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 2026
- Williamstown
- Shepherd
- Glen Dale
- Bethlehem
- Lavalette
- Prosperity
- Tornado
- Blennerhassett
- Westover
- Star City
- Barrackville
- Pinch
- Eleanor
- Bethany
- Athens
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 2026
1. Williamstown
/10
Population: 2,980
Median Income: $89,013 (5th Best)
Median Home Value: $214,562 (21st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
2. Shepherd
/10
Population: 1,460
Median Income: $63,750 (37th Best)
Median Home Value: $520,447 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 11.9%
3. Glen Dale
/10
Population: 1,461
Median Income: $82,308 (14th Best)
Median Home Value: $185,762 (34th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
4. Bethlehem
/10
Population: 2,592
Median Income: $83,409 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $210,343 (24th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
5. Lavalette
/10
Population: 1,005
Median Income: $54,554 (62nd Best)
Median Home Value: $170,470 (48th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
6. Prosperity
/10
Population: 1,389
Median Income: $85,094 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $151,819 (58th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
7. Tornado
Population: 1,114
Median Income: $83,000 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $187,498 (33rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.4%
8. Blennerhassett
/10
Population: 3,282
Median Income: $88,487 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $192,861 (30th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.7%
9. Westover
/10
Population: 4,026
Median Income: $60,769 (45th Best)
Median Home Value: $189,260 (31st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
10. Star City
/10
Population: 1,960
Median Income: $59,123 (53rd Best)
Median Home Value: $221,727 (18th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
11. Barrackville
/10
Population: 1,430
Median Income: $78,558 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $157,717 (54th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
12. Pinch
/10
Population: 4,037
Median Income: $76,741 (19th Best)
Median Home Value: $237,590 (14th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
13. Eleanor
/10
Population: 1,726
Median Income: $78,578 (16th Best)
Median Home Value: $223,043 (17th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.6%
14. Bethany
/10
Population: 1,039
Median Income: $60,313 (49th Best)
Median Home Value: $176,545 (40th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 10.0%
15. Athens
Population: 1,494
Median Income: $56,667 (57th Best)
Median Home Value: $180,311 (37th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
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 2020-2024 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 eleventh 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, Shepherd, Glen Dale, Bethlehem, Lavalette, Prosperity, Tornado, Blennerhassett, Westover, and Star City.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in West Virginia:
- Williamson
- Logan
- Oceana
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 | $89,013 | 1.9% | |
| 2 | Shepherd, WV | 1,460 | $63,750 | 11.9% | |
| 3 | Glen Dale, WV | 1,461 | $82,308 | 2.5% | |
| 4 | Bethlehem, WV | 2,592 | $83,409 | 3.0% | |
| 5 | Lavalette, WV | 1,005 | $54,554 | 0.0% | |
| 6 | Prosperity, WV | 1,389 | $85,094 | 0.0% | |
| 7 | Tornado, WV | 1,114 | $83,000 | 0.4% | |
| 8 | Blennerhassett, WV | 3,282 | $88,487 | 4.7% | |
| 9 | Westover, WV | 4,026 | $60,769 | 3.0% | |
| 10 | Star City, WV | 1,960 | $59,123 | 1.9% | |
| 11 | Barrackville, WV | 1,430 | $78,558 | 3.7% | |
| 12 | Pinch, WV | 4,037 | $76,741 | 0.0% | |
| 13 | Eleanor, WV | 1,726 | $78,578 | 0.6% | |
| 14 | Bethany, WV | 1,039 | $60,313 | 10.0% | |
| 15 | Athens, WV | 1,494 | $56,667 | 5.7% | |
| 16 | Shenandoah Junction, WV | 1,141 | $94,821 | 0.0% | |
| 17 | Bolivar, WV | 1,215 | $83,068 | 5.7% | |
| 18 | Cassville, WV | 1,149 | $90,478 | 0.0% | |
| 19 | Mabscott, WV | 1,396 | $57,813 | 5.6% | |
| 20 | Winfield, WV | 2,918 | $103,276 | 2.6% | |
| 21 | Culloden, WV | 3,040 | $73,318 | 0.0% | |
| 22 | Lubeck, WV | 1,495 | $71,171 | 9.7% | |
| 23 | Mineralwells, WV | 2,389 | $64,643 | 1.1% | |
| 24 | Boaz, WV | 1,400 | $72,560 | 1.0% | |
| 25 | Falling Waters, WV | 2,183 | $88,466 | 10.8% | |
| 26 | Pleasant Valley, WV | 3,482 | $67,635 | 2.2% | |
| 27 | Belle, WV | 1,611 | $77,031 | 10.6% | |
| 28 | Nutter Fort, WV | 2,075 | $68,068 | 3.5% | |
| 29 | Brush Fork, WV | 1,096 | $70,098 | 0.0% | |
| 30 | Shinnston, WV | 2,352 | $69,844 | 2.1% | |
| 31 | Milton, WV | 2,817 | $46,429 | 0.8% | |
| 32 | Kenova, WV | 2,944 | $53,683 | 0.0% | |
| 33 | Follansbee, WV | 2,757 | $58,371 | 5.9% | |
| 34 | St. Marys, WV | 2,174 | $63,547 | 1.6% | |
| 35 | Inwood, WV | 2,794 | $84,286 | 6.6% | |
| 36 | Stonewood, WV | 2,212 | $54,792 | 9.8% | |
| 37 | Barboursville, WV | 4,376 | $60,571 | 4.2% | |
| 38 | White Sulphur Springs, WV | 2,549 | $46,178 | 1.4% | |
| 39 | Lewisburg, WV | 3,835 | $49,560 | 5.3% | |
| 40 | Summersville, WV | 3,373 | $56,571 | 6.3% | |
| 41 | Shady Spring, WV | 3,381 | $67,407 | 5.8% | |
| 42 | Petersburg, WV | 2,384 | $42,917 | 2.1% | |
| 43 | Fort Ashby, WV | 1,283 | $44,538 | 0.0% | |
| 44 | Paden City, WV | 2,415 | $66,101 | 4.5% | |
| 45 | Ravenswood, WV | 3,830 | $34,241 | 0.0% | |
| 46 | Washington, WV | 1,139 | $60,365 | 3.6% | |
| 47 | Fayetteville, WV | 2,817 | $67,623 | 2.1% | |
| 48 | Craigsville, WV | 2,190 | $39,943 | 2.3% | |
| 49 | Rand, WV | 1,064 | $61,047 | 5.4% | |
| 50 | Point Pleasant, WV | 3,961 | $37,563 | 8.1% | |
| 51 | Ripley, WV | 3,071 | $41,518 | 2.2% | |
| 52 | Moorefield, WV | 2,525 | $49,063 | 5.3% | |
| 53 | Keyser, WV | 4,857 | $46,955 | 12.9% | |
| 54 | Mannington, WV | 1,829 | $54,286 | 3.2% | |
| 55 | Shannondale, WV | 3,465 | $80,000 | 5.6% | |
| 56 | Daniels, WV | 1,489 | $60,278 | 3.9% | |
| 57 | Hooverson Heights, WV | 2,090 | $60,781 | 8.4% | |
| 58 | Mallory, WV | 1,417 | $101,546 | 2.8% | |
| 59 | Gilbert Creek, WV | 1,061 | $82,632 | 0.0% | |
| 60 | Chesapeake, WV | 1,702 | $60,927 | 2.3% | |
| 61 | West Union, WV | 1,039 | $60,417 | 2.9% | |
| 62 | Glenville, WV | 1,037 | $47,422 | 7.1% | |
| 63 | Stanaford, WV | 1,449 | $44,219 | 3.1% | |
| 64 | Hamlin, WV | 1,068 | $61,429 | 4.4% | |
| 65 | Madison, WV | 2,788 | $58,872 | 3.6% | |
| 66 | Kingwood, WV | 2,973 | $71,154 | 4.4% | |
| 67 | Harrisville, WV | 1,574 | $47,768 | 2.1% | |
| 68 | Coal Fork, WV | 1,423 | $70,212 | 29.5% | |
| 69 | West Liberty, WV | 1,481 | $43,750 | 7.1% | |
| 70 | Mount Gay-Shamrock, WV | 1,166 | $51,740 | 3.5% | |
| 71 | Mullens, WV | 2,034 | $61,563 | 0.9% | |
| 72 | Wellsburg, WV | 2,203 | $42,868 | 13.3% | |
| 73 | Marmet, WV | 1,524 | $52,115 | 12.1% | |
| 74 | Sissonville, WV | 3,593 | $66,944 | 5.3% | |
| 75 | New Haven, WV | 1,493 | $55,938 | 0.3% | |
| 76 | Carpendale, WV | 1,035 | $66,027 | 8.3% | |
| 77 | Man, WV | 1,049 | $60,000 | 9.7% | |
| 78 | Chester, WV | 2,179 | $56,607 | 13.7% | |
| 79 | Ceredo, WV | 1,528 | $49,635 | 5.2% | |
| 80 | Bluewell, WV | 1,992 | $35,168 | 2.8% | |
| 81 | Ansted, WV | 1,140 | $38,375 | 2.5% | |
| 82 | Hinton, WV | 2,086 | $37,610 | 3.9% | |
| 83 | Grafton, WV | 4,618 | $40,402 | 7.4% | |
| 84 | Crab Orchard, WV | 1,139 | $43,792 | 3.8% | |
| 85 | Ronceverte, WV | 1,419 | $41,889 | 7.8% | |
| 86 | Weston, WV | 3,840 | $52,070 | 16.2% | |
| 87 | Buffalo, WV | 1,150 | $64,583 | 8.1% | |
| 88 | Enterprise, WV | 1,087 | $63,636 | 8.7% | |
| 89 | Salem, WV | 1,629 | $38,529 | 4.4% | |
| 90 | Addison (Webster Springs), WV | 1,038 | $33,333 | 11.9% | |
| 91 | Romney, WV | 1,922 | $49,286 | 10.3% | |
| 92 | Benwood, WV | 1,230 | $43,636 | 3.1% | |
| 93 | Philippi, WV | 2,861 | $45,879 | 8.1% | |
| 94 | Pennsboro, WV | 1,334 | $51,327 | 1.8% | |
| 95 | Spencer, WV | 2,291 | $37,639 | 16.5% | |
| 96 | Bradley, WV | 1,424 | $43,641 | 5.0% | |
| 97 | Montgomery, WV | 1,516 | $27,679 | 10.2% | |
| 98 | Welch, WV | 3,507 | $32,969 | 0.0% | |
| 99 | Granville, WV | 1,257 | $31,901 | 11.0% | |
| 100 | Sistersville, WV | 1,409 | $45,500 | 12.6% |