Southern West Virginia

Map of Southern WV

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. The region is also closely identified with southwestern Virginia and southeastern Kentucky, with close proximity to northwestern North Carolina and East Tennessee. Today, Southern West Virginia continues to grapple with poverty and continuing population loss.

Southern West Virginia, in a cultural and historical context, includes the following counties:

The New River Gorge Bridge located in Fayette County. Completed in 1977, it is the third longest arch bridge in the world.

The City of Beckley, in Raleigh County, is the largest city in this region, followed by Bluefield, in Mercer County. Beckley has undergone a period of modest economic growth, and serves as the primary economic and cultural hub of much of Southern West Virginia.

Attractions

The Greenbrier resort located Greenbrier county.
Places of interest
Recreation
Sports

Educational institutions

Marsh Hall and its Bell Tower at Concord University
Colleges and Universities
Public High Schools
Private Secondary Schools

Historical events and landmarks

Media

TV
Radio

Population

County 2004 (estimate) 2000 1990 1980 1970 1960 1950
Boone 25,721 25,535 25,870 30,447 25,118 28,764 33,173
Fayette 47,049 47,579 47,952 57,863 49,332 61,731 82,443
Greenbrier 34,886 34,453 34,693 37,665 32,090 34,446 39,295
Lincoln 22,564 22,108 21,382 23,675 18,912 20,267 22,466
Logan 36,502 37,710 43,032 50,679 46,269 61,570 77,391
McDowell 24,726 27,329 35,233 49,899 50,666 71,359 98,887
Mercer 62,070 62,980 64,980 73,942 63,206 68,206 75,013
Mingo 27,389 28,253 33,739 37,336 32,780 39,742 47,409
Monroe 13,568 14,583 12,406 12,873 11,272 11,584 13,123
Nicholas 26,276 26,562 26,775 28,126 22,552 25,414 27,696
Raleigh 79,175 79,220 76,819 86,821 70,080 77,826 96,273
Summers 13,809 12,999 14,204 15,875 13,213 15,640 19,183
Wyoming 24,698 25,708 28,990 35,993 30,095 34,836 37,540

See also

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