Beckley, West Virginia

Beckley
Main Street in downtown Beckley in 2023
Main Street in downtown Beckley in 2023
Flag of Beckley
Official seal of Beckley
Nickname: 
Smokeless Coal Capital[1]
Motto: 
"The Gateway to Southern West Virginia"
Map
Interactive map of Beckley
Beckley is located in West Virginia
Beckley
Beckley
Beckley is located in the United States
Beckley
Beckley
Coordinates: 37°46′27″N 81°10′52″W / 37.77417°N 81.18111°W / 37.77417; -81.18111[2]
CountryUnited States
StateWest Virginia
CountyRaleigh
Government
 • MayorRob Rappold[3][4]
Area
 • City9.51 sq mi (24.63 km2)
 • Land9.50 sq mi (24.60 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation2,405 ft (733 m)
Population
 • City17,286
 • Density1,821.49/sq mi (703.28/km2)
 • Metro
123,373 (US: 317th)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
25801, 25802, 25926
Area codes304 and 681
FIPS code54-05332
GNIS feature ID2390563[2]
Websitehttp://www.beckley.org/

Beckley is a city in and the county seat of Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 17,286 at the 2020 census, making it the ninth-most populous city in the state. It is the principal city of the Beckley metropolitan area of Southern West Virginia, home to 115,079 residents in 2020. Beckley was founded on April 4, 1838, and was long known for its ties to the coal mining industry. It is the home of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology, as well as an annex of Concord University and the University of Charleston.[7]

Beckley hosts the Beckley VA Medical Center (VAMC)[8] offering comprehensive medical services to veterans. Additionally, the city is home to Raleigh General Hospital and Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital (BARH),[9] both of which provide a wide range of healthcare services to the local and surrounding communities.

Apart from its significance in healthcare, Beckley is renowned for the Tamarack Marketplace. Situated off Interstate 64, Tamarack stands as a cultural cornerstone, showcasing the artistic heritage and craftsmanship of West Virginia. The venue features work from state artisans, offering visitors a glimpse into the region's culture and traditions.[10][better source needed]

  1. ^ "Best Small Places for Business and Careers 2019: Beckley, WV". Forbes. October 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Beckley, West Virginia
  3. ^ "City of Beckley". Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  4. ^ "WV MetroNews – New mayor in Beckley". Wvmetronews.com. January 3, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  5. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference wwwcensusgov was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Wood, Jim (1994). Raleigh County West Virginia. Beckley, WV: BJW Printing and Office Supplies. p. 76.
  8. ^ "VA Beckley health care". Veterans Affairs. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "Find a Physician or Specialist". providers.arh.org. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  10. ^ "Tamarack". Tamarack. Retrieved February 7, 2024.

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