Moving to West Virginia
West Virginia, otherwise known as ‘The Mountain State’, is a enjoyable state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to WV, we have created a comprehensive list of some important facts and useful factoids to help make your move an easy transition.
Geography
Located in the South Atlantic Region of the country, West Virginia is bordered by Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. With a total land area of over 24,229.76 Square Miles, it comes in as the 9th smallest state.
Population
Currently, the population of WV is 1,831,102 making it the 12th least populated state in the union and the 20th least densely populated. The state capital, Charleston, has a population of 53421. which is the 13th smallest capital in the country.
Notable West Virginians
West Virginia is home to numerous famous and some infamous people such as, George Brett a prominent baseball player is from Glendale and Pearl S Buck a notable author is from Hillsboro. Others include people like Phyllis Curtin a soprano and Joanne Dru a actress .
Climate
The climate of West Virginia is characterized by moderately cold winters and warm and humid summers. The polar jet stream, located near or over the Northeast region during the winter, brings frequent storm systems, which cause cloudy skies, windy conditions, and precipitation. Extreme events that affect the state include floods, droughts, heat and cold waves, ice storms, remnants of hurricanes, and snowstorms, including nor’easters. Due to the state’s rugged topography, climate conditions vary considerably. West Virginia has the highest average elevation of any state east of the Mississippi River, which moderates summer temperatures. Average minimum winter temperatures range from the low 20s (°F) in the mountainous central and northeastern portions of the state to around 30°F in the far south. Average maximum summer temperatures range from around 85°F in the southwest near the Ohio River to less than 80°F in the east-central mountains. The central portion of West Virginia receives 50 or more inches of precipitation, while around 40 inches falls in the west along the Ohio River. To the west of the state’s Eastern Panhandle, a “rain shadow” exists, where average precipitation drops down to about 35 inches each year.
Schools & Education
Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank West Virginia’s educational system.
Overall Grade: C-
West Virginia spends on average $13075.00 per pupil, which is greater than the national average ($11,900). WV ranks #34 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While WV ranks #34 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 86.50%%.
Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. West Virginia ranks #48 with over 34.10% of children attending a early educational program.
Taxes
The current income tax rate for West Virginia is 6.50% which ranks 28th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. WV’s rate is $24.29 which ranks 12th in the US.
Currently, WV sales tax is $18.84 for which it comes in as 15th compared to other states.
Sports
Unfortunately West Virginia does’nt have any major league teams.
Utility Companies
Before you move to West Virginia, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in WV.
Other Resources
For more information about moving to West Virginia, visit their website at http://www.wv.gov/