|
Home
|
|
Beckley, West Virginia — Raleigh County Population: As of April 1, 2000, Raleigh County has a population of 79,220. Between 1990 and 2000, Raleigh County has seen a 3.1 percent increase in population. This contrasts the 13.2 percent population growth rate seen nationally. Raleigh County has a population density of about 131 people per square mile, significantly denser than the West Virginia average of about 75 people. Density is slightly higher than in 1990.
Unemployment/Income: The unemployment rate in Raleigh County has been steadily decreasing and, as of 2001, is lower than the national average. In 2001, the county saw an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent compared to the national average of 4.8. This is down from the 1999 rate of 7.3 percent and from the 2000 rate of 6.1 percent. As of March 2004, the Raleigh County unemployment rate has increased to 5.5 percent. Raleigh County residents have a mean market income about $10,000 less than the national average ($15,867 compared to $25,676). Residents of Raleigh County are doing worse in terms of market income than other areas of West Virginia, where the mean income level is $16,772.
Poverty: As income levels indicate, Raleigh county has a poverty rate higher than the national average. Year 2000 statistics indicate a level of poverty of 18.5 percent compared to the national rate of 12.4 percent. This is down from Raleigh County’s 1990 poverty rate of 19.9 percent and up from the 1980 poverty rate of 13 percent.
Education: Raleigh County has an adult high school graduation rate of 72.0 percent in the year 2000 compared to the national average of 80.4 percent. The adult college graduate rate for Raleigh County (12.7 percent) is lower than the national rate (24.4 percent). Raleigh County has consistently performed below the national rates in both measurements of educational attainment. In 1990, Raleigh County had a high school graduation rate of 63.2 percent and a college graduation rate of 10.7 percent compared to the national rates of 75.2 and 20.3 percent respectively. In 1980, the high school graduation rate was 53.6 percent and the college graduation rate was 9.1 percent compared to national rates of 66.5 and 16.2 percent respectively.
Economic Status: Raleigh County has an economic classification level of Transitional for fiscal year 2004. This means that Raleigh County is below the national average on one or more of the three economic indicators (three-year average unemployment, per capita market income, and poverty) but does not fall into the Distressed category. Raleigh County performs under the national levels in all three categories and is classified as At-Risk for becoming Distressed.
|
|