Burnsville, West Virginia Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Burnsville is located in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, nestled between two national forests and the Monongahela River. The climate is temperate, with hot summers and cold winters. The city has a long history, beginning with its incorporation in 1857. It was originally a mining town, but now serves primarily as a residential area and tourist destination. Politically, Burnsville leans Republican and is part of the larger Upshur County.

The economy of Burnsville is largely based on tourism, with visitors coming to visit the many natural attractions nearby such as Seneca Rocks and Smoke Hole Caverns. There are also several cultural attractions such as the West Virginia State Wildlife Center and the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Museum. There are also several restaurants, shops, and galleries that serve both locals and tourists alike.

Burnsville has three public schools: Burnsville Elementary School (K-5), Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School (6-8), and Buckhannon-Upshur High School (9-12). All three schools offer a variety of educational opportunities for students from all backgrounds including Advanced Placement courses, music programs, sports teams, clubs and organizations, student government activities, vocational training programs, special education services, and more.

Some of the most popular landmarks in Burnsville include Seneca Rocks National Park which offers some of the best rock climbing in West Virginia; Smoke Hole Caverns which features some stunning underground views; Valley Falls State Park which offers recreational activities like camping; Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Museum which tells stories about its past patients; Old Brick Church which stands as one of the oldest churches in West Virginia; Lewis Wetzel Monument that serves as a tribute to an American pioneer; Wild Rose Mansion which serves as a reminder of Burnsville’s rich past; Camp Allegheny Civil War Museum that recounts events from 1861 to 1865; Gandy’s Diner which has been serving up classic diner fare since 1945; Bumble Bee Hollow Nature Preserve which provides breathtaking views from atop its hillsides; Blue Bend Recreation Area that offers hiking trails along with other outdoor activities; Valley Point Overlook that provides panoramic views from atop its cliffsides; Blackwater Falls State Park where visitors can take in majestic waterfalls amidst lush forest scenery.

Population: 481. Estimated population in July 2024: 472 (-1.9% change)
Males: 234 (48.6%), Females: 247 (51.4%)

Braxton County

Zip code: 26335

Demographics

Median resident age: 41.5 years
Median household income: $24,167
Median house value: $58,400

Population by Race

Races in Burnsville:

  • White Non-Hispanic (98.8%)
  • American Indian (0.6%)

Ancestries: United States (20.6%), German (14.6%), Irish (12.3%), English (2.3%), Dutch (1.9%), Scotch-Irish (1.0%).

Elevation: 760 feet

Land area: 1.1 square miles

Population by Education

Burnsville, West Virginia is a small town in the Appalachian Mountains, located in Braxton County. As of 2019, the population was estimated to be around 1,000 people. The majority of the population is white and there is a smaller African American and Hispanic population. There are also many families of Native American descent living in the area. The median household income for the town is around $30,000 per year and the poverty rate is high at 24%.

The town has two churches, a post office, a library, and several small stores. The main industry in Burnsville is coal mining, with many of the town’s residents employed in this sector. There are also many small farms in the area that produce vegetables, fruits, and livestock for local consumption. The town also has a few restaurants and bars which provide entertainment for the locals. Education is provided by two schools: Burnsville High School and Braxton County Middle School. The high school is located on Main Street and offers classes in a variety of subjects including English, Math, Science, History, and Physical Education.

For population 25 years and over in Burnsville

  • High school or higher: 75.9%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 6.6%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.3%
  • Unemployed: 9.1%
  • Mean travel time to work: 46.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Burnsville town

  • Never married: 14.0%
  • Now married: 58.1%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 8.1%
  • Divorced: 19.7%

0.4% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -14 (-2.8%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Burnsville:

  • BRAXTON COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 15 miles; GASSAWAY, WV)
  • STONEWALL JACKSON MEM HOSP (about 18 miles; WESTON, WV)
  • WILLIAM R SHARPE HOSPITAL AT WESTON (about 18 miles; WESTON, WV)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Burnsville:

  • HARRISON/MARION REGIONAL (about 43 miles; CLARKSBURG, WV; Abbreviation: CKB)
  • MID-OHIO VALLEY REGIONAL (about 63 miles; PARKERSBURG, WV; Abbreviation: PKB)
  • GREENBRIER VALLEY (about 72 miles; LEWISBURG, WV; Abbreviation: LWB)

Other public-use airports nearest to Burnsville:

  • BRAXTON COUNTY (about 13 miles; SUTTON, WV; Abbreviation: 48I)
  • LOUIS BENNETT FIELD (about 21 miles; WESTON, WV; Abbreviation: 49I)
  • UPSHUR COUNTY RGNL (about 29 miles; BUCKHANNON, WV; Abbreviation: W22)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Burnsville:

  • FAIRMONT STATE COLLEGE (about 56 miles; FAIRMONT, WV; Full-time enrollment: 5,317)
  • WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY AT PARKERSBURG (about 68 miles; PARKERSBURG, WV; Full-time enrollment: 2,306)
  • WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY (about 73 miles; MORGANTOWN, WV; Full-time enrollment: 19,666)
  • WEST VIRGINIA STATE COLLEGE (about 75 miles; INSTITUTE, WV; Full-time enrollment: 3,688)
  • WEST LIBERTY STATE COLLEGE (about 91 miles; WEST LIBERTY, WV; Full-time enrollment: 2,453)
  • CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (about 99 miles; CALIFORNIA, PA; Full-time enrollment: 5,183)
  • CONCORD COLLEGE (about 100 miles; ATHENS, WV; Full-time enrollment: 2,723)

Public primary/middle school in Burnsville:

  • BURNSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 134; Location: 228 KANAWHA AVE.; Grades: PK – 04)

Libraries

Library in Burnsville:

  • BURNSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $29,131; Location: 235 KANAWHA STREET; 10,000 books; 42 audio materials; 75 video materials; 22 serial subscriptions)