Clay, West Virginia Population, Schools and Places of Interest
According to Usaers, Clay, West Virginia is located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. To its north, Clay borders the city of Summersville, a small town known for its rich history and beautiful mountain views. Summersville is home to many historical sites such as the Summersville Lake Marina and Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park. The city also has plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking trails, camping sites, and fishing spots along the Gauley River.
To the east of Clay lies Richwood, a small town that offers visitors plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing on Cherry River or exploring nearby Monongahela National Forest. Richwood also has several historic sites including a memorial dedicated to local veterans and several old churches built during West Virginia’s early days. To learn more about West Virginia, please check Cellphoneexplorer.
Southwest of Clay lies Ansted, which sits at the base of Hawks Nest State Park offering spectacular views from its highest point overlooking the New River Gorge Bridge. Ansted is also home to many historical sites including Hawk’s Nest Railroad Museum which chronicles life in this area during coal mining days.
Finally, to Clay’s west lies Sutton, a small but vibrant town that offers visitors plenty of things to do from shopping in its quaint downtown area to visiting one of its many wineries or sampling some locally made craft beer at one of its breweries. Sutton is also home to many historical sites such as Braxton County Courthouse which was built in 1856 and served as a station on the Underground Railroad during America’s Civil War era.
Overall, Clay is surrounded by several beautiful towns and cities that offer visitors plenty to explore from outdoor recreation activities to historical sites that tell stories about West Virginia’s past. From breathtaking mountain views in Summersville to exploring tunnels used by escaped slaves in Sutton there are plenty unique experiences awaiting travelers who visit this part of Appalachia.
Population of Clay, West Virginia
Clay, West Virginia is a small town located in the Appalachian Mountains in the south-central part of the state. The population of Clay was 1,099 as of 2019 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This population is primarily made up of white individuals with a small minority population of African Americans and other races and ethnicities. The median age in Clay is 44 years old and the gender makeup is almost exactly split between males and females at 50.1% male and 49.9% female.
The majority of Clay’s population consists of individuals who are employed in various industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, education services, retail trade, construction, transportation and warehousing, finance and insurance, professional scientific and technical services as well as public administration. The median household income for Clay is $46,256 which is slightly lower than the state average for West Virginia households at $52,738 according to the U.S Census Bureau’s 2019 estimates.
Clay has a relatively low poverty rate with only 11% of its population living below the poverty line which is significantly lower than West Virginia’s overall poverty rate at 17%. Additionally, 93% of Clay residents over 25 years old have graduated high school or obtained a GED which also exceeds both state and national averages for educational attainment levels among adults over 25 years old by 8 percent points respectively according to data from the U.S Census Bureau’s 2019 estimates.
Overall, Clay is a relatively small but vibrant town that offers its residents plenty to do from outdoor recreation activities such as fishing or exploring nearby Monongahela National Forest to historical sites that tell stories about West Virginia’s past such as Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park or Braxton County Courthouse which was built in 1856 and served as a station on the Underground Railroad during America’s Civil War era.
Schools and Education in Clay, West Virginia
Clay, West Virginia is served by two public school districts: Clay County Schools and Braxton County Schools. Clay County Schools operates three schools within the county, including Clay County High School, Clay Middle School, and Valley Elementary School. The district serves approximately 1,000 students in grades K-12 and employs around 90 faculty and staff members. The district is committed to providing a quality education for all of its students and offers a variety of special programs such as Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment programs with local colleges and universities, career technical education courses, and a unique “Blue Devils Academy” that provides additional enrichment opportunities for high-achieving students at the high school level.
Braxton County Schools operates four schools within the county, including Braxton County High School, Sutton Elementary School, Flatwoods Elementary School and Gassaway Elementary School. The district serves approximately 2,500 students in grades K-12 with over 200 faculty members on staff. The district also offers an array of special programs designed to meet the needs of their diverse student body such as Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered at the high school level; an alternative education program; career technical education courses; an after-school tutoring program; gifted education services; English as a Second Language (ESL) classes; special education services; Title I assistance for economically disadvantaged students; Early Childhood Education programs for pre-Kindergarten students; and more.
Clay boasts numerous postsecondary educational options for its residents including nearby West Virginia University in Morgantown which is less than an hour away from Clay by car or bus. Other nearby colleges include Fairmont State University located just over 30 minutes away in Fairmont; Glenville State College located 45 minutes away in Glenville; Alderson Broaddus University located 50 minutes away in Philippi; BridgeValley Community & Technical College located one hour away in South Charleston; Marshall University located one hour fifteen minutes away in Huntington; West Liberty University located one hour twenty minutes away in West Liberty;and Salem International University located two hours away in Salem.
In conclusion, Clay is a small town that offers its residents plenty of educational opportunities from K-12 through postsecondary levels with numerous public schools districts serving its population along with several nearby college options within driving distance from the town itself.
Places of Interest in Clay, West Virginia
The Clay County Courthouse is one of the most prominent landmarks in Clay, West Virginia. The historic building was built in 1898 and stands as a symbol of justice and law in the area. The courthouse features a unique Romanesque Revival-style architecture, with a large clock tower at the center of its design. Visitors can also explore the nearby Clay County Historical Museum, which houses artifacts from the county’s rich history. The museum also offers interactive exhibits that showcase local culture and traditions. Another popular landmark is the Old Man’s Cave, located just outside of town. This natural cave features beautiful limestone formations and is home to many rare species of plants and animals. Visitors can explore this natural wonder on one of several guided tours offered by local tour companies. Finally, no visit to Clay would be complete without a visit to Big Otter Lake Park. This park offers plenty of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and more for visitors to enjoy.
