The 10 Best Small Towns In West Virginia For 2022


We used science and data to determine which small towns in West Virginia are the best of the best.

Chris Kolmar, About HomeSnacks
Last Updated: April 5, 2022

You've seen these lists before: Best places to live in West Virginia, Most Beautiful Downtowns, etc., etc. But all of them 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 best 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 just want to know which places in West Virginia ranked the based--you know, based on science.

Before we get to the top 15, here's a look at the 10 Best Small Towns To Live in West Virginia for 2022.

The 10 Best Small Towns To Live In West Virginia For 2022

  1. Williamstown
  2. Barboursville
  3. Mineralwells
  4. Bethany
  5. Glen Dale
  6. Bethlehem
  7. Shepherd
  8. Lavalette
  9. Star City
  10. 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:

The 15 Best Small Towns In West Virginia For 2022

1. Williamstown

Williamstown, WV

Source: Wikipedia User Tim Kiser (w:User:Malephe | CC BY-SA 2.5
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,901
Median Income: $71,442 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $145,200 (24th Best)
More on Williamstown: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

2. Barboursville

Barboursville, WV

Source: Wikipedia User Tim Kiser (w:User:Malephe | CC BY-SA 2.5
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,232
Median Income: $57,599 (28th Best)
Median Home Value: $195,200 (8th Best)
More on Barboursville: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

3. Mineralwells

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,163
Median Income: $87,683 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $143,800 (26th Best)
More on Mineralwells: Data | Homes For Sale

4. Bethany

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,034
Median Income: $57,500 (29th Best)
Median Home Value: $102,700 (57th Best)
More on Bethany: Data | Homes For Sale

5. Glen Dale

Overall SnackAbility

9
/10

Population: 1,531
Median Income: $64,779 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $168,400 (12th Best)
More on Glen Dale: Data | Homes For Sale

6. Bethlehem

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,468
Median Income: $71,042 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $164,200 (14th Best)
More on Bethlehem: Data | Homes For Sale

7. Shepherd

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,657
Median Income: $80,610 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $330,900 (1st Best)
More on Shepherd: Data | Homes For Sale

8. Lavalette

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,256
Median Income: $72,310 (7th Best)
Median Home Value: $81,600 (85th Best)
More on Lavalette: Data | Homes For Sale

9. Star City

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 2,086
Median Income: $51,450 (40th Best)
Median Home Value: $194,200 (10th Best)
More on Star City: Data | Homes For Sale

10. Pleasant Valley

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,165
Median Income: $53,994 (35th Best)
Median Home Value: $161,600 (16th Best)
More on Pleasant Valley: Data | Homes For Sale

11. Eleanor

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,465
Median Income: $64,625 (18th Best)
Median Home Value: $166,300 (13th Best)
More on Eleanor: Data | Homes For Sale

12. Bolivar

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,272
Median Income: $77,000 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $199,300 (7th Best)
More on Bolivar: Data | Homes For Sale

13. Blennerhassett

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,974
Median Income: $68,547 (15th Best)
Median Home Value: $157,900 (19th Best)
More on Blennerhassett: Data | Homes For Sale

14. Winfield

Winfield, WV

Source: Wikipedia User U.S. Army Corps of Engine | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,133
Median Income: $69,432 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $205,200 (4th Best)
More on Winfield: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

15. Pinch

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,538
Median Income: $67,054 (16th Best)
Median Home Value: $203,600 (5th Best)
More on Pinch: Data | Homes For Sale

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In West Virginia

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using the most recent data from the Census's 2016-2020 American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 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)
Best States In America

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which, there were a lot - 125 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 125, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in West Virginia. Top of that list -- Williamstown. You can download the data here.

Keep reading to find out more about our top 15 best small towns 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, we 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?

If you're curious, here are the worst small towns in West Virginia:

  1. Mount Gay-Shamrock
  2. Newell
  3. Richwood

For more West Virginia reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Small Towns In West Virginia

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value
1 Williamstown, WV 2,901 $71,442.0 $145,200.0
2 Barboursville, WV 4,232 $57,599.0 $195,200.0
3 Mineralwells, WV 2,163 $87,683.0 $143,800.0
4 Bethany, WV 1,034 $57,500.0 $102,700.0
5 Glen Dale, WV 1,531 $64,779.0 $168,400.0
6 Bethlehem, WV 2,468 $71,042.0 $164,200.0
7 Shepherd, WV 1,657 $80,610.0 $330,900.0
8 Lavalette, WV 1,256 $72,310.0 $81,600.0
9 Star City, WV 2,086 $51,450.0 $194,200.0
10 Pleasant Valley, WV 3,165 $53,994.0 $161,600.0
11 Eleanor, WV 1,465 $64,625.0 $166,300.0
12 Bolivar, WV 1,272 $77,000.0 $199,300.0
13 Blennerhassett, WV 3,974 $68,547.0 $157,900.0
14 Winfield, WV 3,133 $69,432.0 $205,200.0
15 Pinch, WV 3,538 $67,054.0 $203,600.0
16 Barrackville, WV 1,284 $59,333.0 $133,500.0
17 Falling Waters, WV 1,991 $83,051.0 $132,300.0
18 Westover, WV 4,475 $51,304.0 $146,000.0
19 Boaz, WV 1,645 $77,750.0 $160,700.0
20 White Hall, WV 1,216 $63,250.0 $202,800.0
21 Lubeck, WV 1,104 $59,024.0 $219,600.0
22 Culloden, WV 2,790 $77,648.0 $163,400.0
23 Lewisburg, WV 3,857 $31,851.0 $240,800.0
24 Belle, WV 1,370 $50,972.0 $97,700.0
25 Summersville, WV 3,316 $43,287.0 $144,500.0
26 Cassville, WV 1,042 $57,114.0 $141,100.0
27 Petersburg, WV 2,612 $40,387.0 $115,700.0
28 Ceredo, WV 1,220 $36,731.0 $101,300.0
29 Shinnston, WV 2,288 $59,215.0 $111,200.0
30 Hooverson Heights, WV 2,221 $59,712.0 $88,800.0
31 Wellsburg, WV 2,090 $43,152.0 $87,800.0
32 Nutter Fort, WV 1,810 $50,598.0 $96,600.0
33 Follansbee, WV 2,733 $41,870.0 $98,900.0
34 Alum Creek, WV 1,579 $59,446.0 $112,000.0
35 Mabscott, WV 1,441 $33,021.0 $88,300.0
36 Point Pleasant, WV 4,112 $42,927.0 $84,000.0
37 West Union, WV 1,023 $68,839.0 $86,900.0
38 Shannondale, WV 3,364 $71,014.0 $194,700.0
39 Ronceverte, WV 1,626 $43,482.0 $105,800.0
40 Shady Spring, WV 3,467 $62,500.0 $158,900.0
41 Moorefield, WV 3,356 $44,299.0 $110,700.0
42 Kingwood, WV 3,067 $54,190.0 $127,500.0
43 Clendenin, WV 1,368 $42,778.0 $69,900.0
44 Piney View, WV 1,199 $56,944.0 $89,300.0
45 Ripley, WV 3,177 $34,107.0 $111,800.0
46 Inwood, WV 2,700 $68,839.0 $188,100.0
47 Stanaford, WV 1,024 $37,833.0 $132,600.0
48 Kenova, WV 3,011 $29,921.0 $69,100.0
49 Keyser, WV 4,956 $44,679.0 $109,800.0
50 Stonewood, WV 2,117 $45,236.0 $109,300.0
51 St. Marys, WV 2,050 $49,836.0 $110,700.0
52 Logan, WV 2,107 $40,980.0 $85,000.0
53 Gassaway, WV 1,151 $53,073.0 $101,500.0
54 Paden City, WV 2,841 $50,739.0 $79,100.0
55 Fayetteville, WV 2,751 $52,083.0 $151,800.0
56 New Haven, WV 1,649 $39,295.0 $99,500.0
57 Crab Orchard, WV 2,483 $42,330.0 $140,300.0
58 Man, WV 1,121 $53,125.0 $140,200.0
59 Mannington, WV 1,608 $54,605.0 $82,700.0
60 Carpendale, WV 1,001 $70,172.0 $148,400.0
61 Smithers, WV 1,010 $40,135.0 $109,300.0
62 Enterprise, WV 1,115 $63,173.0 $131,900.0
63 Chester, WV 2,172 $47,993.0 $99,200.0
64 Wayne, WV 1,186 $24,000.0 $79,500.0
65 Milton, WV 2,813 $35,145.0 $96,500.0
66 Mcmechen, WV 1,861 $36,915.0 $71,400.0
67 White Sulphur Springs, WV 3,051 $32,125.0 $110,400.0
68 Harrisville, WV 1,975 $36,161.0 $97,100.0
69 Mullens, WV 1,797 $50,688.0 $71,200.0
70 Hamlin, WV 1,458 $36,136.0 $69,800.0
71 West Liberty, WV 1,650 $27,708.0 $114,300.0
72 Philippi, WV 3,310 $36,371.0 $88,100.0
73 Prosperity, WV 1,451 $58,724.0 $106,400.0
74 Daniels, WV 1,800 $29,545.0 $151,900.0
75 Madison, WV 2,728 $40,938.0 $114,800.0
76 Ravenswood, WV 3,675 $37,012.0 $86,200.0
77 Weston, WV 3,882 $36,728.0 $80,100.0
78 Monongah, WV 1,088 $48,750.0 $72,700.0
79 Marmet, WV 1,577 $41,875.0 $81,500.0
80 Sissonville, WV 3,472 $46,269.0 $106,500.0
81 Benwood, WV 1,381 $35,685.0 $63,000.0
82 Elkview, WV 1,095 $56,415.0 $89,000.0
83 Sistersville, WV 1,334 $40,125.0 $79,800.0
84 Salem, WV 1,862 $40,114.0 $56,400.0
85 Alderson, WV 1,074 $26,053.0 $99,700.0
86 Montgomery, WV 1,625 $27,045.0 $81,600.0
87 East Bank, WV 1,132 $46,645.0 $82,100.0
88 Buffalo, WV 1,061 $50,568.0 $108,200.0
89 Granville, WV 2,828 $27,457.0 $81,000.0
90 Chapmanville, WV 1,003 $30,337.0 $113,700.0
91 Beaver, WV 1,365 $27,435.0 $73,100.0
92 Bradley, WV 1,758 $35,984.0 $116,500.0
93 Fort Ashby, WV 1,163 $39,375.0 $132,200.0
94 Romney, WV 1,826 $32,880.0 $126,500.0
95 Gilbert Creek, WV 1,019 $49,479.0 $71,600.0
96 Addison (Webster Springs), WV 1,284 $22,062.0 $83,700.0
97 Parsons, WV 1,524 $42,109.0 $81,300.0
98 Sophia, WV 1,164 $28,255.0 $89,300.0
99 Coal Fork, WV 1,547 $53,179.0 $71,800.0
100 Pennsboro, WV 1,473 $41,673.0 $56,800.0
Download The Entire West Virginia Ranking Data

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. This is our ninth time ranking the best small places to live in West Virginia.
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings