West Virginia isn’t just any Appalachian state, it’s actually one of the safest, most family friendly states in America.
Ask any West Virginian and they will tell you that there are a ton of family friendly activities everywhere you turn. The Mountain State is just one big playground for little and big kids alike. If you’re looking for a state with affordable, family friendly staycations, West Virginia is your place. There are 37 State Parks and four National Parks that dot West Virginia’s landscape. Amusement parks like Jaydee’s Family Fun Center in Inwood and Ace Adventure Park in Oak Hill will keep your family entertained for an entire weekend. And if museums and zoos are more your family’s style, check out the Oglebay Good Zoo in Wheeling, and/or the Youth Museum in Beckley.
In all family, friendly seriousness, West Virginia has some of the best schools in the country. Blue Ribbon elementary schools, gold star high schools, and colleges like West Virginia University in Morgantown have been delivering the next generation to work at major West Virginia companies like American Public Education Inc in Charles Town.
To take a closer look at the top ten family friendly places in West Virginia for 2026, grab your family, a hot apple dumplin’, and head to a sunny spot on the Shenandoah River and read on.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In West Virginia For 2026
To narrow down the most family friendly cities in West Virginia, we looked at several factors: crime, education, family friendly activities and percent of households that currently have children. The cities also had to have a population of at least 5,000.
We ended up with 21 family friendly West Virginia places. Needless to say, it was quite difficult to narrow down the most family friendly place in West Virginia for 2026.
Drum roll… kudos to Buckhannon for taking the number one spot.
More importantly, if you care about your family living where crime is low, schools are awesome, great jobs are plentiful, and there’s a ton of stuff to do, look below at West Virginia’s top ten. And if you don’t find your favorite there, head to the bottom.
More reading about West Virginia and the best places for families in the country:
- Best Places To Live In West Virginia
- Cheapest Places To Live In West Virginia
- Best Cities To Raise A Family In America
- Best States To Raise A Family In America
The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In West Virginia For 2026
/10
Population: 5,116
Median Income: $54,615
Average Home Price: $156,488
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 67
Closest Major City: Pittsburgh
Households with kids: 30.2%
More on Buckhannon: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 6,855
Median Income: $71,167
Average Home Price: $269,184
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 43
Closest Major City: Columbus
Households with kids: 34.4%
More on Hurricane: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 5,133
Median Income: $60,946
Average Home Price: $136,698
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 34
Closest Major City: Pittsburgh
Households with kids: 28.8%
More on New Martinsville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 18,221
Median Income: $63,032
Average Home Price: $185,554
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 64
Closest Major City: Pittsburgh
Households with kids: 20.8%
More on Fairmont: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 9,252
Median Income: $100,022
Average Home Price: $297,306
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 64
Closest Major City: Pittsburgh
Households with kids: 20.0%
More on Bridgeport: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 30,236
Median Income: $44,727
Average Home Price: $280,205
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 62
Closest Major City: Pittsburgh
Households with kids: 15.6%
More on Morgantown: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 9,387
Median Income: $49,375
Average Home Price: $105,764
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 51
Closest Major City: Winston-Salem
Households with kids: 24.9%
More on Bluefield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 6,811
Median Income: $44,217
Average Home Price: $166,142
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 36
Closest Major City: Pittsburgh
Households with kids: 22.3%
More on Elkins: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 7,937
Median Income: $52,466
Average Home Price: $150,325
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 51
Closest Major City: Winston-Salem
Households with kids: 29.3%
More on Oak Hill: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 18,647
Median Income: $59,575
Average Home Price: $147,088
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 46
Closest Major City: Pittsburgh
Households with kids: 21.1%
More on Weirton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in West Virginia anyways?
To give you the places in West Virginia that are best for families, we must look at a handful of metrics. We want to measure the criteria people want in a family-friendly city utilizing Saturday Night Science.
After researching U.S. Census data produced for the state of West Virginia, we looked at the data for every single city in the state. We paid particular attention to:
- Crime (Both violent and property)
- Quality of local schools
- Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
- % of households with children
- Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)
We then gave each city a “Family Score.”
The higher the score, the better the city is for families. We also limited our results to cities with over 5,000 people. For West Virginia, that meant a total of 21 cities.
We updated this article for 2026. This is our eleventh time ranking the best cities for families in West Virginia.
Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In West Virginia
If you’re looking for a breakdown of cities in West Virginia ranked by criteria that most agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.
The best places for families in West Virginia are Buckhannon, Hurricane, New Martinsville, Fairmont, Bridgeport, Morgantown, Bluefield, Elkins, Oak Hill, and Weirton.
Here’s a look at the best cities for singles West Virginia according to the data:
- St. Albans
- South Charleston
- Dunbar
For more West Virginia reading, check out:
- Cheapest Places To Live In West Virginia
- Best Places To Live In West Virginia
- Safest Places In West Virginia
Best Places For Families In West Virginia
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Amenities Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buckhannon, WV | 5,116 | $54,615 | $156,488 | 63 |
| 2 | Hurricane, WV | 6,855 | $71,167 | $269,184 | 48 |
| 3 | New Martinsville, WV | 5,133 | $60,946 | $136,698 | 43 |
| 4 | Fairmont, WV | 18,221 | $63,032 | $185,554 | 57 |
| 5 | Bridgeport, WV | 9,252 | $100,022 | $297,306 | 61 |
| 6 | Morgantown, WV | 30,236 | $44,727 | $280,205 | 63 |
| 7 | Bluefield, WV | 9,387 | $49,375 | $105,764 | 65 |
| 8 | Elkins, WV | 6,811 | $44,217 | $166,142 | 51 |
| 9 | Oak Hill, WV | 7,937 | $52,466 | $150,325 | 44 |
| 10 | Weirton, WV | 18,647 | $59,575 | $147,088 | 40 |