Upshur County rests in the Allegheny highlands of central West Virginia; its terrain varies from level, to hilly and mountainous.
The Buckhannon River provides drainage for most of the county. The Middle Fork and Little Kanawha River drain smaller areas.
Upshur County is rural in nature with the county seat of Buckhannon its only incorporated community. Buckhannon is the home of West Virginia Wesleyan college, an academically respected liberal arts institution with over 1,622 students.
Volunteerism is flourishing in Upshur County. This commitment to the community is evidenced by the more than 15,000 hours of donated service yearly provided by the 50 members of the county emergency squad.

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LOCATION
Nearby Metropolitan Area, Distance In Miles Charleston, WV 117
CLIMATE
Average Elevation: 1,432
Temperature:
Monthly Average   High Normal Low January 41 30.2 20 July 84 74 59
Annual Average Rainfall: 49 inches
Annual Average Snowfall: 32 inches
January Average Precipitation: 2.6 inches
Prevailing Winds: from the Southwest
Land Area: 354.86 square miles
POPULATION
2000 1990 County 23,404 22,867 City 5,725 5,909 % Nonwhite 1.8   Estimated Population (within 50 miles) 116,500
LODGING/RETAIL OUTLETS
Number of Motels: 3  Total Rooms: 85 Number of Hotels: 2 Total Rooms: 112 Number of Shopping Centers: 2 Number of Department Stores: 1
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Libraries: 5 Churches: Protestant: 92 Catholic: 1
MEDICAL
Hospitals: 1 Beds: 95 Clinics: 3 Doctors: 28  Dentists: 7
PUBLIC RECREATION FACILITIES
Ball Fields: 8  Basketball Courts: 4 Bowling: 1 Soccer Fields: 7  Pools: 2  Tennis Courts: 10 Golf Courses: 2 Skating Rinks: 1 Fitness Centers: 1  Amateur Theaters: 1 Number of Parks: 9  Stadiums: 2 Auditoriums: 3  Country Clubs: 1 Museum: 1
COMMUNICATIONS
Newspapers: Record Delta, 3 times per week Inter-Mountain, Daily Radio Stations: WBUC, WVWC Television Stations: 2, Channel 3 & 22 Telecommunications: Verizon / Suddenlink Cable Television: 1 Provider, 157 Channels Telegraph Service: 0 Post Offices: 1 Class C
GOVERNMENT
City: Mayoral with 5 member City Council County: Elected County Commission - 3 Commissioners Sheriff Department Personnel (Full Time): 10 Police Department Personnel (Full Time): 10 Fire Department Personnel (Full Time): 5  Fire Department (Volunteer): 300+ Fire Equipment: 4 Pumpers, 1 Aerial, 1 Rescue, 2 Rescue Boats, 2 Personnel Carriers, HAZ Mat Trailer Fire Insurance Rating: Class 5 , Service Provided Industry beyond Corporate Limits or by County: Water, Waste, Sewer Planning Commission: Yes Industrial Plan Approval: Yes Zoning Regulation: Yes City
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Banks: 5;Chase. Freedom Bank, First Central Bank, First Community, Progressive Total Assets: $637,000,000
UTILITIES
Electricity: Allegheny Power Gas: Mountaineer Gas, Equitable Hope, Dominion, and Eastern American companies Telecommunications: Verizon / Suddenlink Water: Buckhannon and 4 Public Service Districts (PSD)