Webster County is a county located in the state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 9,719. Its county seat is Webster Springs⁶.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,440 km² (556 mi²). 1,440 km² (556 mi²) of it is land and 0 km² (0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.03% water.

Webster County is bounded in the north by Lewis County, West Virginia and Upshur County, West Virginia, in the northeast by Randolph County, West Virginia, in the east by Pocahontas County, West Virginia, in the south by Greenbrier County, West Virginia, in the southwest by Nicholas County, West Virginia and in the northwest by Braxton County, West Virginia.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 9,719 people, 4,010 households, and 2,815 families residing in the county. The population density is 7/km² (18/mi²). There are 5,273 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (10/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 99.18% White, 0.01% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.01% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.37% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,010 households out of which 29.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% are married couples living together, 10.60% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% are non-families. 26.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 2.89.

In the county, the population is spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $21,055, and the median income for a family is $25,049. Males have a median income of $25,362 versus $15,381 for females. The per capita income for the county is $12,284. 31.80% of the population and 26.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 45.40% of those under the age of 18 and 21.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Bergoo
• Boggs
• Bolair
  • This name derives from the story that pioneer James Dyer would sing his favorite song "Beau Laire" to travellers. The spelling eventually changed to the present one. It is the only place in the United States with this name.
• Camden-on-Gauley
  • It was named for Johnson N. Camden a U. S. senator from West Virginia. It is the only place in the United States with this name.
• Cowen
• Curtin
• Diana
• Erbacon
• Gauley Mills
• Hacker Valley
• Parcoal
• Replete
• Upperglade
• Webster Springs
  • The town is legally incorporated as Addison. Webster Springs, the more common name for this community, is actually the name of the town's post office.