Beckley, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Beckley is a city in Raleigh County
, West Virginia
, United States
, which was founded on April 4, 1838. The 2008 population was estimated to be 16,832 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Early in its history, the town was known as Beckleyville and Raleigh Court House. The city is sometimes called the "Smokeless Coal Capital", "The City of Champions" and the "Gateway To Southern West Virginia." The population of the Beckley area is roughly 77,000 including Raleigh County and parts of Fayette County
. It is the county seat
of Raleigh County
.
Beckley was named in honor of John James Beckley, who was the first Clerk of the House of Representatives
and the first Librarian of Congress. It was founded by his son Alfred Beckley (US Army general and Confederate
militia commander, born in Washington, D.C.
). The current mayor (2007) is Emmett S. Pugh, III.
Beckley is well known for two major tourist attractions: The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine (which reopened to the public April 1, 2008, after being closed for renovation) and Tamarack. The Exhibition Coal Mine is a preserved coal mine that offers daily tours and a history lesson on coal mining in Appalachia
. Tamarack, originally built at a cost of $10 Million and dedicated to former Governor Gaston Caperton
, is the home to many artisan crafts from around West Virginia and a dining area featuring meals prepared by chefs trained at The Greenbrier
, a world famous four-star resort complex located in White Sulphur Springs
.
Beckley has been the subject of intense growth along Eisenhower Drive. This growth has led to increasing traffic problems which the city is attempting to alleviate by building the "Z" way, which would bypass major congestion. The amount of growth the city has experienced has also led to Beckley/Raleigh County considering the formation of a Metro Government which could potentially reduce government operation overhead. The city is the regional hub for over 200,000 Southern West Virginia
residents. It is the eighth largest city in West Virginia, succeeded by Fairmont
and followed by Martinsburg
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 9.2 square miles (23.8 km2), all of it land.
Due to Beckley's geographical location in the higher elevations, the city is dominated by a Humid continental climate
, with very warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 17,254 people, 7,651 households, and 4,590 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,874.9 people per square mile (724.1/km2). There were 8,731 housing units at an average density of 948.8 per square mile (366.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 73.64% White, 22.89% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.89% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races
, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.
There were 7,651 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples
living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,122, and the median income for a family was $38,110. Males had a median income of $35,780 versus $23,239 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,912. About 16.4% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
and a branch campus of Concord University
. Also located in Beckley is New River Community and Technical College. The nonprofit, nondenominational Appalachian Bible College is located just outside the city limits, in nearby Bradley.
. Interstates 64
and 77
form a major crossroads south of Beckley. U.S. Route 19
, WV 10, WV 210, WV 3, and WV 16 also serve Beckley.
. Raleigh County Airport is served by two airlines: United Airlines
with service to Washington-Dulles and Shenandoah Valley. Locair
has non-stop flight service to Baltimore, Maryland. Flights to Somerset, Kentucky ended in February 2010, after a contract between the city and the airline ended.
Raleigh County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,220 people, 31,793 households, and 22,096 families residing in the county. The population density was 130 people per square mile . There were 35,678 housing units at an average density of 59 per square mile...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which was founded on April 4, 1838. The 2008 population was estimated to be 16,832 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Early in its history, the town was known as Beckleyville and Raleigh Court House. The city is sometimes called the "Smokeless Coal Capital", "The City of Champions" and the "Gateway To Southern West Virginia." The population of the Beckley area is roughly 77,000 including Raleigh County and parts of Fayette County
Fayette County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,579 people, 18,945 households, and 13,128 families residing in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile . There were 21,616 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Raleigh County
Raleigh County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,220 people, 31,793 households, and 22,096 families residing in the county. The population density was 130 people per square mile . There were 35,678 housing units at an average density of 59 per square mile...
.
Beckley was named in honor of John James Beckley, who was the first Clerk of the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and the first Librarian of Congress. It was founded by his son Alfred Beckley (US Army general and Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
militia commander, born in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
). The current mayor (2007) is Emmett S. Pugh, III.
Beckley is well known for two major tourist attractions: The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine (which reopened to the public April 1, 2008, after being closed for renovation) and Tamarack. The Exhibition Coal Mine is a preserved coal mine that offers daily tours and a history lesson on coal mining in Appalachia
Appalachia
Appalachia is a term used to describe a cultural region in the eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in the U.S...
. Tamarack, originally built at a cost of $10 Million and dedicated to former Governor Gaston Caperton
Gaston Caperton
William Gaston Caperton III was the 31st Governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia from 1989 until 1997. He is currently the president of the College Board, which administers the nationally recognized SAT and AP tests. Caperton announced his intention to step down as president of the College...
, is the home to many artisan crafts from around West Virginia and a dining area featuring meals prepared by chefs trained at The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier is a Forbes four-star and AAA Five Diamond Award winning luxury resort located just outside the town of White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States....
, a world famous four-star resort complex located in White Sulphur Springs
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
White Sulphur Springs is a city in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,444 at the 2010 census.-Geography:White Sulphur Springs is located at ....
.
Beckley has been the subject of intense growth along Eisenhower Drive. This growth has led to increasing traffic problems which the city is attempting to alleviate by building the "Z" way, which would bypass major congestion. The amount of growth the city has experienced has also led to Beckley/Raleigh County considering the formation of a Metro Government which could potentially reduce government operation overhead. The city is the regional hub for over 200,000 Southern West Virginia
Southern West Virginia
Southern West Virginia is a culturally and geographically distinct region in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Generally considered the heart of Appalachia, Southern West Virginia is known for its coal mining heritage and southern affinity...
residents. It is the eighth largest city in West Virginia, succeeded by Fairmont
Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...
and followed by Martinsburg
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Martinsburg is a city in the Eastern Panhandle region of West Virginia, United States. The city's population was 14,972 at the 2000 census; according to a 2009 Census Bureau estimate, Martinsburg's population was 17,117, making it the largest city in the Eastern Panhandle and the eighth largest...
.
Geography and climate
Beckley is located at 37.779764°N 81.183193°W (37.779764, -81.183193).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 9.2 square miles (23.8 km2), all of it land.
Due to Beckley's geographical location in the higher elevations, the city is dominated by a Humid continental climate
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
, with very warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High °F | 73 | 74 | 81 | 86 | 89 | 90 | 94 | 96 | 92 | 81 | 79 | 73 |
| Norm High °F | 38.8 | 42.8 | 51.9 | 62.5 | 70.6 | 77 | 80.2 | 78.9 | 72.6 | 63.1 | 52.4 | 43.1 |
| Norm Low °F | 22.1 | 24.9 | 32.4 | 40.6 | 49.2 | 57 | 61.1 | 59.8 | 53.5 | 42.4 | 34.4 | 26.5 |
| Rec Low °F | -22 | -16 | -5 | 11 | 23 | 32 | 41 | 36 | 30 | 18 | 4 | -18 |
| Precip (in) | 3.23 | 2.96 | 3.63 | 3.43 | 4.39 | 3.92 | 4.78 | 3.45 | 3.23 | 2.64 | 2.88 | 3.09 |
| Source: USTravelWeather.com http://www.ustravelweather.com/weather-west-virginia/beckley-weather.asp | ||||||||||||
Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 17,254 people, 7,651 households, and 4,590 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,874.9 people per square mile (724.1/km2). There were 8,731 housing units at an average density of 948.8 per square mile (366.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 73.64% White, 22.89% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.89% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.
There were 7,651 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,122, and the median income for a family was $38,110. Males had a median income of $35,780 versus $23,239 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,912. About 16.4% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Two universities are located in Beckley: Mountain State UniversityMountain State University
Mountain State University is a private nonsectarian university based in Beckley, West Virginia, United States. The university offers undergraduate and master's degree programs, as well as a doctoral degree program. Most of the university's programs focus on the professions in business,...
and a branch campus of Concord University
Concord University
Concord University is a comprehensive, public, liberal arts institution located in Athens, West Virginia, United States, founded on February 28, 1872, when the West Virginia Legislature passed "an Act to locate a Branch State Normal School, in Concord Church, in the County of Mercer".Founded by...
. Also located in Beckley is New River Community and Technical College. The nonprofit, nondenominational Appalachian Bible College is located just outside the city limits, in nearby Bradley.
Transportation
Highways
Beckley is a major hub in Southern West VirginiaSouthern West Virginia
Southern West Virginia is a culturally and geographically distinct region in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Generally considered the heart of Appalachia, Southern West Virginia is known for its coal mining heritage and southern affinity...
. Interstates 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
and 77
Interstate 77
Interstate 77 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of West Virginia to the rolling farmlands of North Carolina and Ohio. It largely supplants the old U.S...
form a major crossroads south of Beckley. U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 is a north–south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie....
, WV 10, WV 210, WV 3, and WV 16 also serve Beckley.
Air
Greater Beckley's only airport is Beckley Raleigh County Memorial AirportBeckley Raleigh County Memorial Airport
- External links :* at West Virginia Airport Directory...
. Raleigh County Airport is served by two airlines: United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
with service to Washington-Dulles and Shenandoah Valley. Locair
Locair
Locair is an American FAR Part 135 charter airline with its headquarters on the grounds of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in unincorporated Broward County, Florida, near Fort Lauderdale. Formed in 1993 the airline specializes in cargo and passenger charters around Florida and to...
has non-stop flight service to Baltimore, Maryland. Flights to Somerset, Kentucky ended in February 2010, after a contract between the city and the airline ended.
Notable natives and residents
- Rob AshfordRob AshfordRob Ashford is an American choreographer and director. He is a seven-time Tony Award nominee , five-time Olivier Award nominee, Emmy Award winner, Drama Desk winner, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner.-Biography:...
, choreographer. - Tom Carper, U.S. Senator from DelawareDelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
. - Little Jimmy DickensLittle Jimmy DickensJames Cecil Dickens , better known as Little Jimmy Dickens, is an American country music singer famous for his humorous novelty songs, his small size, 4'11" , and his rhinestone-studded outfits...
, singer. - Steve HarveySteve HarveyBroderick Steven "Steve" Harvey is an American actor, comedian, entertainer, television and radio personality and best-selling author. He is best known as the star of the WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show, and as one of the four comedians featured in the Spike Lee film The Original Kings of Comedy...
, nationally syndicated radio host and comedian - Jim Justice, weathy businessman and owner of the Greenbrier Resort
- Jon McBrideJon McBrideJon Andrew McBride is retired United States naval officer and a former NASA astronaut.-Biography:Jon McBride was born August 14, 1943, in Charleston, West Virginia, but considers Beckley, West Virginia, to be his hometown...
, astronaut. - Nick RahallNick RahallNick Joe Rahall II is the U.S. Representative for West Virginia's 3rd congressional district, serving since 1977. Rahall is currently Ranking Member of the House Resources Committee. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes much of the southern portion of the state, including...
, United States Representative. - Chris SarandonChris SarandonChris Sarandon is an American actor who was married to actress Susan Sarandon between 1968 and 1979. He is best known for playing Prince Humperdinck in the film The Princess Bride, the vampire Jerry Dandridge in Fright Night and Detective Mike Norris in the first entry of the Child's Play series,...
, actor. - Calvin SimonCalvin SimonCalvin Eugene Simon is a former member of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic....
, musician. - Tamar SlayTamar SlayTamar Ulysses Slay is an American professional basketball player, currently playing in Italy's LegADue for Umana Venezia. A 6 ft 8 in guard/forward, he was formerly with the NBA's New Jersey Nets and Charlotte Bobcats.Slay was the 54th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, selected by the New...
, professional basketball player. - Hulett C. SmithHulett C. SmithHulett Carlson Smith served as the 27th Governor of West Virginia from 1965 to 1969.The son of West Virginia Congressman Joe L. Smith, Hulett C. Smith was born in Beckley, West Virginia. He served in the Navy during World War II. Active in community service and civic affairs, he served as...
, West Virginia governor. - Morgan SpurlockMorgan SpurlockMorgan Valentine Spurlock is an American documentary filmmaker, humorist, television producer, screenwriter and journalist best known for the documentary film Super Size Me...
, filmmaker. - Bill WithersBill WithersWilliam Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
, singer. - Joseph Goddard, professional baseball player.
- Doug LegurskyDoug LegurskyWayne Douglas "Doug" Legursky is an American football center and right guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Marshall.-High-School:He played at Woodrow Wilson High School in...
, NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers