Matoaka is a census-designated place in
Mercer County,
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the Bur ...
, United States. The population was 227 at the
2010 census. It is part of the
Bluefield, WV-
VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578. This town is named for
Chief Powhatan
Powhatan ( c. 1547 – c. 1618), whose proper name was Wahunsenacawh (alternately spelled Wahunsenacah, Wahunsunacock or Wahunsonacock), was the leader of the Powhatan, an alliance of Algonquian-speaking Native Americans living in Tsenacommaca ...
's daughter Matoaka who was better known by her nickname "
Pocahontas
Pocahontas (, ; born Amonute, known as Matoaka, 1596 – March 1617) was a Native American woman, belonging to the Powhatan people, notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. She was the daughter of ...
". Matoaka became an unincorporated town when it voted to dissolve its charter in May 2018.
Geography
Matoaka is located at (37.418741, -81.242028).
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the town has a total area of , all land.
Climate
The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notabl ...
system, Matoaka has a
marine west coast climate
An oceanic climate, also known as a marine climate, is the humid temperate climate sub-type in Köppen classification ''Cfb'', typical of west coasts in higher middle latitudes of continents, generally featuring cool summers and mild winters ( ...
, abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps.
Climate Summary for Matoaka, West Virginia
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Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 227 people, 87 households, and 60 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 145 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup
A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
of the town was 98.7% White, 0.4% African American, and 0.9% Asian.
Of the 87 households 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.0% were non-families. 24.1% of households were one person and 12.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.12.
The median age in the town was 40.2 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 18.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 317 people, 125 households, and 93 families living in the town. The population density was 1,181.9 inhabitants per square mile (453.3/km2). There were 155 housing units at an average density of 577.9 per square mile (221.7/km2). The racial makeup
A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
of the town was 98.74% White, 0.32% Asian, and 0.95% from two or more races.
Of the 125 households 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 23.2% of households were one person and 16.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.89.
The age distribution was 26.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.
The median household income was $17,159 and the median family income was $19,792. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $9,522. About 28.0% of families and 29.5% of the population were below the poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 43.9% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.
References
{{West Virginia municipalities
Former municipalities in West Virginia
Bluefield micropolitan area
Coal towns in West Virginia
Populated places disestablished in 2018