RALEIGH COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA

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'Raleigh County', founded in 1850, is located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population was 79,220. Its county seat is Beckley6.

Contents
Origin of the county name
Geography
Major Highways
Adjacent Counties
Demographics
References
Cities and towns
Incorporated cities and towns
Unincorporated communities
See also
Raleigh County Links

Origin of the county name


Alfred Beckley (1802-1888) said he gave Raleigh County its name in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh (1552?-1618), the “enterprising and far-seeing patron of the earliest attempts to colonize our old Mother State of Virginia,” according to “Raleigh County: West Virginia” by Jim Wood.[1]

Geography


According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,578 km² (609 mi²). 1,572 km² (607 mi²) of it is land and 6 km² (2 mi²) of it (0.40%) is water.
Major Highways


Interstate 64
Interstate 77
U.S. Highway 19
West Virginia Route 3
West Virginia Route 16

West Virginia Route 41
West Virginia Route 54
West Virginia Route 61
West Virginia Route 99

Adjacent Counties


Kanawha County (north)

Fayette County (northeast)

Summers County (east)

Mercer County (southeast)

Wyoming County (southwest)

Boone County (northwest)

Demographics


As of the census² of 2000, there were 79,220 people, 31,793 households, and 22,096 families residing in the county. The population density was 50/km² (130/mi²). There were 35,678 housing units at an average density of 23/km² (59/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.63% White, 8.52% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 31,793 households out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.50% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,181, and the median income for a family was $35,315. Males had a median income of $33,000 versus $20,672 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,233. About 14.60% of families and 18.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.70% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

References


1. Wood, Jim (1994). ''Raleigh County: West Virginia.'' BJW Printing & Office Supplies, Beckley, W. Va. 91.


Cities and towns


Incorporated cities and towns


City of Beckley

Town of Lester

Town of Mabscott

Town of Rhodell

Town of Sophia
Unincorporated communities


Abney
Affinity
Battleship
Beaver
Besoco
Big Stick
Blue Jay
Bowyer
Bradley
Coal City
Cool Ridge

Crab Orchard
Daniels
East Gulf
Eccles
Egeria
Fireco
Flat Top
Ghent
Helen

Hollywood
Hot Coal
Jonben
Killarney
Lego
Lillybrook
MacArthur
McVey
New
Odd

Pemberton
Pickshin
Pinepoca
Piney View
Price Hill
Prosperity
Ralco
Shady Spring
Shiloh
Slab Fork

Stanaford
Stotesbury
Sullivan
Sylvia
Tams
Ury
Whitby
White Oak
West Whitby
Willibet
Woodpeck

See also



Winding Gulf Coalfield

New River Coalfield

Little Beaver State Park

Raleigh County Links



Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce

Raleigh County Government

Raleigh County Board of Education

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