Clay County, West Virginia is a rural county located in the Appalachian Mountains of Central West Virginia. It is bordered by Nicholas, Braxton, and Webster Counties on its northern border, and by Roane and Calhoun Counties on its southern border. The county seat is Clay. The population of Clay County was 9,386 as of the 2010 census.
The economy of Clay County is largely based on agriculture and timber production. The county also has a growing tourism industry due to its many outdoor recreational opportunities including camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
Clay County has a long history of coal mining and timber production that dates back to the early 19th century when the first settlers arrived in the area. This history is still evident today in many of the historic buildings scattered throughout the county.
Education in Clay County consists of six public school systems; Clay-Battelle High School (K-12), Little Kanawha Valley Christian Academy (K-12), Meadow Bridge High School (9-12), Richwood High School (9-12), Valley High School (K-8) and Valley Head Elementary School (K-8). In addition to these schools there are also several private schools located within Clay County as well as one accredited college located in nearby Nicholas County; New River Community & Technical College.
The county’s recreation department offers a variety of activities including swimming pools, tennis courts, ball fields, playgrounds and trails for hiking/biking/nature observation. There are also several golf courses located within Clay County as well as an abundance of natural areas for exploring including Babcock State Park which offers camping cabins along with various outdoor activities such as fishing or boating on its large lake or taking part in interpretive programs such as guided hikes or bird watching tours offered year round at Babcock State Park Nature Center.
Clay County also has a strong cultural heritage with numerous festivals held throughout the year such as Arts Alive. Festival held each April at Richwood’s historic Big Ugly Creek Park which features local artisans displaying their work for sale; Mayberry Days held each May in Clendenin featuring food vendors from all over West Virginia offering up some delicious local flavors; Bluegrass Music Festival held each June at Meadow Bridge High School where you can enjoy some toe tapping tunes from local bluegrass bands; Springfest held each August along Main Street in Clendenin which features live music performances from some of West Virginia’s best up & coming musical acts; Oktoberfest held each October at Big Ugly Creek Park featuring German food & beer tastings from all over West Virginia; Christmas Town Festival held each December at Clendenin Civic Center where you can find handmade gifts & decorations perfect for your holiday season.
Clay County offers something special no matter what time of year it is – whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation opportunities or just want to take part in some unique cultural events there’s something here that will satisfy everyone’s needs.
History of Clay County, West Virginia
Clay County, West Virginia has a long and rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s. The county was formed in 1858 from parts of Braxton, Nicholas and Kanawha counties. It was named after Henry Clay, a prominent politician from Kentucky who served as Speaker of the House and Secretary of State. The county seat is Clendenin, which was established in 1875 and named after John Clendenin, a local businessman.
The first settlers in Clay County were mostly farmers who came to the area seeking fertile land for their crops. They quickly discovered that the soil was well-suited for growing corn, wheat, oats, potatoes and other vegetables. As more people arrived in the area over time, small towns began to form throughout Clay County. By 1900 there were several thriving communities such as Big Ugly Creek (now Richwood), Procious (now Ivydale), Wallback (now Wallback) and Duck (now Duck).
The early 20th century saw tremendous growth throughout Clay County as coal mining began to take off in the region. The county’s first coal mine opened in 1902 and by 1910 there were over 40 coal mines operating throughout Clay County with thousands of workers employed by them. The influx of miners brought an influx of money into the local economy which allowed for businesses to thrive and new roads to be built across the county connecting rural areas to larger cities like Charleston and Huntington.
In April 1931 tragedy struck when a massive flood hit Clay County destroying much of its infrastructure including bridges, railroads and homes along with it. But out of this tragedy rose a sense of resilience among the citizens who worked together to rebuild their homes and businesses almost immediately after the waters receded. This spirit would continue through World War II when many men from Clay County enlisted in the armed forces serving bravely overseas while women took up factory jobs on home soil helping keep America’s production lines running during wartime efforts.
Today, Clay County is still largely rural but it has become home to many recreational activities such as golfing, fishing, hunting and camping along with cultural events like Arts Alive. Festival held each April at Richwood’s historic Big Ugly Creek Park; Mayberry Days held each May; Bluegrass Music Festival held each June; Springfest held each August; Oktoberfest held each October; Christmas Town Festival held each December at Clendenin Civic Center amongst others that bring visitors from all over West Virginia into town year round.
Major cities and towns in Clay County, West Virginia
According to AbbreviationFinder, Clay County, West Virginia is home to five major towns and cities. Clay is the county seat and largest city in the county. It has a population of approximately 2,000 people and is located on the Elk River in the heart of Clay County. Clay offers a variety of amenities for residents, including schools, parks, restaurants, banks and shopping centers. The town is also home to several historical sites such as the Central Clay County Museum and the historic Fort Seybert.
The second largest city in Clay County is Procious. This small town has a population of just over 500 people but is known for its strong sense of community spirit as well as its annual festivals. Procious also boasts a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, camping and boating on nearby lakes.
The third largest city in Clay County is Ivydale which has a population of around 1,500 people. This town boasts a rich history with several historic sites located within its borders including the old Ivydale Mills site which dates back to the 19th century. Ivydale also offers plenty of recreational activities such as golfing at nearby courses and hiking trails along with various shops and restaurants along Main Street.
Just north of Ivydale lies Widen which has a population of just over 200 people but still offers plenty to do for its residents including an annual bluegrass festival held each year on Memorial Day weekend that attracts visitors from all over West Virginia and beyond. Widen also features several parks where visitors can enjoy picnicking or bird watching while taking in views of nearby mountains or valleys around Clay County.
The final major town in Clay County is Bomont with a population around 400 people that resides near the Kanawha State Forest offering plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking and camping among other activities throughout the year for residents to enjoy all year round.
Population in Clay County, West Virginia
According to maternityetchic.com, Clay County, West Virginia is home to a diverse population of approximately 8,500 people. The county seat, Clay, is the largest city with a population of around 2,000 people. It is located on the Elk River in the heart of Clay County and offers a variety of amenities for residents such as schools, parks, restaurants, banks and shopping centers.
The second largest city in Clay County is Procious with a population of just over 500 people. This small town is known for its strong sense of community spirit and annual festivals.
Ivydale has a population of around 1,500 people and boasts a rich history with several historic sites including the old Ivydale Mills site which dates back to the 19th century. This town offers plenty of recreational activities such as golfing at nearby courses and hiking trails along with various shops and restaurants along Main Street.
Widen has a population of just over 200 people but still offers plenty to do for its residents including an annual bluegrass festival held each year on Memorial Day weekend that attracts visitors from all over West Virginia and beyond. Widen also features several parks where visitors can enjoy picnicking or bird watching while taking in views of nearby mountains or valleys around Clay County.
Bomont has a population of around 400 people that resides near the Kanawha State Forest offering plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking and camping among other activities throughout the year for residents to enjoy all year round.
In addition to these five major towns and cities in Clay County, there are also many smaller communities scattered throughout the county as well as rural areas outside any major urban center. The demographics in Clay County are largely Caucasian with approximately 84% being non-Hispanic white according to recent census data while African Americans make up about 10% of the county’s total population followed by Hispanic/Latino Americans at 3%. Other races are represented in smaller numbers making up less than 3% combined. There is also an even split between males (50%) and females (50%) making up the county’s total population according to recent census data from 2020.