Moving to Belington, West Virginia
Belington is a small city in West Virginia with a population of 2,000 people. Located in the Appalachian Mountains, the city is surrounded by rolling hills and valleys. The climate is mild with hot summers and cold winters. Summers are typically humid and rainy, while winters are cold with occasional snowfall.
The history of Belington dates back to the early 19th century when it was first settled by German immigrants who worked in the coal mining industry. Since then, the economy has shifted from coal mining to light industry and tourism. There are several large employers in Belington such as a paper mill, a furniture factory, and a pharmaceutical company.
Education in Belington is provided by two public schools—Belington Elementary School and Belington Middle School—as well as one private school—St. John’s Catholic School. All three schools offer a variety of educational programs for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
When it comes to landmarks located within Belington, some of the most noteworthy include Blackwater Falls State Park, which offers visitors stunning views of cascading waterfalls; Seneca Rocks, which features some of the best rock climbing opportunities in West Virginia; and Valley Falls State Park with its picturesque lake surrounded by lush forests and fields full of wildflowers. Finally, don’t forget about Philippi Covered Bridge—the oldest remaining covered bridge in West Virginia!
Population: 1,788. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,814 (+1.5% change)
Males: 882 (49.3%), Females: 906 (50.7%)
Barbour County
Zip code: 26250
Demographics
Median resident age: 38.0 years
Median household income: $22,154
Median house value: $53,200
Population by Race
Races in Belington:
- White Non-Hispanic (98.0%)
- Two or more races (1.0%)
- American Indian (0.8%)
- Hispanic (0.7%)
Ancestries: German (13.3%), United States (12.1%), English (10.5%), Irish (10.3%), Dutch (3.6%), Italian (3.5%).
Elevation: 1704 feet
Land area: 2.1 square miles
Population by Education
Belington, West Virginia is a small town located in the northern part of the state. It has a population of just over 1,200 people and is home to many small businesses. The median household income for Belington is $40,814, which is slightly lower than the national average. The cost of living in Belington is also lower than the national average and much lower than other parts of West Virginia. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Belington averages around $500 per month, while a three-bedroom apartment costs about $700 per month. Utilities such as electricity and water are relatively inexpensive compared to other areas of West Virginia. Additionally, groceries are also reasonably priced with most items costing under $10 each.
The local economy in Belington revolves around small businesses such as restaurants, shops and boutiques that cater to tourists and locals alike. Most businesses accept cash only but some accept credit cards or debit cards as well. There are several banks located throughout town that offer customers access to their accounts through ATM machines or online banking services. In addition to banks there are also several convenience stores that offer basic items at reasonable prices.
For population 25 years and over in Belington
- High school or higher: 70.7%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.7%
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1%
- Unemployed: 5.7%
- Mean travel time to work: 27.5 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Belington town
- Never married: 19.9%
- Now married: 59.0%
- Separated: 0.6%
- Widowed: 9.1%
- Divorced: 11.3%
0.6% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: -66 (-3.6%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Belington:
- DAVIS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 10 miles; ELKINS, WV)
- BROADDUS HOSPITAL (about 11 miles; PHILIPPI, WV)
- ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; BUCKHANNON, WV)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Belington:
- HARRISON/MARION REGIONAL (about 27 miles; CLARKSBURG, WV; Abbreviation: CKB)
- MORGANTOWN MUNI-WALTER L. BILL HART FLD (about 42 miles; MORGANTOWN, WV; Abbreviation: MGW)
- GREENBRIER VALLEY (about 87 miles; LEWISBURG, WV; Abbreviation: LWB)
Other public-use airports nearest to Belington:
- SIMPSON (about 7 miles; PHILIPPI, WV; Abbreviation: 9W3)
- PHILIPPI/BARBOUR COUNTY REGIONAL (about 12 miles; PHILIPPI, WV; Abbreviation: 79D)
- ELKINS-RANDOLPH CO-JENNINGS RANDOLPH FLD (about 12 miles; ELKINS, WV; Abbreviation: EKN)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Belington:
- FAIRMONT STATE COLLEGE (about 34 miles; FAIRMONT, WV; Full-time enrollment: 5,317)
- WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY (about 43 miles; MORGANTOWN, WV; Full-time enrollment: 19,666)
- CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (about 72 miles; CALIFORNIA, PA; Full-time enrollment: 5,183)
- FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY (about 82 miles; FROSTBURG, MD; Full-time enrollment: 4,672)
- JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY (about 84 miles; HARRISONBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 14,447)
- WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 87 miles; YOUNGWOOD, PA; Full-time enrollment: 3,223)
- WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY (about 91 miles; LEXINGTON, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,063)
Public primary/middle schools in Belington:
- BELINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 338; Location: ROUTE 92; Grades: PK – 05)
- BELINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 237; Location: RR 2 BOX 343; Grades: 06 – 08)
Libraries
Library in Belington:
- BELINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $36,608; Location: 512 ELLIOTT AVE.; 14,768 books; 34 audio materials; 344 video materials; 13 serial subscriptions)