Arthurdale
Census-designated place in Preston County, West Virginia
Arthurdale is an unincorporated community (census-designated place) in Preston County, West Virginia, with 1,143 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 1,775 ft (541 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Reedsville, 1.4 miles NE.
- 1,143residents (2020 Census)
- 1,775 ftelevation · 541 m
- 5.0 sq miland area · 12.9 km²
- 230 / sq mipopulation density
- 26520main ZIP code (2 in total)
About Arthurdale
Arthurdale is an unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia, United States. It was built in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression as a social experiment to provide opportunities for unemployed local miners and farmers. Arthurdale was undertaken by the short-lived Subsistence Homesteads Division and with the personal involvement of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who used her influence to win government approval for the scheme. As of the 2020 census, Arthurdale had a population of 1,143.
The aim was to encourage self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on both market forces and welfare provision. The experiment failed through a clash of ideologies, between a strong emphasis on accommodating those most in need yet also having qualifications to ensure that the community would be self-governed in a professional manner. The entrepreneurial community spirit never took hold, and the project is generally remembered as a classic failure, though some of its original residents continued to defend its principles. Arthurdale is now classed as a historic district, with over 100 of the original buildings still standing in addition to a New Deal museum.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Living in Arthurdale
- Median household income
- $81,285
- Median home value
- $153,900
- Median age
- 45
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Map of Arthurdale
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Open in Google Maps ›Arthurdale, WV population
Arthurdale had 1,143 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 1,143 |
|---|---|
| Density | 230 per sq mi (89 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Arthurdale at a glance
| State | West Virginia (WV) |
|---|---|
| County | Preston County |
| Type | Census-designated place |
| Population | 1,143 (2020) |
| Land area | 4.96 sq mi (12.9 km²) |
| Water area | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,775 ft (541 m) |
| Coordinates | 39.4951° N, 79.8175° W |
| ZIP codes | 26520, 26547 |
| Census code (GEOID) | 5402908 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Arthurdale
- Reedsville1.4 mi NE
- Masontown4.0 mi N
- Kingwood7.4 mi E
- Newburg7.6 mi S
- Tunnelton8.0 mi SE
- Brookhaven8.4 mi NW
- Albright9.5 mi E
- Cheat Lake11.8 mi N
- Morgantown12.0 mi NW
- Rowlesburg12.6 mi SE
- Booth12.9 mi NW
- Westover13.3 mi NW
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Arthurdale
What county is Arthurdale in?
Arthurdale is in Preston County, West Virginia.
What is the population of Arthurdale, WV?
1,143 people lived in Arthurdale at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Arthurdale, WV?
The main ZIP code is 26520. Other ZIP codes: 26547.
What is the elevation of Arthurdale?
1,775 feet (541 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Arthurdale?
Reedsville (1.4 mi), Masontown (4.0 mi), Kingwood (7.4 mi), Newburg (7.6 mi), Tunnelton (8.0 mi).
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