Wheeling gives you more for your money than most places: a typical home costs about $152K, 2.7 years of the Wheeling metro’s $57K median household income. It grades C− overall, 41st of 61 graded towns in West Virginia. The low prices come with trade-offs. FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 93% of U.S. communities, with inland flooding at the top, and it reports more crime per resident than 93% of U.S. towns, including 212 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025. On the plus side, its public schools beat 91% of West Virginia towns on state tests and graduation. History is its standout character grade: an A+, better than 100% of U.S. towns, with 49 places on the National Register. 40% of working residents work locally in Wheeling, where West Virginia’s towns sit at 13% and U.S. towns at 8%. Its National Register listings include West Virginia Independence Hall and Wheeling Suspension Bridge. Wheeling is more walkable than 88% of U.S. towns.

StrongestA⁺History A⁺Civic life ASchoolsWeakestD⁻Hazard risk DSafety DHealth C⁻Jobs & income

What makes Wheeling stand out

Where Wheeling beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.

West Virginia Independence Hall

HistoryA⁺

Settled in 1769

A history going back 257 years.

Community nonprofits per 1,000 residents

2 times the nonprofits per person

than the typical West Virginia town

Charities, civic groups and human services; churches not counted.

Worth knowing · Natural hazardsD⁻

Inland flooding at the top

FEMA National Risk Index.

West Virginia Independence Hall · National Register of Historic Places

Wheeling’s story

257 years in pictures

West Virginia Independence Hall is one of 2 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1769, is the earliest of any West Virginia town we grade.

Census counts: 7,885 in 1840, a peak of 61,659 in 1930, 27,052 in 2020. The archive holds 12 old photos and papers going back to 1849 and 8 maps from 1902 on.

49 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

1769Wheeling is settled

Explore the history →

How Wheeling grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within West Virginia), ordered by how far Wheeling is from typical.

How grading works

Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listD⁻Open →SafetyDOpen →HealthWheeling Hospital 0.6 miles awayDOpen →SchoolsAOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 9 of 20; 15.7% of households have no car; 7% of workers walk, bike or ride transitAOpen →Jobs & incomeC⁻Open →Cost of livingB⁺Open →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors3 miles of trails; 4% conserved landBOpen →History46 notable people born hereA⁺Open →Civic life10 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsA⁺Open →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

Climate–Open →Housing market34 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 45.4–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Getting set up

Moving to Wheeling: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Wheeling, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerAppalachian Power17.0¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterWheeling water system2 health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet7 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpBy addressTown pickup · day by addressTown site

SchoolsOhio County School DistrictWhich school depends on your addressNCES

Register to voteOnlineIn West Virginia you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person until 21 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 21 days before).vote.gov

Who runs elections hereOhio County Elections ClerkOhio County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Mar 2024

ZIP code2600326003 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Wheeling.

Wheeling pairs an A for schools with modest home prices and draws workers from Moundsville and beyond, but it reports violent crime at 3 times the West Virginia rate.

Work & commuteJobs & income grade C⁻

About one in three working residents works right in Wheeling

19,030 jobs are based in Wheeling, 1.6 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in. The average commute takes 19.8 minutes, against 26.6 across West Virginia.

21% of Wheeling residents live below the poverty line. Since 2013, Wheeling has lost 2,228 jobs, to 19,030 in 2023. Wheeling’s median household income is $49,000.

40%work in town

	Wheeling	West Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Below the poverty line	21%	16%	9.6%
Median household income	$49,000	$59,000	$80,000
Average trip to work	20 minutes	21 minutes	25 minutes
Work from home	6.9%	10%	11%

Where working residents work

In Wheeling40%

Pittsburgh2%

Moundsville2%

Morgantown2%

Richland Township2%

5 mi

median commute distance

19,030

jobs based in Wheeling

A job hub

jobs vs. working residents

Walkability grade: more walkable than 88% of U.S. towns

Full pageWheeling’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here19,030 jobs based here · A job hub Where people work40% work in Wheeling Commute times20 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 5 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

SchoolsA

Wheeling’s grade for schools is an A

Its A for schools comes with a B+ for cost of living: the typical home is worth about $153K.

Its public schools are run by the Ohio County Schools. Three of its 18 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.

91%of WV districts it outscoresASchool Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
Woodsdale Elementary SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5	Grades PK–5	405	A
Wheeling Park High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12	Grades 9–12	1,427	A⁻
Ritchie Elementary SchoolTop results in townGrades PK–5	Grades PK–5	289	A⁺

Full pageWheeling’s schools pageOpen the page

The districtsOhio County Schools Vs. the neighborsAhead of 1 of its 2 graded neighbors Every school18 schools · Woodsdale Elementary School Questions“Are Wheeling’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within WV on state tests and graduation

SafetyD

In Wheeling, violent crime runs higher than in the typical West Virginia or U.S. town

Violent crime runs at 8.2 per 1,000 residents, 3 times the West Virginia rate; the Safety Grade counts each violent crime four times, so this weighs most on its D. Reported crimes fell from 787 to 631 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.

The violent crime rate in Wheeling is 8.2 per 1,000 residents. Wheeling reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 93% report less.

7%of U.S. towns report more crimeDSafety Grade

	Wheeling	West Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025)	8.2 per 1,000 residents	1.6	1.6
Property crimes per 1,000 (2025)	16.2 per 1,000 residents	16.9	9.9

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Wheeling8.2

West Virginia2.7

U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Wheeling16.2

West Virginia10.9

U.S.15.5

7th

percentile among U.S. towns we grade

14th

percentile among WV towns

212

violent crimes reported in 2025

419

property crimes reported in 2025

Full pageWheeling’s safety reportOpen the page

Violent crime by type8.2 violent crimes per 1,000 Crime over the yearsDown since 2023 Vs. the neighbors10 bordering towns Questions“Is Wheeling, WV safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

HealthD

Wheeling is less healthy than 93% of U.S. towns

Within West Virginia it is less healthy than 62% of the 61 graded towns: much of West Virginia scores lower on these measures.

Wheeling tracks West Virginia closely on all 32 CDC measures. 17% of adults have diabetes in Wheeling.

7%healthier than U.S. townsDHealth Grade

	Wheeling	West Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Diabetes (CDC PLACES)	17%	16%	12%
Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES)	18%	17%	14%
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)	45%	44%	35%
Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES)	42%	40%	36%

32 measures vs. West Virginia

0 better32 too close to call0 worse

Wheeling Hospital

0.6 mi away · emergency room

3 of 3

care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

38th

percentile among WV towns

Full pageWheeling’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsFewer smokers Hospitals & doctors nearby0.6 miles to an ER · Wheeling Hospital How adults are doingFewer adults lacking emotional support Every CDC estimateBetter than WV on 0 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D⁻

Very high risk in Wheeling, with inland flooding at the top

2,656 flood insurance claims have been filed here, and 519 properties have flooded more than once.

Since 1978, 2,656 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Wheeling. Among 61 West Virginia towns, just 6 have a higher FEMA risk score than Wheeling.

93risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Inland flooding

2,656

paid flood claims since 1978

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageWheeling’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesVery high risk Flood claims2,656 paid flood claims · Since 1978 Past disasters9 federal disasters · Paid out in Wheeling Get ready1.4 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Climate

In Wheeling, expect four seasons and pleasant summers

Wheeling has chilly winters and warm summers. July afternoons reach 84°, January nights drop to 22° and about 15 inches of snow falls in a winter.

15″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter24–41°

Spring40–63°

Summer61–83°

Fall44–65°

Oct 29

typical first frost

Apr 20

typical last frost

+1.2°

vs. the 20th-century average

Full pageWheeling’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 84°, January lows 22°Rain & snow15″ of snow a winter · 42 inches of rain and snow a year Heating & coolingMostly a heating bill Then and now+1.2° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

HousingCost of living grade B⁺

Wheeling’s grade for cost of living is a B+

Typical home values rose 4.6% in the year to September 2026.

$153KZillow home value

	Wheeling	West Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Households that own their home	60%	68%	73%
Median rent	$794 a month	$882 a month	$1,185 a month

Typical home value

Wheeling$153K

West Virginia$177K

Market temperature

days on market

93.6%

sale-to-list price

+4.6%

value change, 1 year

homes sold in May

Full pageWheeling’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsUp 4.6% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 3.1 years of income Rents$794 a month · Median rent Vs. the neighborsAhead of 1 of its 2 graded neighbors

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

Who lives here

Older than West Virginia overall

Wheeling has lost 4.9% of its people since 2020, down to 25,680 in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 34% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 24% across West Virginia.

45.4median age · WV 42.7

	Wheeling	West Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Aged 65 or older	26%	21%	18%
Median age	45.4 years	42 years	40.5 years
Under 18	18%	20%	22%
Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+	34%	29%	29%

WheelingWest VirginiaUnited States

WVU.S.

Ages · share of residents

15%

Education · adults 25 and older

No diploma8%

High school32%

Some college18%

Associate’s8%

Bachelor’s20%

Graduate14%

Women and men · all residents

53% women, 47% men

About 89 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±1.2 points). Across West Virginia, 50.1% of residents are women. Median age: women 47.6, men 42.9.

Ages and education in Wheeling
	Wheeling	WV	U.S.
Under 10	8.5%	10.3%	11.6%
10 to 17	9.5%	9.7%	10.3%
18 to 24	8.3%	8.8%	9.1%
25 to 34	11.2%	12%	13.7%
35 to 44	12%	12%	13.2%
45 to 54	10.4%	12.6%	12.2%
55 to 64	14.1%	13.6%	12.7%
65 to 74	14.6%	12.6%	10.2%
75 and older	11.2%	8.4%	7%
No diploma	7.6%	10.7%	10.4%
High school	32.1%	39.3%	26%
Some college	18.3%	17.5%	19.1%
Associate’s	7.9%	8.4%	8.8%
Bachelor’s	19.9%	14.4%	21.6%
Graduate	14.1%	9.7%	14.1%

Full pageWheeling by the numbersOpen the page

Ages45.4 median age · 26% are 65 or older Schooling34% have a four-year degree Homes60% own their home · Homeowners Income$49K a year · Median household income

Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates

OutdoorsB

4.5% of Wheeling is conserved land

3.2 miles of trail in 15 parks and preserves. The biggest park or preserve is Oglebay Park, at 237 acres.

#31for trails in WV

	Wheeling	West Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Miles of trail per square mile	0.2 miles per square mile	0.4	0.4
Conserved land	4.5%	2.5%	4.3%

4.5%

conserved · 459 of 10,114 acres

3.2 mi

of trails · 0.2 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Wheeling Island Marina	0.6 mi	12
2. Wheeling Heritage Port	0.5 mi	8
3. Garden Park	0.3 mi	9

Full pageWheeling’s outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map3.2 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk0.6 miles of trail · Wheeling Island Marina Conserved land4.5% conserved · 459 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Wheeling?”

Nearby attractions

Meadowcroft Rockshelter and 12 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Wheeling. Close and well known come first.

All 71 attractions →

18 mi MuseumMeadowcroft Rockshelter

in town Stadium & arenaWesBanco Arena

11 mi Ancient siteGrave Creek Mound

3 mi GardenOglebay Park

in town MuseumWest Virginia Independence Hall

38 mi AttractionChester teapot

Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons

Photo credits

Meadowcroft Rockshelter: Lee Paxton, CC BY-SA 4.0 · WesBanco Arena: Jgera5 at English Wikipedia, CC0 · Grave Creek Mound: Shonebrooks, CC0 · Oglebay Park: Morganismysheltie (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · West Virginia Independence Hall: Nyttend, Public domain · Chester teapot: Navy2004, CC BY-SA 3.0

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Wheeling

20pages on Wheeling

The big questions

SchoolsABeat 91% of WV districts · 18 schools SafetyD8.2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthDBetter than WV on 0 of 32 CDC measures Cost of livingB⁺$153K typical home · up 4.6% in a year Work & commuteC⁻$49K median household income · 19,030 jobs here Natural hazardsD⁻FEMA risk higher than 93% of U.S. communities · inland flooding

Out and about

OutdoorsB3 mi of trails · 4% conserved land PlacesAttractions71 nearby · WesBanco Arena under 1 mi LibraryA⁺Ohio County Public Library CollegesWest Virginia Northern Community College, in town

The story

HistoryA⁺Settled 1769 · 49 on the National Register Famous people46 born in Wheeling Town Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 41 residents Climate84° summer highs · 15″ of snow

Day to day

News4 recent stories about Wheeling WeatherHandbookZIP code 26003 Town SquareNeighbors

After high school

Colleges nearby

6 within 15 miles of the center of Wheeling

West Virginia Northern Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · WheelingIn town$4,706 in-state tuition Wheeling UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · WheelingIn town$29,875 tuition West Liberty UniversityUniversity or college · Public · West Liberty7.8 mi$8,893 in-state tuition

About 5 of every 100 Wheeling residents are enrolled in college, about the same as West Virginia.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

A job hub

Every workday, about 14,218 people come to Wheeling for work

Where Wheeling’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.

19,030jobs based in Wheeling

40%of working residents work in town

5 mimedian commute distance

Census LEHD 2023

Landmarks

49 places in Wheeling on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →

West Virginia Independence HallBuilt 1859 · National Historic Landmark

Wheeling Suspension BridgeBuilt 1849 · National Historic Landmark

Shepherd Hall

Center Wheeling Market

Famous people from Wheeling

46 notable people were born in Wheeling.

See all 46 →

John CorbettAmerican actor and country music singer · born 1961

Rob GarrisonAmerican actor · 1960–2019

Billy CoxAmerican musician · born 1941

Walter ReutherLabor union leader and progressive activist · 1907–1970

Virginia FoxAmerican actress · 1902–1982

George HerbigAmerican astronomer · 1920–2013

About Wheeling

City in West Virginia, US

Official town website ↗

Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The county seat of Ohio County, it lies along the Ohio River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains within the state's northern panhandle. It is the fifth-most populous city in West Virginia and the most populous city in the northern panhandle with a population of 27,062 at the 2020 census. The Wheeling metropolitan area had 139,513 residents in 2020. Wheeling was settled in 1769 on land contested between the Province of Pennsylvania and Colony of Virginia, and later grew to become Virginia's largest city west of the Appalachian Mountains. During the American Civil War, it was the host of the Wheelin…

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1769
Area: 16 sq mi
Elevation: 686 ft
ZIP code: 26003
Area code: 304

Wheeling’s neighbors

10 towns share a border with Wheeling.

Explore the map →

How the neighbors grade

Town	WV rank	Overall	Cost	Safety	Schools	Health
Wheeling	#41	C⁻	B⁺	D	A	D
Bethlehem	#3	A	B⁻	—	A	B
Clearview	—	—	—	—	—	—
Triadelphia	—	—	—	—	—	—
Benwood	—	—	A	—	A⁻	D⁻

Benwood has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Bethlehem and Benwood report no FBI crime data of their own. Clearview and Triadelphia aren’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Wheeling with a neighbor →

Questions about Wheeling

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Wheeling, WV a good place to live?

Wheeling grades C− overall, better than 24% of U.S. towns and #41 of 61 in West Virginia. It grades D for health, D for safety and A for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a D−.

Is Wheeling, WV expensive?

Not for the area. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B+.

What is Wheeling, WV known for?

46 notable people were born here, including John Corbett and Rob Garrison.

Post to Wheeling

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Is Wheeling a good place to live?