Welch, West Virginia

Welch, West Virginia
Name	Welch, West Virginia
Settlement type	City
Coordinates	37.4333, -81.5833
Subdivision type	United States
Subdivision name	West Virginia
Subdivision type1	County
Subdivision name1	McDowell County, West Virginia

Welch, West Virginia is a city located in the Appalachian Mountains region of McDowell County, West Virginia, near the Tug Fork river, and is part of the Bluefield, West Virginia Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is situated about 20 miles northwest of Bluefield, West Virginia, and is close to the West Virginia-Virginia border, near the Jefferson National Forest. Welch is also near the New River Gorge National River, a unit of the National Park Service, and the Appalachian Trail, a National Scenic Trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine. The city is home to the McDowell County Courthouse, a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is part of the National Coal Heritage Trail, a National Scenic Byway that showcases the region's coal mining history.

Geography

The city of Welch is situated in the McDowell County, West Virginia valley, surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, including Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the Eastern United States, and Grandfather Mountain, a popular tourist destination in North Carolina. The Tug Fork river flows through the city, and is a tributary of the Big Sandy River, which forms the border between West Virginia and Kentucky. Welch is also near the New River, a major river that flows through West Virginia and Virginia, and is part of the Kanawha River watershed, which includes the Kanawha River, a tributary of the Ohio River. The city is close to the Virginia cities of Bristol, Virginia and Blacksburg, Virginia, and is part of the New River Valley region, which includes the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. The region is also home to the George Washington National Forest, a United States National Forest that covers parts of West Virginia and Virginia.

History

The city of Welch was founded in 1881, and was named after Isaac Welch, a United States Congressman from West Virginia. The city grew rapidly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, due to the expansion of the coal mining industry in the region, which was driven by companies such as the Norfolk and Western Railway and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The city was also home to the United Mine Workers of America, a labor union that played a major role in the West Virginia coal strike of 1912-1913, a major labor dispute that involved Mary Harris Jones, a labor leader and social activist. The city's history is also tied to the National Coal Heritage Area, a National Heritage Area that preserves the region's coal mining history, and the Appalachian Regional Commission, a United States federal agency that promotes economic development in the Appalachian Region.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the city of Welch had a population of 2,406 people, and a median household income of $23,419, according to data from the United States Census Bureau. The city's population has declined significantly since its peak in the mid-20th century, due to the decline of the coal mining industry in the region, which was driven by factors such as mechanization and globalization. The city is part of the McDowell County, West Virginia school district, which includes schools such as Welch High School and Mount View High School, and is also home to the McDowell County Public Library, a public library that serves the city and surrounding areas. The city's demographics are also influenced by its proximity to the Virginia cities of Bristol, Virginia and Blacksburg, Virginia, and the West Virginia cities of Bluefield, West Virginia and Beckley, West Virginia.

Economy

The economy of Welch is driven by a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, and tourism, which are supported by institutions such as the Welch Community Hospital and the McDowell County Board of Education. The city is also home to a number of small businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, and service providers, which are supported by organizations such as the Welch Chamber of Commerce and the McDowell County Economic Development Authority. The city's economy is also influenced by its proximity to the Virginia cities of Bristol, Virginia and Blacksburg, Virginia, and the West Virginia cities of Bluefield, West Virginia and Beckley, West Virginia, which are part of the New River Valley region. The region is also home to a number of major employers, including Virginia Tech, Walmart, and McDonald's, which have a significant impact on the local economy.

Education

The city of Welch is served by the McDowell County Schools school district, which includes schools such as Welch High School and Mount View High School. The city is also home to the McDowell County Public Library, a public library that serves the city and surrounding areas, and is part of the West Virginia Library Commission. The city's education system is also supported by institutions such as the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, which oversee education policy in the state. The city is also close to a number of higher education institutions, including Virginia Tech, Bluefield State College, and Concord University, which offer a range of academic programs and degree options.

Infrastructure

The city of Welch has a number of infrastructure facilities, including the Welch Community Hospital, a hospital that serves the city and surrounding areas, and the McDowell County Airport, a public airport that provides air transportation services. The city is also served by a number of major highways, including U.S. Route 52 and West Virginia Route 16, which provide access to the Virginia cities of Bristol, Virginia and Blacksburg, Virginia, and the West Virginia cities of Bluefield, West Virginia and Beckley, West Virginia. The city's infrastructure is also supported by organizations such as the West Virginia Department of Transportation and the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, which oversee infrastructure development in the state. The city is also part of the Appalachian Regional Commission's infrastructure development program, which aims to improve infrastructure in the Appalachian Region.

Category: Cities in West Virginia