Gary, West Virginia

Gary, West Virginia is a city located in McDowell County, West Virginia, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains near the Ohio River and the Kentucky border. The city is situated near the Elkhorn Creek and is close to the Pocahontas Coalfield, a region known for its rich coal deposits, which has been mined by companies such as Consol Energy and Arch Coal. Gary, West Virginia, is also near the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, a popular destination for off-road vehicle enthusiasts, and the Bluestone River, which flows into the New River. The city is part of the Bluefield, West Virginia micropolitan area and is close to the Virginia border, near the cities of Bluefield, Virginia and Richlands, Virginia.

Geography

Gary, West Virginia, is situated in the southwestern part of the state, near the West Virginia-Virginia border, and is part of the Appalachian Region of the United States. The city is located in the McDowell County, West Virginia, which is known for its rugged terrain and scenic beauty, with nearby attractions including the Grandview National Bank and the New River Gorge Bridge. The city is also close to the Beckley, West Virginia area, which is home to the Raleigh County, West Virginia and the Fayette County. Gary, West Virginia, is near the Wyoming County, West Virginia, and the Mingo County, West Virginia, and is part of the Southern West Virginia region, which includes cities such as Huntington, West Virginia and Charleston, West Virginia. The city is also close to the Kanawha River and the Ohio River Valley, which has been home to various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and the Cherokee.

History

The area that is now Gary, West Virginia, was first settled in the late 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, when the coal mining industry began to grow in the region, with companies such as U.S. Steel and Bethlehem Steel operating in the area. The city was named after Elbert Gary, a founder of U.S. Steel, and was incorporated in 1971, during the Vietnam War era, when the city's population was growing rapidly due to the expansion of the coal industry. Gary, West Virginia, has a rich history, with nearby attractions including the Berwind Lake Wildlife Management Area and the Pinnacle Rock State Park, which offer scenic views and outdoor recreational activities. The city is also close to the Princeton, West Virginia area, which is home to the Mercer County, West Virginia and the Bluefield College. Gary, West Virginia, is part of the National Coal Heritage Trail, which showcases the history and culture of the coal mining industry in the region, and is near the National Park Service's New River Gorge National River.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Gary, West Virginia, was approximately 900 people, with a median age of around 40 years old, and a median household income of around $30,000, according to data from the United States Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The city has a diverse population, with a mix of European American, African American, and Native American residents, and is part of the Bluefield, West Virginia micropolitan area, which has a population of around 100,000 people, according to data from the Office of Management and Budget. Gary, West Virginia, is also close to the Beckley, West Virginia area, which is home to the Raleigh County, West Virginia and the Fayette County, and is part of the Southern West Virginia region, which includes cities such as Huntington, West Virginia and Charleston, West Virginia. The city is near the West Virginia University and the Marshall University, which offer various academic programs and research opportunities.

Economy

The economy of Gary, West Virginia, is primarily based on the coal mining industry, with companies such as Consol Energy and Arch Coal operating in the area, and is also driven by the healthcare and education sectors, with nearby attractions including the Bluefield Regional Medical Center and the Bluefield State College. The city is also close to the Princeton, West Virginia area, which is home to the Mercer County, West Virginia and the Bluefield College, and is part of the Bluefield, West Virginia micropolitan area, which has a diverse economy with a mix of manufacturing, retail, and service industries, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the United States Census Bureau. Gary, West Virginia, is near the Interstate 77 and the U.S. Route 52, which provide access to major markets and transportation hubs, including the Port of Huntington and the Yeager Airport. The city is also close to the New River Valley region, which is home to the Virginia Tech and the Radford University.

Infrastructure

Gary, West Virginia, has a well-developed infrastructure, with access to major highways such as the Interstate 77 and the U.S. Route 52, which provide connections to nearby cities such as Beckley, West Virginia and Bluefield, West Virginia. The city is also served by the Norfolk Southern Railway and the CSX Transportation, which provide rail transportation services to major markets and ports, including the Port of Huntington and the Port of Charleston. Gary, West Virginia, is close to the Yeager Airport and the Raleigh County Memorial Airport, which offer air transportation services to major hubs such as the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and the Pittsburgh International Airport. The city is also part of the West Virginia Department of Transportation's District 10, which is responsible for maintaining and improving the state's transportation infrastructure, including the West Virginia Turnpike and the U.S. Route 119.

Education

Gary, West Virginia, is served by the McDowell County Schools system, which operates several schools in the area, including the Gary Elementary School and the Mount View High School. The city is also close to the Bluefield State College and the Bluefield College, which offer various academic programs and research opportunities, and is part of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission's Region 1, which includes institutions such as the Marshall University and the West Virginia University. Gary, West Virginia, is near the New River Community and Technical College and the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, which offer vocational and technical training programs, and is also close to the National Mine Health and Safety Academy, which provides training and education for the mining industry. The city is part of the West Virginia Department of Education's Region 1, which is responsible for overseeing the state's education system, including the West Virginia Board of Education and the West Virginia Education Association.