With West Virginia University,\u00a0new industries\u00a0<\/a>continue to grow alongside traditional ones, like coal mining, thanks to high levels of education and investment in the area. The university is also one of the area\u2019s biggest employers, making finding work much easier in this part of the state.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fairmont, WV is the county seat of Marion County, although foodie fans may know it as the pepperoni roll capital of the world! The Country Club Bakery, home of the pepperoni roll, is located on the outskirts of town.<\/p>\n Originally named Middletown, thanks to being situated between Morgantown and Clarksburg, Fairmont has a few notable landmarks, including Fairmont State University. The school offers over 80 degree programs to around 4,000 undergraduate students.<\/p>\n The NASA Independent Verification and Validation Facility has its base here, an important branch of the organization that ensures the safety of mission-critical software. Also calling Marion County home is the National White Collar Crime Center, a nonprofit that trains state and local law enforcement on cybersecurity and digital crime. These high-tech facilities are just up the road from First Exchange Bank\u2019s headquarters and White Hall office.<\/p>\n Nearby Mannington, WV is a great place to stop if you\u2019re looking for quaint West Virginia charm. The town was named after Charles Manning, a civil engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and continues to pay tribute to the gas and oil industries that helped the town grow in the late 1800s. Mannington also is where First Exchange Bank was founded in 1932.<\/p>\n The Barrackville Covered Bridge is a charming place to explore, along with the many historic chapels and churches around the area.<\/p>\n To find out more about the county, take a visit to the Marion County Visitor Center in Pleasant Valley. Here, you can learn all about the history of the area and find out more about places to stay, shop, and eat while you\u2019re in North Central West Virginia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The overall cost of living in Marion County is roughly 2% lower than the rest of West Virginia. Many inhabitants work in industries like agriculture, mining and construction, while the typical household income is around $48,000 per year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Founded in 1846, Wetzel County has a long history of oil and gas production, much like other parts of North Central West Virginia.<\/p>\n The county seat of New Martinsville is the largest city in the county and is home to both the Wetzel County Museum and the annual Appalachian Arts and Music Festival. Visit historic Hundred, named after past resident Henry Lee Church who lived to the age of 109 in the 1860s. Neighboring Paden City is a must-stop destination for exploring the great outdoors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Residents of Wetzel County make, on average, $38,000 per year in household income, while the median home price is $76,000. Thanks to the county\u2019s plentiful natural resources, many locals are employed in construction, mining, and oil and gas extraction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Harrison County is home to a number of larger towns and cities. Clarksburg, the county seat, is home to several large companies like the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co and Merrick Engineering. The FBI\u2019s Criminal Justice Information Services Department, the archive of all their law enforcement records, is also based here.<\/p>\n Close to Clarksburg is Bridgeport, a small city with plenty to explore. From the Meadowbrook Mall and the Pete Dye Golf Club to the Simpson Creek Covered Bridge, you\u2019ll want to spend at least a day here. The North Central West Virginia Airport is located a mile outside of the city for easy transportation.<\/p>\n The town of Salem, while small, is also a great place to stop by. Home to Salem University, the college\u2019s administration building, and the town\u2019s historic district are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<\/p>\n For history buffs, be sure to check out the oldest standing structure in North Central WV, the 1778 Levi Shinn Log House in Shinnston. Like Salem, the Shinnston Historic District has been on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1970s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Economic growth in Harrison County is on the rise, with job growth predicted to be 4% higher here than the national average. The median household income is currently around $48,000, with many residents employed in healthcare, retail, and public administration.\u00a0House prices continue to rise<\/a>\u00a0throughout West Virginia as a whole, with Harrison County property seeing median costs around $110,000.<\/p>\n As the county seat of Taylor County, Grafton is the biggest city in this area. The nature trails at Tygart State Park and Dam are some of the best in West Virginia but for those who prefer to stay in town, there\u2019s plenty to see and do.<\/p>\n Walking tours of the historic local sites can keep you busy for the day, including stops at the Anna Jarvis Museum or the International Mother\u2019s Day Shrine. Grafton is also home to both of West Virginia\u2019s national cemeteries and was one of the first cities in the United States to observe Memorial Day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As a smaller county in the area, Taylor County\u2019s cost of living is generally lower than other parts of the state. The median household income is roughly $39,000 per year and home prices are around $112,000 on average.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On the outskirts of Morgantown, you\u2019ll find Kingwood in Preston County. While only a small town, Kingwood is home to the Hovatter\u2019s Wildlife Zoo, a great day out with children and the whole family.<\/p>\n The James Clark McGrew House, or Gibson House, is also another spot worth stopping at. Built in 1840, the property is the former home of West Virginia\u2019s founding father, James McGrew. The cozy B&Bs in Kingwood offer another look at the town\u2019s past, while artisan markets, restaurants, and shops bring together the flavors of Appalachian heritage and modern cuisine.<\/p>\n Overall cost of living in Preston County is higher than other parts of the state, with median home costs of around $118,000. The typical median income for a household in the county is $47,000, with a large number of people employed in healthcare and manufacturing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Whether the great outdoors is calling your name or you\u2019re hoping to pick up a piece of Appalachia from a quaint artisan shop, North Central West Virginia is a great place to visit and live.<\/p>\n As one of the premier community banks in West Virginia, First Exchange Bank is here to help when you decide to call one of these small towns or larger cities your new home. Visit us in-branch in\u00a0Morgantown<\/a>,\u00a0Whitehall<\/a>,\u00a0Mannington,<\/a>\u00a0Fairmont<\/a>,\u00a0Fairview,<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Hundred<\/a>, or\u00a0contact us<\/a>\u00a0today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Whether you have called West Virginia home for many years or you are visiting for the very first time, the state has plenty to offer. Our tight-knit communities are full of history and culture and there is something here for everyone. If you have yet to explore North Central West Virginia, we are here to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3379,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"For](\"http:\/\/firstexbank.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/north-central-wv-community-guide1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMarion County WV<\/h2>\n
Major Towns and Cities – Mannington, Fairmont and White Hall<\/h2>\n
Opportunities and Cost of Living in Marion County<\/h3>\n
<\/h2>\n
Wetzel County WV<\/h2>\n
Major Towns and Cities \u2013 Hundred, New Martinsville, Paden City<\/h3>\n
Opportunities and Cost of Living in Wetzel County<\/h3>\n
Harrison County WV<\/h2>\n
Major Towns and Cities – Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Salem and Shinnston<\/h3>\n
Opportunities and Cost of Living in Harrison County<\/h3>\n
Taylor County WV<\/h2>\n
Major Towns and Cities – Grafton<\/h3>\n
Opportunities and Cost of Living in Taylor County<\/h3>\n
Preston County WV<\/h2>\n
Major Towns and Cities – Kingwood<\/h3>\n
Opportunities and Cost of Living in Preston County<\/h3>\n
Make North Central West Virginia Your Next Stop!<\/h2>\n