Bethany, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bethany, West Virginia
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Old Main at Bethany College
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Location of Bethany in Brooke County, West Virginia.
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Brooke |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.73 sq mi (1.90 km2) |
| • Land | 0.73 sq mi (1.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 846 ft (258 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 756 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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749 |
| • Density | 1,094.13/sq mi (422.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
26032
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| Area code(s) | 304 |
| FIPS code | 54-06844 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1553875 |
Bethany is a small town in Brooke County, West Virginia, United States. In 2020, about 756 people lived there. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville metropolitan area.
Bethany is best known as the home of Bethany College. This college is a private school that focuses on liberal arts. It was the first higher education school in what is now West Virginia.
Contents
History of Bethany
A religious leader named Alexander Campbell started a post office in this area around 1827. He was from a group called Scotch-Irish.
In 1840, Campbell founded Bethany College. Later, in 1847, he planned the layout of the town. The town was probably named after the biblical town of Bethany. This was a place where Jesus was said to have brought Lazarus of Bethany back to life.
Historic Places in Bethany
The Bethany Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's a special area with important old buildings.
Inside this district, you can find several famous places. These include the Alexander Campbell Mansion and the Delta Tau Delta Founders House. Also, there's the Old Bethany Church, Old Main, and Pendleton Heights.
Geography of Bethany
Bethany is located at 40°12′23″N 80°33′35″W / 40.20639°N 80.55972°W.
The United States Census Bureau says the town covers about 0.73 square miles (1.90 square kilometers) of land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 335 | — | |
| 1900 | 245 | — | |
| 1910 | 433 | 76.7% | |
| 1920 | 400 | −7.6% | |
| 1930 | 439 | 9.8% | |
| 1940 | 410 | −6.6% | |
| 1950 | 1,063 | 159.3% | |
| 1960 | 992 | −6.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,360 | 37.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,336 | −1.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,139 | −14.7% | |
| 2000 | 985 | −13.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,036 | 5.2% | |
| 2020 | 756 | −27.0% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 749 | −27.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Bethany changes over time. In 2010, there were 1,036 people living in the town. By 2020, the population was 756 people.
Most people in Bethany are students at Bethany College. The town has a mix of different people and backgrounds.
Famous People from Bethany
- Alexander Campbell: He was an important leader of the Restoration Movement in Bethany. He also founded Bethany College.
- Ira Rodgers: He was a great athlete at West Virginia University. He played football, baseball, and basketball. Later, he coached both the football and baseball teams there.
- Jimmy Willis (politician): He was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. This is part of the state's government. He lived in Bethany.
See also
In Spanish: Bethany (Virginia Occidental) para niños
