Big Chimney, West Virginia

Big Chimney
Census-designated place (CDP)
Location in Kanawha County and state of West Virginia
Interactive map showing Big Chimney
Coordinates: 38°24′20″N81°32′08″W / 38.40556°N 81.53556°W / 38.40556; -81.53556
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Kanawha
Area [1]
• Total	2.06 sq mi (5.3 km2)
• Land	2.00 sq mi (5.2 km2)
• Water	0.06 sq mi (0.2 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	629
• Density	310/sq mi (120/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	25302
Area codes	304, 681
GNIS feature ID	1535959 [2]
Highways	I-79 US 119 WV 114

Big Chimney is a census-designated place (CDP) located on U.S. Route 119 in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 629 (slightly up from 627 at the 2010 census). ^{[3] [4]} It is accessible by West Virginia Route 114 or exit 5 from I-79. The town is named after the tall chimney of the local salt works, which was a prominent landmark. ^[5]

History

Big Chimney developed as a small community along the Elk River, north of Charleston. Its name derives from a prominent chimney that once stood in the area.

The Big Chimney School, photographed in 1921.

The Big Chimney School served the community during the early 20th century. A 1921 description noted that while the school was well built and had ample land, its location posed safety concerns because a main-traveled road and a railroad both crossed the front yard.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2010	627		—
2020	629		0.3%

Education

The Big Chimney area is served by Kanawha County Schools.

Schools serving Big Chimney, West Virginia

School	Grades	Enrollment	State ranking [7]
Herbert Hoover High School	9–12	783	#17 of 114 [8]
Elkview Middle School	6–8	613	#68 of 284 [9]
Elk Elementary Center	K–5	491	#145 of 540 [10]

References

1. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
2. name="gnis-bigchimney"/>
3. "Census Bureau profile: Big Chimney CDP, West Virginia". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
5. 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. 112.
6. "The Big Chimney School at Big Chimney, W. Va. near Charleston". Library of Congress. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
7. "SchoolDigger: West Virginia School Rankings". SchoolDigger.com. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
8. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/west-virginia/rankings
9. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/middle-schools/west-virginia
10. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/elementary-schools/west-virginia