is a city in Putnam County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 6,977 at the 2020 census. giving rise to the name. Locals pronounce the town (HURR-i-KINN) not (HURR-i-CANE). Less than southeast of Hurricane is a post office named Tornado.

A town named Hurricane Bridge was located where West Virginia Route 34 now crosses the creek, near current-day Hurricane. The town can be traced back to an 1811 Virginia map. The town primarily consisted of a large Inn. On March 28, 1863, elements of the Confederate 8th and 16th Virginia Cavalry led by Albert G. Jenkins and Union 13th West Virginia Infantry Regiment led by William R. Brown met at Hurricane Bridge preceding the Jones-Imboden Raid. The Confederates were defeated, but continued on to Point Pleasant, attacking the town in search of munitions and supplies. The engagement later became known as the Battle (or Skirmish) of Hurricane Bridge and directly contributed to the Union Army maintaining control of the James River and Kanawha Turnpike and enabled Federal control of the Kanawha Valley for the remainder of the war.

Hurricane itself can be traced back to 1873, when a railroad track was laid through the town and a small depot was constructed. It was during this period that Main Street developed, along with other businesses in the area. Hurricane was a trading and residential town for tobacco growers and other farmers in the early 1900s. The fire department was established March 2, 1936. It was incorporated as a town in 1888,

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Hurricane is also unique as it sits on a very active rift.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Hurricane had a population of 6,961. The median age was 38.9 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.9 males age 18 and over.

There were 2,764 households in Hurricane, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.3% were married-couple households, 16.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 6,409 || 92.1%

|-

| Black or African American || 85 || 1.2%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 11 || 0.2%

|-

| Asian || 55 || 0.8%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 4 || 0.1%

|-

| Some other race || 62 || 0.9%

|-

| Two or more races || 335 || 4.8%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 122 || 1.8%

|}

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 6,284 people, 2,499 households, and 1,785 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 2,627 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 1.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 2,499 households, of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.6% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 38.1 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census A concert series featuring notable organists from around the U.S., such as Frederick Swann, Paul Jacobs, and Isabelle Demers (Canada) is an ongoing feature.

Notable people

  • John "Doc" Holliday, former head football coach at Marshall University
  • Lauren Oyler, author and critic
  • Tyler Payne, professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs
  • Alex Wilson, MLB relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox

Notes

References

  • City of Hurricane official website