Terra Alta is a town in eastern Preston County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,415 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Morgantown metropolitan area.

History

Terra Alta was originally called Portland, and under the latter name had its start in the 1850s. The present name Terra Alta is derived from Latin meaning "high land". According to the

1876 Events January–March * January 1 ** The Reichsbank opens in Berlin. ** The Bass Brewery Red Triangle becomes the world's first registered trademark symbol. * February 2 – The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs i ...

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the first common carrier railroad and the oldest railroad in the United States, with its first section opening in 1830. Merchants from Baltimore, which had benefited to some extent from the construction of ...

map, Terra Alta had a railroad station called Cranberry Station. The town is home to the James S. Lakin House and Terra Alta Bank, each listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Terra Alta is located at (39.444343, -79.544002). According to the United States Census Bureau, 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 system, Terra Alta has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.Climate Summary for Terra Alta, West Virginia
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Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,477 people, 610 households, and 394 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 700 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 98.0% White, 0.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1%

Asian Asian may refer to: * Items from or related to the continent of Asia: ** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia ** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia ** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...

, 0.2% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or

Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...

of any race were 0.9% of the population. There were 610 households, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% 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 2.92. The median age in the town was 38.8 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 27.2% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,456 people, 596 households, and 417 families living in the town. The population density was 1,220.1 inhabitants per square mile (472.4/km²). There were 690 housing units at an average density of 578.2 per square mile (223.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.18% White, 0.14% African American, 0.07%

, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or

of any race were 0.34% of the population. There were 596 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were

living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.90. In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males. The median income for a household in the town was $25,388, and the median income for a family was $32,692. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $17,950 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,040. About 15.6% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.5% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

References

{{authority control Towns in Preston County, West Virginia Towns in West Virginia Morgantown metropolitan area Coal towns in West Virginia