Mineral County, West Virginia Billboards / Signage

Mineral County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is part of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 27,078. Its county seat is Keyser.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 27,078 people, 10,784 households, and 7,710 families residing in the county. The population density was 83 people per square mile (32/km²). There were 12,094 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.16% White, 2.55% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,784 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,149, and the median income for a family was $37,866. Males had a median income of $32,337 versus $20,090 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,384. About 11.50% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Greater Cumberland Regional Airport
Rail Transportation
- CSX lines run along the Potomac River on the northern border of the county.
- Amtrak service is available at the Cumberland, Maryland Rail Road Station located less than a mile from Ridgeley, West Virginia the counties northernmost city. Keyser, West Virginia's Rail Road Station closed in the 1980s.
Highways
- Two US highways travel through Mineral County: U.S. Highway 50 also known as the Northwestern Turnpike, and U.S. Highway 220.
- Four major state highways run through Mineral County, WV 28, WV 42, WV 46, and WV 93.
- Two state connector routes are located in Mineral County, WV 956 and WV 972
- US Senate Bill S.719 will add an extension of Corridor O part of the Appalachian Development Highway System to the New Creek Valley in Mineral County connecting Interstate 68 to Corridor H

Parks and public recreational attractions

Larenim Park

Owned by the Mineral County Commission and operated by Parks and Recreation, the park size is 365 acres (1.48 km). Includes two pavilions with 10 tables, an amphitheatre with seating capacity of 600. One Little League field and one softball field. Fishing Areas; two flood control dams stocked by WVDNR (5 acres and 2.5 acres). All 365 acres (1.48 km) are open to public hunting by permit. Approximately five miles of trails. An arboretum is under construction at Larenim to include a Shale Barrens Conservancy. Larenim Park is also home to the local theatre group, McNeill's Rangers.

Barnum Whitewater Area

Owned by Mineral County with size of approximately 40 acres (160,000 m). Includes four miles (6 km) of rail/trail. This area has approximately one mile of river frontage on the North Branch of the Potomac River below Jennings Randolph Lake, along the old CSX railway. It is one of the best trout streams in West Virginia and also provides seven miles (11 km) of whitewater rafting and canoeing for the entire family to enjoy. Public hunting permitted on surrounding state lands.

MINCO Park

Owned by the Mineral County Board of Education, Minco Park's size is 13.5 acres (55,000 m). Its facilities include two pavilions with 50 picnic tables, nine cabins, a dining field, a chapel, meeting room, and bath/shower facilities.

Van Myra Campground

Owned by the State of West Virginia and leased by Mineral County, the campground area is 10 acres (40,000 m). Three picnic tables, four mini-pavilions, and picnic area only comprise this facility.

Dam Site #21

Owned by Mineral County, 178 acres (0.72 km), with no facilities. Fishing 10 acres (40,000 m) flood control dam.

Jennings Randolph Lake

Jennings Randolph Lake named for Senator Jennings Randolph near Elk Garden offers extensive recreational opportunity with its 952 acres (3.85 km) and more than 13 miles (21 km) of shoreline. Howell Run Picnic Area overlooks the lake and contains 40 picnic sites, two pavilions, a playground and vault toilets. The Howell Run Boat Launch consists of a two lane concrete ramp. the Robert W. Craig Campground is situated on a high ridge overlooking the dam site and features 87 campsites, potable water, hot showers, vault toilets and a playground. A 3/4 mile long interpretive trail has been developed in the area. The West Virginia Overlook area contains a two tier Visitor Center. Waffle Rock, a unique natural rock formation, can also be viewed from the Overlook.

West Virginia state lands

Open to public hunting; no marked trails, but includes several miles of old logging roads. Size: 4,800 acres (19 km). Facilities: none

Hunting and fishing licenses are required throughout the state. Non-resident licenses, including short-term licenses for state recreational areas, may be obtained from nearly 800 license agents in the state. Hunting and fishing regulations are available from the Division of Natural Resources, 304-558-2771. License application forms may be obtained by calling 304-558-2758. A special stamp is required to hunt or fish on national forest lands.

Golf courses – public

Polish Pines – Privately owned, nine holes, Club House Mill Creek – Privately owned, nine holes, Club House

Swimming pools – public

City of Keyser – One pool open to public City of Piedmont – One pool open to public

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Mineral County, West Virginia

County seat: Keyser

City	Keyser

Towns	Carpendale \| Elk Garden \| Piedmont \| Ridgeley

CDPs	Fort Ashby \| Wiley Ford

Other localities	Antioch \| Atlantic Hill \| Barnum \| Beryl \| Blaine \| Burlington \| Champwood \| Claysville \| Cross \| Dans Run \| Emoryville \| Forge Hill \| Hampshire \| Hartmansville \| Headsville \| Laurel Dale \| Limestone \| Markwood \| Nethkin \| New Creek \| Oakmont \| Patterson Creek \| Reeses Mill \| Ridgeville \| Rocket Center \| Russelldale \| Short Gap \| Skyline \| Sulphur City \| Wagoner