HIGHLIGHTS: Mason County, W.Va.

ORIGIN: Formed in 1804 from Kanawha County. Named for George Mason, author of the Virginia Constitution and member of the committee that framed the Constitution of the United States.

POPULATION: 25,756, according to 2006 Census estimate.

AREA IN SQUARE MILES: 432.

CITIES AND TOWNS: Apple Grove, Arbuckle, Ashton, Clifton, Gallipolis Ferry, Glenwood, Grimms Landing, Hartford, Hartford City, Henderson, Lakin, Leon, Letart, Mason, New Haven, Point Pleasant, Robertsburg, Southside, West Columbia.

POLICE: Mason County Sheriff's Department; (304) 675-3838.

COURTHOUSE: 200 6th St., Point Pleasant; (304) 675-1997.

EMERGENCY SERVICES' NUMBER: 911.

SCHOOL DISTRICT: Mason County Schools; (304) 675-4540.

LIBRARY: 508 Viand St., Point Pleasant; (304) 675-2913.

MEDIAN AGE: 39.7.

POPULATION 17 AND YOUNGER: 22.7 percent.

65 AND OLDER: 15.2 percent.

RACIAL BREAKDOWN BY PERCENTAGE: White, 98.4; African-American, 0.5; Native American, 0.2; Asian, 0.3; Hispanic or Latino, 0.5.

HOUSING OWNER-OCCUPIED: 81 percent.

PEOPLE IN POVERTY: 19.9 percent.

AVERAGE COMMUTE: 28.5 minutes.

PER CAPITA INCOME: $14,804.

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $24,134.

MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $65,100.