Eastern
RANK #250 / 996 NAT · #2 / 11 WV · POP 65,862
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Clarksburg, the county seat of Harrison County, holds historical significance as the birthplace of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. Located in north-central West Virginia, Harrison County is approximately 100 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is bisected by Interstate 79 and U.S. Route 50. The community offers access to outdoor recreation, including the Harrison County Recreation Complex with its all-abilities playground and disc golf course, and nearby state parks like Watters Smith Memorial State Park, which preserves pioneer life. The West Fork River and its tributaries provide scenic views and opportunities for walking and water trails.
Harrison County residents often own their homes, and the public school system is above average, with schools like Johnson Elementary and Bridgeport High School receiving high rankings. Commute times average around 22.4 minutes, with many driving alone to work, though the Central West Virginia Transit Authority (CENTRA) offers public bus transportation throughout the county. The local economy is diverse, with growth in sectors such as aerospace manufacturing and service operations at the North Central West Virginia Airport. The county also sees economic activity in energy production and transmission, alongside a history of agriculture and livestock.
Well below national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.0x — home prices are low 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
FirstEnergy Natural Gas Plant & Solar
FirstEnergy
|
$7,700M | Proposed |
|
Wolf Summit Energy Natural Gas Power Plant
Blackstone (through Blackstone Energy Transition Partners)
|
$1,200M | Under Construction |
|
Harrison County Power Plant (550 MW Natural Gas)
Energy Solutions Consortium and Caithness Energy
|
$880M | Operating |
|
Battery Energy Storage Facility
Paragrin Energy Solutions
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Mon Health Harrison Neighborhood Hospital at Charles Pointe Crossing
Mon Health System
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Harrison Regional Industrial Park Building Expansion
Harrison Economic Development Corporation (HEDC)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 75/100, Harrison County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.8%, and median household income stands at $56,184 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in WV.
By national standards, Harrison County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $146,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $836/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Harrison County is losing population (-0.5% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+0.8% employment change). Home values are -2.0% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
Not particularly — 1.66% of Harrison County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.