County population goes up 17.4% in decade

Longtime residents of Morgan County won’t be surprised by the 17.4% increase in county population shown by the 2010 U.S. Census. There have been many new faces here in the past decade.

The U.S. Census Bureau released the 2010 Census figures for West Virginia last week and the results show Morgan County’s population increased by 2,598 people over the past decade.

The new census numbers show 17,541 people now living in the county, compared to 14,943 people counted in the 2000 Census.

While county population was up substantially, the towns of Bath or Paw Paw continued the gradual population declines apparent in the last few national censuses.

Town of Bath’s population is now 624, or 39 fewer people than in 2000, for a 6% decline.

Paw Paw’s population is said to be 508, down about 16 people or 3% from the 2000 Census.

Overall, Mountain State population increased from 1,808,344 to 1,852,994, or by 2.5%.

Kanawha County, the most populous county in the state, lost 7,010 residents during the past ten years and now has a population of 193,063.

Neighboring counties grow
Berkeley County was the fastest growing county in West Virginia with a population increase from 75,905 to 104,169 -- a gain of 28,264 people or over 37%.

Hampshire County’s population grew by 3,761 -- from 20,203 to 23,964 residents - for an 18.6% increase.

Jefferson County added 11,308 people -- from 42,190 in 2000 to 53,498 in 2010 - a 21% increase.

Neighboring Frederick County, Virginia had 32% growth in population – from 59,209 to 78,305, an increase of 3,206 people.

Washington County, Maryland had a modest 2% increase, growing from 144,158 to 147,430 – or by 3,272 people during the decade.

In the neighboring Town of Hancock, the official population total was 1,545 residents – a 10% drop from the 1,725 counted ten years ago.

Total U.S. population increased 27,323,630 or nearly 10% from 281,421,908 to 308,745,538 people.