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Berkeley County, WV

RANK #265 / 996  ·  POP 123,283  ·  WV

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.7%

Berkeley County combines solid growth with real affordability — a rare combination.

[01] Why Berkeley County?

Martinsburg, the county seat of Berkeley County, West Virginia, offers a blend of historic architecture and modern amenities. Located in the Eastern Panhandle, the county is within a reasonable driving distance of major East Coast cities like Baltimore and Washington, D.C., making it a consideration for commuters. The community provides access to outdoor recreation, including Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area with its hiking and mountain biking trails, and opportunities for water activities on the Potomac River and Sleepy Creek Lake.

Life in Berkeley County often appeals to families and those seeking a calmer lifestyle with a lower cost of living compared to nearby metropolitan areas. The economy is experiencing growth, attracting new residents and businesses. Recent economic developments include investments in data centers, manufacturing, and logistics, driven by the county's location along Interstate 81 and access to affordable electricity and water. The public school system serves a large student population across numerous elementary, middle, and high schools.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.1x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+5.5%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+3.6%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.6

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Berkeley County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
123,283
+2.34% YoY
Median Household Income
$73,619
Median Home Value
$231,600
+3.65% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,154
Average Annual Pay
$57,976
+6.0% YoY
Employment
38,427
+3.7% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3179
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.1%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$315,000
Days on Market
68
Slower market
Months of Supply
2.3
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.3%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
17.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
17.7%
Building Permits (2024)
1,460
Single-Family Permits
1,433

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$4,209M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Bedington Data Center Campus
Penzance Management
$4,000M Planned
Bedington Energy Facility (Solar Farm)
Torch Clean Energy
$100M Planned
HandCraft Services Facilities
HandCraft Services
$59M Under Construction
Berkeley County Sports Complex
Berkeley County Development Authority / Commission
$50M Proposed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +5.5% 87 percentile
Population Growth +2.3% 91 percentile
Income Growth +8.1% 39 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.5% 94 percentile
Home Price Change +3.6% 78 percentile
Rent Growth +4.0% 67 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 72 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Berkeley County, WV a good place to move to?

Berkeley County has a Boom Town Index score of 74/100, ranking #265 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.7% and a median household income of $73,619, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Berkeley County affordable?

The median home value in Berkeley County is $231,600 with median rent at $1,154/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3179, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Berkeley County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +2.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.7%. Home values changed +3.6% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Berkeley County?

Yes — 2.1% of Berkeley County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Cape Girardeau County, MO 84 Hawkins County, TN 84 St. Joseph County, IN 84 Medina County, OH 84 Barry County, MI 84 St. Joseph County, MI 84 St. Lawrence County, NY 84 Miami County, OH 84