The borough was dissolved into surrounding Donegal Township, effective January 1, 2009.

[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), all of it land.

Though the borough had a successful commerce center based on antique and gift shops in its National Register of Historic Places-listed historic district, a fire in 1990 destroyed several of those businesses and closed others.

The fire, combined with a $3.2 million debt for a sewage treatment plant, forced residents to consider a merger with Donegal Township, which was completed in 2009.

[1][5] West Alexander is located directly in between U.S. Route 40 (sometimes known as the National Road) and Interstate 70 between the Pittsburgh and Wheeling city centers.

Air transport in West Alexander is sparse but accessible outside of the city.