Paw Paw, West Virginia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Paw Paw, West Virginia
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Paw Paw, West Virginia


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = West Virginia
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Morgan

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
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established_date =

area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 1.4
area_land_km2 = 1.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 0.5
area_land_sq_mi = 0.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 524
population_density_km2 = 385.9
population_density_sq_mi = 999.4

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 174
elevation_ft = 571
latd = 39 |latm = 31 |lats = 52 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 27 |longs = 25 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 25434
area_code = 304
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 54-62332GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1544641GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Paw Paw is a town in Morgan County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 524 at the 2000 census. The town is known for the nearby Paw Paw Tunnel. Paw Paw was incorporated by the Circuit Court of Morgan County on April 8, 1891 and named for the pawpaw, a wild fruit which formerly grew in abundance throughout this region. Paw Paw is the westernmost incorporated community in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Paw Paw is located at coor dms|39|31|52|N|78|27|25|W|city (39.531140, -78.456920)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 524 people, 224 households, and 144 families residing in the town. The population density was 389.1/km² (999.4/mi²). There were 249 housing units at an average density of 184.9/km² (474.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.50% White, 7.63% African American, 2.29% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.44% of the population.

There were 224 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,625, and the median income for a family was $30,250. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,377. About 14.9% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.

History

On George Washington's many trips west, he usually took the Winchester-Cumberland Road which closely parallels today's CR 29/51 through Paw Paw. The Potomac River, which embraces the old town in one of its bends, was navigated as early as 1750. Travelers heading west often crossed the gap in the mountains here, some settling to farm land along the river.

Events

* [http://www.avalon-resort.com/musicfest.html Avalon's Annual Music and Arts Festival] a three day music festival featuring Country, folk, blues, rock, Appalachian, and bluegrass music. Every August.

Paw Paw is home to the West Virginia Open Disc Golf Championship which takes place on two private 18 hole courses called The Woodshed and The Whipping Post.

External links

* [http://www.berkeleysprings.com/trail/gwtrail-12.html Paw Paw on the Washington Heritage Trail]
* [http://www.avalon-resort.com/ Avalon: The Natural Get-Away (WARNING: CONTAINS NUDITY)]