right|thumb|240px|One of several markers designating the border between Nicholas and [[Greenbrier County, West Virginia|Greenbrier counties along Greenbrier Road near Richwood. Older stone survey markers are located a few feet behind the modern highway sign.]]
Nicholas County is a county located in the central region of U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,604. Its county seat is Summersville. The county was created in 1818 by the Virginia General Assembly and named for Virginia Governor Wilson Cary Nicholas.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.2%) is water.
In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into civil townships, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts. Nicholas County was divided into six districts: Grant, Jefferson, Kentucky, Mumble-the-peg, Summersville, and Wilderness. In 1873, Mumble-the-peg became Hamilton District. A seventh district, Beaver, was created in the 1880s.
Major highways
- 20px U.S. Highway 19
- 20px West Virginia Route 20
- 20px West Virginia Route 39
- 20px West Virginia Route 41
- 20px West Virginia Route 55
Battlefields
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield,
Keslers Cross Lanes
Adjacent counties
- Braxton County (north)
- Webster County (northeast)
- Greenbrier County (southeast)
- Fayette County (southwest)
- Clay County (northwest)
- Kanawha County (west)
National protected areas
- Gauley River National Recreation Area (part)
- Monongahela National Forest (part)