There are so many benefits to growing up in a small town. When you call a small town home everyone knows your name, which also gives you a bigger and better support system. Small towns know how to pull together when one of their own is in need.
West Virginia has many small towns tucked away in rural areas. These towns are close knit and strong. All of the 13 towns on this list have less than 600 residents and are rural towns where country living is treasured.
- Glen Ferris, Population 203
Facebook Matt Barker
Glen Ferris offers not only small town living, but an abundance of natural beauty. The town sits along the banks of the Kanawha River and is home to the beautiful Kanawha Falls.
- Glen Jean, Population 210
Facebook Patricia Shelor
Glen Jean is located in Fayette County. It was founded in the late 1890s and is the home of the headquarters of the National Park Service for the New River Gorge River.
- Richwood, Population 2,024
Facebook FBC Thompson, GA
Richwood is located in Nicholas County. At one time it was a booming coal and lumber town. The town’s population was once over 10,000, but the closing of underground mines caused many miners and their families to pack up and leave in search of work.Today the town depends on tourism and is known as “The Ramp Capitol of the World.” It holds a large and popular festival in honor of the wild onion every April.
- Salt Rock, Population 388
Facebook Ralph Adkins Salt Rock is located in southern Cabell County. Native Americans left behind a lot of artifacts in this small town. From arrowheads to petroglyphs, Salt Rock is rich in Native American history.
- Waverly, Population 395
Facebook Waverly Revisited Waverly, also known as Bull Creek, is located in Wood County. Even though it is unincorporated, it has its own post office and school.
- Matewan, Population 480
Facebook Chris Smith Matewan is one of West Virginia’s most famous small towns. On May 19, 1920, a shootout between local miners and Baldwin-Felts Detectives took place. The detectives had arrived to evict families living in the Stone Mountain Coal Camp. The battle left seven detectives and three townspeople dead. In 1987 a film was made about the altercation called “Matewan.”
- Valley Bend, Population 485
Facebook Chris Smith Valley Bend is nestled in Randolph County. It is located on route U.S. Route 219.
- Clay, Population 486
Wikipedia Tim Kiser Clay is a town, as well as the county seat of Clay County. It rests on the banks of the beautiful Elk River. Each year it hosts the Golden Delicious Apple Festival.
- Lost Creek, Population 491
Facebook Jeanette Norton Lost Creek is located in Harrison County. It is the home of the historic Daniel Bassel House. The historic brick house was built in the early 1860s.
Paw Paw, Population 500
Flickr Justin Grimes
Paw Paw, located in Morgan County, is best known for its Paw Paw Tunnel. The tunnel is a 3,118 foot canal tunnel on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. The town and the tunnel get their names from the many Paw Paw trees that grow in the region.Burnsville, Population 503
Facebook our Little Community, Burnsville Located in Braxton County, it sits at the confluence the Little Kanawha River and Salt Lick Creek. It was incorporated in 1902 and named after Captain John Burns who operated the first saw mill in that part of the state.
- Thomas, Population 567
Wikipedia Tom Kiser
Thomas is a former coal town in Tucker County. Thomas may be a small town, but it is filled with art, antique stores and an awesome brick oven pizza restaurant.
- Whitesville, Population 514
Facebook Ralph Mitchell Whitesville is a former coal town located in Boone County. It was named after a prominent early settler named B.W. White.
Did I miss your favorite small town? If so, share it with me in the comment section.
Facebook Matt Barker
Glen Ferris offers not only small town living, but an abundance of natural beauty. The town sits along the banks of the Kanawha River and is home to the beautiful Kanawha Falls.
Facebook Patricia Shelor
Glen Jean is located in Fayette County. It was founded in the late 1890s and is the home of the headquarters of the National Park Service for the New River Gorge River.
Facebook FBC Thompson, GA
Richwood is located in Nicholas County. At one time it was a booming coal and lumber town. The town’s population was once over 10,000, but the closing of underground mines caused many miners and their families to pack up and leave in search of work.Today the town depends on tourism and is known as “The Ramp Capitol of the World.” It holds a large and popular festival in honor of the wild onion every April.
Facebook Ralph Adkins
Salt Rock is located in southern Cabell County. Native Americans left behind a lot of artifacts in this small town. From arrowheads to petroglyphs, Salt Rock is rich in Native American history.
Facebook Waverly Revisited
Waverly, also known as Bull Creek, is located in Wood County. Even though it is unincorporated, it has its own post office and school.
Facebook Chris Smith
Matewan is one of West Virginia’s most famous small towns. On May 19, 1920, a shootout between local miners and Baldwin-Felts Detectives took place. The detectives had arrived to evict families living in the Stone Mountain Coal Camp. The battle left seven detectives and three townspeople dead. In 1987 a film was made about the altercation called “Matewan.”
Valley Bend is nestled in Randolph County. It is located on route U.S. Route 219.
Wikipedia Tim Kiser
Clay is a town, as well as the county seat of Clay County. It rests on the banks of the beautiful Elk River. Each year it hosts the Golden Delicious Apple Festival.
Facebook Jeanette Norton
Lost Creek is located in Harrison County. It is the home of the historic Daniel Bassel House. The historic brick house was built in the early 1860s.
Flickr Justin Grimes
Paw Paw, located in Morgan County, is best known for its Paw Paw Tunnel. The tunnel is a 3,118 foot canal tunnel on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. The town and the tunnel get their names from the many Paw Paw trees that grow in the region.
Facebook our Little Community, Burnsville
Located in Braxton County, it sits at the confluence the Little Kanawha River and Salt Lick Creek. It was incorporated in 1902 and named after Captain John Burns who operated the first saw mill in that part of the state.
Wikipedia Tom Kiser
Thomas is a former coal town in Tucker County. Thomas may be a small town, but it is filled with art, antique stores and an awesome brick oven pizza restaurant.
Facebook Ralph Mitchell
Whitesville is a former coal town located in Boone County. It was named after a prominent early settler named B.W. White.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
