Population

  • Morgantown will be among the fastest growing areas of the state during the next five years for jobs, income and population. This builds on the significant growth recorded during the past five years.

  • The latest U.S. Census population estimates show that Morgantown is now West Virginia’s fourth largest city. Estimates show Morgantown’s population grew by more than 2,900 residents between July 1, 2000, and July 1, 2008.

    • Income

  • Real per Capita income is expected to increase by 3.3 percent yearly over the next five years in the Morgantown area.

    • Growth

  • Forbes.com ranked Morgantown as the number two college town for jobs on their list of 20. According to Forbes, 19.7 percent of Morgantown’s job force is employed by or related to employment with WVU. While the nation as a whole has experienced a 3.5 percent decrease in job growth, Morgantown has sustained a 2.91 percent job growth rate.

  • Economists say the growth in Morgantown will be fairly “balanced growth” in all areas like jobs, wages, population and capital investments.

  • Economists attribute the growth to the concentration of higher education, government and health care facilities located in the Morgantown area. Monongalia County leads the state with the number of residents with a bachelor’s degree or better (32.4 percent, 2000 census).