Grafton, West Virginia

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Grafton is a city in Taylor County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 5,489 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taylor County^GR6. The only two national cemeteries in West Virginia are located in Grafton. Mother's Day was founded in Grafton on May 10, 1908; the city is the home to the International Mother's Day Shrine. Grafton boasts one of the oldest observances of Memorial Day in America. The City of Grafton was chartered in 1856. It is believed, that it is named after John Grafton, a civil engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The first casualty of the Civil War occurred in Grafton.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Notable natives
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Grafton is located at 39°20′30″N, 80°1′11″W (39.341757, -80.019817)^GR1, along the Tygart Valley River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 km² (3.8 mi²). 9.5 km² (3.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (3.16%) is water.

Tygart Lake State Park is major tourist attraction for this area providing boating, camping, and outdoor activities.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 5,489 people, 2,277 households, and 1,448 families residing in the city. The population density was 575.9/km² (1,491.1/mi²). There were 2,575 housing units at an average density of 270.2/km² (699.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.07% White, 0.84% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.

There were 2,277 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18; 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,981, and the median income for a family was $28,661. Males had a median income of $26,765 versus $18,629 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,616. About 18.6% of families and 27.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.2% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Notable natives

George Preston Marshall - Long time owner and President of the Washington Redskins.
Frank Gatski - Pro Football Hall of Fame center for the Cleveland Browns.

Clair Francis Bee - was an American basketball coach who led the team at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York to two undefeated seasons in 1936 and 1939 as well as two National Invitation Tournament titles (1939, 1941).