War, West Virginia

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War is a city in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 788 at the 2000 census. War was incorporated in 1920 by the Circuit Court of McDowell County. Its name is derived from War Creek, whose confluence with Dry Fork is located within the city. Legend has it that War Creek was in turn named by the local Native Americans about 1788 because of a battle which occurred near the source of the creek. War is the only place in the United States with this name. War was formerly known as Miner's City. It is also recognized as "the southernmost incorporated city in West Virginia."

[edit] Geography

War is located at 37°18′4″N, 81°41′3″W (37.301140, -81.684031)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 788 people, 331 households, and 225 families residing in the city. The population density was 334.3/km² (870.6/mi²). There were 388 housing units at an average density of 164.6/km² (428.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.67% White, 4.57% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.38% from other races, and 0.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.

There were 331 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $16,012, and the median income for a family was $20,521. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $18,438 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,285. About 34.8% of families and 43.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 66.5% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.