Gassaway, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gassaway, West Virginia
|
|
|---|---|
Elk Street (West Virginia Route 4) in downtown Gassaway in 2007
|
|
Location of Gassaway in Braxton County, West Virginia.
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Braxton |
| Mayor | Richard Roach |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.22 sq mi (3.15 km2) |
| • Land | 1.16 sq mi (2.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2) |
| Elevation | 860 ft (262 m) |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 908 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
|
846 |
| • Density | 732.47/sq mi (282.77/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
26624
|
| Area code(s) | 304 |
| FIPS code | 54-30220 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1539355 |
Gassaway is a town in Braxton County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 908 at the 2010 census. Gassaway was incorporated in 1905 and named for Henry Gassaway Davis, the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President of the United States in 1904. The center of population of West Virginia is located approximately 7 miles (11 km) north of Gassaway.
History
The town was originally created at the ends of two divisions of the Coal and Coke Railway, one originating in Charleston and the other originating in Elkins. Because of its central location, the area was an ideal place to build shops to facilitate the transition between the relatively flat Charleston division, which could operate with standard equipment, and the more hilly Elkins division of the Coal & Coke which required heavier engines. The town was laid out in 1904, and over the next decade, businesses and infrastructure such as hotels, a bank, stores, schools, a hospital, office buildings and churches appeared to serve the growing population. By 1915, the Coal & Coke Railway Company had completed work on a depot to facilitate passenger service to the town. The Gassaway Depot still stands today and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
Geography
Gassaway is located at 38°40′15″N 80°46′13″W / 38.67083°N 80.77028°W (38.670712, -80.770413), along the Elk River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.22 square miles (3.16 km2), of which, 1.16 square miles (3.00 km2) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2) is water.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 1,086 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,518 | 39.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,618 | 6.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,429 | −11.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,306 | −8.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,223 | −6.4% | |
| 1970 | 1,253 | 2.5% | |
| 1980 | 1,225 | −2.2% | |
| 1990 | 946 | −22.8% | |
| 2000 | 901 | −4.8% | |
| 2010 | 908 | 0.8% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 846 | −6.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 908 people, 434 households, and 228 families living in the town. The population density was 782.8 inhabitants per square mile (302.2/km2). There were 496 housing units at an average density of 427.6 per square mile (165.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.6% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.1% of the population.
There were 434 households, of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.5% were non-families. 41.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the town was 44.5 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 28.1% were from 45 to 64; and 21.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to freezing winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Gassaway has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Gassaway Days celebration on the 4th of July weekend features live music, a parade, car show, and fireworks. Visit the link for a schedule of events.
Notable person
- Lonnie Thompson, paleoclimatologist, was born in Gassaway
See also
In Spanish: Gassaway (Virginia Occidental) para niños
