RANK #811 / 996 · POP 56,194 · WV
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.6%
Marion County, West Virginia, is perhaps best known as the "pepperoni roll capital of the world," with Fairmont claiming to be the birthplace of this regional delicacy. Located in north-central West Virginia, Fairmont serves as the county seat and sits at the confluence of the West Fork and Tygart Valley Rivers, which form the Monongahela River. The county is bisected by Interstate 79, offering a commute of about 20 minutes to Morgantown, a larger city to the north. The landscape features rolling hills and waterways, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking on rail trails, fishing, and boating on the Monongahela River. Prickett's Fort State Park, a reconstructed 18th-century fort, offers a glimpse into frontier life.
Life in Marion County offers a small-town feel with access to amenities. The cost of living is lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside. The county is home to Fairmont State University, contributing to the local educational landscape. Marion County Schools serve over 7,500 students across 23 public schools, with Pleasant Valley Elementary, White Hall Elementary, and Jayenne Elementary ranking among the top. The economy, historically tied to coal and oil and gas, is diversifying with significant investments in technology sectors, particularly data centers, and advanced manufacturing. The I-79 Technology Park is a hub for high-tech companies and research.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Liberty Data Center Campus
Stream
|
$2,400M | Proposed |
|
FirstEnergy Solar Portfolio (5 projects including Rivesville Solar)
Mon Power and Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy Corp.)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Prime 6 Manufacturing Facility
Prime 6
|
$35M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Marion County has a Boom Town Index score of 19/100, ranking #811 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.4% and a median household income of $59,974, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Marion County is $147,600 with median rent at $870/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4063, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.4%. Home values changed +1.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.13% of Marion County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.