Major highways

• U.S. Highway 33/U.S. Highway 119
• West Virginia Route 5
• West Virginia Route 16

Adjacent counties

• Ritchie County (north)
• Gilmer County (east)
• Braxton County (southeast)
• Clay County (south)
• Roane County (west)
• Wirt County (northwest)

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 7,627 people, 3,268 households, and 2,178 families living in the county.^[13] The population density was 27.3 inhabitants per square mile (10.5/km²). There were 3,963 housing units at an average density of 14.2 per square mile (5.5/km²).^[14] The racial makeup of the county was 98.4% white, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population.^[13] In terms of ancestry, 22.4% were German, 21.3% were Irish, 7.7% were American, 7.3% were English, and 5.7% were Dutch.^[15]

Of the 3,268 households, 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.4% were non-families, and 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 45.1 years.^[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $26,922 and the median income for a family was $34,897. Males had a median income of $32,229 versus $20,707 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,121. About 13.2% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.0% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.^[16]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,582 people, 3,071 households, and 2,201 families living in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (10 people/km²). There were 3,848 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.91% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,071 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.40% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $21,578, and the median income for a family was $26,701. Males had a median income of $25,609 versus $14,304 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,491. About 19.10% of families and 25.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.40% of those under age 18 and 24.90% of those age 65 or over.

Town

• Grantsville (county seat)

Magisterial districts

• District 1
• District 2
• District 3
• District 4
• District 5

Unincorporated communities