In the 1800s, Clendenin was a small settlement at the confluence of Big Sandy Creek and the Elk River that eventually became a small village named Chilton. At this time, timber and coal mining were the principal industries in the area. In 1846, one of the first cannel coal veins was discovered at Falling Rock (only a few miles from Chilton/Clendenin) and became a rich source for manufacturing artificial gas.[8] Clendenin was platted in 1877.[9]
Construction of the Elk River line began in 1892 under the Charleston, Clendenin and Sutton Railroad. In 1902, the partially completed line was acquired and expanded by the newly formed Coal and Coke Railway under Henry Gassaway Davis, which extended the route north to Elkins. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad began operating the line in 1917 and assumed full ownership in 1933.[10] Paralleling the Elk River, the railroad supported the growth of the logging industry and, together with the drilling of the area’s first gas well in 1900,[11] spurred development of one of the state’s largest oil and gas fields. Clendenin was incorporated in 1904 and named for the Clendenin family, early pioneers of the Kanawha Valley. In 1920, the world’s first petrochemical plant was built in the town by the Union Carbide Corporation.[12] Other major industries included timber, coal, gas, oil, and salt. The decades from 1900 to 1930 saw most of the towns growth, and construction of most of the major buildings in town, including the elementary, middle, and high schools, several large churches, three banks, and several blocks of commercial buildings. When Union Carbide moved their production plant from Falling Rock to Charleston, the economy slowed but Clendenin remained a commercial hub for northern Kanawha County, southern Roane County, and western Clay County until Interstate 79 bypassed the town in the 1980s.
Clendenin suffered damage during the 2016 West Virginia flood. Recovery was largely complete by January 2020, although some homes remained in need of demolition or rebuilding.[13]
The current mayor of Clendenin is Kay Summers.[14] Town elections (including the office of mayor and city council) occur every two years. Recent efforts have been made by 25045-A New Clendenin (a non-profit corporation based in Clendenin) and the Business and Industrial Development Corporation (headquartered in Charleston) to enhance economic and cultural development in the town.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.51 square miles (3.91km2), of which 1.44 square miles (3.73km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18km2) is water.[15]
Location of Clendenin in Kanawha County, West Virginia
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, Clendenin has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[16] In Clendenin, 236 days out of the year have fog, and 153 days have precipitation.[17]
Climate data for Clendenin, West Virginia (1991–2020)
The median income for a household in the town was $32,000, and the median income for a family was $38,021. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $18,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,587. About 9.7% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 20.2% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census,[20] there were 1,227 people, 524 households, and 335 families residing in the town. The population density was 852.1 inhabitants per square mile (329.0/km2). There were 576 housing units at an average density of 400.0 per square mile (154.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.1% of the population.
There were 524 households, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the town was 43.5 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 29% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census,[21] there were 850 people, 365 households, and 230 families residing in the town. The population density was 590 inhabitants per square mile (227.8/km2). There were 410 housing units at an average density of 285 per square mile (110.0/km2).[22] The racial makeup of the town was 96.9% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.[23]
There were 365 households, of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 32.9% 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 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.[24]
The median age in the town was 44.8 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 29.5% were from 45 to 64; and 20.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.[25]
Kindergarten through 12th grade students in Clendenin attend Clendenin Elementary School (PK-5), Elkview Middle School (6-8), and Herbert Hoover High School (9-12). Only the Clendenin Elementary lies within the boundaries of the city. Elkview Middle School is located 7 miles from Clendenin in neighboring Elkview. Herbert Hoover High School was located just outside of Clendenin town limits until it was destroyed in the June 2016 floods. The new Herbert Hoover High School is located on Frame Road in Elkview and has an opening date of August 2023.
Notable people
Bill Karr, played right end for the Chicago Bears from 1933 to 1938, scoring 18 TDs on a career total of only 48 receptions
Various claims of seeing "a large brown winged man take flight" have been made in the area.[27] Others described seeing "a large gray creature whose eyes 'glowed red' when the car headlights picked it up."[28] The alleged creature became known as the Mothman.[29]
↑ [ADD_URL_HERE "History of Oil and Gas in West Virginia"]. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey. Retrieved September 21, 2025.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
↑ [ADD_URL_HERE "Union Carbide Clendenin Plant"]. Chemical Heritage Foundation. Retrieved September 21, 2025.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
United States
West Virginia 
Kanawha 
I-79 
US 119 
WV 4 
