Paw Paw, West Virginia
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Paw Paw is a town located in Morgan County, West Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 524. The town is known for the nearby Paw Paw Tunnel.
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Geography
Paw Paw is located at 39°31'52" North, 78°27'25" West (39.531140, -78.456920)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²). 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 524 people, 224 households, and 144 families residing in the town. The population density is 389.1/km² (999.4/mi²). There are 249 housing units at an average density of 184.9/km² (474.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 89.50% White, 7.63% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.29% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 3.44% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 224 households out of which 27.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% are married couples living together, 14.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% are non-families. 28.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.87.
In the town the population is spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $25,625, and the median income for a family is $30,250. Males have a median income of $27,500 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,377. 18.1% of the population and 14.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 25.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
On George Washington's many trips west, he usually took the Winchester-Cumberland Road which closely parallels today's WV Route 29/51 through Paw Paw. The Potomac River, which embraces the old town in one of its bends, was navigated as early as 1750. Travelers heading west often crossed the gap in the mountains here, some settling to farm land along the river.