Bruceton Mills
History of Bruceton Mills
Bruceton Mills, proudly named after George Bruce by settler John Hoffman, who was a descendant of Scotland's King Robert Bruce, received its charter in 1853. Nestled along the banks of Big Sandy Creek, this town currently boasts a population of 70 residents.
The nearby Big Sandy Creek, a tributary of the Cheat River, historically fueled numerous mills in Bruceton Mills and remains a popular destination for kayaking enthusiasts today. Downstream, the lower Cheat River draws visitors for exhilarating white-water rafting adventures.
Bruceton Mills Today: What Makes Us Unique
Coopers Rock State Forest
One must-see stop for hikers in Preston County is the Raven Rock Trail and Overlook to your schedule when visiting Bruceton Mills. The awe-inspiring overlook is 1,000 feet above the Cheat River at Coopers Rock State Forest. Enjoy a 2.5-mile hiking trail leading to the overlook, filled with astounding views over the Cheat River Gorge. See below for information about the Adventure WV Zipline Canopy Tour, that zips through the forest.
Allegheny Trail
The Allegheny Trail runs south nearly 300 miles through the forested hills of West Virginia from the Pennsylvania border near Bruceton Mills until it meets the Appalachian Trail on Peters Mountain at the Virginia border. Nature lovers will love the beautiful vistas and wildlife viewable along the trail, whether they seek a short day trip or enjoy a multi-day excursion.
Whitewater Rafting
The Cheat River may get much of the fanfare, but whitewater rafting on the Big Sandy is second to none! Local experts like those at Padlz Canoe and Kayak Rentals can assist with guided trips, equipment or general information.
Himalayan Salt Cave
With more than 30,000 pounds of salt brought from the Himalayan Mountains of Pakistan, Himalayan Salt Spa and Cave seeks to create a climate similar to natural salt caves. Sessions in the salt cave provide safe, natural and beneficial therapy for all ages. Massages, group sessions and more are available.
Pretzel Arena
Just outside Bruceton Mills, the premier arena facility features a sand arena with lighting and bleacher seating, cattle chutes, covered pavilion with a stage and concession stand. Site rentals are available upon request.
Chestnut Ridge Campground and Park
With year-round tent camping, cabin rentals and RV sites, Chestnut Ridge Park offers an experience for everyone! Spend the day hiking, sledding, fishing, biking, swimming, or taking in a summer concert at the family-friendly park.
Big Sandy Brewing Company
They’re a small coffee shop/pub located in the heart of Bruceton Mills, WV. They offer fresh roasted and fresh ground coffee in the mornings with mostly craft brews (several domestic flavors also) in the PM. Check their website for what’s currently on tap!
Big Bear Lake and Campgrounds
Nestled in the core of the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, Big Bear Lake and Campgrounds provide relaxation, fun and togetherness to its guests. Surrounded by over 5000 acres of land to explore, Big Bear Lake attracts nature and camping enthusiasts with a variety of camping options, complete with sports facilities and a thrilling water park, Bearfoot Springs. Bring your pets along to explore the hiking trails and enchanting scenery.
Adventure WV Zipline Canopy Tour
An action-packed experience is promised at the Adventure WV Zipline Canopy Tour, complete with four zip lines, seven tree-based platforms and an aerial bridge through Coopers Rock State Forest. Hike an interpretive nature trail back from the base of the final tree to the equipment shed.
Bruceton School
The educational needs of area youth are met at Bruceton School, with fantastic opportunities for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade.
Population
Population
| Population | 2000 | 2010 | 2025 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruceton Mills | 74 | 85 | 76 | 74 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Population by Age
| Population | 2025 |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | 4 |
| 5-9 | 5 |
| 10-14 | 3 |
| 15-19 | 4 |
| 20-24 | 1 |
| 25-29 | 4 |
| 30-34 | 2 |
| 35-39 | 4 |
| 40-44 | 6 |
| 45-49 | 9 |
| 50-54 | 7 |
| 55-59 | 6 |
| 60-64 | 7 |
| 65-69 | 7 |
| 70-74 | 4 |
| 75-79 | 2 |
| 80-84 | 0 |
| 85+ | 1 |
| 18+ | 60 |
| Median Age | 48 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Population by Race
| Bruceton Mills | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Total | 76.00 |
| White Alone | 97.37% |
| Black Alone | 0% |
| American Indian Alone | 0% |
| Asian Alone | 1.32% |
| Pacific Islander Alone | 0% |
| Some Other Race | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 1.32% |
| Hispanic Origin | 0.00% |
| Diversity Index | 5.20 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Growth Rate
| Bruceton Mills | 2025 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Population | -0.53% |
| Households | 0.00% |
| Families | 3.71% |
| Median Household Income | 2% |
| Per Capita Income | 2% |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Housing
Households
| Population | 2000 | 2010 | 2025 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Households | 39 | 42 | 39 | 39 |
| Housing Units | 44 | 47 | 42 | 42 |
| Owner Occupied Units | 30 | 30 | ||
| Renter Occupied Units | 9 | 9 | ||
| Vacant Units | 3 | 3 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Home Value
| Bruceton Mills | 2025 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $187,500 | $307,143 |
| Average Home Value | $235,583 | $288,750 |
| <$50,000 | 0 | 1 |
| $50,000 - $99,999 | 4 | 0 |
| $100,000 - $149,999 | 2 | 3 |
| $150,000 - $199,999 | 11 | 3 |
| $200,000 - $249,999 | 3 | 3 |
| $250,000 - $299,999 | 4 | 4 |
| $300,000 - $399,999 | 4 | 14 |
| $400,000 - $499,999 | 0 | 1 |
| $500,000 - $749,999 | 1 | 1 |
| $1,000,000 + | 0 | 0 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Housing Year Built
| Year Range | Houses Built |
|---|---|
| 2010 or Later | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 0 |
| 1990-1999 | 0 |
| 1980-1989 | 4 |
| 1970-1979 | 16 |
| 1960-1969 | 6 |
| 1950-1959 | 8 |
| 1940-1949 | 0 |
| 1939 or Before | 10 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Back To TopIncome
Income
| Bruceton Mills | 2025 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household | $76,470 | $85,164 |
| Average Household | $100,278 | $109,082 |
| Per Capita | $51,458 | $57,489 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Household Income
| Bruceton Mills | 2025 |
|---|---|
| <$15,000 | 2 |
| $15,000 - $24,999 | 6 |
| $25,000 - $34,999 | 2 |
| $35,000 - $49,999 | 0 |
| $50,000 - $74,999 | 8 |
| $75,000 - $99,999 | 14 |
| $100,000 - $149,999 | 5 |
| $150,000 - $199,999 | 0 |
| $200,000+ | 2 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Back To TopEmployees
Commute
| Category | Commuters |
|---|---|
| Workers 16+ | 65 |
| In-County Residents | 16 |
| Out-of-County Residents | 49 |
| Drive Alone | 32 |
| Carpooled | 29 |
| Public Transport | 0 |
| Work at Home | 4 |
| Motorcycle | 0 |
| Bicycle | 0 |
| Walked | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Less than 5 minutes | 2 |
| 5-9 minutes | 4 |
| 10-14 minutes | 0 |
| 15-19 minutes | 0 |
| 20-24 minutes | 0 |
| 25-29 minutes | 2 |
| 30-34 minutes | 36 |
| 35-39 minutes | 11 |
| 40-44 minutes | 0 |
| 45-59 minutes | 0 |
| 60-89 minutes | 6 |
| 90+ minutes | 0 |
| Average Travel Time | 0 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Employees by NAICS
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Employees | 282 |
| Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt | 0 |
| Mining | 0 |
| Utilities | 0 |
| Construction | 0 |
| Manufacturing | 0 |
| Wholesale Trade | 4 |
| Retail Trade | 4 |
| Motor Veh/Parts Dealers | 0 |
| Furn & Home Furnish Str | 0 |
| Electronics & Appl Store | 0 |
| Bldg Matl/Garden Equip | 0 |
| Food & Beverage Stores | 0 |
| Health/Pers Care Stores | 4 |
| Gasoline Stations | 0 |
| Clothing/Accessory Store | 0 |
| Sports/Hobby/Book/Music | 0 |
| General Merchandise Str | 0 |
| Transportation/Warehouse | 10 |
| Information | 0 |
| Finance & Insurance | 105 |
| Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn | 100 |
| Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv | 0 |
| Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other | 5 |
| Real Estate/Rent/Leasing | 0 |
| Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv | 4 |
| Legal Services | 0 |
| Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises | 40 |
| Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt | 0 |
| Educational Services | 0 |
| HealthCare/Social Assist | 77 |
| Arts/Entertainment/Rec | 0 |
| Accommodation/Food Srvcs | 8 |
| Accommodation | 0 |
| Food Srv/Drinking Places | 8 |
| Other Srv excl Pub Admin | 7 |
| Auto Repair/Maintenance | 3 |
| Public Administration Emp | 23 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Educational Attainment (25+)
| Bruceton Mills | 2025 |
|---|---|
| <9th Grade | 0 |
| Some High School | 1 |
| GED | 0 |
| Graduated High School | 29 |
| Some College/No Degree | 6 |
| Associates Degree | 2 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 16 |
| Graduate Degree | 5 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
Back To TopBusinesses
Businesses by NAICS
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Businesses | 18 |
| Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt Bus | 0 |
| Mining Bus | 0 |
| Utilities Bus | 0 |
| Construction Bus | 0 |
| Manufacturing Bus | 0 |
| Wholesale Trade Bus | 1 |
| Retail Trade Bus | 2 |
| Motor Veh/Parts Dealers Bus | 0 |
| Furn & Home Furnish Str Bus | 0 |
| Electronics & Appl Store Bus | 0 |
| Bldg Matl/Garden Equip Bus | 0 |
| Food & Beverage Stores Bus | 0 |
| Health/Pers Care Stores Bus | 2 |
| Gasoline Stations Bus | 0 |
| Clothing/Accessory Store Bus | 0 |
| Sports/Hobby/Book/Music Bus | 0 |
| General Merchandise Str Bus | 0 |
| Transportation/Warehouse Bus | 1 |
| Information Bus | 0 |
| Finance & Insurance Bus | 3 |
| Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn Bus | 1 |
| Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv Bus | 0 |
| Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other Bus | 2 |
| Real Estate/Rent/Leasing Bus | 0 |
| Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv Bus | 1 |
| Legal Services Bus | 0 |
| Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises Bus | 1 |
| Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt Bus | 0 |
| Educational Services Bus | 0 |
| HealthCare/Social Assist Bus | 4 |
| Arts/Entertainment/Rec Bus | 0 |
| Accommodation/Food Srvcs Bus | 1 |
| Accommodation Bus | 0 |
| Food Srv/Drinking Places Bus | 1 |
| Other Srv excl Pub Admin Bus | 3 |
| Auto Repair/Maintenance Bus | 1 |
| Public Administration Bus | 1 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30
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