Ritchie County, located in north-central West Virginia (WV), was established in 1843 from portions of Wood, Lewis, and Harrison counties. Its county seat is Harrisville. Ritchie County was named in honor of Thomas Ritchie, a distinguished journalist of Richmond, Virginia, whose mother was a sister of Judge Spencer Roane, for whom Roane County was named.
Although western Ritchie County prospered during an oil boom in the late 1800s, the county is almost entirely rural today and is primarily home to numerous farms and outdoor recreation destinations. The north and south forks of the Hughes River drain much of the county as they descend westward. As of the 2010 census, the population of Ritchie County was 10,449.
Cities & Towns in Ritchie County
Auburn, West Virginia
Berea, West Virginia
Burnt House, West Virginia
Cairo, West Virginia
Cisco, West Virginia
Ellenboro, West Virginia
Harrisville, West Virginia
Hazelgreen, West Virginia
McFarlan, West Virginia
Mellin, West Virginia
Mountain, West Virginia
Pennsboro, West Virginia
Petroleum, West Virginia
Pike, West Virginia
Pullman, West Virginia
Smithville, West Virginia
Parks & Public Recreation Facilities
North Bend Rail Trail
North Bend State Park
Ritchie Mines Wildlife Management Area
Sand Hill Wildlife Management Area
Ritchie County Historic Landmarks
Harrisville Grade School (Harrisville, WV)
Regional Information for Ritchie County, West Virginia
Further information on lodging, dining, and recreation in Ritchie County can be found in our guide to travel in the Heartland Region of north-central West Virginia, where Ritchie County is located. You can find travel information specifically for Ritchie County at the Ritchie County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
