Chester, West Virginia
Chester, West Virginia | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 54-15076[3] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 1537260[4] | |
Website | http://chesterwv.org/ |
Chester is a city in northern Hancock County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,214 at the 2020 census.[2] Located immediately south of Ohio and just west of Pennsylvania, Chester is the northernmost city in West Virginia. It is a part of the Weirton–Steubenville metropolitan area, and is home to the World's Largest Teapot.
History
Chester was established in 1896, but not incorporated until 1907. The town was established by
The town grew in the early 20th century, led primarily by the pottery industry founded in nearby East Liverpool. The Taylor, Smith & Taylor Company was the leading manufacturer in Chester, employing over 800 people at one time.[6] Another large employer was the steel manufacturing Chester Rolling Mill Company.[7] The Chester teapot, the town's main attraction, was purchased by Wilford Devon in 1938 and moved to Chester from Carnegie, Pennsylvania. It served as a barrel-shaped food stand with soft serve ice cream, hot dogs, and soft drinks until it was moved and remodeled to its current location in 1990 and has been featured in depictions of West Virginia, such as in the video game Fallout 76.[8]
Geography
Chester is located at 40°36′46″N 80°33′46″W / 40.61278°N 80.56278°W (40.612792, -80.562771).[9] At the outbreak of hostilities of the Civil War in April 1861, this location was part of Virginia and was the northernmost point in any slave state. Chester remains the northernmost point in the Southern United States, as defined by the United States Census Bureau.
The following highways pass through Chester:
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.00 square mile (2.59 km2), all land.[10]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 3,184 | — | |
1920 | 3,283 | 3.1% | |
1930 | 3,701 | 12.7% | |
1940 | 3,805 | 2.8% | |
1950 | 3,758 | −1.2% | |
1960 | 3,787 | 0.8% | |
1970 | 3,614 | −4.6% | |
1980 | 3,297 | −8.8% | |
1990 | 2,905 | −11.9% | |
2000 | 2,592 | −10.8% | |
2010 | 2,585 | −0.3% | |
2020 | 2,214 | −14.4% | |
2021 (est.) | 2,173 | [2] | −1.9% |
U.S. Decennial Census[11] 2012 Estimate[12] |
2010 census
As of the
There were 1,209 households, of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.4% were non-families. 38.3% 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 2.14 and the average family size was 2.81.
The median age in the city was 43.2 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 20.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.
2000 census
As of the
There were 1,160 households, out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,550, and the median income for a family was $37,672. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $18,724 for females. The
Education
Children in Chester are served by the Hancock County School District.[14] The current schools serving Chester are:
- Allen T. Allison Elementary School – grades K-4
- Oak Glen Middle School – grades 5-8
- Oak Glen High School – grades 9-12
Notable people
- Michael Paris, WWE Wrestler
- Dale Baird, American thoroughbred horse racing trainer, 15 time U.S. Champion Thoroughbred Trainer by wins
- center
- Daniel Johnston, significant outsider and Lo-fi music singer and songwriter, artist
- Jim Jordan, basketball player
- Win Mercer, Major League Baseball pitcher[15]
- Scott Paulsen, radio personality, former host of The DVE Morning Show and columnist
- Randy Swartzmiller, member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 1st district
See also
- List of cities and towns along the Ohio River
- Jennings Randolph Bridge
- Rock Springs Park
References
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Joseph A. Comm (April 9, 2012). "Who Named Chester and When Was It Founded?". Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ a b Roy Cashdollar (October 30, 1997). "Historical Chester: Historical Compilation by Roy Cashdollar". Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ LaurelHollowPark.net. "Chester Rolling Mill Co". Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ Lynn Murray Memorial Public Library. "History of "The World's Largest Teapot"". Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
- ^ "Home - Hancock County Schools". Hancock County Schools. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ISBN 0-02-578970-8.