based on the New England model . The authors of the 1872 constitution chose to return to the system used in Virginia, in which each county was governed by a county court with combined authority for executive, legislative, and judicial functions of the county government. In 1880, West Virginia amended its constitution and replaced
741-787: The First Family Court Circuit are the Hon. Joyce Chernenko and the Hon. William Sinclair who were both elected to eight-year terms in November 2008. Magistrates are elected in partisan elections serving four-year terms. Vacancies occurring in unexpired terms can be filled by a respective Circuit Court Judge. Unlike Circuit Court judges or Family Court judges, magistrates are not required to be attorneys. Brooke County currently has two magistrates: Robin Snyder and Danielle Diserio. Abutting free states Ohio and Pennsylvania, and with
780-566: The First Judicial Circuit are the Hon. Jason A. Cuomo, the Hon. James Mazzone, the Hon. David J. Sims, and the Hon. Ronald E. Wilson. All four Circuit Court judges were re-elected in November 2016. Brooke County is part of the First Family Court Circuit of West Virginia which also includes Hancock and Ohio Counties. In West Virginia, Family Court Judges were first elected to six-year terms beginning in 2002 and were elected to eight-year terms beginning in 2008. The current judges of
819-645: The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for six years, but since December 17, 1817, it has been under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Virginia and later of West Virginia. The first glass factory in Wellsburg was built in 1813, taking advantage of the relatively easy transportation on the Ohio River . When the National Road was built about five years later, its first crossing of the Ohio River was via
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#1732802117512858-771: The Ohio County Court incorporated the town around the post as "Charlestown" (after Prather's first name). On November 30, 1796, the Virginia General Assembly formed Brooke County, from parts of Ohio County, and designated "Charlestown" as the county seat. Across the Appalachian Continental Divide to the east in Jefferson County , another Charlestown had previously been incorporated (it is now known as Charles Town ). In addition, Charleston had been established at
897-402: The average family size was 2.86. In the city the age distribution of the population shows 21.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males. The median income for a household in
936-399: The city was $ 30,818, and the median income for a family was $ 37,679. Males had a median income of $ 36,063 versus $ 19,554 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,824. About 11.6% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over. Brooke County, West Virginia Brooke County is
975-534: The city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 3,115 people, 1,340 households, and 911 families living in the city. The population density was 1,757.9 people per square mile (679.5/km). There were 1,453 housing units at an average density of 820.0 per square mile (317.0/km). The racial makeup of the city was 98.97% White , 0.06% African American , 0.06% Native American , 0.32% Asian , 0.03% from other races , and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.26% of
1014-420: The city was 97.6% White , 0.3% African American , 0.1% Native American , 0.2% Asian , 0.2% from other races , and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population. There were 1,302 households, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had
1053-576: The confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers in 1788. Addressing this confusion, the Virginia General Assembly on December 28, 1816, changed the Brooke county seat's name from "Charlestown" to Wellsburg , supposedly to honor Charles Wells , Prather's son-in-law. The first Masonic Lodge west of the Allegheny Mountains was established in Wellsburg on March 4, 1799. It was under the jurisdiction of
1092-468: The county court system with an arrangement that divides county government powers between seven county offices, each of which is independently elected: the county commission, county clerk, circuit clerk, county sheriff, county assessor, county prosecuting attorney, and county surveyor of lands. Counties have only those powers that are expressly granted to them by the state Constitution or by state statute. These powers include, but are not limited to, maintaining
1131-487: The county was $ 39,475 and the median income for a family was $ 52,528. Males had a median income of $ 39,065 versus $ 29,824 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,377. About 7.9% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over. Brooke County is governed by a three-member County Commission who each serve in rotating 6-year terms. The terms are designed such that one seat
1170-402: The county was 97.0% white, 1.2% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 21.5% were German , 17.5% were Irish , 16.4% were Italian , 11.5% were English , 7.2% were American , 5.9% were Scotch-Irish , and 5.7% were Polish . Of
1209-418: The county was 97.90% White , 0.85% Black or African American , 0.10% Native American , 0.34% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.09% from other races , and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 10,396 households, out of which 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 9.90% had
Follansbee, West Virginia - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-612: The disastrously divided 1912 election. From the New Deal until Bill Clinton , however, powerful unionization meant that Brooke County turned from solidly Republican to solidly Democratic except when the Democrats nominated the liberal George McGovern in 1972. Like all of West Virginia, since 2000 a combination of declining unionization and differences with the Democratic Party's liberal views on social issues has produced
1287-445: The infrastructure of the state, funding libraries, maintaining jails and hospitals, and waste disposal. Reforming public education became a county function in 1933. In May 1933, a county unit plan was adopted. Under this plan, the state's 398 school districts were consolidated into the current 55 county school systems. This enabled public schools to be funded more economically and saved West Virginia millions of dollars. Randolph County
1326-547: The mouth of Buffalo Creek and extending along the Ohio River . Their cousin George Cox staked an adjacent claim a few years later. In 1788 Charles Prather purchased 481 acres from Friend Cox's heir, John Cox; by that year's end Alexander Wells, formerly of Baltimore, Maryland and later of Cross Creek Township, Pennsylvania , established a trading post (together with his Baltimore cousin Richard Owings). In 1791
1365-407: The population. There were 1,340 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and
1404-587: The two easternmost counties of West Virginia, refused to recognize their inclusion in the state, and the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation attempting to reclaim them. In March 1866, the United States Congress passed a joint mandate assenting to their inclusion in the new state, and the Supreme Court of the United States confirmed this outcome in the case of Virginia v. West Virginia (1871). The West Virginia Constitution
1443-414: Was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 32,981, and the median income for a family was $ 39,948. Males had a median income of $ 34,397 versus $ 19,711 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 17,131. About 9.50% of families and 11.70% of the population were below
1482-400: Was co-extensive with the city of Wellsburg. The districts of Follansbee and Weirton were created between 1970 and 1980. Buffalo and Cross Creek Districts were discontinued in 2008. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 93 square miles (240 km ), of which 89 square miles (230 km ) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km ) (3.6%) is water. It
1521-485: Was ratified in 1872, replacing the state constitution created in 1863 when West Virginia became a state. Article 9, Section 8, of the West Virginia Constitution permits the creation of additional counties if a majority of citizens in the proposed new county vote for its creation and the new county has a minimum area of 400 square miles (1,036 km ) and a population of at least 6,000. Creation of
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