Palatine
RANK #463 / 996 NAT · #7 / 11 WV · POP 56,194
1YR FORECAST: +0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 scores 53/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#463). Median household income is $59,974 and job growth is running at +3.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Marion County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $147,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $870/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Marion County are hiring — job growth of +3.4% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved +1.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.13% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Marion County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.