West Virginia: What you need to know
Noted for its mountains, rolling hills and many state parks, West Virginia offers a variety of outdoor recreational options that include hiking, mountain biking, skiing, fishing, hunting and whitewater rafting. Best places to live in West Virginia include Charleston, Huntington, Wheeling and Morgantown, and the state's strong economy is led by aerospace, chemical research, plastics, biometrics and medicine. West Virginia is also a leading energy-producing state with rich natural resources.
The Mountain State is filled with top lodging, dining, golf and outdoor opportunities
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Featured Cities in West Virginia
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Search for any city in West Virginia to find your best place to live..West Virginia Profile
Quick Facts about WV
| Population | 1,851,420 |
| Latest Population Increase | 0.00% |
| Median Household Income | $41,751 |
| Median Home Price | $103,800 |
| Median Property Tax | $966 |
| Median Rent | $73 |
Employment Rate in WV
| Employed | 94% | |
| Unemployed | 6% |
Featured Cities/Population in WV
| Huntington, WV | 48,944 |
| Charleston, WV | 50,566 |
| Parkersburg, WV | 31,133 |
| Fairmont, WV | 18,773 |
| Bridgeport, WV | 8,338 |
| Wheeling, WV | 27,894 |
| Morgantown, WV | 30,164 |
| Clarksburg, WV | 16,347 |
| Beckley, WV | 17,375 |
| South Charleston, WV | 13,276 |
Race in WV
| Ethnicity White | 93.6% | |
| Ethnicity Black | 3.3% | |
| Ethnicity Asian | 0.7% | |
| Ethnicity Hispanic | 1.4% | |
| Ethnicity Indian | 0.2% | |
| Ethnicity Other | 0.2% |
Employment Rate in WV
| Employed | 94% | |
| Unemployed | 6% |
Educational Levels in WV
| Bachelor's Degree | 11.7% | |
| Associate's Degree | 6.6% | |
| Graduate or Professional Degree | 7.4% | |
| High School Graduate | 40.7% | |
| Some College, No Degree | 18.5% | |
| Percent Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.2% | |
| Percent High School Graduate or Higher | 85% |
Industry in WV
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting and Mining | 5.1% |
| Construction | 6.2% |
| Manufacturing | 8.1% |
| Wholesale Trade | 2.2% |
| Retail Trade | 12.6% |
| Transportation and Warehousing, and Utilities | 5.4% |
| Information | 1.7% |
| Finance and Insurance, and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 4.1% |
| Professional, Scientific and Management and Administrative and Waste | 7.8% |
| Educational Services and Health Care and Social Assistance | 26.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment and recreation and Accommodation and food Services | 9.2% |
| Other Services, Except Public Administration | 4.3% |
| Public Administration | 6.7% |
Housing in WV
| Homes Rent | 72.5% | |
| Homes Owned | 27.5% |
Data Sources : U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census, 2011-2015 American Community Survey, 2010 Census Gazetteer, GreatSchools, WalkScore, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service, Veterans Administration (VA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
West Virginia Rankings
Best places to Live in West Virginia
| Title | Population | Median Home Price | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 50,566 | $144,400 | $48,442 |
| Huntington | 48,944 | $90,600 | $29,873 |
| Parkersburg | 31,133 | $86,400 | $31,876 |
| Morgantown | 30,164 | $172,900 | $34,090 |
| Wheeling | 27,894 | $98,800 | $36,989 |
| Weirton | 19,432 | $89,300 | $39,832 |
| Fairmont | 18,773 | $95,700 | $36,086 |
| Martinsburg | 17,564 | $143,400 | $37,843 |
| Beckley | 17,375 | $108,600 | $34,944 |
| Clarksburg | 16,347 | $80,000 | $37,036 |
| Teays Valley | 13,848 | $209,600 | $70,419 |
| South Charleston | 13,276 | $109,700 | $46,390 |
| St. Albans | 10,882 | $101,700 | $44,758 |
| Vienna | 10,623 | $123,200 | $46,968 |
| Cross Lanes | 10,567 | $139,000 | $55,773 |
| Bluefield | 10,431 | $70,600 | $34,972 |
| Cheat Lake | 9,219 | $247,900 | $83,403 |
| Moundsville | 8,888 | $78,500 | $34,628 |
| Bridgeport | 8,338 | $202,100 | $79,324 |
| Oak Hill | 8,249 | $85,800 | $39,316 |