As of 2022, the Norfolk Southern Railroad is the only operating line through Appalachia, hauling only coal and the occasional ammonium nitrate and limestone aggregate product.

These hoppers can be easily identified behind Main Street with the markings of the former railroads painted on the ribbed sides, most reading "Southern" and some "Norfolk & Western".

[8] In 2006, fourteen Appalachia residents, including mayor Ben Cooper and the police chief, were indicted on charges relating to an electoral fraud conspiracy.

Cooper was convicted of intercepting absentee ballots and changing the votes on them; buying votes with beer, cigarettes, and pork rinds; and conspiring with his appointee, the police chief, to steal money and other items from residents, among 243 felony charges.

Ten other conspirators pleaded guilty and received fines or short jail sentences.

[9][10][11] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2), all of it land.

Appalachia is surrounded by numerous coal camp communities, including Andover, Arno, Derby, Imboden, Exeter, Dunbar, Pardee, Osaka, Roda, and Stonega.