Charles Town is a city located in Jefferson County, West Virginia, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,907. Due to its similar name, travelers have sometimes confused this city with the state capital Charleston, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Jefferson County.
Charles Washington, the founder of Charles Town, was born in Hunting Creek, now Fairfax County, Virginia, on May 2, 1738. He was the youngest full brother of George Washington. He came to present Jefferson County between April and October 1780.
The home of Charles Washington, Happy Retreat, was erected in 1780. In 1786, on 80 acres (320,000 m2) of his adjoining land, Charles laid out the streets of Charles Town, naming many of them after his brothers and one after his wife, Mildred. He donated the four corner lots at the intersection of George and Washington Streets for public buildings of the town and county, provided the town become the seat of the county separated from Berkeley County. Jefferson County was formed in 1801 as he anticipated. The county court house stands on one of these lots, as did the jail until 1919 when it was demolished to be replaced by the post office.
Charles Washington died sometime between July and September, 1799, only a short while before the death of his brother, George. His grave site at Happy Retreat is unmarked.
Charles Town is located at 39°17'3" North, 77°51'22" West (39.284237, -77.856211).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 km2 (1.4 mi2). 3.6 km2 (1.4 mi2) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 2,907 people, 1,285 households, and 732 families residing in the city. The population density is 801.7/km2 (2,082.3/mi2). There are 1,396 housing units at an average density of 385.0/km2 (999.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 78.91% White, 17.54% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. 2.55% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,285 households out of which 25.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% are married couples living together, 13.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% are non-families. 36.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 19.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.26 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $32,538, and the median income for a family is $43,547. Males have a median income of $30,917 versus $22,241 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,104. 15.8% of the population and 13.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.3% of those under the age of 18 and 13.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Source:
CharlesTownWestVirginia.com
HOTELS • REAL ESTATE • JOBS