Taylor County is a county in West Virginia, United States, centred on the city of Grafton in the state’s north-central hill country. It had a population of 16,705 at the 2020 census and covers 176 square miles (460 km2) — 173 square miles of land and 2.9 square miles of water — centred near 39°20′N 80°03′W.
Grafton is the county seat and its postal code is 26354. The county has one city, one town, and a wider set of unincorporated communities. Taylor County sits in the Eastern time zone and forms part of the Clarksburg, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Towns & Villages in Taylor County
Taylor County has one incorporated city (Grafton), one incorporated town (Flemington), and around thirty unincorporated communities and hamlets scattered along its creeks and rail lines. South Grafton and West Grafton are unincorporated sections that grew up on the opposite banks of the Tygart Valley River from the main city. Places marked “Unincorp.” have no municipal government of their own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton | City · seat | — | 26354 |
| Flemington | Town | — | 26347 |
| Pruntytown | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Fetterman | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Knottsville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Thornton | Unincorp. | — | 26440 |
| Rosemont | Unincorp. | — | 26424 |
| Simpson | Unincorp. | — | 26435 |
| South Grafton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| West Grafton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hardman | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hepzibah | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Irontown | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Maple Run | Unincorp. | — | — |
| McGee | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Meadland | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Middleville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Millertown | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Park View | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Webster | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Wendel | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cecil | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Eby | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Elliotsville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Brownlow | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Brydon | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Astor | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Lucretia | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Tappan | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 26354 — Grafton (also serves South Grafton, West Grafton, Pruntytown and Fetterman)
- 26347 — Flemington
- 26440 — Thornton
- 26424 — Rosemont (post office box service)
- 26435 — Simpson (post office box service)
Smaller hamlets away from Grafton, Flemington, Thornton, Rosemont and Simpson typically share the ZIP code of their nearest post office town rather than holding one of their own.
Geography
Taylor County lies in the Allegheny Plateau of north-central West Virginia, drained by the Tygart Valley River, which runs through Grafton and continues north into Marion County to join the Monongahela River system. The terrain is steep hill-and-hollow country typical of the region, with narrow bottomland along the river and its tributaries and ridge tops used mostly for pasture and timber.
Taylor County borders Preston County to the northeast, Marion County to the northwest, Harrison County to the west, Barbour County to the south, and Tucker County to the southeast.
Demographics
Taylor County had 16,705 residents at the 2020 census. Grafton is the largest community, followed by Flemington. The county’s median household income runs below the West Virginia median of $55,948, consistent with the wider Clarksburg micropolitan area. Population density works out to roughly 96 people per square mile of land.
Economy & Local Life
Taylor County’s economy has historically centred on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which built major shops and a roundhouse in Grafton in the 19th century; rail employment has declined but CSX still operates a line through the county. Taylor County Schools, county government, and small manufacturing and retail businesses around Grafton are the main current employers. The county also draws visitors to the International Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton, marking the holiday’s origin.
History
Taylor County was formed on January 19, 1844, from parts of Barbour, Harrison, and Marion counties, then still in Virginia. It is named for John Taylor of Caroline County, Virginia, a U.S. senator and political writer, though some local historians have credited President Zachary Taylor instead. Grafton grew rapidly after the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad reached it in the 1850s, and the town played a role in the early fighting of the Civil War in what soon became West Virginia. Grafton native Anna Jarvis founded Mother’s Day in the early 20th century, and the county’s International Mother’s Day Shrine commemorates that legacy today.
Getting There
U.S. Route 50 and U.S. Route 119 cross Taylor County and meet at Grafton, with Interstate 79 running just west of the county line through Harrison County.
- Clarksburg — 15 miles west
- Morgantown — 30 miles north
- Fairmont — 18 miles northwest
- Elkins — 30 miles southeast
The nearest commercial airport is North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport, Harrison County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Taylor County, West Virginia?
It is in north-central West Virginia, part of the Clarksburg micropolitan area, centred on Grafton.
What is the population of Taylor County?
16,705 as of the 2020 census.
How big is Taylor County?
176 square miles (460 km2), including 2.9 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Taylor County?
Grafton is the county seat.
How many towns are in Taylor County?
One city (Grafton), one incorporated town (Flemington), and around thirty unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Taylor County?
26354 (Grafton), 26347 (Flemington), 26440 (Thornton), 26424 (Rosemont) and 26435 (Simpson).
What is Taylor County known for?
It is the birthplace of Mother’s Day founder Anna Jarvis and home to the International Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in West Virginia.