Chesapeake, West Virginia

History

Chesapeake was incorporated on November 1, 1948, and was named for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, which has served the community since 1873.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.64 sqmi, of which 0.48 sqmi is land and 0.16 sqmi is water.

Demographics

2020 Census

At the 2020 Census there were 1,336 people, 617 occupied households, and 117 vacant properties in the town. The population density was 2939.71 PD/sqmi.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 1,554 people, 691 households, and 425 families living in the town. The population density was 3237.5 PD/sqmi. There were 809 housing units at an average density of 1685.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 88.7% White, 9.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5%.

Of the 691 households 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.5% were non-families. 33.6% of households were one person and 14.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the town was 43.5 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 30.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 1,643 people, 750 households, and 480 families living in the town. The population density was 3,487.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,349.7/km). There were 851 housing units at an average density of 1,806.3 per square mile (699.1/km). The racial makeup of the town was 88.19% White, 10.04% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.37%.

Of the 750 households 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.5% of households were one person and 15.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.71.

The age distribution was 19.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median household income was $29,526 and the median family income was $35,703. Males had a median income of $30,588 versus $21,458 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,307. About 14.3% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.9% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The current mayor of Chesapeake is Melissa J. Hill, effective July 1, 2023.

Notable people

• Chris Massey, long snapper for the St. Louis Rams.
• Donny Kees, musician and songwriter
• Herbert C.L. Shearer, Bronze Carnegie Hero Medal Awardee https://www.carnegiehero.org/hero-search/herbert-c-l-shearer/

References

References

1. [[West Virginia Legislature]]. (2018). "West Virginia Blue Book, 2017-2018". West Virginia Legislature.
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
3. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". US Census Bureau.
4. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
5. (October 25, 2007). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
6. Kenny, Hamill. (1945). "West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains". The Place Name Press.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
9. "Explore Census Data".
10. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
11. SAUNDERS, ANNA. (June 14, 2023). "New mayors elected in Cedar Grove, Chesapeake".
12. Stone, Greg. (June 15, 2023). "Hill becomes Chesapeake's first Black mayor".
13. {{usurped
14. Thomas, Clint. (September 10, 2008). "East Bank graduate country powerhouse". The Charleston Gazette.