Greenbrier County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2000, the population was 34,453. Its county seat is Lewisburg.

History
Like all West Virginia Counties, Greenbrier County is governed by a three-person, elected County Commission. Other elected officers include the Sheriff, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Assessor, Prosecuting Attorney, Surveyor, and three Magistrates.

Law and government
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,653 km² (1,024 mi²). 2,645 km² (1,021 mi²) of it is land and 8 km² (3 mi²) of it (0.31%) is water.
Much of the area of the northern and western parts of the county is either public (Monongahela National Forest), coal land, or private forest, owned by companies such as MeadWestvaco.
In 2005, Invenergy LLC of Chicago Illinois announced plans to build the $300 million, 124-turbine Beech Ridge Wind Farm along the tops of several Greenbrier County mountains. The wind farm would produce 186 megawatts of electricity. Development, which was originally expected to begin in late 2007, was stalled when the state Supreme Court agreed in April to hear the case brought by opponents of the project.

Geography

Interstate 64
U.S. Highway 60
U.S. Highway 219
West Virginia Route 12
West Virginia Route 20
West Virginia Route 39
West Virginia Route 55
West Virginia Route 63
West Virginia Route 92 Major highways
As of the census² of 2000, there were 34,453 people, 14,571 households, and 9,922 families residing in the county. The population density was 13/km² (34/mi²). There were 17,644 housing units at an average density of 7/km² (17/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.23% White, 3.04% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 14,571 households out of which 27.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,927, and the median income for a family was $33,292. Males had a median income of $26,157 versus $19,620 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,247. About 14.50% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 16.00% of those age 65 or over.

Demographics

Alderson
Fairlea
Falling Spring
Lewisburg
Quinwood
Rainelle
Ronceverte
Rupert
Smoot
White Sulphur Springs Education
Greenbrier County's public schools are operated by the Greenbrier County Board of Education, which is elected on a non-partisan basis. The Superintendent of Schools, who is appointed by the Board, provides administrative supervision for the system. Each school is administered by a Principal and, in some cases, one or more Assistant Principals. The School Board Office is located on Chestnut Street in Lewisburg. Following a trend in West Virginia, schools at the secondary level are consolidated, while elementary schools continue to be located within small communities.
Public schools:
Private schools:

Alderson Elementary
Crichton Elementary
Eastern Greenbrier Middle School
Frankford Elementary
Greenbrier East High School
Greenbrier West High School
Lewisburg Elementary
Ronceverte Elementary
Rainelle Elementary
Rupert Elementary
Smoot Elementary
Western Greenbrier Middle School
White Sulphur Springs Elementary
Rainelle Christian Academy
Seneca Trail Christian Academy Public schools

New River Community and Technical College (NRCTC), Lewisburg Branch, (Administered by Bluefield State College)
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Colleges and universities

Webster County (north)
Pocahontas County (northeast)
Bath County, Virginia (east)
Alleghany County, Virginia (southeast)
Monroe County (south)
Summers County (southwest)
Fayette County (west)
Nicholas County (northwest) National Natural Landmarks in Greenbrier County

Beartown State Park
Beech Ridge Wind Farm
Greenbrier River
Greenbrier River Trail
MeadWestvaco
Monongahela National Forest
The Greenbrier