Harrison County is located in north-central West Virginia and borders Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It is the fifth most populous county in the state with a population of 69,099 as of 2019 according to US Census Bureau data. The county seat is Clarksburg which houses a population of 16,743 people. Other major cities include Bridgeport (8,149), Shinnston (2,309) and Lumberport (1,132). See top counties in West Virginia.
The economy of Harrison County has traditionally been driven by coal mining and manufacturing industries. However, in recent years there has been a shift toward more diverse economic activities such as healthcare services, retail trade and tourism. This shift has resulted in an increase in median household income from $40,718 in 2010 to $45,976 in 2019 according to US Census data.
Harrison County is home to several higher education institutions including Fairmont State University and Alderson Broaddus University which offer a variety of degree programs for students interested in pursuing higher education. Additionally, the county also offers vocational training through its Community & Technical College System which provides students with hands-on experience that can lead to successful careers after graduation.
The county government is dedicated to providing citizens with access to quality services and resources that will help them succeed within their communities. This includes initiatives such as affordable housing projects as well as programs designed to promote economic growth throughout the region. Harrison County also offers recreational activities for residents including hiking trails at Coopers Rock State Forest or fishing at Stonewall Jackson Lake among other attractions.
History of Harrison County, West Virginia
Harrison County, West Virginia has a long and storied history, stretching back to the days of the American Revolution. The county was formed in 1784 from Monongalia County and named after Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is bordered by Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and is the fifth most populous county in West Virginia.
Harrison County experienced an economic boom in the late 19th century when coal mining became an important industry. At this time, many new towns were established such as Clarksburg which would become the county seat. This period also saw an influx of immigrants from Italy and other European countries who came to work in the mines.
The 20th century brought further change to Harrison County with new industries such as glassmaking and steel manufacturing taking hold alongside coal mining. This allowed for increased economic prosperity which benefited many residents throughout the county. In addition, several higher education institutions opened their doors during this period including Fairmont State University and Alderson Broaddus University which both offer a variety of degree programs for students today.
In more recent years, Harrison County has seen a shift toward more diverse economic activities such as healthcare services, retail trade and tourism. This shift has resulted in an increase in median household income from $40,718 in 2010 to $45,976 in 2019 according to US Census data. The county government is also dedicated to providing citizens with access to quality services and resources that will help them succeed within their communities including initiatives such as affordable housing projects as well as programs designed to promote economic growth throughout the region.
Major cities and towns in Harrison County, West Virginia
Harrison County, West Virginia is home to several major cities and towns, each with its own unique history and culture. The county seat is Clarksburg, which was founded in 1785 and is the fifth most populous city in the state. It has a rich history of coal mining and manufacturing that has left a lasting impact on the city’s economy and culture. Other notable cities in Harrison County include Bridgeport, Shinnston, Salem, Nutter Fort, Lost Creek, Lumberport, Anmoore, and Stonewall Jackson Lake.
Bridgeport is located near the northern border of the county and was established in 1816. It is home to West Virginia University at Parkersburg which offers a variety of degree programs for students. The town also features several parks including Bridgeport City Park with its large playgrounds and picnic areas.
Shinnston is located just south of Clarksburg along I-79. It was founded in 1783 as an agricultural community but quickly grew due to its proximity to coal mines. Today, it is known for its vibrant downtown area featuring shops and restaurants as well as for its annual festivals such as Shinnston Days which celebrates the town’s heritage with food vendors, live music, carnival rides and more.
Salem is located just east of Clarksburg along I-79 and was established in 1845 by early settlers from Pennsylvania who were looking for new opportunities in the area’s growing coal industry. Today, it boasts a large historic district featuring buildings from this period as well as a variety of parks such as Salem Riverfront Park which offers visitors access to fishing spots on the Tygart Valley River.
Nutter Fort can be found just south of Clarksburg along US-50 and was founded in 1854 by Colonel Edward J Nutter who owned much of the land surrounding what would become known as Nutter Fort City Park today. The park features several monuments dedicated to local heroes such as General Thomas J “Stonewall” Jackson who was born nearby at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park before going on to become one of America’s most famous Civil War Generals.
Lost Creek lies east of Clarksburg near US-50/I-79 interchange where it has been since it was first settled by families from Maryland during the 19th century. This small town features several historic sites including Lost Creek Cemetery where many Civil War veterans are buried among other attractions like fishing at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park or exploring nearby North Bend State Park with its miles of hiking trails along scenic riverside scenery.
Lumberport can be found just west of Clarksburg along WV-279 where it has been since it was first settled by early pioneers during the 19th century when logging became an important industry for this small town located along Hacker’s Creek tributary. Today, Lumberport offers visitors access to outdoor recreation activities such as kayaking down Hacker’s Creek or exploring nearby Audra State Park with its miles of trails through lush forests filled with wildlife like deer or black bear sightings which are common here during certain times throughout year
Population in Harrison County, West Virginia
According to Iamaccepted, Harrison County, West Virginia is located in the north-central part of the state and is part of the Clarksburg, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 census, the population of Harrison County was 69,099. The racial makeup of the county was 94.0% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.7% from other races and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos comprised 2.2% of the population in Harrison County.
The median household income in Harrison County was $40,922 according to a 2017 estimate from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Program; this is slightly lower than both the state median household income ($43,469) and national median household income ($56,516). The poverty rate in Harrison County was 14%, higher than both the state (10%) and national (13%) averages for 2017; however, it should be noted that this rate has been decreasing since 2013 when it stood at 17%. Education attainment levels in Harrison County were also lower than both state and national averages for 2017 with 85% having completed high school or higher compared to 87% for West Virginia and 90% for the United States as a whole respectively.