Summers County is a county in West Virginia, United States, bordering Virginia along its southern line near the New River Gorge. It had a population of 11,959 at the 2020 census and covers 368 square miles (950 km2) centred near 37°40′N 80°52′W.
Hinton is the county seat, and its postal code is 25951. The county has one incorporated city and roughly a dozen unincorporated communities, and sits in the Eastern time zone.
Towns & Villages in Summers County
Summers County has one incorporated city — Hinton, the seat — and a scatter of unincorporated communities strung along the Greenbrier and New rivers and the historic C&O Railway line. None of the smaller places is a Census Bureau CDP, so most carry no separately tallied population.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinton | City · seat | 2,245 | 25951 |
| Talcott | Unincorp. | — | 24981 |
| Jumping Branch | Unincorp. | — | 25969 |
| Forest Hill | Unincorp. | — | 24935 |
| Pipestem | Unincorp. | — | 25979 |
| Nimitz | Unincorp. | — | 25978 |
| Sandstone | Unincorp. | — | 25985 |
| Green Sulphur Springs | Unincorp. | — | 25966 |
| Meadow Creek | Unincorp. | — | 25977 |
| Pence Springs | Unincorp. | — | 24962 |
| Avis | Unincorp. | — | 25951 (Hinton) |
| Bellepoint | Unincorp. | — | 25951 (Hinton) |
| Crumps Bottom | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Elton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hill Top | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Indian Mills | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Lowell | Unincorp. | — | — |
Avis and Bellepoint are riverside communities directly across the Greenbrier from Hinton and share Hinton’s 25951 ZIP code; they are sometimes described as part of greater Hinton rather than separate places.
ZIP Codes
- 25951 — Hinton (also serves Avis, Bellepoint)
- 24981 — Talcott
- 25969 — Jumping Branch
- 24935 — Forest Hill
- 25979 — Pipestem
- 25978 — Nimitz
- 25985 — Sandstone
- 25966 — Green Sulphur Springs (PO Box only)
- 25977 — Meadow Creek
- 24962 — Pence Springs
Smaller crossroads communities such as Crumps Bottom, Elton, Hill Top, Indian Mills and Lowell have no dedicated post office and use a neighbouring town’s ZIP code.
Geography
Summers County sits in the rugged Allegheny Plateau of southern West Virginia, where the New River and Greenbrier River meet at Hinton before flowing on as the New River through the gorge downstream. Bluestone Lake, formed by the Bluestone Dam just below Hinton, and the Bluestone National Scenic River both lie within the county, and the northern edge of the county falls inside New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Of the county’s 368 square miles, 360 square miles is land and 7.3 square miles (2.0%) is water.
Summers County borders Greenbrier County to the northeast, Monroe County to the east, Mercer County to the southwest, Raleigh County to the west, Fayette County to the northwest, and Giles County, Virginia, across the state line to the south. Greenbrier County and Monroe County and Mercer County all have their own pages on this site.
Demographics
Summers County’s population was 11,959 at the 2020 census, spread across a density of about 33 people per square mile. Hinton, at 2,245 residents, is by far the largest place; Talcott and Pipestem are the next-largest named communities but are not separately counted by the Census Bureau. Median household income in the county runs below the West Virginia median of $55,948, reflecting the county’s rural, service- and government-heavy economy.
Economy & Local Life
Hinton’s economy has long centred on the railroad: CSX Transportation still runs freight over the former Chesapeake and Ohio mainline through town, and Amtrak’s Cardinal service calls at the restored Hinton station. Tourism tied to New River Gorge National Park, Bluestone Lake, Pipestem Resort State Park and Bluestone State Park brings seasonal visitors for whitewater rafting, fishing and hiking. County government, the school system and small retail round out local employment.
History
The West Virginia Legislature created Summers County on February 27, 1871, from parts of Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer and Monroe counties, naming it for George W. Summers (1804–1868), a jurist and delegate to the state’s founding convention. Hinton grew rapidly after the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway made it a division point in the 1870s. The Big Bend Tunnel near Talcott, dug in the early 1870s, is tied to the legend of steel-driving man John Henry. The Bluestone Dam, completed in 1949 just below Hinton, created Bluestone Lake for flood control and recreation.
Getting There
Interstate 64 crosses the northern part of the county, with state routes 3, 12, 20 and 107 providing local access. Hinton is served directly by Amtrak’s Cardinal.
- Beckley — 25 miles northwest
- Lewisburg — 30 miles east
- Princeton — 30 miles southwest
- Charleston — 65 miles northwest
The nearest commercial airport is Yeager Airport in Charleston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Summers County, West Virginia?
It is in the southern part of the state, at the confluence of the New and Greenbrier rivers, bordering Virginia.
What is the population of Summers County?
11,959 at the 2020 census.
How big is Summers County?
368 square miles (950 km2), of which 360 square miles is land.
What is the county seat of Summers County?
Hinton is the county seat and its only incorporated city.
How many towns are in Summers County?
One incorporated city, Hinton, plus around a dozen unincorporated communities such as Talcott, Pipestem and Pence Springs.
What ZIP codes are in Summers County?
Ten, led by 25951 for Hinton; see the ZIP Codes section above.
What is Summers County known for?
The Big Bend Tunnel and the John Henry legend, the C&O Railway heritage at Hinton, and outdoor recreation on Bluestone Lake and the New River Gorge.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in West Virginia.