Beckley, West Virginia

Beckley is a city in Raleigh County, West Virginia, commonyl known as "The Gateway To Southern West Virginia." The city has also been referred to as Beckleyville and the "Smokeless Coal Capital" because of the presence of nearby coal mines. The population was estimated to be 17,254 according to 2005 census figures although the population of the greater Beckley area is roughly 77,000 including Raleigh County and parts of Fayette County. The median income for a household in the city is estimated at $28,122, and the median income for a family at $38,110.

Beckley was named in honor of John James Beckley, who was the first Clerk of the House of Representatives and the first Librarian of Congress. It was founded by his son Alfred Beckley (US Army general and confederate militia commander).

Beckley is home to one of the busiest Wal-Mart locations in the United States. The city is also home to two universities, Mountain State University and a branch campus of Concord University. Beckley is especially popular for it many forest woodland areas as well as its low crime rate, which attracts many new residents to the city.