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Communities in West Virginia offers 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, along with 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.

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

The dome of the West VIrginia Statehouse rises above one of the nation's new biking destinations. (Photo courtesy Charleston CVB)
Communities

Charleston, West Virginia, celebrates record-breaking year in tourism

by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s reputation as a destination for sports tourism was on full display in Charleston in 2025 when major athletic events brought visitors, national attention, and millions of dollars in economic impact to the region. From cycling championships and high school tournaments to national basketball events and marquee car shows, the Capitol … Read more

Sports that grew quickly after the 2020 covid pandemic, pickleball is played on a small court with a perforated plastic ball and is valued for its easy learning curve and strong social appeal.
Communities

These five sports are rapidly growing in West Virginia communities

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Sports in West Virginia will always include Friday-night football, high school basketball, and hunting and fishing, but the landscape is changing. A handful of “next wave” sports are gaining players quickly. Proponents say that’s because they suit modern life in the state’s small towns. They afford shorter learning curves, vibrant social scenes, … Read more

Keeping poinsettias vibrant starts with bright light, cool temperatures and careful watering only when the top inch of soil is dry. (WVU Extension Photo)
Communities

How to keep poinsettias healthy through the holidays—and for years to come

by Bianca Bosworth

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With their vivid colors and deep holiday roots, poinsettias remain one of the most recognizable plants of the season in West Virginia. Keeping them healthy through the holidays—and even for many years—is easier than many people think. Sven Verlinden, an associate professor at West Virginia University in Morgantown, said poinsettias can stay … Read more

The Screen-Free Summer campaign invited digitally exhausted travelers to unplug in West Virginia.
Communities

West Virginia Tourism wins gold Adrian award for ‘Screen-Free Summer’ campaign

by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Tourism has earned international recognition for its consumer branding efforts, receiving a Gold Adrian Award from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International for its “Screen-Free Summer” campaign. Now in its 69th year, the Adrian Awards are the world’s largest and most prestigious travel marketing competition, honoring … Read more

West Virginia University (WVU) has reached a 10 year high in applications, according to university President Michael T. Benson.
Communities

WVU reports 10-year high in applications as graduation, retention rates climb

by David Sibray

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University is seeing its most substantial application numbers in a decade, alongside steady gains in student retention and graduation rates, signaling momentum as the flagship institution prepares for commencement and the next incoming class of Mountaineers. WVU President Michael T. Benson shared the update Friday, Dec. 19, during a meeting … Read more

A cooling tower is a heat rejection device that rejects waste heat to the atmosphere through the cooling of a water stream to a lower temperature. (Image courtesy Yamantho Supply)
Communities

Data centers collide with West Virginia’s new profitable remote-work, recreation brand

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has spent the past decade successfully selling itself as a place where people can trade traffic for trailheads. Now, a different kind of growth is knocking at its door—one that gives power back to outside interests: industrial-scale data centers and the power plants and transmission upgrades needed to feed them. … Read more