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Chelyan

Chelyan

Neighborhood in West Virginia

Kanawha County 25015, 25035, 25075

$99,564 Average Value
$60 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Recreation and other developments make their way to Chelyan

For a long time, the small riverside community of Chelyan was mostly known for being the hometown of Jerry West, the famous Lakers player who became immortalized in the NBA logo. "It'd be a bit embarrassing for a West Virginian to not know who Jerry West was," says Nancy Bruns, CEO and co-founder of J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Makers, whose ancestors helped develop the surrounding area through salt mining. "He grew up right here on our river." Serving as the gateway for Interstate travelers heading west from New River Gorge National Park, Chelyan will become one of the first communities to grow off the backs of increasing tourism revenue. In fact, it's already growing a bit, signaled by planned park developments, school upgrades and home renovations. "The main thing that's driving tourism growth right now in the state is New River Gorge National Park, which is just an hour from Charleston," Bruns says.

Plans for a new riverfront campground and trailhead

Aside from a public boat launch, Chelyan does not have any public parks. Residents have to drive 5 to 7 miles away to reach parks in Marmet or Cedar Grove. However, there are plans to change this. County leaders recently enacted a master plan for the Upper Kanawha Valley, a fast-growing region for recreation between Charleston and New River Gorge National Park. Chelyan is included in Phase 1 of the plan, which has proposed the construction of a campground on undeveloped shoreline in the community’s eastern extends. That campground would include a secondary boat launch in Chelyan, making it even easier to kayak the Cabin Creek Water Trail. The campground would also contain a newly blazed connector trail between Chelyan and the South Rim Trail, which runs for miles along the ridgelines overlooking Charleston from the south, connecting with other trail systems along the way.

Football stadium upgrades imminent for Riverside High

Students in Chelyan begin school across the river at Midland Trail Elementary, rated B-minus by Niche. For grades 6 through 8, students head a few miles away to East Bank Middle School, rated C-minus. High schoolers spend their last four years at Riverside High School, also rated C-minus. As the region continues to develop, enrollment numbers are growing, prompting Kanawha County Public Schools to approve $2 million in funds for new technology and a reimagined football stadium.

Midland Trail Elementary  fosters a supportive environment for diverse student talents.
Midland Trail Elementary fosters a supportive environment for diverse student talents.
Riverside High  boasts a diverse student body, fostering a vibrant community.
Riverside High boasts a diverse student body, fostering a vibrant community.
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Investment properties and established Craftsman-style homes

With the exception of a small apartment complex, housing in Chelyan is almost exclusively composed of single-family homes. Most options include a variety of ranch-style homes and Craftsman cottages, many built sometime in the mid-20th century. A few have sold as investment properties, rarely exceeding $100,000. Most move-in ready options sell for between $85,000 and $125,000.

Cheylan offers many unique housing styles like victorian or craftsman style architecture.
Cheylan offers many unique housing styles like victorian or craftsman style architecture.
New build ranch style houses are being built through out Cheylan drawing interest.
New build ranch style houses are being built through out Cheylan drawing interest.
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After-church breakfasts and bake sales

Churches in Chelyan serve as the primary means of community engagement. Many residents attend weekly services at the community’s Baptist and Methodist churches, then stick around afterward to chit-chat over a catered breakfast. Not to mention these churches host special events like bake sales and silent auctions, and opportunities to give back, such as food donation drives.

The New Beginning Ministry Center offers fellowship, Bible study's and youth programs.
The New Beginning Ministry Center offers fellowship, Bible study's and youth programs.
Much of Cheylan's local cummunity stems from it's churches like First Babtist.
Much of Cheylan's local cummunity stems from it's churches like First Babtist.
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Wal-Marts and chain restaurants up or across the Kanawha River

Aside from a Hunts Brothers Pizza location and gas station convenience stores with hot food items, Chelyan does not have much in the way of shopping and dining. Residents can travel 10 minutes up the Kanawha River to supermarkets and restaurants in Marmet. Alternatively, residents can cross the Chelyan Bridge to access a Wal-Mart Supercenter, several chain restaurants and a strip mall in Dickinson, an areas that is now quite different from its early days as a salt mill. "William Dickinson bought his first piece of property there in 1813, and it's right across from Cheylan,” Bruns says. “That's where he started making salt until he moved to our current property in 1832.”

The local Walmart is the go to spot for fresh produce and groceries.
The local Walmart is the go to spot for fresh produce and groceries.
Local restaurantsl like the Wheelhouse are a short drive from the neighborhood.
Local restaurantsl like the Wheelhouse are a short drive from the neighborhood.
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Interstate connections with regional tourism magnets

Bus routes that pass through Chelyan allow residents to make trips up and down, and across the river without using a car. Even so, most residents depend on a car to get around. Those who commute to employers throughout the region have easy access to Interstates 64 and 77, which converge just south of Chelyan to form the West Virginia Turnpike, a toll road extending south to Beckley.

Low crime rates and flood risk

Located on a cut bank in the Kanawha River, Chelyan is no stranger to flooding. However, most residential areas are not within a major flood zone. Small pockets with flood zone designation are entirely contained to the shores of the Kanawha River and tributaries like Little Creek. Noise from passing freight trains is instead a more routine hazard that all residents deal with. Chelyan has a CAP Index score of 2, below the national average of 4.

Tom Jakob
Written By
Tom Jakob
Robert Pierce
Photography Contributed By
Robert Pierce
Francesco Basti
Video By
Francesco Basti

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Christina Pepper, an experienced agent in this area.

Transit

Airport

West Virginia International Yeager

29 min drive

Bus

Maccorkle Ave & Saxton St

Bus

Maccorkle Ave & Slaughters Creek Dr

Bus

Maccorkle Ave & Cabin Creek Rd

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Chelyan US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$126,000
Median Single Family Price
$126,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$60
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
1
Months of Supply
12.00
Median List Price
$100,950
Median Discount From 1st List Price
10%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
260%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
14
Median Year Built
1936
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,571
Below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,325

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Christina Pepper, an experienced agent in this area.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
483
Median Age
46
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.7%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$66,260
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$97,728

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
42%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
6.8%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.8%
% Population in Labor Force
46.6%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

23 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

14 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Chelyan