West Virginia

Preston

34,216
2020 population
1820
first census record
21
census records

About Preston

Preston, West Virginia, first appears in the United States federal census in 1820, when it recorded a population of 3,422. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 34,216.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 6 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Action at Rowlesburg, Imboden's Shenandoah Valley Raid (WV), Imboden Raid on Northwestern Virginia, and 21 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202034,216
201033,520
200029,334
199029,037
198030,460
197025,455
196027,233
195031,399
194030,416
193029,043
192027,996
191026,341
190022,727
189020,355
188019,091
187014,555
186013,312
185011,708
18406,866
18305,144
18203,422
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Preston

Military engagements that took place in Preston, West Virginia.

Action at Rowlesburg
1861
Imboden's Shenandoah Valley Raid (WV)
1863
Imboden Raid on Northwestern Virginia
1863
Action at Rowlesburg
1863
Jones-Imboden Raid - Skirmish at Rowlesburg
1863
Jones-Imboden Raid: Rowlesburg Attack
1863

Historic places in Preston

National Register of Historic Places listings in Preston, West Virginia.

Lakin, James S., House
Terra Alta
Virginia Furnace
Albright
Red Horse Tavern
Aurora
Tunnelton Railroad Depot
Tunnelton
McGrew, James Clark, House
Kingwood
Old Hemlock
Bruceton Mills
Reckart Mill
Cranesville
Kingwood Historic District
Kingwood
Indian Rocks Dining Hall
Reedsville
Downtown Rowlesburg Historic District
Rowlesburg
Brookside Historic District
Aurora
Ralphsynder Decagonal Barn
Masontown
Terra Alta Bank
Terra Alta
Gaymont
Aurora
Hagans Homestead
Brandonville
Elkins Coal and Coke Company Historic District
Bretz
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Other counties in West Virginia

Explore census history and historic records for more West Virginia counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Preston County, West Virginia

This page charts the census history of Preston County, West Virginia. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Preston

When does Preston first appear in the US census?
Preston, West Virginia first appears in the federal census in 1820, with a recorded population of 3,422.
What is the population of Preston?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Preston had a recorded population of 34,216.
Were any battles fought in Preston?
6 documented military engagements took place in Preston, including Action at Rowlesburg, Imboden's Shenandoah Valley Raid (WV), Imboden Raid on Northwestern Virginia.
How many historic places are in Preston?
21 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Preston, West Virginia.
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