Census Statistics

In 1880, one year before Alderson was incorporated, the population was 478.

In 1940 the population of Alderson corporation was 493. In 1950 it had decreased very little to 489, but in 1960 it was 1225. Thus Alderson lost 18% in population from 1950 to 1960.* Of the 1225 people in 1960, 774 lived on the North side and 451 lived on the South side, 565 were male, 660 were female; 1076 were white and 149 were Negro. The town had 462 households and but 50 of the households were Negro. There were 131 boys under 14 years of age and 159 men over 55.

In a survey published n January, 1955, generally known as the 'Kellogg Report", entitled Greenbrier's Schools and Communities, there was a quantity of statistical material about the communities of Greenbrier County. It is generally thought these statistics have changed but little from 1954 to 1964, and the 1960 census verifies this opinion.

This study showed that the percentage of children was lower, and the percentage of old people higher, in Alderson than anywhere in Greenbrier County. Fourteen per cent of Alderson’s population had attended college. Alderson had the highest percentage, 38% of its student enrollment in high school, leading the county, but only 3% of its school-enrolled youth were going to college. The survey showed 35% of the families in Alderson had incomes below average, 37% average, and 28% above average in comparison with the county. Twentytwo people earned their living in coal mining and thirteen in timbering. Only one per cent of Alderson’s residents were professionals, the lowest in Greenbrier County. Forty per cent of Alder- son’s housewives had employment. The Methodist Church claimed 34.7% membership and the Baptist Church 34.7%, the Presbyterian Church 8.4%, and other denominations 1.4% indicating that 79.2 of the people of Alderson belonged to a church. Six per cent of Alderson’s population were members of a union and 74% of the families owned their own homes.

The census figures show Alderson had its largest population in the 1940 census, 1493. Below are the comparisons of population: 1920 — 1401;  1930 - 1458;  1940 — 1493;  1950 - 1489;  1960 - 1225.

On May 28, 1964, West Virginia University released estimates of the population as of July 1, 1963 for West Virginia. Greenbrier County had lost 4.45% population from 1960 to July 1, 1963. If Alderson lost no more than the county average it had a population of about 1170 according to the University’s estimate.

The oldest citizen of Alderson is Anna Eliza Settles who was 102 years old May 29, 1964. She was born in St. Lion, Virginia, May 29, 1862, Anna Eliza Keene. She married George Washington Settles.
*In comparison West Virginia had a net loss of 7% and Greenbrier County 12.3% loss in population from 1950 to 1960. Ref: U. S. Census 1940, 1950, 1960

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The contents contained in this series is copyrighted and the sole property of The Greenbrier Historical Society - Lewisburg, WV
Used by permission - November 18, 2008