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

Prior to the 1930s, about 90% of miners in Southern West Virginia lived in towns owned by coal companies. This high percentage reflects the company's control over all aspects of miners' lives, including their housing, shopping, and social activities. These towns, often referred to as "company towns," were designed to ensure that workers remained dependent on the coal companies for their livelihood. The coal companies would provide basic necessities, which further entrenched their influence and allowed them to dictate the terms of employment and community life. This environment fostered a cycle of dependency and limited the miners' ability to advocate for better working conditions or wages. The other percentages are lower than what the historical data suggests, as the reality was that very few miners had options outside of the company-controlled towns during that era.