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Communities in West Virginia offer residents a welcoming atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of connection to nature and neighbors alike. From charming small towns to vibrant cities like Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia communities provide friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and access to outdoor recreation right at your doorstep. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life, surrounded by the state’s beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as rich local culture, historic sites, and community events that bring people together.

 

With safe streets, local businesses, and a true spirit of Appalachian hospitality, living in West Virginia communities means enjoying a high quality of life and a supportive, tight-knit environment where everyone feels at home. Be sure to visit our Communities Travel Guide for information about communities in West Virginia.

Outdoor economy in West Virginia: In West Virginia, where natural assets are abundant but traditional industries have declined, outdoor recreation offers a development model that is place-based, scalable, and difficult to outsource.
Communities

West Virginia hosts outdoor economy summit as communities rethink economics

by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many West Virginia communities, outdoor recreation is no longer a quality-of-life extra. It’s the new economic infrastructure that’s attracting private investment, supporting small businesses, and helping retain and attract a workforce. That shift in thinking is the driving force behind the inaugural West Virginia Outdoor Economy Summit, which will bring civic … Read more

Communities once defined by vacant upper floors and underused downtown buildings are seeing renewed interest in housing from remote workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
Communities

Webinar examines housing stairway safety in growing West Virginia small towns

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As remote work reshapes where Americans choose to live, small-town housing in West Virginia has emerged as a central issue in the state’s economic revival. Communities once defined by vacant upper floors and underused downtown buildings are seeing renewed interest from remote workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Translating that momentum into lasting … Read more

Ready sites: Funding will support early-stage site development, enabling companies to move more quickly when deciding where to locate new facilities in the Mountain State.
Communities

Morrisey awards $2.1 million for business-ready sites in 23 W.Va. counties

by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Ahead of the start of the 2026 legislative session, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has awarded $2.1 million in grants aimed at preparing “business-ready” development sites across 23 counties in West Virginia. In an announcement released Monday from Charleston, the governor said the funding will support early-stage site development, enabling companies to move more … Read more

Experts at West Virginia University say tick diseases are on the rise as encounters with humans increase. (WVU Extension Photo)
Communities

Ticks on the rise in West Virginia: WVU experts warn of Lyme, alpha-gal risks

by David Sibray

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Two West Virginia University experts are warning residents and visitors that ticks are more prevalent than ever, and encounters with them are increasingly causing serious health risks. According to Timothy Driscoll, an associate professor of biology in the university’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences in Morgantown, changing environmental conditions are driving … Read more

Historic Homes: Preservation knowledge can also help homeowners identify eligibility for incentives such as historic tax credits, grants, or local rehabilitation programs.
Communities

How to research historic homes in West Virginia: Free state webinar offers tools

by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Homeowners, local historians, and community members interested in historic homes in Lewisburg’s quaint historical downtown is a significant draw for tourists. The session is intended to help participants build a foundation for independent research. Attendees will learn how to access archival materials, public records, maps, photographs, and other commonly used sources to … Read more

Winter Energy Resilience at Snowhoe Mountain
Communities

WVU: Federal funding could lower bills, boost winter energy resilience in West Virginia

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Winter in West Virginia can be unforgiving, especially for households and businesses already struggling with high utility bills and the threat of losing heat when ice storms, extreme cold, or surging demand strain the electric grid. West Virginia University researchers say improving winter energy resilience is key to maintaining power and controlling … Read more