Bolivar ( ) is a town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,072 at the 2020 census.
History
The town is named for South American revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar. Located in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, it is part of the northwestern fringes of the Washington metropolitan area.
The Appalachian Trail passes directly through nearby Harpers Ferry, which some consider the psychological midpoint of the trail, although the physical midpoint is further north, in Pennsylvania. Uniquely, the towns of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar partnered with the ATC to be declared a united Appalachian Trail Community.
Geography
Bolivar is contiguous with, and immediately up-hill from, the famous historic town Harpers Ferry.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,045 people, 498 households, and 266 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 565 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 93.4% White, 4.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.
There were 498 households, of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.6% were non-families. 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.81.
The median age in the town was 43.7 years. 17.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 32.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.
2000 census
As of the census
The transit agency recommended a bus route that would serve the town in its 2025 transit development plan. This route would operate between Charles Town, Ranson, and Harpers Ferry.