Petersburg is a city in Grant County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,251 at the 2020 census.
History
Petersburg was founded circa 1745 by Jacob Peterson, who owned the area's first merchandising store.
In the 1830 United States census, the population center of the United States was recorded as being about 9 miles southwest of the town.
The settlement was incorporated in 1910.
Registered Historic Places
- The Manor (ca. 1830)
- Hermitage Motor Inn (ca. 1840)
- Grant County Courthouse (1878–79)
- Rohrbaugh Cabin (ca. 1880)
Located near Petersburg (but in Pendleton County) is the Old Judy Church (1836), listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976.
Geography
thumb|left|Former Grant County Bank, North Main Street
thumb|left|Petersburg City Hall
thumb|New Grant County Courthouse in 2020
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.
Climate
The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Petersburg has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Transportation
thumb|US 220, WV 28 and WV 55 heading northeast towards Moorefield from the center of Petersburg
Roadways
Petersburg is served by several surface highways. The most prominent of these is U.S. Route 220, which enters Petersburg from the direction of Franklin and exits eastward towards Moorefield. West Virginia Route 28 and West Virginia Route 55 run concurrently through Petersburg, entering from the direction of Seneca Rocks and joining U.S. Route 220 on its journey towards Moorefield. Finally, West Virginia Route 42 begins at Route 28 and Route 55 in Moorefield, heading northward towards Elk Garden.
Public Transportation
Potomac Valley Transit provides public transportation to the town. Fixed bus routes 101, 102, 103, 201 serve the town. These routes provide service to Romney, WV, Moorefield, WV, and Winchester, VA, along with other destinations. On demand transit is served via bus route 304.
Aviation
Grant County Airport is located 1.2 miles southwest of the city center.
Medical care
Grant Memorial Hospital serves three counties in the West Virginia Panhandle.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Petersburg had a population of 2,284. The median age was 47.8 years. 17.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 83.3 males age 18 and over.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,052 households in Petersburg, of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 33.3% were married-couple households, 24.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 42.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 2,467 people, 1,113 households, and 614 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,310 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 2.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.
There were 1,113 households, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.8% were non-families. 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.77.
The median age in the city was 47.1 years. 19.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.5% were from 25 to 44; 27% were from 45 to 64; and 25.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.2% male and 53.8% female.
2000 census
As of the census
Notable people
- Joan Banks (1918–1998), prolific radio actress
- Jason Kitzmiller, NASCAR driver
- M. Blane Michael (1943–2011), Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Codie Rohrbaugh, NASCAR driver