Belva, West Virginia

Belva
Census-designated place
Belva Location within the state of West Virginia Show map of West Virginia Belva Belva (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 38°13′50″N81°11′37″W / 38.23056°N 81.19361°W / 38.23056; -81.19361
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Counties	Nicholas and Fayette
Area [1]
• Total	0.162 sq mi (0.42 km2)
• Land	0.137 sq mi (0.35 km2)
• Water	0.025 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	78
• Density	480/sq mi (190/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
GNIS feature ID	1535619 [2]

Belva is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in west Nicholas County and north Fayette County, West Virginia, United States; while the CDP only includes the Nicholas County portion, the Fayette County portion is considered part of the community. ^{[2] [3] [4]} The town is situated at the bottomland surrounding the convergence of Bells Creek with Twentymile Creek and, subsequently, Twenty Mile Creek with the Gauley River. Belva is also the location of the convergence of two state highways: West Virginia Route 16 and West Virginia Route 39. At the 2020 census, the population was 78, down from 95 at the 2010 census. ^{[5] [6]}

History

The community is named in honor of Belva Ann Lockwood, a presidential candidate and early feminist. ^[7]

The Belva post office was established in 1885. ^[8]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Belva has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[9]

See also

• Lockwood, West Virginia, another community in Nicholas County named for Lockwood.

References

1. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
2. "Belva". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
3. "Belva Census Designated Place". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
4. Fayette County, West Virginia General Highway Map (PDF) (Map). West Virginia Department of Transportation. 2011. § 1. Retrieved June 24, 2011.^{[ dead link ]}
5. "Census Bureau profile: Belva CDP, West Virginia". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
7. 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. 105.
8. Helbock, Richard W. (2004) United States Post Offices, Volume VI - The Mid-Atlantic, p. 33 Scappoose, Oregon: La Posta Publications
9. Climate Summary for Belva, West Virginia