Ritchie County
Ritchie County, West Virginia
Harrisville, WV 26362
Phone: (304) 643-2164
Fax: (304) 643-2906
In north-central WV, east of Parkersburg; organized Feb 18, 1843 from Harrison, Lewis, and Wood counties. Name Origin: For Thomas Ritchie (1778-1854), newspaper owner and editor of the Richmond Enquirer (1804-45) and manager of the Washington, DC Union (1845-51).
Area (sq mi):: 453.58 (land 453.51; water 0.07) Population per square mile: 23.20
Population 2005: 10,540 State rank: 44 Population change: 2000-20005 1.90%; 1990-2000 1.10% Population 2000: 10,343 (White 98.30%; Black or African American 0.10%; Hispanic or Latino 0.50%; Asian 0.10%; Other 1.10%). Foreign born: 0.30%. Median age: 39.90
Income 2000: per capita $15,175; median household $27,332; Population below poverty level: 19.10% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $18,805-$20,210
Unemployment (2004): 6.60% Unemployment change (from 2000): -1.50% Median travel time to work: 32.90 minutes Working outside county of residence: 40.90%
See other counties in West Virginia.