Williamstown is a city in Wood County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Parkersburg–Vienna metropolitan area. The population was 2,997 at the 2020 census. The now closed Fenton Art Glass Company was located in the city.
History
Williamstown was named for Isaac Williams (1737–1820), who settled here in 1787. Williams had served under General Braddock (1755) as a ranger and spy and under Governor Dunmore (1774) fighting against the Shawnee. His home was on 400 acres on the Ohio River opposite the mouth of the Muskingum River, site of Marietta, Ohio, which was founded about a year after he arrived. Other local namesakes include Williams Creek and Williams District. The settlement was known as Williamsport to Ohio River travelers until 1822 when the present name was formalized.
Located in Williamstown is the Tomlinson Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Located near Williamstown is the Henderson Hall Historic District.
Williamstown is bordered by Marietta, Ohio to the west of the city across the Ohio River and Boaz, WV to the south on WV Route 14. The city is approximately 14 miles north of Parkersburg, WV. Interstate 77 runs through the northeastern tip of the city.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Williamstown has a Humid continental climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Williamstown had a population of 2,997. The median age was 45.2 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.7 males age 18 and over.
There were 1,314 households in Williamstown, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.8% were married-couple households, 15.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 2,870 || 95.8%
|-
| Black or African American || 12 || 0.4%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 6 || 0.2%
|-
| Asian || 10 || 0.3%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 7 || 0.2%
|-
| Two or more races || 92 || 3.1%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 29 || 1.0%
|}
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,908 people, 1,254 households, and 848 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,352 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.
There were 1,254 households, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.4% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the city was 44 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 30.5% were from 45 to 64; and 18.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census