Bluefield, West Virginia Population, Schools and Places of Interest
According to ablogtophone.com, located in the northern panhandle of West Virginia, Bluefield is bordered by several cities and towns. To the west lies Princeton, a city of just over 6,000 people located in Mercer County. The city was originally founded as an agricultural community and has since become a hub for medical services and higher education. Just south of Princeton is the small town of Athens with a population of around 2,000 people. This quaint town offers plenty of recreational activities including fishing, hunting, golfing and hiking at nearby Bluestone National Scenic River.
To the east of Bluefield is Tazewell County which includes several small towns such as Richlands and Cedar Bluff. Richland is home to nearly 4,000 people and features historic sites such as Fort Blackmore which dates back to the Civil War era. Cedar Bluff is a much smaller town with only about 1,500 residents but it boasts some interesting attractions such as its historic train depot that was built in 1883.
Heading north from Bluefield takes you into McDowell County which includes the towns of Welch and Northfork. Welch is the county seat and has a population of around 2,100 people while Northfork has just over 500 residents but offers plenty of outdoor activities like camping, fishing and hiking at nearby Bluestone Wildlife Management Area.
Finally, to the northwest lies Bland County which includes two small towns: Rocky Gap (population 1,200) and Bland (population 300). Both are rural communities that offer great views of surrounding mountains along with various outdoor activities like camping, fishing and hunting at nearby state parks like Jefferson National Forest or High Knob Recreation Area.
Bluefield itself offers plenty for visitors to see and do with its charming downtown district filled with unique shops and restaurants as well as galleries showcasing local history along with outdoor activities like fishing at Drayton Harbor Park or taking a stroll along Marine Drive. With so much to explore in its bordering cities and towns – from historical sites to outdoor adventures – there’s something for everyone in Bluefield!
Population of Bluefield, West Virginia
According to Bestitude, Bluefield, West Virginia is a small city located in the Appalachian Mountains of Southern West Virginia. As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was estimated to be 10,459. This number has remained relatively steady since the 2010 census when it was reported to be 10,447. Bluefield is the largest city in Mercer County and serves as its county seat.
The racial makeup of Bluefield is 91.7% White, 6.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races and 1.2% from two or more races according to the 2010 census. The Hispanic or Latino population makes up 1.4%.
The median age in Bluefield is 38 years old with 32 percent of residents under 18 and 18 percent over 65 years old according to the 2020 US Census estimates. The gender ratio is almost even with 49 percent female and 51 percent male residents in Bluefield as of 2020 estimates by US Census Bureau data.
The majority of people living in Bluefield are employed in educational services (13%), retail trade (11%) and healthcare (10%). Other major industries include manufacturing (9%), finance and insurance (8%) and construction (7%). The median household income for Bluefield as of 2019 was reported as $36,621 according to US Census Bureau data with nearly 16 percent of households living below the poverty line at that time according to information provided by Data USA website for Mercer County West Virginia based on 2018-2019 ACS 5-year estimates data from US Census Bureau sources..
Bluefield offers an array of cultural activities from art galleries featuring local work to a variety of restaurants serving up both traditional southern dishes as well as international cuisine options for its residents and visitors alike! With a wide range of recreational activities available – from fishing at nearby Drayton Harbor Park to taking a stroll along Marine Drive – there’s something for everyone here!
Schools and Education in Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield, West Virginia offers a range of educational opportunities for children and young adults. The city has four public school systems: Bluefield City Schools, Mercer County Schools, Tazewell County Schools, and McDowell County Schools. All schools are accredited by the West Virginia Department of Education and offer a variety of courses to meet the needs of students. There is also an abundance of private schools in the area ranging from preschools to high schools. These private schools provide excellent educational opportunities for their students and offer a variety of programs such as music, art, sports, and theater. In addition to traditional academic subjects such as math and English language arts, many private schools offer specialty classes such as Spanish or computer science. Bluefield also offers several post-secondary institutions including Bluefield State College, Concord University, and New River Community College. These institutions provide degree programs in a wide array of fields such as business administration, education, nursing, engineering technology, psychology, and more. Furthermore there are numerous vocational schools in the area that specialize in providing training for specific trades such as auto mechanics or welding. With so many options available in Bluefield there is something for everyone when it comes to education!
Places of Interest in Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield, West Virginia is a great place to visit with plenty of attractions and places of interest. The historic downtown area is home to numerous restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions such as the Bluefield Arts Center. Here visitors can enjoy musical performances, art galleries, and artist demonstrations. The East River Mountain Overlook offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains while the Beaver Creek Park provides a picturesque setting for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and fishing. For those looking for some culture and history there is the Appalachian Cultural Museum which features exhibits on local history and culture from the birthplace of country music to Appalachian life in general. Other places of interest include the Bluefield State College Planetarium which offers shows about astronomy and space exploration as well as the McDowell County Historical Museum which houses artifacts from local Native American tribes. With so many attractions there is something for everyone in Bluefield!
