Bridgeport, West Virginia

History

Bridgeport originally got its name from a cartographer’s mistake. Settled in the mid-1700s by early fur traders who came west over the Allegheny Mountains, settlers were forced to build forts to protect themselves from the elements, as well as from Native Americans who didn’t care for the intrusion on their lands. Thus, as legend has it, what was known as Bridge Fort was mistakenly deemed Bridgeport. [1]

On June 29, 2006, the city became noted as the site of a showdown over the issue of separation of church and state in the United States. A portrait of Jesus originally hung on a wall at Bridgeport High School. Two parents filed suit in federal court to have the portrait removed, after the Harrison County Board of Education deadlocked over whether to remove the portrait.[2] The portrait of Jesus was stolen from Bridgeport High School early in the morning on August 17, 2006 and a mirror was put in its place. [3]

In 2016, a baseball team from Bridgeport won the Little League state championship.

Bridgeport landmarks

Notable people

High schools

Primary and middle schools

Libraries

Geography

Bridgeport is located at 39°17′48″N 80°15′5″W (39.296544, -80.251305), along Simpson Creek.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.56 square miles (27.35 km²), of which, 10.52 square miles (27.25 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,149 people, 3,458 households, and 2,383 families residing in the city. The population density was 774.6 inhabitants per square mile (299.1/km²). There were 3,678 housing units at an average density of 349.6 per square mile (135.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.5% White, 1.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 3,458 households of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.1% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 44.7 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 30.8% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,306 people, 2,988 households, and 2,103 families residing in the city. The population density was 880.4 people per square mile (339.9/km²). There were 3,190 housing units at an average density of 384.4 per square mile (148.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.93% White, 1.25% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.

There were 2,988 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.8% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,310, and the median income for a family was $58,825. Males had a median income of $46,590 versus $29,861 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,132. About 3.7% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.