Wetzel County /

Wetzel County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population was 17,693. Its county seat is New Martinsville. Its northern border is the Mason-Dixon line. The county is named for Lewis Wetzel, a famous frontiersman and Indian fighter. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 361 square miles (936 km²), of which 359 square miles (930 km²) is land and 2 square miles (6 km²) (0.59%) is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 17,693 people, 7,164 households, and 5,079 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 8,313 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.92% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 7,164 households out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were