Prior to the 1930s, what percent of miners in Southern West Virginia lived in towns owned by the coal companies?

The correct answer indicates that prior to the 1930s, approximately 90% of miners in Southern West Virginia lived in towns owned by the coal companies. This reflects the significant influence and control that coal companies had over the lives of their workers during that time period.

In company towns, miners were often provided with housing and other amenities, but at a cost that tied them closely to the employer. The dependency on the coal companies created a cycle of economic control; miners would work for the company, receive wages that were often spent in company stores, and live in company-owned housing. This system was a hallmark of the coal mining industry in that era, effectively making the coal companies not just employers, but also the landlords and providers of essential goods and services.

Understanding this context is key in grasping the historical relationship between coal companies and their workers, especially in Southern West Virginia, where such structures collectively shaped the regional economy and social fabric. The higher percentage reflects the extent of this dependence and illustrates the challenges miners faced in achieving independence or negotiating better conditions outside of the company system.