Jefferson County is a county located in the state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 42,190. Its county seat is Charles Town⁶.  This county is a part of the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 548 km² (212 mi²). 543 km² (210 mi²) of it is land and 5 km² (2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.96% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 42,190 people, 16,165 households, and 11,315 families residing in the county. The population density is 78/km² (201/mi²). There are 17,623 housing units at an average density of 32/km² (84/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 91.02% White, 6.09% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 16,165 households out of which 31.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% are married couples living together, 10.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% are non-families. 23.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.54 and the average family size is 2.99.

In the county, the population is spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $44,374, and the median income for a family is $51,351. Males have a median income of $35,235 versus $26,531 for females. The per capita income for the county is $20,441. 10.30% of the population and 7.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.40% of those under the age of 18 and 9.40% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.