Davis, West Virginia

History

Davis was named either for Senator Henry Gassaway Davis, or for his family generally.

The Herman August Meyer House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Geography

Davis is located at (39.131110, -79.466318). It is located in the northern portion of Canaan Valley, West Virginia near the Canaan Valley State Resort Park, and is partially surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest, including scenic Blackwater Falls.

At an elevation of 3,520 feet, Davis has the highest elevation of any West Virginia town. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.83 sqmi, all land.

Outdoor Activities

Mountain Biking

The area surrounding Davis is renowned for its mountain biking trails and bike culture. The most notable trails include the Plantation Trail, Hoo Doo Hustle and Moon Rocks. Many more miles of trails are also easily accessible at nearby Blackwater Falls State Park. The area also hosts several mountain bike races each year. One of these races, the Revenge of the Rattlesnake, is considered one of the toughest bike races in the country.

Nordic Skiing

Davis is also home to the White Grass Ski Touring Center. Originally opened in 1959 as the Weiss Knob Ski Area, a downhill ski resort, the site was reopened in 1979 as White Grass, with a focus on cross-country skiing. Today, White Grass maintains over 50 kilometers of groomed trails each winter.

Demographics

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 660 people, 305 households, and 173 families living in the town. The population density was 360.7 PD/sqmi. There were 425 housing units at an average density of 232.2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 98.0% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.9%.

Of the 305 households 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.3% were non-families. 37.4% of households were one person and 15.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the town was 46.1 years. 17.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 34.9% were from 45 to 64; and 16.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 624 people, 290 households, and 176 families living in the town. The population density was 546.0 /mi2. There were 380 housing units at an average density of 332.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 97.92% White, 0.16% Native American, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.32%.

Of the 290 households 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 36.9% of households were one person and 20.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.76.

The age distribution was 22.0% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median household income was $25,221 and the median family income was $31,333. Males had a median income of $21,607 versus $17,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,399. About 14.6% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Davis has a warm-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The climate is very snowy due to the high elevation and rugged terrain.

|Jan record high F = 62 |Feb record high F = 71 |Mar record high F = 74 |Apr record high F = 84 |May record high F = 83 |Jun record high F = 89 |Jul record high F = 89 |Aug record high F = 84 |Sep record high F = 84 |Oct record high F = 80 |Nov record high F = 72 |Dec record high F = 64

|Jan avg record high F = 55.5 |Feb avg record high F = 56.1 |Mar avg record high F = 66.4 |Apr avg record high F = 76.7 |May avg record high F = 79.9 |Jun avg record high F = 81.9 |Jul avg record high F = 83.3 |Aug avg record high F = 81.1 |Sep avg record high F = 80.5 |Oct avg record high F = 74.7 |Nov avg record high F = 67.3 |Dec avg record high F = 58.1 |year avg record high F = 84.3

|Jan avg record low F = -5.6 |Feb avg record low F = -4.8 |Mar avg record low F = 4.4 |Apr avg record low F = 18.3 |May avg record low F = 28.9 |Jun avg record low F = 39.8 |Jul avg record low F = 46.1 |Aug avg record low F = 45.7 |Sep avg record low F = 37.9 |Oct avg record low F = 24.3 |Nov avg record low F = 12.1 |Dec avg record low F = 3.8 |year avg record low F = -8.6

|Jan record low F = -18 |Feb record low F = -15 |Mar record low F = -9 |Apr record low F = 5 |May record low F = 19 |Jun record low F = 32 |Jul record low F = 40 |Aug record low F = 41 |Sep record low F = 32 |Oct record low F = 20 |Nov record low F = 0 |Dec record low F = -15

|Jan snow depth inch = 15.7 |Feb snow depth inch = 17.9 |Mar snow depth inch = 13.9 |Apr snow depth inch = 5.7 |May snow depth inch = 0.3 |Jun snow depth inch = 0.0 |Jul snow depth inch = 0.0 |Aug snow depth inch = 0.0 |Sep snow depth inch = 0.0 |Oct snow depth inch = 4.7 |Nov snow depth inch = 7.0 |Dec snow depth inch = 9.9 |year snow depth inch = 20.6

|access-date = October 14, 2023 |access-date = October 14, 2023

Notable people

• Eddie Baker, film actor
• Karl Lashley, psychologist
• Frankie Yankovic, known as "America's Polka King"

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. (1997). "West Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer". [[DeLorme]].
7. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
8. Kenny, Hamill. (1945). "West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains". The Place Name Press.
9. (July 23, 2010). "National Register of Historic Places Listings". National Park Service.
10. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
11. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
12. "White Grass Cross Country Skiing".
13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
14. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].