According to countryaah, Barbour County is located in North-Central West Virginia, bordered by Upshur County to the north, Randolph County to the east, Tucker County to the south and Harrison and Lewis counties to the west. The county seat is Philippi, where the Barbour County Courthouse is located. Barbour County covers an area of 437 square miles and has a population of approximately 16,000 people.
The county was established in 1843 from parts of Harrison and Lewis counties and named after Philip Pendleton Barbour, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice at the time. It was one of fifty counties created during the state’s formation in 1863.
Barbour County is largely rural with a mix of forested hillsides, agricultural land and small towns. The Tygart Valley River runs through the county from north to south while other tributaries such as Glady Fork Creek provide additional water sources for local residents.
The county has several notable attractions including Philippi Covered Bridge which dates back to 1852; Audra State Park which features a variety of hiking trails; and Pricketts Fort State Park which includes a replica fort as well as nature trails and historic sites.
Barbour County is home to many small towns including Belington (the largest town in the county), Junior, Volga, Philippi (the county seat) and more, each with its own unique charm that makes it worth visiting!
Demographics of Barbour County, West Virginia
Barbour County is located in North-Central West Virginia and has a population of approximately 16,000 people. The county is largely rural with a mix of forested hillsides, agricultural land and small towns. The racial makeup of the county is 90.8% White, 6.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 1.1% from other races and 0.8% from two or more races.
The median income for a household in Barbour County was $30,964 in 2019 and the per capita income was $17,704 according to the US Census Bureau. The median age of residents was 42 years old and the poverty rate was 18%.
The largest employers in Barbour County are healthcare services (20%), educational services (14%), retail trade (13%) and manufacturing (10%). The unemployment rate for the county is 5%.
Barbour County is served by three school districts: Philippi-Barbour County Schools which includes Belington Elementary School, Philippi Middle School and Philip Barbour High School; Tygarts Valley Schools which includes Valley Head Elementary School and Tygarts Valley Middle/High School; and Tucker County Schools which includes Thomas Elementary School and Tucker County High School.
Overall, Barbour County is a rural area with a diverse population that has many opportunities for employment as well as recreational activities!
Places of Interest in Barbour County, West Virginia
Barbour County, West Virginia is a rural area with many places of interest for visitors. The county is home to several notable attractions including Philippi Covered Bridge which dates back to 1852; Audra State Park which features a variety of hiking trails; and Pricketts Fort State Park which includes a replica fort as well as nature trails and historic sites.
The county also has two scenic byways, the Tygart Valley River Road National Scenic Byway and the Belington-Philippi Historic Byway. Both byways offer stunning views of the countryside as well as historic sites, such as old homes, churches, cemeteries and more.
Another place of interest in Barbour County is the Barbour County Historical Museum located in Philippi. The museum houses artifacts from the Civil War era as well as other local historical items. Visitors can also explore the museum’s archives to learn more about the area’s past.
The county also offers many outdoor recreational activities such as fishing at Tygart Lake State Park or at one of several smaller lakes in the county; hiking on one of many trails in Audra State Park; or camping at Pricketts Fort State Park.
Barbour County is also home to several small towns including Belington (the largest town in the county), Junior, Volga, Philippi (the county seat) and more, each with its own unique charm that makes it worth visiting!
Communities in Barbour County, West Virginia
Barbour County, West Virginia is home to a variety of communities, each with its own unique character and charm. The county seat is Philippi, which is a small but vibrant town that offers a variety of shops and restaurants. The town also features several historic sites including the Barbour County Courthouse, which dates back to 1851, as well as Philippi Covered Bridge which dates back to 1852.
Belington is the largest town in Barbour County and is known for its friendly atmosphere and outdoor recreational activities. The town is home to many parks and trails including Audra State Park which offers a variety of hiking trails; Pricketts Fort State Park which includes a replica fort as well as nature trails and historic sites; and Tygart Lake State Park which provides great fishing opportunities.
Junior is another small community in Barbour County with its own unique character. Located on the Tygart Valley River, Junior offers visitors plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, camping, swimming and more. Additionally, there are several small businesses located in Junior that make it an ideal spot for shopping or dining.
Volga is a smaller community located near Belington that offers visitors an opportunity to explore its many historic sites such as old homes and churches dating back to the 1800s. Additionally, Volga has several parks including Myers Memorial Park which features walking paths and playgrounds for children; Cuzzart Park which has picnic areas; and Sinex Memorial Field where visitors can play sports or just relax outdoors.
Overall, Barbour County has something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation or want to explore its local history or just relax in one of its peaceful towns – there’s something here for everyone!
Notable People of Barbour County, West Virginia
Barbour County, West Virginia is the birthplace of several notable people, including:
The first female mayor of a major U.S. city – Ella Reeve Bloor – was born in Belington in 1862. She was an American labor organizer and socialist who fought to improve the rights of workers and women.
Civil War General George A. Custer was born in New Rumley, Barbour County in 1839 and attended West Point Military Academy. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War and was later appointed as a Brigadier General at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Actress Jean Arthur was born in Plattsburg, Barbour County in 1900 and went on to become one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading ladies. She appeared in several films throughout her career such as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and The More the Merrier (1943).
Country music singer Bill Anderson was born in Columbia, Barbour County in 1937. He began his career as a disc jockey before becoming one of country music’s most popular songwriters with hits such as “City Lights” (1958) and “Still” (1963).
Astronaut Charles Bolden Jr., who flew aboard space shuttle Columbia’s STS-45 mission, was born in Philippi, Barbour County in 1946. He went on to become NASA’s Administrator from 2009 to 2017 and is now retired from active duty with the U.S Marine Corps after serving for over 30 years.
Barbour County has produced many notable people throughout its history who have gone on to make significant contributions to society!
Bordering States of West Virginia
According to abbreviationfinder, West Virginia is bordered by five states, each offering its own unique experiences and attractions. To the north lies Pennsylvania with its bustling cities, rolling hills, and plenty of outdoor activities like hiking and camping. Further east is Maryland with its vibrant cities like Baltimore and Annapolis as well as its many beaches along the Chesapeake Bay.
Heading south from West Virginia you will find Virginia, home to a variety of attractions such as historic sites like Monticello and Mount Vernon or museums like the National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC. There are also plenty of outdoor activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, and camping at places like Mammoth Cave National Park or Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
Further west is Kentucky which borders West Virginia on the south side. Here you can find vibrant cities such as Louisville with its Slugger Museum & Factory or Lexington’s Keeneland Race Course. No matter what type of activity or adventure you’re looking for, Kentucky has something to offer everyone.
Finally, there’s Ohio which borders West Virginia on the west side. This state offers a variety of attractions ranging from amusement parks to art galleries to professional sports teams in Cleveland and Cincinnati. There are also plenty of outdoor activities such as canoeing down the Ohio River or exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Regardless of what type of activity you’re looking for, West Virginia’s bordering states have something to offer everyone.
