Dossier
Central Appalachian coalfield region
Coverage of Central Appalachian coalfield region in the Nexus archive.
- Appalachia’s Coalfields: The Projections Are Becoming Reality
Central Appalachia's 60 coalfield counties have lost approximately 49,000 people (2.9% decline) from 2020 to 2025, outpacing earlier projections. Population losses are accelerating in counties like McDowell (West Virginia) and Breathitt (Kentucky), while Tennessee and select Kentucky counties show growth, and the Hispanic community is the region's fastest-growing demographic.