RANK #426 / 996 · POP 74,303 · WV
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.0%
The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, where visitors can descend into a former working mine, offers a glimpse into Raleigh County's past and is a notable local landmark. Located in southern West Virginia, Raleigh County's seat, Beckley, is one of the state's larger cities. The county is approximately an hour's drive from Charleston, West Virginia's capital. The area is characterized by its mountainous terrain and offers outdoor recreation opportunities, including Lake Stephens for boating and swimming, and Winterplace Ski Resort for winter sports. Life in Raleigh County often appeals to families and retirees, with a majority of residents owning their homes. The public school system in Raleigh County is rated above average. Recent economic developments show investment in sectors such as logistics and distribution, with new facilities creating jobs. The county also sees ongoing interest in energy and infrastructure projects. Public transportation, provided by the New River Transit Authority, serves Beckley and several other towns within Raleigh and Fayette counties.
Above national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Proposed Data Center Development (Ghent/Whitby Mountain Area)
Undisclosed
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Raleigh Solar + Storage Project
Enel Green Power
|
$120M | Proposed |
|
Beckley Z-Way
West Virginia Division of Highways
|
$111M | Under Construction |
|
Raleigh Solar Project
Enel Green Power North America (formerly Dakota Renewable Energy)
|
$90M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Fulfillment/Delivery Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Glade Springs New Construction Homes (Stonehaven and Woodhaven)
CMHK Builders, Inc.
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Raleigh County has a Boom Town Index score of 57/100, ranking #426 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.3% and a median household income of $47,975, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Raleigh County is $132,300 with median rent at $819/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3626, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.3%. Home values changed -3.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.46% of Raleigh County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.