Sophia, West Virginia

Sophia, West Virginia
Town
Main st. (WV 16), downtown Sophia in 2007
Logo
Location of Sophia in Raleigh County, West Virginia.
Coordinates: 37°42′29″N81°15′12″W / 37.70806°N 81.25333°W / 37.70806; -81.25333
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Raleigh
Area [1]
• Total	0.70 sq mi (1.81 km2)
• Land	0.70 sq mi (1.81 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	2,326 ft (709 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	1,124
• Estimate  (2021) [3]	1,107
• Density	1,763.61/sq mi (680.72/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	25921
Area code	304
FIPS code	54-75172 [4]
GNIS feature ID	2391419 [2]
Website	sophiawv.com

Sophia is a town in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States. It was incorporated in 1912. The population was 1,124 at the 2020 census. ^[3]

History

A post office called Sophia has been in operation since 1909. ^[5] The town was named for Sophia McGinnis, the family member of a local civil servant. ^[6] The town incorporated in 1912. ^[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.69 square miles (1.79 km²), all land. ^[8]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	240		—
1930	611		154.6%
1940	1,160		89.9%
1950	1,430		23.3%
1960	1,284		−10.2%
1970	1,303		1.5%
1980	1,216		−6.7%
1990	1,182		−2.8%
2000	1,301		10.1%
2010	1,344		3.3%
2020	1,124		−16.4%
2021 (est.)	1,107	[3]	−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]

Hilltop view of homes in Sophia

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 1,344 people, 590 households, and 391 families living in the town. The population density was 1,947.8 inhabitants per square mile (752.0/km²). There were 655 housing units at an average density of 949.3 per square mile (366.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.2% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.1%. ^[10]

Of the 590 households 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.8% of households were one person and 14.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.77.

The median age in the town was 40.1 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 17% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 1,301 people, 588 households, and 386 families living in the town. The population density was 1,902.5 inhabitants per square mile (738.7/km²). There were 643 housing units at an average density of 940.3 per square mile (365.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.62% White, 1.15% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61%. ^[4]

Of the 588 households 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.3% of households were one person and 15.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.75.

The age distribution was 21.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.3 males.

The median household income was $26,008 and the median family income was $31,200. Males had a median income of $30,875 versus $17,273 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,296. About 22.1% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.9% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

• Robert Byrd, United States Senator

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sophia, West Virginia
3. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "Raleigh County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
6. Capace, Nancy (1999). Encyclopedia of West Virginia. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 191. ISBN   978-0-403-09843-9.
7. Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 592.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 24, 2013.