Raleigh County

Raleigh County, West Virginia

215 Main St
Beckley, WV 25801
Phone: (304) 255-9126
Fax: (304) 255-9355

In south-central WV, southeast of Charleston; organized Jan 23, 1850 from Fayette County. Name Origin: For Sir Walter Raleigh (1522?-1618), British naval commander and first lord proprietor of the colony of VA (1584-1603)

Area (sq mi):: 609.34 (land 606.93; water 2.41) Population per square mile: 130.40
Population 2005: 79,167 State rank: 6 Population change: 2000-20005 -0.10%; 1990-2000 3.10% Population 2000: 79,220 (White 88.90%; Black or African American 8.50%; Hispanic or Latino 0.90%; Asian 0.70%; Other 1.10%). Foreign born: 1.20%. Median age: 39.50
Income 2000: per capita $16,233; median household $28,181; Population below poverty level: 18.50% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $21,672-$24,368
Unemployment (2004): 5.30% Unemployment change (from 2000): 1.10% Median travel time to work: 26.30 minutes Working outside county of residence: 18.30% Cities with population over 10,000:
  • Beckley County seat (16,994)
    • See other counties in West Virginia.