You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in West Virginia. Best sururbs in West Virginia. Best counties in West Virginia.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Mountain State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in West Virginia based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in West Virginia ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In West Virginia For 2024
- Williamstown
- Star City
- Bethlehem
- Mineralwells
- Bethany
- Athens
- Shepherd
- Pinch
- Barboursville
- Blennerhassett
- Glen Dale
- Shenandoah Junction
- Bolivar
- Kenova
- Pleasant Valley
What’s the best small town in West Virginia? Williamstown is the best small town in West Virginia based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Williamstown, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Mountain State check out:
- Best Places To Live In West Virginia
- Cheapest Places To Live In West Virginia
- Most Dangerous Cities In West Virginia
The 15 Best Small Towns In West Virginia For 2024
1. Williamstown
/10
Population: 2,980
Median Income: $68,029 (20th Best)
Median Home Value: $202,227 (20th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
2. Star City
/10
Population: 2,167
Median Income: $69,063 (19th Best)
Median Home Value: $209,315 (14th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%
3. Bethlehem
/10
Population: 2,577
Median Income: $85,150 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $194,922 (23rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
4. Mineralwells
/10
Population: 2,549
Median Income: $79,760 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $160,955 (40th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%
5. Bethany
/10
Population: 1,125
Median Income: $63,214 (33rd Best)
Median Home Value: $156,200 (45th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
6. Athens
Population: 1,146
Median Income: $61,667 (34th Best)
Median Home Value: $194,982 (22nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 10.2%
7. Shepherd
/10
Population: 1,612
Median Income: $58,875 (41st Best)
Median Home Value: $464,069 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 15.2%
8. Pinch
/10
Population: 4,015
Median Income: $73,973 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $216,263 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%
9. Barboursville
/10
Population: 4,394
Median Income: $61,236 (35th Best)
Median Home Value: $177,528 (30th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.2%
10. Blennerhassett
/10
Population: 3,564
Median Income: $80,783 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $190,445 (24th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
11. Glen Dale
/10
Population: 1,614
Median Income: $80,917 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $175,846 (32nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 6.1%
12. Shenandoah Junction
/10
Population: 1,205
Median Income: $102,552 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $394,726 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
13. Bolivar
/10
Population: 1,283
Median Income: $80,125 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $277,489 (5th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
14. Kenova
/10
Population: 3,019
Median Income: $49,896 (59th Best)
Median Home Value: $122,509 (72nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.4%
15. Pleasant Valley
/10
Population: 3,480
Median Income: $61,067 (36th Best)
Median Home Value: $203,882 (18th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.6%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In West Virginia
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in West Virginia possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 118 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 118, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in West Virginia. Top of that list — Williamstown.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in West Virginia.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in West Virginia are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in West Virginia are Williamstown, Star City, Bethlehem, Mineralwells, Bethany, Athens, Shepherd, Pinch, Barboursville, and Blennerhassett.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in West Virginia:
- Williamson
- Richwood
- Newell
For more West Virginia reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In West Virginia
- Safest Places In West Virginia
- Worst Places To Live In West Virginia
Best Small Towns In West Virginia
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williamstown, WV | 2,980 | $68,029 | 2.6% | |
| 2 | Star City, WV | 2,167 | $69,063 | 1.0% | |
| 3 | Bethlehem, WV | 2,577 | $85,150 | 2.8% | |
| 4 | Mineralwells, WV | 2,549 | $79,760 | 1.0% | |
| 5 | Bethany, WV | 1,125 | $63,214 | 5.1% | |
| 6 | Athens, WV | 1,146 | $61,667 | 10.2% | |
| 7 | Shepherd, WV | 1,612 | $58,875 | 15.2% | |
| 8 | Pinch, WV | 4,015 | $73,973 | 1.8% | |
| 9 | Barboursville, WV | 4,394 | $61,236 | 1.2% | |
| 10 | Blennerhassett, WV | 3,564 | $80,783 | 5.0% | |
| 11 | Glen Dale, WV | 1,614 | $80,917 | 6.1% | |
| 12 | Shenandoah Junction, WV | 1,205 | $102,552 | 0.0% | |
| 13 | Bolivar, WV | 1,283 | $80,125 | 5.6% | |
| 14 | Kenova, WV | 3,019 | $49,896 | 1.4% | |
| 15 | Pleasant Valley, WV | 3,480 | $61,067 | 1.6% | |
| 16 | Eleanor, WV | 1,493 | $65,580 | 1.0% | |
| 17 | Tornado, WV | 1,029 | $79,952 | 0.4% | |
| 18 | Cassville, WV | 1,570 | $85,878 | 1.9% | |
| 19 | Westover, WV | 4,012 | $55,625 | 3.0% | |
| 20 | Winfield, WV | 2,975 | $101,500 | 2.9% | |
| 21 | Mabscott, WV | 1,550 | $52,083 | 2.2% | |
| 22 | Poca, WV | 1,133 | $64,408 | 1.8% | |
| 23 | Boaz, WV | 1,400 | $87,569 | 1.9% | |
| 24 | Lewisburg, WV | 3,890 | $47,563 | 0.0% | |
| 25 | Lubeck, WV | 1,290 | $67,282 | 11.8% | |
| 26 | Falling Waters, WV | 2,150 | $84,038 | 12.0% | |
| 27 | Washington, WV | 1,155 | $41,920 | 4.4% | |
| 28 | Culloden, WV | 2,902 | $75,188 | 5.8% | |
| 29 | Petersburg, WV | 2,822 | $46,629 | 5.8% | |
| 30 | White Hall, WV | 1,025 | $67,679 | 5.0% | |
| 31 | Follansbee, WV | 2,812 | $47,386 | 4.8% | |
| 32 | Point Pleasant, WV | 4,067 | $45,996 | 3.3% | |
| 33 | Summersville, WV | 3,415 | $53,529 | 5.3% | |
| 34 | Kingwood, WV | 2,997 | $74,961 | 7.4% | |
| 35 | Hooverson Heights, WV | 2,329 | $55,588 | 3.2% | |
| 36 | Milton, WV | 2,773 | $42,857 | 8.0% | |
| 37 | Barrackville, WV | 1,430 | $66,083 | 8.2% | |
| 38 | Keyser, WV | 4,879 | $46,724 | 6.0% | |
| 39 | Nutter Fort, WV | 1,700 | $56,125 | 5.9% | |
| 40 | Stanaford, WV | 1,401 | $60,375 | 9.5% | |
| 41 | Prosperity, WV | 1,531 | $66,905 | 16.8% | |
| 42 | New Haven, WV | 1,761 | $58,533 | 4.4% | |
| 43 | Inwood, WV | 2,831 | $90,327 | 10.7% | |
| 44 | Stonewood, WV | 2,428 | $49,402 | 11.4% | |
| 45 | Daniels, WV | 1,564 | $52,061 | 3.9% | |
| 46 | White Sulphur Springs, WV | 2,707 | $47,292 | 6.3% | |
| 47 | Shinnston, WV | 2,328 | $55,089 | 4.3% | |
| 48 | Ripley, WV | 3,084 | $35,489 | 4.3% | |
| 49 | St. Marys, WV | 2,281 | $53,125 | 6.4% | |
| 50 | Moorefield, WV | 2,846 | $51,985 | 4.6% | |
| 51 | Paden City, WV | 2,740 | $53,833 | 5.1% | |
| 52 | Belle, WV | 1,445 | $59,167 | 8.3% | |
| 53 | Monongah, WV | 1,052 | $55,288 | 4.5% | |
| 54 | Hamlin, WV | 1,380 | $48,611 | 4.7% | |
| 55 | Glenville, WV | 1,172 | $43,690 | 4.2% | |
| 56 | Shannondale, WV | 3,294 | $83,125 | 5.7% | |
| 57 | Chester, WV | 2,134 | $58,988 | 9.4% | |
| 58 | Shady Spring, WV | 3,581 | $64,215 | 10.4% | |
| 59 | Salem, WV | 1,873 | $45,521 | 4.0% | |
| 60 | Fayetteville, WV | 2,890 | $63,514 | 3.5% | |
| 61 | Wellsburg, WV | 2,180 | $39,000 | 13.1% | |
| 62 | Ronceverte, WV | 1,426 | $40,605 | 3.2% | |
| 63 | Mcmechen, WV | 1,812 | $51,389 | 5.3% | |
| 64 | Mannington, WV | 1,677 | $54,625 | 9.4% | |
| 65 | West Liberty, WV | 1,764 | $39,181 | 4.1% | |
| 66 | Brush Fork, WV | 1,150 | $44,493 | 0.0% | |
| 67 | Madison, WV | 2,880 | $63,864 | 10.5% | |
| 68 | Carpendale, WV | 1,256 | $65,938 | 8.9% | |
| 69 | Sissonville, WV | 2,680 | $54,856 | 11.4% | |
| 70 | Mullens, WV | 2,317 | $66,905 | 3.8% | |
| 71 | Wayne, WV | 1,335 | $25,391 | 4.5% | |
| 72 | Sistersville, WV | 1,261 | $38,950 | 9.1% | |
| 73 | Man, WV | 1,185 | $70,481 | 18.5% | |
| 74 | Weston, WV | 3,922 | $44,955 | 12.9% | |
| 75 | Ravenswood, WV | 3,853 | $31,818 | 6.4% | |
| 76 | Lesage, WV | 1,030 | $46,693 | 0.0% | |
| 77 | Chesapeake, WV | 1,585 | $48,375 | 5.4% | |
| 78 | Ceredo, WV | 1,255 | $32,305 | 5.8% | |
| 79 | Alum Creek, WV | 1,420 | $65,179 | 11.5% | |
| 80 | Fort Ashby, WV | 1,174 | $41,992 | 0.0% | |
| 81 | Philippi, WV | 2,920 | $36,563 | 8.0% | |
| 82 | Harrisville, WV | 1,620 | $40,114 | 5.3% | |
| 83 | Bluewell, WV | 2,369 | $32,763 | 3.5% | |
| 84 | Marmet, WV | 1,658 | $47,682 | 9.6% | |
| 85 | Rainelle, WV | 1,424 | $39,338 | 3.4% | |
| 86 | Romney, WV | 2,062 | $34,063 | 13.9% | |
| 87 | Benwood, WV | 1,251 | $38,000 | 4.6% | |
| 88 | Belington, WV | 2,015 | $46,927 | 13.0% | |
| 89 | Buffalo, WV | 1,151 | $46,389 | 7.5% | |
| 90 | Grafton, WV | 4,711 | $38,934 | 11.3% | |
| 91 | Crab Orchard, WV | 1,946 | $48,438 | 23.3% | |
| 92 | Granville, WV | 1,384 | $29,000 | 10.4% | |
| 93 | Montgomery, WV | 1,706 | $27,174 | 8.3% | |
| 94 | Macarthur, WV | 1,362 | $33,444 | 7.0% | |
| 95 | Enterprise, WV | 1,185 | $77,788 | 10.7% | |
| 96 | Craigsville, WV | 2,051 | $34,375 | 0.0% | |
| 97 | Coal City, WV | 1,461 | $26,353 | 8.1% | |
| 98 | Coal Fork, WV | 1,278 | $60,534 | 34.0% | |
| 99 | Pennsboro, WV | 1,359 | $48,452 | 6.5% | |
| 100 | Fairlea, WV | 1,300 | $24,794 | 4.9% |
