The territory that became Grant County in 1866 was originally part of Hampshire County, the oldest county formed within the present boundaries of West Virginia, in 1754. In 1786, Hardy County was formed from the southern portion of Hampshire County. The county's boundaries were relatively stable from 1788 until 1866, when Grant County was formed from the western portion of Hardy. The first counties formed in the state following the admission of West Virginia to the Union were Grant and Mineral in 1866, the latter formed from the western portion of Hampshire County, and thus adjoining Grant. They were the fifty-first and fifty-second counties in West Virginia, and only Lincoln, Summers, and Mingo were created after them.
Beginning 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.[4] Between its establishment and 1870, Grant County was divided into three townships: Grant, Milroy, and Union, which became magisterial districts in 1872.[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 480 square miles (1,200 km2), of which 477 square miles (1,240 km2) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2) (0.6%) is water.[7]
Of the 12,510 households, 48.9% were married couples living together, 24.3% had a female householder with no spouse present, 23.1% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.49. The median age in the county was 46.3 years with 19.6% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $47,224 and the poverty rate was 12.1%.[13]
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 11,937 people, 4,941 households, and 3,435 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 25.0 inhabitants per square mile (9.7/km2). There were 6,366 housing units at an average density of 13.3 units per square mile (5.1 units/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 97.7% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 26.9% were German, 15.0% were American, 9.3% were Irish, and 5.3% were English.[16]
Of the 4,941 households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.5% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 44.0 years.[14]
The median income for a household in the county was $35,593 and the median income for a family was $46,193. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $24,643 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,358. About 10.6% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.[17]
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,299 people, 4,591 households, and 3,273 families living in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km2). There were 6,105 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.33% White, 0.67% Black or African American, 0.26% Indigenous American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,591 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,916, and the median income for a family was $33,813. Males had a median income of $24,796 versus $18,354 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,696. About 12.60% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 18.70% of those age 65 or over.
Politically, Grant County was historically a major outlier in West Virginia. While the rest of the state did not become a Republican bastion until the 21st century after having leaned heavily Democratic between the New Deal and Bill Clinton’s presidency, Grant County has always been among the most strongly Republican counties in the country. Since Grant County was created in 1866, no Democrat has managed to receive 40 percent of the county's vote in any Presidential election. The only Republican to ever lose Grant County has been William Howard Taft in 1912 when the GOP was divided and Progressive Theodore Roosevelt claimed the majority of the county's vote.
The county's Republican bent has held even in national Democratic landslides. Franklin Delano Roosevelt never tallied more than 26.8 percent of the vote in any of his four successful campaigns, and Lyndon Johnson only managed 37.8 percent in 1964. Jimmy Carter is the only other Democrat besides LBJ to have cracked the 30 percent barrier.
Notably, in 2016 and 2020, Donald Trump received the highest percentage of the vote ever cast for a presidential candidate in this county, holding Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden to 10% and 11% of the vote, respectively.
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment of Grant County[18]
Grant County's government consists the County Administrator and the County Commission. The County Administrator is the county executive that handles all administrative duties for and reports to the County Commission. The position of the Grant County Administrator is currently held by Michelle Sites.[23]
The Grant County Commission consists of three members. The current members of the County Commission are Kevin P. Hagerty, Scotty Miley and Tyson Riggleman.[24]
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