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- Least Populated West Virginia Towns & Their Best Attractions
As the John Denver song says, West Virginia is almost heaven, more so when tourists explore beyond its urban destinations. After all, the Mountain State is more than just its capital Charleston. It also has the Canaan Valley for winter adventurers, Seneca Rocks for climbers, the Monongahela National Forest for hikers, and the New River Gorge for rafters. With such attractions, the state might as well be heaven.
Furthermore, those exploring the least populated towns of West Virginia will not just have worthwhile travel memories but also enriching experiences. Small towns, after all, offer a different kind of escape, something that tourists will cherish even after reaching home.
The numbers used in the article were accurate as of January 2023.
UPDATE: 2023/01/20 13:55 EST BY TYLER GOLEC
Least Populated West Virginia Towns & Their Best Attractions
West Virginia is full of small towns tucked into its stunning wilderness, but which towns are the smallest? With populations changing every year, there was no way the numbers in this article would remain accurate. To help improve, this article has been updated to include even more small cities and up-to-date content.
12 Thurmond (Population: 5)
The 2020 census listed one family residing in Thurmond, a town by the New River. With such a small population, the residents are always eager to meet tourists who are as curious about befriending them. It has a historic district highlighted by a railway depot that now serves as a visitor center. This once-thriving community welcomes those who love to trek, thanks to its scenic trails and walking tours offered in the historic area. The least-populated place in West Virginia is a hidden gem.
11 Roderfield (Population: 23)
Roderfield is technically categorized as a census-designated place in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. Just seven miles west-northwest from Welch, this small town has gradually been shrinking each year. In 2010 its population number 188, and in 2020 it had a population of 62. This shrinking city may not be found in West Virginia for much longer.
10 Helvetia (Population 32)
After the end of the Civil War, this location was visited by a group of Swiss and German-speaking immigrants calling themselves the Grütliverein (Grütli Society), formed in Brooklyn, New York. The members had previously agreed that they would all emigrate to another part of the country together. However, it has been some time since Helvetia was a destination people emigrate to. In 2010, the town had a population of 59; in 2020, it had grown to 62, but recently it has shrunk to 32.
9 Bruceton Mills (Population: 57)
The town of Bruceton Mills was chartered in 1853, a place teeming with mills. However, its main attraction is Big Sandy Creek, where paddlers make a splash, literally and figuratively. The lower portion of this Cheat River tributary, meanwhile, is where whitewater rafters can test their skills. On the other hand, those who want a mellow stay in this welcoming town can visit the nearby Bruceton Mills Lake, Coopers Rock State Forest, or Chestnut Ridge Regional Park. It’s simple in Bruceton Mills yet fulfilling.
8 Auburn (Population: 73)
The town of Auburn was incorporated in 1900 and has been a thriving rural community for residents and visitors. This small town is the birthplace of Stephen McCormick, the inventor of the cast iron plow. There are several lodging options and restaurants in and near the town, serving those curious enough to visit this shy West Virginia destination. The creeks of Bone and Left Fork Bone pass through it, giving that river breeze that will entice visitors to explore more.
7 Harman (Population: 80)
The humble town of Harman was named after a reverend who was the original owner of the site. Perfectly tucked in a valley between the lush Allegheny and Rich Mountains make, it is a picturesque destination in Randolph County. Add that it’s located on the Dry Fork of the Cheat River in the Monongahela National Forest, and this West Virginia charmer is where Mother Nature generously presents her wonders. It's also home to the historic Day-Vandevander Mill, with its white facade the perfect backdrop for some Instagram shots. Harman is a place of harmony, indeed.
6 Smithfield (Population: 91)
Smithfield has been around since 1796 but was only incorporated in 1904. It was once a booming town with three hotels and other establishments. It was named after Henry Smith, who started a store in town during the oil boom in Wetzel County. It might not be as alive as the said era, but curious travelers should not overlook this West Virginia destination. It is near Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area and the Lantz Farm and Nature Preserve Wildlife Management Area, where peace comes easy.
5 Friendly (Population: 92)
Its location along the Ohio River makes Friendly a charming place for those who want to unwind. The town’s name is pleasing, after all, so any vacation here is always worthwhile. A quick history lesson reveals that the town was named after Friend Cochrane Williamson, one of the area’s early settlers. It is near Mill Creek and Grandview Islands, but even those who want to stay just by the river’s shore will already have the best time. The tiny town of Friendly wants to collect more friends.
4 Blacksville (Population: 103)
Those who want quiet moments should stay a night or two in Blacksville. This town was once big in pottery, much so that former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited it in 1938 to learn more about the industry. Though the said, local craft dwindled, the town still has other attractions that will interest visitors. Dunkard Creek and Monongahela River can be playgrounds for anglers, while Mason & Dixon Park is an apt picnic spot. Mellow memories are created best in this West Virginian wonder.
3 Camden-on-Gauley (Population: 114)
The name of Camden-on-Gauley was derived from Johnson N. Camden, who once owned several establishments near the Gauley River. The town, incorporated in 1904, boasts scenic sites that will ease the troubles and worries of visitors. It is, after all, located on the edge of the lush Monongahela National Forest. It is near Big Ditch Wildlife Management Area and Summersville Lake Wildlife Management Area, where recreation is not just a word but a lifestyle. Camden-on-Gauley is a place where the phrase “come again” is common.
2 Pax (Population: 127)
Pax can mean “persons” or “peace,” but, actually, this West Virginian town was named after the stream of Packs Branch, a tributary of Paint Creek. Said stream still exists, something to check out for those who want pax; peace, that is. The town's valley had been inhabited as early as 12,000 years ago, so petroglyphs, burial mounds, and earthworks were discovered in the area. Its nearby attractions include Paint Creek Scenic Trail, Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area, and New River Gorge. Pax rocks.
1 Pullman (Population: 129)
Tourists should be pushed to visit Pullman. Though it does not have much, it’s a hospitable community. After all, traveling is sometimes not about the destination or the journey but the people – the new friends. It was named after George M. Pullman, a businessman who manufactured Pullman railroad cars. A stroll along Main Street will introduce tourists to the vibe of the town until they reach the calming Left Fork Slab Creek. There’s beauty in simplicity, something Pullman knows by heart.