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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.

Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, illuminate a West Virginia field on a summer evening. The Mountain State is home to numerous species whose populations depend on healthy habitat and dark night skies.
Communities

Why West Virginia may be America’s best place to see fireflies this summer

by David Sibray

WATOGA, W.Va. — As fireflies begin their annual summer display across West Virginia, scientists say one of the insects’ greatest allies may be something many residents take for granted—darkness. Across much of the eastern U.S., artificial lighting continues to expand as development spreads into rural areas. Streetlights, security lighting, and commercial development have transformed nightscapes … Read more

A new $7 million research partnership between West Virginia University and Johns Hopkins University will support studies focused on rural health, mental health, substance use disorders, dementia, and other healthcare challenges affecting West Virginia communities.
Communities

WVU, Johns Hopkins launch $7 million partnership to address W.Va. health challenges

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University and Johns Hopkins University have launched a new $7 million research partnership to address some of the state’s most pressing health and environmental challenges and help researchers compete for major federal grants. Announced Friday during a meeting of the WVU Board of Governors, the initiative will support collaborative research … Read more

A white-tailed doe feeds twin fawns near Dolly Sods Wilderness during peak fawn season in West Virginia, when thousands of baby deer are born across the state's forests and mountain landscapes.
Communities

Why baby deer are appearing across West Virginia right now

by Will Reedy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Across West Virginia’s mountains, valleys, farm fields, and suburban neighborhoods, a new generation of baby deer is quietly entering the world. June is the peak month for fawning season in the Mountain State, and residents are increasingly encountering spotted fawns curled motionless in tall grass, woodland edges, hayfields, and even backyards. While … Read more

Communities nationwide have used historic tax credits to transform aging downtowns into centers of housing, commerce, tourism, and community life.
Communities

West Virginia-backed Senate bill could spur new investment in historic downtowns across America

by Bianca Bosworth

LEWISBURG, W.Va. — Historic buildings, from New England mill towns to Appalachian downtowns, could become easier to restore under bipartisan legislation that would expand one of the nation’s most successful redevelopment incentives. U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito has joined lawmakers from both parties in sponsoring the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2025, … Read more

An architect's rendering shows the new Railyard Event and Conference Center in Elkins, a $11.6 million facility expected to attract conferences, weddings, entertainment events, and new visitor spending to West Virginia's Allegheny Highlands region.
Communities

$11.6 million railyard venue opening in Elkins to draw visitors to the Allegheny Highlands

by David Sibray

ELKINS, W.Va. — A new $11.6 million event and conference center, scheduled to open this summer, is expected to bring conferences, weddings, entertainment, and increased tourism to downtown Elkins, marking one of the largest recent investments in Randolph County’s hospitality industry. The Railyard Event & Conference Center, a 28,000-square-foot venue built on the site of Elkins’ … Read more

West Virginia strawberries: The state's climate and geography have long provided favorable conditions for highly perishable strawberries.
Communities

WVU researcher develops robot that could transform West Virginia strawberry farming

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A groundbreaking robotic harvesting technology, developed with the help of a West Virginia University researcher, could one day transform how strawberries and other delicate fruits are grown and harvested in West Virginia, reducing food waste while helping farmers deliver higher-quality produce to consumers. The innovation comes as strawberry production continues to grow in … Read more