District 3
RANK #229 / 996 NAT · #1 / 11 WV · POP 74,303
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 77/100, Raleigh County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +2.3%, and median household income stands at $47,975 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in WV.
By national standards, Raleigh County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $132,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $819/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
It's a mixed picture in Raleigh County. The population is declining (-0.8% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +2.3%. Home values moved -3.9% in the last year. That tension between shrinking population and expanding employment often signals a county in transition.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.46% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Raleigh County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.