Mercer County, in southern West Virginia (WV), was established in 1863 and named in honor of General Hugh Mercer, a hero of the American Revolution. Its county seat is at Princeton, though Bluefield is its largest city. The East River and scenic Bluestone River flow eastward across the county to join the New River on Bluestone Lake.
Concord University at Athens and Bluefield State College at Bluefield are primary West Virginia institutions of higher education. The Mercer County economy is largely agricultural, though coal was mined in its western mountains, in which the historic town of Bramwell, a mining-era boomtown, is located. As of the 2010 census, the Mercer County population was 62,264.
Cities & Towns in Mercer County
Athens, West Virginia
Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluestone, West Virginia
Bluewell, West Virginia
Bramwell, West Virginia
Camp Creek, West Virginia
Dunns, West Virginia
Elgood, West Virginia
Flat Top, West Virginia
Hiawatha, West Virginia
Ingleside, West Virginia
Kellysville, West Virginia
Lashmeet, West Virginia
Lerona, West Virginia
Matoaka, West Virginia
Montcalm, West Virginia
Oakvale, West Virginia
Princeton, West Virginia
Rock, West Virginia
Spanishburg, West Virginia
Find out more about Mercer County communities
Parks & Public Recreation Facilities
Athens Park (Athens, WV)
Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area
Brush Creek Preserve
Camp Creek State Forest
Camp Creek State Park
Lotito City Park (Bluefield, WV)
Monte Vista Park
Montvale Park (Bluefield, WV)
Pinnacle Rock State Park
Pipestem Resort State Park
Princeton Youth Park (Princeton, WV)
Tate Lohr Wildlife Management Area
Mercer County Historic Landmarks
Municipal Building of Bluefield (Bluefield, WV)
Virginian Railway Yard (Princeton, WV)
Regional Information for Mercer County, West Virginia
Further information on lodging, dining, and recreation in Mercer County may be found in our guide to travel in the Bluestone Region in southern West Virginia, where Mercer County is located. The western flank of the county is located within the Hatfield & McCoy Region of southwestern West Virginia.
