City Profile Chapter 3 Socioeconomic

enacted legislation forming Raleigh Conditions County from Fayette County and, thus, County government was organized. The An overview and statistical analysis of County was named for Sir Walter Raleigh population and socioeconomic characteris- at the suggestion of General Beckley, and tics of the City of Beckley has been devel- Beckley became the County Seat. As a oped as part of the basis for the Compre- County, Raleigh County tended hensive Planning process. to politically vote Republican. During the Virginia Secession Convention, at the Historic Roots of outset of the Civil War, Raleigh County was included in the new State of West Beckley Virginia. As the only instance in West The earliest recorded European exploration Virginia history for the territory of a of what is now was in 1742 County to be enlarged after its forma- by John Peter Salley. The first explorations tion, the West Virginia Legislature of Raleigh County occurred in 1750 by Dr. approved a political deal to annex the Thomas Walker, and in 1751 by Christo- 168-square mile Slab Fork District and pher Gist of the Ohio Company (a land the rich coal fields of Winding Gulf from investment company). The first known Wyoming County into southwest Raleigh map of the Raleigh County area was County. At the time, this provided a published in London in 1755 based on Democrat majority in Raleigh County these explorations. Two years later, John and a Republican majority in Wyoming James Beckley was born in England, who County. would, in 1795, obtain a grant of 170,038 acres of land in the Raleigh County area, After the construction of the County and, in 1802, be appointed the first Clerk Court House in 1852, some records, of the U.S. House of Representatives by including the Census Bureau, began to President Thomas Jefferson. In 1836, his refer to the town as Raleigh Court House. son, General Alfred Beckley, a West Point It is interesting to note that in 1875, the graduate, moved to the area to develop the land book refers to the town as land left to him by his father. In 1838, the Beckleyville, but the first issue of the Virginia General Assembly officially Raleigh County Index in 1880, which later established the settlement of Beckley, became the Raleigh Register, refers to the named in honor of the General’s father, as town as Raleigh Court House. By 1897, the first settlement in the portion of Fayette the name of the town reverted to Beckley County, Virginia, which is now Raleigh in all records. County, West Virginia. In 1872, an act of the West Virginia Legislature incorporated As the nation pushed west in the 1800s, the Town of Beckley, and John Beckley, the Beckley became a noted stop, but grandson of the town’s namesake, was without industry, it remained a farm elected as its first Mayor. In 1908, the community. The population of Beckley Legislature passed a new charter for in 1860 was 160, and the town’s fifteen Beckley, changing it from a town to a city. buildings were clustered around the courthouse square on what is now Main General Beckley drafted a resolution in Street and North and South Kanawha 1850, and the General Assembly of Virginia Streets. Shops, stables, taverns, and

City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Page 13 Poggemeyer Design Group Chapter 3 City Profile

churches were intermixed with private ity. As the mechanization of coal mining dwellings along these two roads. The displaced thousands of workers in the population swelled to close to 50 1980s, many migrated from outlying towns families and a population of more than to Beckley, making it the largest of the four 300. During the Civil War, the City was surrounding county seats and a central occupied by both Union and Confeder- location for many private, public, and ate troops (Rutherford B. Hayes and government activities. In 1962, the Beckley William McKinley were both stationed Exhibition Coal Mine, owned by the City in the town). By the 1890 Census, the and operated by the City’s Parks and population had dropped to 158, but the Recreation Department, officially opened town now had two stores, a 13-room to visitors and continues to provide a hotel, and 16 houses. By the turn of the historical and entertaining ride through an century, the corners of Heber, Neville, actual coal mine. and Main Streets became the core of the During much of the 20th In 1841, the second building built in commercial district. century, the coal industry Beckley was a small log school house. In supplied the City’s economic th 1869, the State Legislature incorporated the During much of the 20 century, the stability and growth. coal industry supplied the City’s eco- Raleigh High School. In 1900, the Beckley nomic stability and growth. After the Seminary (later the Beckley Institute) Chesapeake and Ohio Railway com- opened as a private school with classes for pleted its line from the Eastern seaboard both grade school and high school stu- to within eleven miles of Beckley in the dents. Beckley’s first black school opened late 1870s, forests were quickly timbered, in 1907, near the border of Beckley and the and coal mines began to open every- suburb of Mabscott. In 1912, Odd Elemen- where. In 1890, the Royal Coal and tary School was built, and as of 1980, was Coke Company opened a drift mine in the oldest school building still in use in Royal (a town on the New River, six Raleigh County. The Stratton School was miles northeast of Beckley), which was erected in 1913. Upon completion of the the first coal mine in Raleigh County. Virginian Railroad in 1909, Mark Twain spoke at the dedication ceremony from the The County boomed as workers moved As the mechanization of coal platform of a train carrying railroad into its wilderness. By 1900, the region’s mining displaced thousands officials. In honor of that event, the Mark coalfields were surpassing every other of workers in the 1980s, Twain High School opened in 1922 and state in coal production, with its highest many migrated from graduated classes until 1965. In 1933, production in 1924 when 17.5 million outlying towns to Beckley, Beckley College was established. In 1967, tons of coal were produced from Raleigh making it the largest of the Woodrow Wilson High School was built at County mines. In 1901, the C&O four surrounding county its location on Stanaford Road. The Railroad constructed a branch line along seats and a central location Beckley Junior High School moved to a the Piney River into Beckley, and the for many private, public, new site in 1998 at Gray Flats near down- Virginian Railroad completed construc- and government activities. tion of a railroad through Beckley to the town Beckley and was renamed Beckley- Winding Gulf Mine in 1908. Stratton Junior High School.

Though few mines were located in the Campbell Hospital was opened in 1906 as rolling farmland near Beckley, the town the first hospital in Beckley, followed by the became an important transportation, opening of the Beckley Hospital in 1913. banking, and trade center for the County In 1922, King’s Daughter’s Hospital (later due to its central location and accessibil- the Raleigh General Hospital) opened.

Page 14 City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Poggemeyer Design Group P City Profile Chapter 3

Rutherford Sanitarium was formally 1910, and in 1916, Raleigh County held opened in 1930, but the legislature its first levy election for road construc- The central business changed its name to Pinecrest Sanitarium tion. The first traffic signals were area employs in 1934. Major construction was com- installed in Beckley in 1928. In 1949, approximately 1,600 pleted on the Veterans Hospital in 1950. In the construction of Valley Drive began people. 1956, Miners Memorial Hospital (later (later becoming WV 16 - Robert C. Byrd Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital) Drive). In 1952, the Raleigh County opened. The Raleigh General Hospital Memorial Airport was dedicated replac- opened its new facility on Harper Road in ing the much smaller Beckley-Mt. Hope 1973. Airport, which was built in 1937. The West Virginia Turnpike (I-77) was officially opened in 1954. The construc- tion of I-64 began in 1974 with the final section being completed in West Virginia in 1988. A new medium security federal penitentiary, located on Airport Road adjacent to I-64, opened in 1993. Central Business District The central business district of Beckley, now known as Uptown Beckley, encom- passes an area from the Robert C. Byrd Drive to the east side of Kanawha Street, and from the main Post Office and Library at Croft Street to Second and Church Streets (see adjacent map). Uptown Beckley includes approximately 126 businesses: restaurants, art galleries, personal services, retail stores, offices, financial institutions, two colleges (College of West Virginia and Concord College), and the Beckley-Raleigh Central Business Distrct Beckley constructed a water works in 1907 County YMCA. The central business area which piped water to all parts of town. employs approximately 1,600 people. Upon completion of the water system in 1908, the Beckley City Council formed a Many fraternal, government, and public Volunteer Fire Department which, in 1916, buildings were built in the central became a City Fire Department. The business district during the 1930s and commercial center of Beckley burned to the 1940s along the back streets of McCreery, ground in 1912 with over thirty shops and Earwood, Woodlawn, and Howe Streets. residences destroyed. A fire again threat- The City determined in 1956 to develop ened to destroy the entire Downtown in the overgrown brush and swamp land 1919. behind the Heber/Neville Street area, 40 feet lower in grade, into a municipal Beckley constructed its first paved street in parking lot with over 300 parking spaces City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Page 15 Poggemeyer Design Group Chapter 3 City Profile

for the workers and shoppers in Beckley. within approximately 13 square miles (as The Beckley City Hall officially opened of 1999). It had a 1996 estimated popula- in 1964, and in 1967, the Municipal tion of 18,353. Beckley is the largest city in Parking Building opened. The Uptown Raleigh County and the seventh largest city economy suffered from the closing of in West Virginia. coal mines in the 1980s, but the City began attempts to stimulate and The graph below displays the population strengthen the existing retail, cultural, change (1975-1995) for the City of Beckley, and tourist activities in the Uptown area. Raleigh County, West Virginia, and the The City, County, and State In 1989, construction was completed on . The population of the began a slow population the State Office Building on Neville nation has steadily increased over the decline in the early 1980s, Street. A new $30 million Federal Office period; however, the loss of mining jobs which was not reversed until complex now houses Federal courts and had a major impact on the population of after 1990. an Internal Revenue Service office. This West Virginia, the County, and the City in addition to Uptown Beckley is antici- the 1980s. pated to add an additional 300 employ- ees in the 160,000 square foot complex. The population for the City of Beckley was The original plat laid out by Alfred stable through the 1970s, but the County, Beckley is still fairly evident in the State, and nation experienced population central business district area to this day. increases through the period. The City, County, and State began a slow population Several shopping centers were built decline in the early 1980s, which was not along US 19/Eisenhower Drive including reversed until after 1990. Raleigh Mall, Bypass Plaza, Beckley Plaza, and Beckley Crossing. These commercial centers were originally located in unincorporated areas within the County, but became a part of the Total Population City of Beckley through annexation. The 1.25 Crossroads Mall officially opened 1.2 in1981 near Bradley, two miles north of the City on US 19 and SR 16. 1.15 1.1 Population 1.05 Characteristics 1 The physical development of a commu- 0.95 nity is directly related to a changing population. Typically, changes in the 0.9 local population influence the local 0.85 demand for types of housing, commer- cial space, employment opportunities, 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 and recreational and cultural facilities. Year The changing population also influences the demand for public facilities and infrastructure. The City of Beckley is Source: Raleigh County Data Prof ile and U.S. Cens us comprised of many residential areas Beckley Raleigh County West Virginia United States Page 16 City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Poggemeyer Design Group P City Profile Chapter 3

1990 - 1996 Population Growth Comparisons 1990 1996 Change Average Population Population Percent Annual Percent Change Over Period

City of Beckley, WV 18,296 19,134 4.58% 0.75% City of Morgantown, WV 25,879 26,919 4.02% 0.67% City of Parkersburg, WV 33,862 32,776 -3.21% -0.54% City of Charleston, WV 57,287 56,098 -2.08% -0.35% Source: Places, Towns, & Townships, Second Edition, Bernan Press 1998; University of West Virginia, Center for Economic Research

The table above compares population three other proximate West Virginia growth in Beckley with several other West cities. Virginia cities for the period 1990 through 1996. The table reveals that the larger In 1990, the City of Beckley had a size of cities, except for Morgantown, lost popula- approximately nine square miles and a tion during the period. population of 18,296. It is interesting to note that the other cities selected for comparison, while having up to three The City of Beckley has a Select Demographic Information times larger populations, have city higher population density The following table provides Census boundaries encompassing up to eight per square mile, almost population characteristics for the City of times the size of the City of Beckley. double or triple the density, Beckley, Raleigh County, the State, and the Therefore, the City of Beckley has a of the comparison cities. United States as of 1990, which is the most higher population density per square recent detailed census information avail- mile, almost double or triple the density able at the time of this writing. Recently of the comparison cities. The City of released, general population by size and Beckley has a slightly lower household race information for the 2000 Census is density than the County, State, and the included. In addition, the table compares nation with 2.36 persons per household, Beckley population characteristics with but this is similar to that of Charleston

Table 3-1 1990 Census Population Characteristics Size Population Persons Persons Non-White Under 18 Over 65 (sq. mi.) Per Per (%) (%) (%) Sq. Mile Household

City of 9 18,296 2,034 2.36 23.6% 23.6% 22% Beckley City of Morgantown 20 25,879 1,288 2.7 8% 12.1% 11.5% City of Parkersburg 29 33,862 1,172 2.34 2.3% 21.8% 19.9% City of Charleston 76 57,287 751 2.26 15.9% 21.8% 18.4% Raleigh County 607 76,819 126 2.62 8.2% 26.3% 15.3% West Virginia 24,228 1,793,477 74 2.6 3.8% 24.8% 15% United States 9,159,127 248,718,301 27 2.71 19.7% 25.6% 12.5%

Source: US Census City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Page 17 Poggemeyer Design Group Chapter 3 City Profile

Positive economic indicators such as rising and Parkersburg. The 2000 population personal income levels, steady employment for Beckley is 17,254 which is a greater growth, low unemployment rates, good than 5% population loss from 1990 schools, and low taxes attract individuals Residents of the City of population levels. In 1990, the minor- seeking job opportunities. Residents of the Beckley also consider the ity population of Beckley was 23.6% City of Beckley also consider the region’s region’s natural beauty, which is higher than the comparative natural beauty, overall quality of life, and overall quality of life, and locations and provides Beckley with their location at an interstate junction as their location at an racial and cultural diversity. Similar to key community assets. interstate junction as key much of the nation, this diversity community assets. increased over the past decade to 26.8%. The City of Beckley has levels of depen- Business Development dent children under age 18 in ranges The types of job opportunities available to comparable within County, State, and the Beckley labor force are fairly representa- national norms. The percentage of tive of those for the State, as can be seen in senior citizens in the City of Beckley the following table. In 1990, the business (22%) exceeds that of other comparison classifications in which Beckley residents locations and is nearly double the were employed in greater numbers for its percentage of senior citizens across the population than the State included: nation. wholesale and retail trade; finance, insur- ance, and real estate; public administra- Employment Traits of the tion; and the service industry. Business Community classifications in which Beckley residents A stable, growing, economic environ- were employed in substantially fewer ment is an important element of a numbers than the County or State in- strong, healthy community since the cluded: mining; construction; and manu- economic well-being of a community is facturing. essential to its desirability as a place to live. When people search for business Beckley is commonly characterized as a locations and jobs in a new area, many regional trade center with an extremely factors are considered. These may large retail capacity, given the size of its Beckley is commonly include the types of businesses and job primary trade area. The Beckley Main characterized as a opportunities that are available, oppor- Street Market Analysis Report (1998) noted regional trade center tunities for job and income growth, that Raleigh County has witnessed a 62% with an extremely large schools, and the proximity of the increase in retail sales, more than other retail capacity, given the workplace in relation to their home. counties in the trade area (which also size of its primary trade area.

Labor Force Employed by Selected Industry Beckley Raleigh Co. West Virginia Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing 0.1% 1.0% 1.9% Mining 4.8% 12.6% 5.4% Construction 3.8% 6.0% 7.0% Manufacturing 3.9% 4.5% 14.9% Transportation 3.4% 4.4% 4.4% Utilities 2.9% 2.5% 3.5% Wholesale and Retail Trade 24.2% 25.8% 21.7% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 5.7% 4.8% 4.5% Public Administration 5.6% 4.3% 4.4% Services 45.6% 34.1% 32.3%

Source: US Census Page 18 City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Poggemeyer Design Group P City Profile Chapter 3

Labor Force Employed by Service Industry Beckley Raleigh Co. West Virginia Business & Repair Service 8% 11.0% 10.4% Personal Services 10.3% 10.0% 9.5% Entertainment 2.1% 1.6% 3.4% Health Services 37.9% 36.3% 30.8% Education Services 24.7% 27.7% 30.6% Other Professional Services 16.9% 13.3% 15.4% Source: US Census

Ten of those establishments have 20 or experienced retail sales increases). Retail more employees. trade centers in Beckley include: the central business district; the US 19 commercial The following table indicates that corridor which includes the By-Pass Plaza, within the category of services, Beckley Beckley Plaza, and the Raleigh Mall. The had a significantly larger percentage of Beckley Crossing on SR 16 and the Town residents working in the health industry and Country Shopping Center on New than the State, and also in the areas of River Drive also provide retail space. personal services and “other” profes- National retail chains located in Beckley sional services. The Beckley zip code include Wal-Mart, Lowes/Food Lion, Sears, area included $129.5 million in sales J.C. Penney, Belk, Montgomery Ward, K- with over 700 employees working in Mart, and Kroger. business services. Over half the service The tourist industry in job classifications for Beckley are related Retail sales per household and potential Beckley has experienced to health and professional services sales in Raleigh County indicate the substantial growth in the which tend to be a stable, non-cyclical County is witnessing a sales surplus and past fifteen years. employment force in a community. that shoppers are outspending the State of West Virginia averages in all categories Industrial activities in Beckley have been except apparel and accessories. Most likely, concentrated in industrial and techno- Raleigh County is capturing sales from logical parks. The Harper Industrial Summers, Fayette, and Wyoming Counties Park is located off I-77 at Exit 44 and is since those counties are experiencing convenient to the area’s hotel and leakages in most every category. The Report restaurant district. The New River points out that, on a regional level, Raleigh Industrial Park is located off US 19 and County leads the way in retail sales in the SR 16 along Ragland Road. The categories of grocery stores, general mer- Pinecrest Business and Technology Park chandise, furniture and appliances, and was designed to attract industry with building materials. new technology to the Beckley area and is located east of the junction of South The tourist industry in Beckley has experi- Eisenhower Drive (US 19) and WV enced substantial growth in the past fifteen Route 41 near Pinecrest Hospital. One years, supported by an increase in hotels tract of land considered suitable for and motels. As of 1995, there were over future industrial development is located 1,200 available rooms in Beckley. Accord- east of the Raleigh County Armory off ing to the latest Claritas, Inc. data, there are South Eisenhower Drive. a total of 18 hotels and motels in the Beckley zip code area employing 419 individuals with sales of over 17 million.

City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Page 19 Poggemeyer Design Group Chapter 3 City Profile

Income Income growth in an area is a significant Per capita personal income (PCPI) for indicator of the economic characteristics Raleigh County was $17,705 in 1995, of a community. Increasing income is making it the fourteenth wealthiest of 55 one good indication of an expanding counties in the State. The average annual economy. Comparison of income growth rate of PCPI in Raleigh County Recent statistics indicate growth against State and National trends from 1983 to 1993 was 5.4%, compared to that per capita income provides perspective and comparisons. 5.7% for the State, and 5.5% for the nation. growth in Raleigh Three statistics commonly used to The average annual growth rate of PCPI in County is increasing measure income growth are per capita Raleigh County between 1994 and 1995 faster than in other personal income (PCPI), total personal was 7.3%, compared to 4.8% for the State, areas. income (TPI), and median household and 5.2% for the nation. These more income (MHI). PCPI and TPI data is recent statistics indicate that per capita typically available at a county level and income growth in Raleigh County is is reflected in the following graph for the increasing faster than in other areas. years 1994 and 1995. According to the first two measures of income, Raleigh Total personal income (TPI) includes the County is enjoying increases that exceed earnings (wages and salaries, other labor State and National trends. A fourth income, and proprietors’ income); divi- indicator is the comparison of income dends, interests, and rent; and transfer ranges across the spectrum of income payments received by all of the residents of groups. an area. An increase in TPI typically results

Average Annual Income Growth Rate 1994 to 1995 8.0% 7.8%

7.0% 7.3%

6.0% 6.2%

5.0% 5.2% 5.0% 4.8%

4.0%

3.0%

2.0%

1.0%

0.0% PCPI TPI

Raleigh Co unty West Virginia United States Page 20 City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Poggemeyer Design Group P City Profile Chapter 3

in an increase in available spending dollars. experienced an increase of 13% com- The Raleigh County average annual growth pared with the State’s average at 21%. rate of TPI between 1983 and 1993 was 4.2%, compared to 5% for the State, and 6.5% for the nation. In 1995, Raleigh The following graph illustrates the For the income range County TPI was 5th among 55 counties in distribution of income in various ranges greater than $75,000, the State, representing 4.3% of the State’s as reported in the 1990 Census. The Beckley still trailed the total income. The Raleigh County average graph compares the percentage of the National average, but had annual growth rate of TPI between 1994 Beckley population within several ranges twice the State average. and 1995 was 7.8%, compared to 5% for of incomes against State and National the State, and 6.2% for the nation. These percentages. Beckley and West Virginia statistics indicate that recent trends in had higher percentages of their popula- personal income growth in Raleigh tion earning less than $25,000 per year County show increases greater than in than the country as a whole. Beckley other areas. had a lower percentage of the popula- tion earning $25,000 to $75,000 than the State or Nation; but for the income The third income statistic analyzed is the range greater than $75,000, Beckley still change in median household income for trailed the National average, but had the area. Median income is the midpoint between the highest and lowest incomes. twice the State average. Between 1979 and 1989, Raleigh County experienced a 29% increase in median household income, compared to a 42.8% Travel To Work increase for the State, and 78.5% for the The amount of time people spend nation. The Beckley Main Street Market commuting to and from work is an Analysis Report (1998) noted that recent indicator of a community’s economic estimates of median household disposable well-being. Long commute times may income suggest that Raleigh County

Distribution of Household Income 1989 40.0% 39 .6% 37 .3% 35.0%

30.0%

25.0% 24 .3% 20.0% 20 .3% 20 .5% 17 .5% 17 .9% 15.0% 15 .8% 15 .1% 14 .6% 15 .0% 13 .6% 10.0% 11 .8% 9.5% 8.3% 9.0% 5.0% 6.4% 3.5% 0.0% <$15K $15-25K $25-35K $35-50K $50-75K >$75K

Source: U.S. Census City of Beckley W es t V irgin ia United States City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Page 21 Poggemeyer Design Group Chapter 3 City Profile indicate a general lack of quality employ- the percentage of households with median ment opportunities, forcing residents to household wealth less than $25,000. seek employment outside their commu- Nearly 40 % of Beckley households have nity. At the same time, trends in com- less than $25,000 of wealth compared to muting have generally shown that longer 34 % for the County and 34 % for the State trips between home and work are as a whole. All other categories are fairly occurring across the nation. Between close comparisons. 1960 and 1990, the number of workers nationwide who commute to other counties has tripled from 9 million to 27 Taxation million. The National average commute The State of West Virginia levies both an time in 1990 was 22.5 minutes. The income tax and a sales tax. The income tax average travel time to work for residents is a progressive tax starting at 3 % of of Raleigh County is 20.9 minutes with taxable income less than $10,000 and 16.5% of the workforce employed in increasing to the point where incomes other counties within the State. The exceeding $60,000 would pay 4.6 % on the Nearly 40 % of Beckley following graph would seem to indicate first $60,000 of taxable income, and 6.5 % households have less than that Beckley residents are finding on income in excess of $60,000. Income $25,000 of wealth compared employment opportunities within an tax personal exemptions of $2,000 per to 34 % for the County and area of reasonable commuting time from person are provided. Businesses are pro- 34 % for the State as a their homes. vided five tax credit opportunities: 1) the whole. Super Tax Credit allows recovery of up to 90 % of capital investment; 2) the Corpo- rate Headquarters Credit is available to Household Wealth corporations that relocate headquarters Claritas, Inc. defines household wealth into the State of up to 50 % of the adjusted, as a measure of financial well-being by qualified investment; 3) the Freeport Tax net worth – that is, assets minus liabili- Exemption allows goods in transit out of ties, for the entire household. Assets State, exemption from local ad valorem include, but are not limited to, real estate, the value of a business, motor vehicles, savings account deposits, Average Tr avel Time to Work certificates of deposit, mutual fund 1990 shares, money market funds, and other 50% interest-earning assets. Liabilities include, but are not limited to; mort- 40% gages, credit card and retail store credit accounts, and bank loans. In 1999, the 30% City of Beckley was estimated to have a median household wealth of $56,917. 20% The County and State median household wealth measures were much higher, at 10% $66,277 and 64,894, respectively, in

1999. 0% 0-4 5 -9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-59 60+ The reason Beckley has a lower median Minutes household wealth than the County and State becomes evident when you analyze Source: U.S. Census Beck ley Raleigh County Un i t ed St at es Page 22 City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Poggemeyer Design Group P City Profile Chapter 3

property tax when warehoused in West Virginia; 4) the West Virginia Capital Company Act encourages the formation of Housing venture capital by providing qualified The City of Beckley had 8,917 housing investors a State tax credit equal to 50 % of units reported in the 1990 Census. At their investment; and 5) a credit against that time, 12 % of the units were vacant, business franchise taxes is available to while 54 % of the total number of manufacturers and persons providing houses in Beckley were owner-occupied. manufacturing services for industrial Of the occupied units, 62 % were owner- expansion or revitalization. The State also occupied and 38 % were renter-occu- levies a sales tax of 6 % on purchases, pied. The median value of owner- including foods. However, prescription occupied housing was $49,800 and the drugs and food stamp purchases are not median contract rent for renter-occupied taxed. housing was $239 per month. The median year of housing construction for The City of Beckley levies a Business and the City was 1953. Almost two out of Occupation (B&O) tax and requires certain three housing units in Beckley were businesses to pay an annual license fee. constructed before 1960; about one- The B&O tax is assessed upon taxable fourth of the homes in Beckley were income at various rates, between 0.15 % built prior to 1940. Between 1992 and The median value of and 4 %, according to a schedule of 1998, approximately 276 new single- owner-occupied housing business classifications (e.g., a manufactur- family residential building permits were was $49,800 and the ing business, a service business, and an issued; however, no new multi-family median contract rent for electric power company would be assessed units were constructed during this renter-occupied housing at rates of 0.3 %, 1 %, and 3 % respec- period. A majority of the new housing was $239 per month. tively). The City provides a B&O Tax Credit units have been constructed in the for a period of five years for new or expand- Woodcrest and Maxwell Hill subdivi- ing commercial, wholesale, retail, manufac- sions. Manufactured housing was not turing, or service businesses (30 % credit); permitted within the City until 1997, new or expanding business located in the and, in 1998, four manufactured hous- downtown business district (50 % credit); ing units were constructed. This infor- or for new, newly remodeled, or renovated mation is expanded in greater detail in multi-unit housing construction, or newly Chapter 8 of the Plan. remodeled or renovated commercial building development (50 % credit).

1999 Households by Household Wealth Beckley Raleigh County West Virginia Number % Number % Number %

Less than $25,000 3,128 39.1% 10,820 34.0% 249,116 34.8% $25,000 to $49,999 688 8.6% 3,107 9.7% 69,002 9.6% $50,000 to $99,999 1,312 16.4% 6,165 19.3% 135,234 18.9% $1000,000 to $249,999 1,669 20.9% 7,437 23.3% 163,502 22.8% $250,000 to $499,999 827 10.3% 3,189 10.0% 72,542 10.1% $500,000 and over 371 4.6% 1,150 3.6% 27,407 3.8%

Source: Claritas, Inc., Arlington, VA

City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Page 23 Poggemeyer Design Group Chapter 3 City Profile

This page left intentionally blank.

Page 24 City of Beckley Comprehensive Plan Poggemeyer Design Group P