Moving to Beaver, West Virginia

Beaver, West Virginia is a small city situated in the Appalachian Mountains. The city has a population of around 2,000 people and is located in the heart of the state. Geographically, Beaver is surrounded by mountains and hills that provide breathtaking views of the valleys below. The climate in Beaver is temperate and experiences all four seasons. Summers are usually hot and humid while winters can be cold with occasional snowfall.

The history of Beaver dates back to the early 1800s when it was established as a mining town for coal production. This industry was responsible for much of the city’s growth throughout the 19th century and into the 20th century. Today, Beaver has an economy based on tourism due to its location in such a scenic area. There are several educational institutions in Beaver including elementary schools, high schools and universities that offer both undergraduate and graduate programs.

When it comes to landmarks, there are several attractions that draw tourists to Beaver each year. Some notable sites include Beavertown State Park which consists of over 1,500 acres with hiking trails, picnic areas, camping grounds, fishing spots and more; Grandview Lookout Tower which offers stunning views of the surrounding area; and Riverview Cemetery which is home to many historical figures from Beaver’s past such as Civil War veterans and miners who worked in the area during its heyday.

Population: 1,378
Males: 658 (47.8%), Females: 720 (52.2%)

Zip code: 25813

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.3 years
Median household income: $25,863
Median house value: $57,200

Population by Race

Races in Beaver:

  • White Non-Hispanic (98.3%)
  • Hispanic (0.5%)
  • Asian Indian (0.5%)

Ancestries: United States (16.5%), German (13.6%), Irish (11.3%), English (5.5%), Dutch (4.6%), Italian (3.8%).

Land area: 4.4 square miles

Population by Education

Beaver, West Virginia is a small city located in the southeastern part of the state. Its population as of 2018 was estimated to be 1,741 people. The population is made up mostly of white non-Hispanic individuals, making up 97.1% of the total population. African Americans make up 2% and Hispanics/Latinos make up 0.9%. The median household income in Beaver is $35,972 which is lower than the national average of $60,336. The cost of living in Beaver is also lower than the national average making it an affordable place to live for those on a budget or who are looking to save money. Housing costs are especially low with a median home value of $89,539 compared to the national median home value of $184,700. Renters can find affordable apartments for around $650/month on average. Overall, Beaver is an affordable place to live with low cost of living and housing costs that make it attractive for those looking for an inexpensive place to call home.

For population 25 years and over in Beaver

  • High school or higher: 71.7%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 2.9%
  • Unemployed: 4.0%
  • Mean travel time to work: 30.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Beaver CDP

  • Never married: 13.5%
  • Now married: 54.2%
  • Separated: 5.7%
  • Widowed: 9.6%
  • Divorced: 17.1%

1.4% Foreign born

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Beaver:

  • BECKLEY APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL (about 5 miles; BECKLEY, WV)
  • RALEIGH GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 5 miles; BECKLEY, WV)
  • PLATEAU MEDICAL CENTER (about 17 miles; OAK HILL, WV)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Beaver:

  • RALEIGH COUNTY MEMORIAL (about 4 miles; BECKLEY, WV; Abbreviation: BKW)
  • YEAGER (about 53 miles; CHARLESTON, WV; Abbreviation: CRW)
  • GREENBRIER VALLEY (about 53 miles; LEWISBURG, WV; Abbreviation: LWB)

Other public-use airports nearest to Beaver:

  • KEE FIELD (about 30 miles; PINEVILLE, WV; Abbreviation: I16)
  • MERCER COUNTY (about 33 miles; BLUEFIELD, WV; Abbreviation: BLF)
  • WELCH MUNI (about 35 miles; WELCH, WV; Abbreviation: I25)

Amtrak stations near Beaver:

  • 10 miles: PRINCE (RTE. 41 NORTH). Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.
  • 16 miles: THURMOND (C & O DEPOT)
  • 19 miles: HINTON (FRONT ST.). Services: enclosed waiting area, free short-term parking, free long-term parking.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Beaver:

  • CONCORD COLLEGE (about 23 miles; ATHENS, WV; Full-time enrollment: 2,723)
  • BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE (about 33 miles; BLUEFIELD, WV; Full-time enrollment: 2,096)
  • WEST VIRGINIA STATE COLLEGE (about 47 miles; INSTITUTE, WV; Full-time enrollment: 3,688)
  • NEW RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 55 miles; DUBLIN, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,262)
  • RADFORD UNIVERSITY (about 59 miles; RADFORD, VA; Full-time enrollment: 8,034)
  • SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 65 miles; RICHLANDS, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,412)
  • VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIV (about 68 miles; BLACKSBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 25,754)

Private high school in Beaver:

  • VICTORY BAPTIST ACADEMY (Students: 117; Location: PO BOX 549; Grades: KG – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Beaver:

  • SHADY SPRING JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 605; Location: 159 GRANBY CIRCLE; Grades: 06 – 08)