Boomer, West Virginia Explained

Official Name:Boomer, West Virginia
Settlement Type:Census-designated place (CDP)
Pushpin Map:West Virginia#USA
Pushpin Label:Boomer
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:West Virginia
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Fayette
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Sq Mi:1.481
Area Land Sq Mi:1.382
Area Water Sq Mi:0.099
Population As Of:2010
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:615
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation Ft:646
Coordinates:38.1506°N -81.2872°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:25031
Area Code:304 & 681
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:1536227

Boomer is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. Boomer is located on the north bank of the Kanawha River, 2miles southeast of Smithers. Boomer has a post office with ZIP code 25031.[3] As of the 2010 census, its population was 615.

History

The community takes its name from nearby Boomer Branch Creek.[4]

The Boomer Coal and Coke Company operated four drift opening mines in Boomer Hollow during the early 1900s. The mine employed a large number of locals, to include many Italian immigrants who settled in the small town. On November 30, 1915, there was an explosion at the Number 2 Mine, which left 23 miners dead. 27 miners were rescued from the mine seven hours after the explosion, after they baracaded themselves into an area with fresh air.[5]

On February 16, 2015, the town, along with neighboring Adena Village, was evacuated following the derailment of a C&O train consisting of two locomotives and 109 rail cars. The train, carrying crude oil, quickly exploded into a fireball, destroying one residence and causing substantial damage to surrounding residences in both Adena Village and Boomer. Crude oil swiftly flowed into the Kanawha River and set the water ablaze for over a half mile.[6]

Demographics

2020 census

Boomer CDP, West Virginia – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
!Race / Ethnicity!Pop 2010[7] !Pop 2020[8] !% 2010!% 2020
White alone (NH)52449185.20%81.97%
Black or African American alone (NH)724911.71%8.18%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)100.16%0.00%
Asian alone (NH)100.16%0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)000.00%0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH)140.16%0.67%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)12511.95%8.51%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)440.65%0.67%
Total615599100.00%100.00%

Notes and References

  1. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. 2011-04-23. 2011-02-12.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2011-05-14 .
  3. http://www.zipinfo.com/cgi-local/zipsrch.exe?cnty=cnty&zip=25031&Go=Go ZIP Code Lookup
  4. Book: Kenny, Hamill. West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. 1945. The Place Name Press . Piedmont, WV. 124.
  5. Web site: Boomer No. 2 Mine Explosion. 2021-09-30. usminedisasters.miningquiz.com. en.
  6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31492659 BBC News article on the accident
  7. Web site: P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Boomer CDP, West Virginia. United States Census Bureau.
  8. Web site: P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Boomer CDP, West Virginia. United States Census Bureau.