Keyser, West Virginia
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Keyser is a city located in Mineral County, West Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,303. Keyser is the "Friendliest City in the U.S.A." It is the county seat of Mineral CountyTemplate:GR.
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History
Keyser was originally called Paddy Town after Patrick McCarty, son of one of the original settlers. With the coming of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1852, the destiny of the area changed from a quiet rural community to a thriving industrial center. The name was changed to New Creek Station and then to New Creek. In 1861 the Civil War came rumbling through the valley. Fort Fuller was built on the present site of Potomac State College, and Fort Piano entrenchments were established on New Creek Mountain.
Because of the importance of the railroad, the town changed hands 14 times.
At the time, West Virginia became a state in 1863 there was some contention between Piedmont and New Creek over the location of the county seat. As an inducement to have the county seat located in New Creek, the Davis brothers donated land for the courthouse in 1867 and is still in use.
In 1874, the town was incorporated as ‘Keyser’ to honor William Keyser, Vice President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Supposedly, intended to gain favor with Mr. Keyser and the railroad to ensure that they would move all rail operations from Piedmont to Keyser.
Geography
WVMap-doton-Keyser.PNG
Location of Keyser, West Virginia
Keyser is located at 39°26'20" North, 78°58'58" West (39.438851, -78.982663)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²). 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 5,303 people, 2,241 households, and 1,333 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,077.6/km² (2,791.7/mi²). There are 2,542 housing units at an average density of 516.6/km² (1,338.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 90.55% White, 7.07% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,241 households out of which 24.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% are married couples living together, 13.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% are non-families. 36.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.19 and the average family size is 2.85.
In the city the population is spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $23,718, and the median income for a family is $32,708. Males have a median income of $29,034 versus $20,818 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,813. 18.9% of the population and 16.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 34.2% of those under the age of 18 and 11.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.