History
Data/Stats
Cities and Towns
Geography

History                                                                                               back to top

• Founding for McDowell County began in 1858, and the County was organized in 1958.
• McDowell County is named after Governor James McDowell, a Virginia governor from 1843 to 1846.
• McDowell County’s coal mining industry was once record-setting, played a major role in West Virginia’s economy, and earned the County national awareness.
• In 2005, McDowell County adopted the slogan “Come Grow With Us,” which epitomizes the area’s ongoing drive to rebuild economic growth.

Data/Stats                                                                                        back to top

• As of 2006, the population of McDowell County was approximately 24,000.
• The county seat of McDowell County is Welch.

Cities and Towns                                                                                                         back to top

• Incorporated cities and towns include:
• Town of Anawalt: Mayor Eva Sue Rash at (304) 383-2993.
• Town of Bradshaw: Mayor Lawrence Crigger at (304) 967-7370.
• Town of Davy: Mayor Ken Gentry at (304) 656-7145.
• City of Gary: Mayor Henry Paul at (304) 448-2209.
• Town of Iaeger: Mayor Jim Stafford at (304) 938-5171.
• City of Keystone: Mayor Buck Wade at (304) 862-2239.
• Town of Kimball: Mayor Jack Premo at (304) 589-7913.
• Town of Northfork: Mayor Nick Mason at (304) 862-3414.
• Town of War: Mayor Tom Hatcher at (304) 875-3111.
• City of Welch: Mayor Martha Moore at (304) 436-3114.

• Unincorporated communities include:
• Algoma
• Asco
• Ashland
• Atwell
• Avondale
• Bartley
• Berwind
• Big Sandy
• Canebrake
• Capels
• Caretta
• Coalwood
• Crumpler
• Cucumber
• Eckman
• Elbert
• Elkhorn
• English
• Filbert
• Garland
• Gilliam
• Havaco
• Hemphill
• Hensley
• Isaban
• Jenkinjones
• Jolo
• Kyle
• Leckie
• Maitland
• Maybeury
• Mohawk
• Newhall
• Pageton
• Panther
• Paynesville
• Powhatan
• Premier
• Raysal
• Roderfield
• Skygusty
• Squire
• Steeles
• Superior
• Switchback
• Thorpe
• Twin Branch
• Vallscreek
• Vivian
• Warriormine
• Wilcoe
• Worth
• Yukon

Geography                                                                                         back to top

• McDowell County encompasses 535 square miles, 0.03% of which is water. (U.S. Census Bureau) and is the southern-most county in West Virginia.
• Major highways in McDowell County include:
• U.S. Route 52
• West Virginia Route 16
• West Virginia Route 80
• West Virginia Route 83
• Adjacent counties include:
• Wyoming County
• Mercer County
• Mingo County
• Tazewell County (Virginia)
• Buchanan County (Virginia)
• Nearby metropolitan cities include:
• Charleston (115 miles)
• Huntington (131 miles)
• Roanoke (140 miles, Virginia)