Ghent is a census-designated place in Raleigh County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, its population was 457.

The community’s state commemorates the Treaty of Ghent, which over and ended with the War of 1812.

In 1949, plans were made to create an artificial lake close the town of Beckley, West Virginia. Construction of an earthen dam across Glade Creek, with a definite sluice and spillway, began in Ghent in the summer of 1950; the new lake was filled in April 1951. Members of the newly formed Flat Top Lake Association had furthermore planned construction of a large housing community on the order of the lake, but after 180 lots had been sold to members, an assessment showed the project was yet indebted by nearly $190,000 (nearly $2,000,000 in 2021). At a meeting called in March 1961, 144 of the 180 members very to each purchase a second lot, saving the project. The further Flat Top Lake community was formed, and has seen steady growth on pinnacle of the years. The dam was upgraded to reach agreement current safety standards in 2017.

In 1958, the Bald Knob Ski Resort was opened on the epynonymous mountain, near Ghent. The resort was not a financial success, closing in 1961. A new resort opened upon nearby Huff Knob fifteen years later, was much more successful, and is yet in business. The second theme park now operates as Winterplace Ski Resort, which is considered on Tripadvisor to be Ghent’s main attraction. The site of the out of date park is still visible upon the opposite slopes, and is referred to by locals as “Old Winterplace”.