Kingwood, West Virginia

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Kingwood, West Virginia
Location of Kingwood, West Virginia
Location of Kingwood, West Virginia
Coordinates: 39°28′17″N 79°41′5″W / 39.47139, -79.68472
Country United States
State West Virginia
County Preston
Area
 - Total 2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
 - Land 2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation 1,814 ft (553 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 2,944
 - Density 1,192.9/sq mi (460.6/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 26519, 26537
Area code(s) 304
FIPS code 54-44044[1]
GNIS feature ID 1541229[2]

Kingwood is a city in and the county seat of Preston County, West Virginia, United States,[3] and is part of the Pittsburgh DMA. Kingwood was founded in 1815. The population was 2,944 at the 2000 census.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Kingwood is located at 39°28′17″N, 79°41′5″W (39.471280, -79.684839)[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.4 km²), all of it land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,944 people, 1,283 households, and 844 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,192.9 people per square mile (460.2/km²). There were 1,417 housing units at an average density of 574.2/sq mi (221.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.69% White, 1.02% African American, 0.44% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population.

There were 1,283 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,155, and the median income for a family was $36,313. Males had a median income of $30,658 versus $18,190 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,299. About 16.3% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Buckwheat Festival

The Preston County Buckwheat Festival is one of the largest festivals in West Virginia, and is held on the last weekend of September in Kingwood. It is famous for the Buckwheat cakes that are served all over the county of Preston during the festival. Buckwheat cakes are a sourdough cake that resembles a pancake yet has a very distinct taste that is all its own. The festival features arts and crafts, Carnival rides and livestock exhibitions. It is the largest celebration of Buckwheat pancakes in the known world.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links