Thurmond is one of the historic coal and railroad towns in the New River Gorge. The museum and active train station are managed by the National Park Service.

The Fayette County courthouse stands proudly in the center of Fayetteville, West Virginia.

There are miles of mountain biking trails and access roads available to outdoor enthusiasts in Fayette County.

Welcome to New River Country

Fayette County West Virginia's Wolf Creek Park, a "Live, Learn, Work and Play Community" has been carefully planned for the unique blend of outdoor lifestyle and tourism that draws so many people to the New River Gorge Region. The rivers and mountains offer: rafting, kayaking, hiking, hunting, fishing, birding, skiing and rock climbing. Those who make Fayette County their home enjoy the balance of small town living and business opportunity and growth. Athletes and outdoor enthusiasts love Fayette County due to the accessibility to the sports and outdoor recreation opportunities.

With a population just over 47,000, Fayette County boasts low crime rates, lack of congestion, environmental quality, affordable housing and a sense of community in a beautiful setting without sacrificing conveniences and amenities. The area is rich in music, art, culture and a compelling history including Civil War battles, the coal industry, and the more recent growth of tourism and recreation.

Fayette County's top employers include the Fayette County Board of Education, Mount Olive Correctional Center, Plateau Medical Center, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Elkem Metals, Global Contact Services and the Whitewater Rafting industry. More business and industry listings can be obtained through the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and the New River Gorge Four County Economic Development Authority.

Fayette County Data including: Economic, Demographic, Tax, Housing, and Laborshed data tables can be found at the New River Gorge Four County Economic Development Authority website.

There are currently several residential development projects in various stages of planning in Fayette County:

River Ridge Estates is an 80 unit upscale housing development overlooking Kanawha Falls was approved for zoning in 2005. Already, developers are working on a second phase, adding an additional 300 homes.

Bridgeview Estates is a 550 unit upscale housing project overlooking the New River Gorge. Bridgeview Estates is in the planning stages and has been approved for zoning by the Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission.

Ladevco, LLC purchased ten acres of residential property in Wolf Creek Park for single family home development.

All of these housing developments are subject to the Fayette County Unified Development Code standards which provide for stringent viewshed protection measures and construction controls to ensure development that is harmonious with the natural environment.

To review other regional projects underway, click on Regional Properties in the menu on the left.