Oak Hill, West Virginia

For the community in Jackson County, see Oak Hill, Jackson County, West Virginia.

Oak Hill, West Virginia
City
Main Street (West Virginia Route 16) in downtown Oak Hill in 2007
Logo
Motto:  The Pride of the Plateau
Location of Oak Hill in Fayette County, West Virginia.
Coordinates: 37°58′58″N81°8′43″W / 37.98278°N 81.14528°W / 37.98278; -81.14528
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Fayette
Government
•  Mayor	Charles H. Briscoe
•  City Manager	Damita Johnson
Area [1]
• Total	9.63 sq mi (24.94 km2)
• Land	9.61 sq mi (24.90 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation	2,014 ft (614 m)
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	8,179
• Density	850/sq mi (330/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	25901
Area code	304
FIPS code	54-60028 [3]
GNIS feature ID	1544297 [4]
Website	https://oakhillwv.gov

Oak Hill is a city in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 8,179 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Beckley metropolitan area.

Country singer Hank Williams died in Oak Hill on his way to a concert on January 1, 1953. The city is also home to the historic Oak Hill Railroad Depot which still stands today as an artisan shop. More recently, recreation has become a leading industry as the city neighbors the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

History

Oak Hill was settled in 1820. ^[5] The community was so named on account of an oak tree at the elevated town site. ^[6] It was incorporated as a town in 1905. ^[7]

Oak Hill is the supposed place of death of Hank Williams. According to his driver Charles Carr, they had stopped at a gas station in Oak Hill and found Williams dead in the backseat. On March 26, 2016, the city was honored with a historical marker to pay tribute to Williams' memory. ^[8]

Geography

Oak Hill is located at 37°58′58″N81°8′43″W / 37.98278°N 81.14528°W / 37.98278; -81.14528 (37.982775, -81.145334). ^[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.89 square miles (12.67 km²), of which 4.88 square miles (12.64 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water. ^[10]

Climate

Climate data for Oak Hill, West Virginia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–2012)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	74 (23)	76 (24)	86 (30)	89 (32)	92 (33)	95 (35)	99 (37)	98 (37)	98 (37)	93 (34)	85 (29)	79 (26)	99 (37)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	62.8 (17.1)	65.9 (18.8)	73.8 (23.2)	81.7 (27.6)	83.5 (28.6)	86.9 (30.5)	88.7 (31.5)	88.8 (31.6)	85.7 (29.8)	78.8 (26.0)	73.7 (23.2)	63.4 (17.4)	90.0 (32.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	40.7 (4.8)	44.2 (6.8)	52.3 (11.3)	64.3 (17.9)	71.5 (21.9)	78.5 (25.8)	81.3 (27.4)	80.6 (27.0)	75.4 (24.1)	65.2 (18.4)	54.2 (12.3)	44.6 (7.0)	62.7 (17.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	31.8 (−0.1)	34.4 (1.3)	41.7 (5.4)	52.7 (11.5)	60.6 (15.9)	68.0 (20.0)	71.3 (21.8)	70.4 (21.3)	64.8 (18.2)	53.8 (12.1)	43.8 (6.6)	35.8 (2.1)	52.4 (11.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	22.8 (−5.1)	24.6 (−4.1)	31.2 (−0.4)	41.0 (5.0)	49.7 (9.8)	57.6 (14.2)	61.3 (16.3)	60.3 (15.7)	54.2 (12.3)	42.4 (5.8)	33.4 (0.8)	27.0 (−2.8)	42.1 (5.6)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	1.6 (−16.9)	7.3 (−13.7)	15.2 (−9.3)	25.0 (−3.9)	34.0 (1.1)	43.8 (6.6)	50.5 (10.3)	49.7 (9.8)	38.1 (3.4)	27.3 (−2.6)	19.4 (−7.0)	7.3 (−13.7)	−2.7 (−19.3)
Record low °F (°C)	−20 (−29)	−11 (−24)	−5 (−21)	13 (−11)	24 (−4)	33 (1)	40 (4)	39 (4)	26 (−3)	13 (−11)	0 (−18)	−15 (−26)	−20 (−29)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.48 (88)	3.28 (83)	4.18 (106)	4.18 (106)	5.13 (130)	5.55 (141)	4.61 (117)	4.14 (105)	3.66 (93)	2.87 (73)	2.93 (74)	3.85 (98)	47.86 (1,216)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	12.4 (31)	10.0 (25)	7.6 (19)	1.3 (3.3)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	1.9 (4.8)	9.6 (24)	42.8 (109)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	15.5	13.0	14.4	13.3	14.5	12.2	12.7	10.1	9.2	9.1	10.9	13.9	148.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	7.2	5.0	2.5	0.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.9	5.1	21.5
Source: NOAA (mean maxima/minima, snow/snow days 1981–2010) [11] [12] [13]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	764		—
1920	1,037		35.7%
1930	2,076		100.2%
1940	3,213		54.8%
1950	4,518		40.6%
1960	4,711		4.3%
1970	4,738		0.6%
1980	7,120		50.3%
1990	6,812		−4.3%
2000	7,589		11.4%
2010	7,730		1.9%
2020	8,179		5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [14]

2010 census

As of the census ^[2] of 2010, there were 7,730 people, 3,398 households, and 2,085 families living in the city. The population density was 1,584.0 inhabitants per square mile (611.6/km²). There were 3,703 housing units at an average density of 758.8 per square mile (293.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.3% White, 4.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 3,398 households, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with only a computer present, and 38.6% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 43.3 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 19% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[3] of 2000, there were 7,589 people, 3,297 households, and 2,123 families living in the city. The population density was 1,570.9 people per square mile (606.7/km²). There were 3,619 housing units at an average density of 749.1 per square mile (289.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.02% White, 4.80% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.

There were 3,297 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.80.

The age distribution was 20.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,792, and the median income for a family was $33,183. Males had a median income of $27,595 versus $18,760 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,347. About 14.8% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Oak Hill is located in West Virginia's southern coalfields and, as such, coal mining has played a primary role in the area's employment. Oak Hill also has a light manufacturing base.

Parks and recreation

Oak Hill is home to several rafting companies, adventure resorts, and parks. Just a ten-minute drive from the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Oak Hill has a large portfolio of outdoor and recreational activities. In June 2022, Governor Jim Justice unveiled a new route on The WV Rides program in which runs through Route 16 in Oak Hill. ^[15]

• Needles Eye Park
• Oak Hill City Park
• Collins Park and Disc Golf course
• Russel E. Matthews Park at Harlem Heights
• Doc Hamilton Dog Park
• The Lively Family Amphitheater

Government

Oak Hill uses a city council consisting of eight members including the mayor. The city also employs a city manager to assist in organizing its day-to-day operations. As of 2023, the current mayor of Oak Hill is Charles H. Briscoe and the current city manager is Damita Johnson. ^{[16] [17]}

Education

Public Schools: New River Intermediate School, New River primary School, Oak Hill Middle School, Oak Hill High School, Fayette Institute of Technology

Private Schools: St. Peter & Paul Catholic School Mountain View Christian School

Notable people

• Randy Gilkey, American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and recording engineer (born in Oak Hill)

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 24, 2013.
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. Columbia-Lippincott Gazetteer. p. 1359
6. Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 451.
7. "Oak Hill, WV: Fayette County, West Virginia". www.newriverwv.com. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
8. tyler (March 25, 2016). "Country legend Hank Williams recalled in Oak Hill". West Virginia Press Association. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
11. "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved June 12, 2021.
12. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved June 12, 2021.
13. "Station: Oak Hill, WV". U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981–2010). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
15. "Gov. Justice debuts Capitol Circle as newest route of West Virginia's Mountain Rides program". governor.wv.gov. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
16. "Oak Hill City Council - Oak Hill West Virginia". City of Oak Hill. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
17. "City Manager & Administrative Staff - Oak Hill West Virginia" . Retrieved July 26, 2023.