Berkeley County, West Virginia is located in the Eastern Panhandle region of the state and is bordered by Jefferson County to the north, Morgan County to the east, Hampshire County to the south, and Mineral County to the west. See Countryaah – Counties in West Virginia. Berkeley County is approximately 40 miles from Washington D.C. and is roughly an hour’s drive from Baltimore, Maryland.
The county seat of Berkeley County is Martinsburg and it is home to many attractions such as the Martinsburg Roundhouse Museum which houses a collection of historic railroad artifacts; Discovery Station which features interactive science exhibits; and War Memorial Park which honors veterans from all branches of service.
In addition to being home to several attractions, Berkeley County also offers plenty of outdoor activities for visitors such as hiking at Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area or fishing at Opequon Creek. The area also offers several golf courses for those looking for a great game of golf.
Overall, Berkeley County offers something for everyone from outdoor activities to cultural attractions.
Demographics of Berkeley County, West Virginia
Berkeley County, West Virginia is home to approximately 117,000 people and has a population density of about 541 people per square mile. The median age for residents of the county is 37 years old and the median household income is $59,622.
According to the 2010 census, the racial makeup of Berkeley County is 90.2% White, 4.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% Asian, and 2.1% from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population makes up 3.3% of the county’s population.
In terms of educational attainment in Berkeley County, 87.6% of adults over 25 have at least a high school diploma or equivalent while 24.2 % have a Bachelor’s degree or higher degree level education.
The largest employers in Berkeley County are Berkeley Medical Center with 1,800 employees; City Hospital with 1,400 employees; and M&T Bank with 800 employees. Other major employers include JLG Industries (600 employees), Amazon (250 employees), UPMC Western Maryland (200 employees), and Martinsburg VA Medical Center (150 employees).
Overall, Berkeley County has a diverse population that is well educated and employed.
Places of Interest in Berkeley County, West Virginia
Berkeley County, West Virginia is home to many attractions that offer something for everyone. For those interested in history, the Martinsburg Roundhouse Museum houses a collection of historic railroad artifacts and the War Memorial Park honors veterans from all branches of service.
The area also offers plenty of outdoor activities for visitors such as hiking at Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area or fishing at Opequon Creek. There are also several golf courses for those looking for a great game of golf.
For nature lovers, there are several parks and trails to explore such as Cacapon State Park, which features a 6,000-acre lake and 26 miles of hiking trails; Potomac Valley State Park, which offers camping and swimming; and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Families can enjoy Discovery Station which features interactive science exhibits or visit the Berkeley Springs State Park which is home to the world’s first spa. Other attractions include The Apollo Civic Theatre, The Berkeley County Historical Society Museum, and The Belle Boyd House.
Overall, Berkeley County has something for everyone with its many attractions and outdoor activities.
Notable People of Berkeley County, West Virginia
Berkeley County, West Virginia is home to many notable people who have made a lasting impact on the world.
One of the most famous is John Brown, who was born in the county and later became an abolitionist leader. He is best known for his raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 which was meant to start a slave revolt.
Other notable figures include Belle Boyd, a Confederate spy who was born in Martinsburg and later wrote her autobiography; Thomas Ritchie, an American politician who served as editor of the Richmond Enquirer; and Robert White, an African-American inventor who developed a system for controlling electricity.
The county has also produced several prominent athletes including former NFL player Mike Singletary who attended Shepherd University; basketball player Pervis Ellison; baseball players Scott McGregor and Billy Sample; and golfer Allen Doyle.
Berkeley County has also seen its share of politicians over the years with prominent figures such as Robert Byrd, a U.S Senator from 1959-2010; State Senator John Unger II; State Delegate Larry Kump; Congressman Bob Wise; and Governor Gaston Caperton all hailing from Berkeley County.
In conclusion, Berkeley County has produced many notable people over the years that have made lasting contributions to society.