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Beckley, WV

Full City Profile · West Virginia · Raleigh County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
16,977 Population 1,787/sq mi density
$39,939 Median Income $30,990 per capita
$148,800 Home Value $142,722 Zillow
$867 Median Rent 34.3% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 305 sunny days/yr
1,057 Violent Crime/100K 7,207 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$39,939 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$148,800 home value, $867/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,057 violent crimes/100K (178% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
25.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Beckley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 305 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 43.4 inches. The area receives 38.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,395 ft (730 m)
Area9.5 sq mi (24.6 km²)
Population Density1,787/sq mi
Coordinates37.7731°N, 81.1616°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyRaleigh County County
Nearest AirportWest Virginia International Yeager (CRW)
48 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 43.4"
14% above US avg
Snowfall 38.4"
Wettest Month (Jul) 4.76"
Driest Month (Jan) 3.03"

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score65.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability67.3 / 100
Community Resilience38.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

46 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.5. Most recent: M2.6 on Jul 8, 2023.

Apr 22, 1991 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia M3.5 86 km
Mar 31, 2013 West Virginia M3.4 101 km
Feb 12, 1994 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia M3.4 131 km
Apr 4, 2010 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia M3.4 94 km
Jun 26, 1995 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia M3.4 117 km
Sep 13, 2017 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia M3.2 52 km
Dec 4, 2001 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia M3.1 36 km
Jun 28, 1991 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia M3.0 53 km
May 16, 2009 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia M3.0 118 km
Jan 22, 1995 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia M2.9 87 km
Jul 30, 2013 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia M2.8 121 km
Jan 10, 2012 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia M2.8 91 km
Jul 4, 2009 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 60 km
May 6, 2002 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio M2.8 145 km
Feb 15, 2005 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia M2.8 93 km
Jul 15, 2021 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 66 km
May 12, 2017 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 62 km
Jul 6, 2023 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia M2.7 124 km
Jun 21, 2017 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia M2.7 52 km
Jul 20, 2013 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia M2.7 127 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

57 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 62 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 4, 1974 EF3 15 km 0
Apr 4, 1974 EF3 13 km 1
Apr 2, 2024 EF2 93 km 0
Apr 2, 2024 EF2 37 km 0
Oct 7, 2014 EF2 19 km 0
Apr 8, 2011 EF2 87 km 0
Jun 22, 1990 EF2 63 km 0
May 26, 1990 EF2 42 km 0
Jul 11, 1976 EF2 56 km 0
Apr 24, 1975 EF2 61 km 0
Apr 12, 1965 EF2 42 km 0
Apr 8, 1965 EF2 43 km 0
Feb 25, 1961 EF2 23 km 0
Apr 2, 2024 EF1 88 km 0
Apr 2, 2024 EF1 71 km 0
Apr 2, 2024 EF1 52 km 0
Apr 2, 2024 EF1 67 km 0
Aug 31, 2021 EF1 90 km 0
Aug 31, 2021 EF1 96 km 0
Aug 9, 2019 EF1 82 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY (61,231 ac, 1987).

Year Name Acres Distance
1987 BRUSHY 61,231 87 km
1987 UNNAMED 41,794 88 km
1991 KAYFORD MOUNTAIN 31,509 32 km
1987 UNNAMED 27,317 95 km
1991 WHITE OAK BRANCH 25,550 63 km
1987 ELLIS CREEK 24,070 31 km
1991 UNNAMED 22,282 96 km
1991 TUG RIVER 20,813 88 km
1991 BROWNS BRANCH 17,324 41 km
1991 HUFF CREEK 15,190 55 km
1987 RUCKERS BRANCH 14,744 61 km
1991 ROLLINS BRANCH 14,435 40 km
1991 GAULEY MTN 13,113 44 km
1991 ROCK HOUSE BRANCH 13,056 93 km
1991 TOMS BRANCH 11,849 41 km
1991 UNNAMED 11,117 96 km
2012 ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES 11,055 87 km
1991 BRUSHY FORK 10,704 33 km
1991 LEFT FORK 10,196 60 km
1991 CANE ROCK 9,017 78 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 30°F (-1°C) 3.0 in Coldest, Driest
February 33°F (0°C) 3.0 in
March 41°F (5°C) 3.6 in
April 50°F (10°C) 3.6 in
May 59°F (15°C) 4.2 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.8 in
July 69°F (20°C) 4.8 in Wettest
August 69°F (20°C) 3.7 in Warmest
September 63°F (17°C) 3.4 in
October 52°F (11°C) 3.1 in
November 43°F (6°C) 3.2 in
December 34°F (1°C) 3.3 in

Beckley has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 30°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 42.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.8") and January the driest (3.0").

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