RANK #650 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 11 WV · POP 73,195
1YR FORECAST: +1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
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.
Raleigh County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.4% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.2x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Raleigh County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| 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 1001 counties.
At 34/100, Raleigh County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $52,150 combined with job growth of -0.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Raleigh County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $150,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $902/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Raleigh County is losing population (-0.6% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (-0.5% employment change). Home values are +1.4% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.01% 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.