Wheeling, West Virginia
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| Wheeling, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Wheeling |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | The Friendly City |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision name1 | West Virginia |
| Subdivision name2 | Ohio |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1769 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated (town) |
| Established date1 | 1806 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated (city) |
| Established date2 | 1836 |
| Government type | City manager–council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Glenn Elliott Jr. |
| Leader title1 | City Manager |
| Leader name1 | Robert Herron |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total sq mi | 16.17 |
| Area land sq mi | 14.09 |
| Area water sq mi | 2.08 |
| Elevation ft | 669 |
| Population total | 27062 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 40, 04, 13, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 26003 |
| Area code | 304/681 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 54-86452 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1555946 |
| Website | wheelingwv.gov |
Wheeling, West Virginia is a city in and the county seat of Ohio County. Located along the Ohio River in the state's northern panhandle, it is a principal city of the Wheeling metropolitan statistical area. Historically a major manufacturing and transportation hub, it played a pivotal role in the American Civil War and the formation of West Virginia.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Mound Builders and later by the Shawnee and Iroquois peoples. European settlement began with the establishment of Fort Henry by Ebenezer Zane in 1769, a key site during the American Revolutionary War and Northwest Indian War. Wheeling's strategic location on the National Road and the Ohio River fueled its growth as a vital transportation and commercial center in the early 19th century. During the American Civil War, it was a pro-Union stronghold in a divided region, hosting the pivotal Wheeling Conventions which led to the creation of the Restored Government of Virginia and ultimately the admission of West Virginia to the Union in 1863, with Wheeling serving as the state's first capital until 1870. The city later became a national leader in the tinplate and nail manufacturing industries, earning the nickname "Nail City," and was home to industrialists like Erasmus St. Clair Barr.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.17 square miles, of which 14.09 square miles is land and 2.08 square miles is water. The city is situated on a narrow strip of land between the Ohio River and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with the main downtown area located on Wheeling Island, the most populous island in the Ohio River. The terrain is characterized by steep hills and narrow valleys, with major neighborhoods including East Wheeling, North Wheeling, South Wheeling, and Warwood. The city is part of the Laurel Highlands region and is bisected by Wheeling Creek.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 27,062 people residing in the city. The population density was approximately 1,921 people per square mile. The racial makeup was 87.1% White, 6.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, and 3.6% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.5% of the population. The median household income was $37,167, and 20.8% of the population lived below the poverty line. The city has experienced significant population decline since its peak in the 1930s, mirroring trends in the broader Rust Belt.
Economy
Historically dominated by iron, steel, glass, and tobacco industries, Wheeling's economy has diversified following decades of deindustrialization. Major employers now include Wheeling Hospital, part of the Wheeling Health System, and West Virginia Northern Community College. The city is a regional retail and service hub, anchored by the Ohio Valley Mall in nearby St. Clairsville, Ohio. The energy sector, including companies involved in the Marcellus Shale natural gas play, has become increasingly significant. Tourism centered on heritage and gaming is also a key component, driven by attractions like Oglebay Park and the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.
Culture and recreation
The city is home to several notable cultural institutions, including the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest in the nation, and the Stifel Fine Arts Center. Historic sites such as West Virginia Independence Hall and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, a National Historic Landmark, are major attractions. The annual Wheeling Heritage Port Sternwheel Festival and the Jamboree in the Hills country music festival draw large crowds. Recreational facilities are centered around the 1,650-acre Oglebay Park, which features the Good Zoo, the Mansion Museum, and the Wheeling Park ice rink. The city is also known for its distinctive regional cuisine, including pepperoni rolls.
Government
Wheeling operates under a city manager–city council form of government. The city council consists of six members elected by ward and a mayor elected at-large; the current mayor is Glenn Elliott Jr.. The council appoints a professional city manager, currently Robert Herron, to oversee daily administrative operations. The city provides a full range of municipal services, including a police department led by a Chief of police and a fire department. Wheeling is part of West Virginia's 1st congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Carol Miller.
Category:Category:WestVirginia