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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.

West Virginia Fireflies: While fireflies have struggled in many places, West Virginia remains one of the strongest refuges for the insects in the eastern United States.
Communities

Why West Virginia remains one of America’s best places to see fireflies

by David Sibray

LEWISBURG, W.Va. — Few summer experiences are as deeply woven into the culture of the eastern United States as watching fireflies flicker across a meadow after sunset. For generations, children spent warm evenings chasing “lightning bugs” through fields, collecting the glowing insects in mason jars before releasing them into the darkness. Those memories remain vivid … Read more

Rural Women Entrepreneurs: The findings may be particularly relevant to West Virginia, where many communities are rural, and small-business ownership is vital to local economies.
Communities

Rural women entrepreneurs fuel economic growth in America’s small towns, WVU study finds

by Bianca Bosworth

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Rural women entrepreneurs may make up a relatively small share of business owners across the United States, but new research from West Virginia University suggests their impact on local economies is far greater than many communities realize. The study, conducted by researchers at West Virginia University and the University of Maine, found that rural women … Read more

Larvae of the New World Screwworm fly burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious, often deadly damage. (USDA Image)
Communities

W.Va. agriculture officials monitoring screwworm after first U.S. detection

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia agriculture officials say they are closely monitoring the recent detection of the destructive New World screwworm in Texas and have emergency response plans in place should the pest spread beyond the Southwest. The W.Va. Department of Agriculture in Charleston issued a statement Thursday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed … Read more

Blenko Glass Co. Inc. was among the 24 recipients of the 2026 Governor's Export Award.
Communities

West Virginia companies honored for expanding at 2026 Governor’s Export Award

by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Thirty-four West Virginia companies have been recognized with the 2026 Governor’s Export Award for expanding into new international markets. Seven were first-time recipients. According to Matt Herridge, Secretary of the W.Va. Department of Commerce, the award is presented to companies that made their first export sale to a new country in the … Read more

A study by researchers at West Virginia University found a greater-than-expected significance in the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for women who spend more time sitting compared to those who include even light activity in their daily routines.
Communities

WVU study shows pregnant women who move more have better outcomes

by Bianca Bosworth

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As West Virginia experiences a cultural and economic shift toward recreation, researchers at West Virginia University have discovered even better news about active living. A study by researchers at the university in Morgantown found a greater-than-expected association between increased sitting time and adverse pregnancy outcomes—including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia—among women who sit more … Read more

Research supports the idea that destinations benefit when businesses remain open during peak visitor periods.
Communities

West Virginia experts say tourist towns lose money when businesses close on Sundays

by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As West Virginia communities increasingly invest in tourism and outdoor recreation, industry leaders say many destinations are missing opportunities to capture visitor spending when businesses close during weekends, particularly on Sundays. Tourism professionals across the state say travelers are more likely to spend money in communities where shops, restaurants, and attractions remain … Read more