What are the Population & Steets in Elgins City? Elkins City's charter dates only back to 1901, when the city absorbed South Elkins. Since that time, the charter has remained essentially unchanged. Today, the city is run by a five-member commission, each of whom appoints the mayor. No West Virginia cities use this type of government plan.
There are over six thousand White residents in Elkins, WV, and 232 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents. The rest of the population is made up of 138 Asian and 1.24% Hispanic. Amongst these groups, Whites and Blacks make up the majority of the population. The poverty rate in Elkins is higher than the national average of 12.3%.
A small railroad town, Elkins was originally a scattered collection of homesteads. In the 1880s, local farmers would load their corn onto rafts and float it down the Tygart Valley River. Later, the city became a hub for industrial development and the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway came to Elkins. In the 1890s, the railroads connected the city to the state's timber and coal resources. Soon, Elkins was populated with factories and hotels to accommodate the growing number of businesspeople and politicians.
A new exhibit at the Randolph County Community Arts Center in 2006 showcased local musicians and the role of Roots Music in the history of the region. A large exhibit on Roots Music was brought to Elkins by the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibition explored the history and culture of the area. During this visit, Elkins' population increased by nearly fifty percent, and the town now has an active arts and cultural scene.