Beckley at a glance…

Welcome to the mountains, and to the friendly community of Beckley, West Virginia. Southern West Virginia provides a beautiful landscape and endless opportunity to the people of the region.

Beckley is located in Raleigh County at the crossroads of interstate highways 77 and 64, and has become one of West Virginia’s fastest growing cities.

Population

In 1993, Raleigh County’s population of 77,800 ranked fourth in the state of West Virginia.

Industry

Historically, coal mining has played a key role in the Raleigh County economy. Today, tourism is helping to generate revenue that has been lost as a result of the declining need for coal.

Education

Raleigh County is the standard of excellence in Southern West Virginia. The county has six high schools, six junior high schools, two middle schools, and a vocational-technical center. Mountain State University, along with several cooperative colleges, offers a wide range of studies for those seeking a higher education.

Recreation

It’s easy to enjoy the outdoors in Raleigh County! Known for its whitewater rafting, skiing, and picturesque landscapes, the Beckley area attracts more than 150,000 people each year. Winterplace is a ski resort offering 21 slopes for beginners and experts. Nearby Grandview National Park offers scenic overlooks of New River Canyon and lots of recreational activities. There’s no doubt about it, opportunities for fishing, hiking, rafting, boating, biking, golfing, and winter skiing are abundant.

A host of other attractions are available, too, including the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. At this National Historic Site, experienced miners take visitors underground on a man-trip car for a 35-minute demonstration of past and present coal mining techniques. Tamarack, a new cultural center, offers a variety crafts and collectibles made in West Virginia, as well as shopping, dining, demonstrations, and entertainment.

Health Services

Beckley is the center of the healthcare industry in Raleigh and surrounding counties, with two general hospitals, a state-operated hospital, and a Veterans Administration Hospital. Beckley ARH Hospital is the second-largest provider in Raleigh County. Located near Beckley ARH Hospital is the ARH Southern West Virginia Clinic.

For more information on Beckley, visit the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce.

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