Shenandoah
RANK #409 / 996 NAT · #4 / 11 WV · POP 123,283
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
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.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Berkeley County scores 59/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#409). Median household income is $73,619 and job growth is running at +3.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Berkeley County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $231,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,154/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Berkeley County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.7% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +3.6% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.1% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Berkeley County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.