Cities and Towns in West Virginia (2026): Complete List of 232 Municipalities

West Virginia became the 35th state of the United States on June 20, 1863, after separating from Virginia during the Civil War. Its admission was authorized by President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation following a constitutional process that included approval from the Restored Government of Virginia, which remained loyal to the Union. The state’s path to statehood was unique, occurring amid the turmoil of the Civil War, with West Virginia’s constitution ratified in early 1863 and Lincoln’s proclamation formally recognizing its statehood effective June 20, 1863.

Today, West Virginia is divided into 55 counties and contains 232 incorporated municipalities, including 77 cities, 148 towns, and six villages. Municipal classifications in West Virginia are guided by population density and urban character, as outlined in Chapter 8, Article 2 of the West Virginia Code. Cities in the state are classified into four classes (Class I through Class IV), with Class I cities being the largest in population and complexity, while towns and villages have smaller populations and lower urban density.

This complete guide to cities and towns in West Virginia lists every incorporated municipality alphabetically, making it easy to find any community in the Mountain State. Whether you are researching a specific city, exploring the state’s geography, or looking for local government information, the full list below covers all 232 municipalities across West Virginia’s 55 counties.

State Information Overview

Category	Data
Total Municipalities	232
Number of Cities	77
Number of Towns	148
Number of Villages	6
Total Counties	55
Largest City (Population)	Charleston (approx. 45,403 residents)
Smallest County (Area)	Hancock County (approx. 88 sq miles)
State Land Area	Approximately 24,230 square miles
Population (2026 est.)	Approximately 1.77 million residents

Major Cities in West Virginia

West Virginia’s largest cities serve as economic, cultural, and educational hubs for the state’s approximately 1.77 million residents. Understanding the role of each major city provides important context for anyone exploring the full list of municipalities in the Mountain State.

• Charleston — The state capital and largest city, Charleston, sits at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers in Kanawha County. With a 2026 population of approximately 45,403, it serves as the center of state government, healthcare, and commerce. Charleston is home to the West Virginia State Capitol, a prominent gold-domed landmark visible throughout the city.
• Huntington — Located in Cabell County along the Ohio River, Huntington is the second-largest city in West Virginia and home to Marshall University. The city is a regional hub for healthcare, education, and river trade and has been nationally recognized for its community-led revitalization efforts.
• Morgantown — Situated in Monongalia County in the north-central part of the state, Morgantown is home to West Virginia University (WVU), the state’s flagship public research university. The city consistently ranks among the most livable small cities in the United States and has one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in West Virginia.
• Parkersburg — Located in Wood County at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers, Parkersburg is one of West Virginia’s oldest cities and a key commercial center in the Mid-Ohio Valley. It is also home to West Virginia University at Parkersburg.
• Wheeling — Situated in Ohio County in the northern panhandle, Wheeling served as West Virginia’s first state capital and is rich in Civil War and industrial history. The city sits along the Ohio River and is known for Wheeling Island, one of the largest river islands in the United States.
• Martinsburg — The largest city in the Eastern Panhandle and seat of Berkeley County, Martinsburg has experienced significant population growth in recent decades due to its proximity to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It is a major transportation hub served by Amtrak’s Capitol Limited line.
• Beckley — Located in Raleigh County in southern West Virginia, Beckley is the commercial center of the coalfields region. The city is home to the famous Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, a popular heritage tourism attraction.
• Fairmont — Situated in Marion County, Fairmont is a historic city in north-central West Virginia with deep roots in the coal and glass industries. It is home to Fairmont State University and serves as the county seat of Marion County.

West Virginia Cities & Towns Ranked by Population

Rank	City	Population 2026	Type	AreaMi
1	Charleston	45403	City	31.397
2	Huntington	44036	City	16.477
3	Morgantown	30707	City	10.179
4	Parkersburg	28414	City	11.782
5	Wheeling	25633	City	13.601
6	Martinsburg	19204	City	6.631
7	Weirton	17918	City	18.055
8	Fairmont	17887	City	8.602
9	Beckley	16165	City	9.498
10	Clarksburg	14936	City	10.369
11	South Charleston	12847	City	9.760
12	Vienna	10290	City	3.968
13	St. Albans	10041	City	3.615
14	Charles Town	10040	City	5.866
15	Bridgeport	9477	City	10.599
16	Bluefield	8931	City	8.974
17	Oak Hill	7522	City	9.695
18	Moundsville	7521	City	2.907
19	Dunbar	6938	City	2.802
20	Hurricane	6743	City	3.714
21	Elkins	6585	City	3.633
22	Ranson corporation	6314	Corporation	8.103
23	Nitro	6249	City	5.345
24	Princeton	5462	City	3.014
25	Buckhannon	4983	City	2.849
26	New Martinsville	4955	City	2.673
27	Keyser	4773	City	1.974
28	Grafton	4507	City	3.672
29	Barboursville	4270	Village	4.014
30	Westover	4146	City	3.045
31	Ravenswood	3808	City	1.817
32	Point Pleasant	3801	City	2.416
33	Lewisburg	3687	City	3.803
34	Weston	3665	City	1.943
35	Pleasant Valley	3454	City	3.231
36	Welch	3315	City	7.633
37	Summersville	3277	City	4.487
38	Ripley	3065	City	3.223
39	Kingwood	2940	City	2.430
40	Williamstown	2930	City	1.491
41	Philippi	2831	City	2.829
42	Kenova	2802	City	1.319
43	Milton	2775	Town	2.127
44	Moorefield	2764	Town	2.666
45	Fayetteville	2683	Town	5.774
46	Williamson	2635	City	3.275
47	Madison	2630	City	7.636
48	Follansbee	2609	City	1.843
49	Bethlehem	2537	Village	3.557
50	Winfield	2411	Town	2.358
51	Paden City	2315	City	0.846
52	Petersburg	2265	City	1.616
53	Shinnston	2231	City	1.672
54	Wellsburg	2203	City	0.970
55	White Sulphur Springs	2122	City	1.873
56	Hinton	2103	City	2.233
57	Chester	2058	City	0.999
58	Spencer	1890	City	1.249
59	Mannington	1887	City	1.093
60	Star City	1820	Town	0.489
61	Belington	1787	Town	2.061
62	Romney	1750	City	1.057
63	Stonewood	1719	City	0.851
64	St. Marys	1706	City	1.024
65	Richwood	1580	City	1.610
66	McMechen	1562	City	0.571
67	Shepherdstown	1522	Town	0.401
68	Eleanor	1509	Town	2.140
69	Harrisville	1509	Town	1.584
70	Ronceverte	1479	City	1.704
71	Salem	1449	City	2.032
72	Nutter Fort	1430	Town	0.889
73	West Liberty	1426	Town	1.092
74	Terra Alta	1408	Town	1.185
75	Marmet	1392	City	1.274
76	Granville	1389	Town	1.297
77	New Haven	1387	Town	1.101
78	Glen Dale	1380	City	0.850
79	Wayne	1372	Town	1.180
80	Oceana	1334	Town	1.292
81	Mullens	1302	City	1.842
82	Ceredo	1299	City	1.314
83	Parsons	1269	City	1.122
84	Sistersville	1263	City	0.525
85	Logan	1262	City	1.148
86	Ansted	1258	Town	1.566
87	Chesapeake	1256	Town	0.481
88	Mabscott	1250	Town	0.925
89	Mount Hope	1213	City	1.863
90	Buffalo	1199	Town	1.179
91	Barrackville	1189	Town	0.689
92	Benwood	1172	City	1.298
93	Montgomery	1167	City	1.621
94	Rainelle	1167	Town	1.113
95	Athens	1161	Town	0.403
96	Monongah	1086	Town	0.488
97	Belle	1068	Town	0.690
98	Sophia	1057	Town	0.698
99	Glenville	1022	Town	0.995
100	Pennsboro	987	City	2.698
101	Bolivar	965	Town	0.433
102	New Cumberland	954	City	1.220
103	Hamlin	941	Town	0.597
104	Marlinton	935	Town	2.351
105	Alderson	915	Town	0.894
106	Chapmanville	910	Town	0.657
107	Clendenin	873	Town	1.442
108	Poca	865	Town	0.555
109	Carpendale	834	Town	1.312
110	Mason	822	Town	0.583
111	Rupert	815	Town	0.767
112	Sutton	805	Town	0.777
113	Belmont	801	City	0.408
114	North Hills	801	Town	0.566
115	Rivesville	799	Town	0.524
116	Cameron	797	City	0.859
117	East Bank	763	Town	0.482
118	Bath (Berkeley Springs)	749	Town	0.336
119	Bethany	742	Town	0.733
120	Gassaway	710	Town	1.155
121	White Hall	703	Town	1.052
122	Man	688	Town	1.125
123	Piedmont	686	Town	0.381
124	Smithers	681	City	1.424
125	Lumberport	679	Town	0.502
126	Glasgow	677	Town	0.466
127	Cedar Grove	669	Town	0.717
128	Elizabeth	662	Town	0.473
129	Grant Town	661	Town	0.527
130	Addison (Webster Springs)	655	Town	0.451
131	Triadelphia	651	Town	0.673
132	Middlebourne	649	Town	0.361
133	Gary	648	City	0.841
134	Fort Gay	646	Town	0.825
135	West Union	633	Town	0.360
136	Pineville	630	Town	0.768
137	Danville	618	Town	0.972
138	Thomas	589	City	3.489
139	Davis	566	Town	2.007
140	Ridgeley	566	Town	0.290
141	Beverly	563	Town	0.439
142	Mill Creek	529	Town	0.457
143	Franklin	527	Town	0.562
144	Reedsville	524	Town	0.651
145	War	511	City	0.891
146	Gauley Bridge	506	Town	1.564
147	Masontown	505	Town	0.278
148	Beech Bottom	500	Village	1.162
149	Anmoore	496	Town	1.059
150	Hartford City	495	Town	1.237
151	West Hamlin	481	Town	0.534
152	Cowen	454	Town	0.629
153	Peterstown	454	Town	0.316
154	Grantsville	449	Town	0.435
155	Pratt	449	Town	0.286
156	West Milford	448	Town	0.531
157	Clearview	447	Village	0.404
158	Capon Bridge	429	Town	0.707
159	Rowlesburg	429	Town	1.011
160	Union	415	Town	0.447
161	Paw Paw	409	Town	0.530
162	Farmington	396	Town	0.415
163	Jane Lew	391	Town	0.239
164	Junior	374	Town	0.314
165	Delbarton	373	Town	1.987
166	Bancroft	370	Town	0.139
167	Burnsville	369	Town	1.057
168	Fairview	367	Town	0.280
169	Clay	358	Town	0.558
170	Matewan	356	Town	0.553
171	West Logan	356	Town	0.338
172	Lost Creek	336	Town	1.208
173	Pine Grove	330	Town	0.352
174	Lester	329	Town	0.501
175	Whitesville	329	Town	0.224
176	Windsor Heights	327	Village	0.143
177	Flemington	304	Town	0.305
178	Meadow Bridge	302	Town	0.375
179	Hedgesville	298	Town	0.131
180	Tunnelton	292	Town	0.335
181	Gilbert	290	Town	0.995
182	Mitchell Heights	283	Town	0.336
183	Kermit	275	Town	0.392
184	Valley Grove	266	Village	0.547
185	Ellenboro	260	Town	1.125
186	Harpers Ferry	260	Town	0.535
187	Wardensville	259	Town	0.324
188	Bramwell	257	Town	0.555
189	Newburg	256	Town	0.785
190	Flatwoods	251	Town	0.655
191	Durbin	248	Town	0.572
192	Albright	245	Town	0.232
193	Hundred	234	Town	0.502
194	Kimball	232	Town	0.605
195	Iaeger	228	Town	0.962
196	Hillsboro	221	Town	0.533
197	Hambleton	219	Town	0.222
198	Henderson	219	Town	0.418
199	Handley	207	Town	0.954
200	Bayard	206	Town	0.311
201	Elk Garden	205	Town	0.258
202	Hendricks	202	Town	0.342
203	Quinwood	200	Town	0.346
204	Northfork	192	Town	0.964
205	Womelsdorf (Coalton)	177	Town	0.414
206	Davy	174	Town	1.273
207	Bradshaw	171	Town	0.774
208	Worthington	171	Town	0.583
209	Cairo	165	Town	0.472
210	Falling Spring	163	Town	0.515
211	Sand Fork	163	Town	0.325
212	Huttonsville	154	Town	0.303
213	Sylvester	145	Town	0.051
214	Keystone	143	City	0.324
215	Reedy	141	Town	0.195
216	Anawalt	139	Town	0.575
217	Montrose	137	Town	0.627
218	Pullman	132	Town	0.243
219	Oakvale	128	Town	0.418
220	Brandonville	127	Town	0.385
221	Leon	127	Town	0.320
222	Blacksville	120	Town	0.299
223	Pax	117	Town	0.304
224	Camden-on-Gauley	116	Town	0.325
225	Smithfield	94	Town	0.292
226	Friendly	91	Town	0.101
227	Harman	90	Town	0.323
228	Auburn	74	Town	0.335
229	Bruceton Mills	63	Town	0.055
230	Thurmond	2	Town	0.175

Cities and Towns by Alphabetical Letter in West Virginia

Cities in West Virginia that start with A

• Accoville
• Addison (Webster Springs)
• Adrian
• Albright
• Alderson
• Alum Creek
• Amherstdale
• Anawalt
• Anmoore
• Ansted
• Apple Grove
• Arbovale
• Arthurdale
• Athens
• Auburn
• Aurora

Cities in West Virginia that start with B

• Bancroft
• Barboursville
• Barrackville
• Bartley
• Bartow
• Bath (Berkeley Springs)
• Baxter
• Bayard
• Beaver
• Beckley
• Beech Bottom
• Belington
• Belle
• Belmont
• Belva
• Benwood
• Bergoo
• Berwind
• Bethany
• Bethlehem
• Beverly
• Big Chimney
• Big Creek
• Big Sandy
• Birch River
• Blacksville
• Blennerhassett
• Bluefield
• Bluewell
• Boaz
• Bolivar
• Bolt
• Boomer
• Booth
• Bradley
• Bradshaw
• Bramwell
• Brandonville
• Brandywine
• Brenton
• Bridgeport
• Brookhaven
• Bruceton Mills
• Bruno
• Brush Fork
• Buckhannon
• Bud
• Buffalo
• Burlington
• Burnsville

Cities in West Virginia that start with C

• Cairo
• Camden-on-Gauley
• Cameron
• Capon Bridge
• Carolina
• Carpendale
• Cassville
• Cedar Grove
• Century
• Ceredo
• Chapmanville
• Charleston
• Charles Town
• Charlton Heights
• Chattaroy
• Chauncey
• Cheat Lake
• Chelyan
• Chesapeake
• Chester
• Clarksburg
• Clay
• Clearview
• Clendenin
• Clifton
• Coal City
• Coal Fork
• Colcord
• Colliers
• Comfort
• Corinne
• Cottageville
• Covel
• Cowen
• Crab Orchard
• Craigsville
• Crooked Creek
• Cross Lanes
• Crum
• Crumpler
• Cucumber
• Culloden
• Cunard

Cities in West Virginia that start with D

• Daniels
• Danville
• Davis
• Davy
• Deep Water
• Delbarton
• Despard
• Dixie
• Dorothy
• Dunbar
• Dupont City
• Durbin

Cities in West Virginia that start with E

• Earling
• East Bank
• East Dailey
• East View
• Eccles
• Eleanor
• Elizabeth
• Elk Garden
• Elkins
• Elkview
• Ellenboro
• Enterprise
• Eskdale

Cities in West Virginia that start with F

• Fairlea
• Fairmont
• Fairview
• Falling Spring
• Falling Waters
• Falls View
• Farmington
• Fayetteville
• Fenwick
• Flatwoods
• Flemington
• Follansbee
• Fort Ashby
• Fort Gay
• Frank
• Franklin
• Friendly

Cities in West Virginia that start with G

• Gallipolis Ferry
• Galloway
• Garten
• Gary
• Gassaway
• Gatewood
• Gauley Bridge
• Ghent
• Gilbert
• Gilbert Creek
• Glasgow
• Glen Dale
• Glen Ferris
• Glen Fork
• Glen Jean
• Glenville
• Glen White
• Grafton
• Grantsville
• Grant Town
• Granville
• Great Cacapon
• Green Bank
• Green Spring
• Greenview
• Greenville
• Gypsy

Cities in West Virginia that start with H

• Hambleton
• Hamlin
• Handley
• Hansford
• Harman
• Harpers Ferry
• Harrisville
• Hartford City
• Harts
• Hedgesville
• Helvetia
• Henderson
• Hendricks
• Henlawson
• Hepzibah
• Hico
• Hillsboro
• Hilltop
• Hinkleville
• Hinton
• Holden
• Hollygrove
• Hometown
• Hooverson Heights
• Hundred
• Huntersville
• Huntington
• Hurricane
• Huttonsville

Cities in West Virginia that start with I

• Iaeger
• Idamay
• Institute
• Inwood
• Itmann

Cities in West Virginia that start with J

• Jacksonburg
• Jane Lew
• Jefferson
• Junior
• Justice
• Justice Addition

Cities in West Virginia that start with K

• Kanawha
• Kenova
• Kermit
• Keyser
• Keystone
• Kimball
• Kimberly
• Kincaid
• Kingwood
• Kistler
• Kopperston

Cities in West Virginia that start with L

• Lashmeet
• Lavalette
• Leon
• Lesage
• Lester
• Lewisburg
• Littleton
• Logan
• Lost Creek
• Lubeck
• Lumberport

Cities in West Virginia that start with M

• Mabscott
• MacArthur
• Madison
• Malden
• Mallory
• Man
• Mannington
• Marlinton
• Marmet
• Martinsburg
• Mason
• Masontown
• Matewan
• Matheny
• Matoaka
• Maybeury
• McConnell
• McMechen
• Meadow Bridge
• Middlebourne
• Middleway
• Mill Creek
• Milton
• Mineralwells
• Mitchell Heights
• Monaville
• Monongah
• Montcalm
• Montgomery
• Montrose
• Moorefield
• Morgantown
• Moundsville
• Mount Carbon
• Mount Gay-Shamrock
• Mount Hope
• Mullens

Cities in West Virginia that start with N

• Neibert
• Nettie
• Newark
• Newburg
• New Cumberland
• Newell
• New Haven
• New Martinsville
• New Richmond
• Nitro
• Northfork
• North Hills
• Norton
• Nutter Fort

Cities in West Virginia that start with O

• Oak Hill
• Oakvale
• Oceana
• Omar
• Osage

Cities in West Virginia that start with P

• Paden City
• Page
• Parkersburg
• Parsons
• Paw Paw
• Pax
• Pea Ridge
• Pennsboro
• Petersburg
• Peterstown
• Philippi
• Pickens
• Piedmont
• Pinch
• Pine Grove
• Pineville
• Piney View
• Pleasant Valley
• Poca
• Point Pleasant
• Powellton
• Pratt
• Prichard
• Prince
• Princeton
• Prosperity

Cities in West Virginia that start with Q

• Quinwood

Cities in West Virginia that start with R

• Rachel
• Racine
• Rainelle
• Raleigh
• Rand
• Ranson
• Ravenswood
• Raymond City
• Raysal
• Reader
• Red Jacket
• Reedsville
• Reedy
• Reynoldsville
• Rhodell
• Richwood
• Ridgeley
• Ripley
• Rivesville
• Robinette
• Rock Cave
• Roderfield
• Romney
• Ronceverte
• Rossmore
• Rowlesburg
• Rupert

Cities in West Virginia that start with S

• Salem
• Salt Rock
• Sand Fork
• Sarah Ann
• Scarbro
• Shady Spring
• Shannondale
• Shenandoah Junction
• Shepherdstown
• Shinnston
• Shrewsbury
• Sissonville
• Sistersville
• Smithers
• Smithfield
• Sophia
• South Charleston
• Spelter
• Spencer
• Sprague
• Springfield
• St. Albans
• Stanaford
• Star City
• St. George
• St. Marys
• Stollings
• Stonewood
• Summersville
• Sutton
• Switzer
• Sylvester

Cities in West Virginia that start with T

• Teays Valley
• Terra Alta
• Thomas
• Thurmond
• Tioga
• Tornado
• Triadelphia
• Tunnelton
• Twilight

Cities in West Virginia that start with U

• Union

Cities in West Virginia that start with V

• Valley Bend
• Valley Grove
• Valley Head
• Van
• Verdunville
• Vienna

Cities in West Virginia that start with W

• Wallace
• War
• Wardensville
• Washington
• Waverly
• Wayne
• Weirton
• Welch
• Wellsburg
• West Dunbar
• West Hamlin
• West Liberty
• West Logan
• West Milford
• Weston
• Westover
• West Union
• Wheeling
• White Hall
• White Sulphur Springs
• Whitesville
• Whitmer
• Wiley Ford
• Williamson
• Williamstown
• Windsor Heights
• Winfield
• Wolf Summit
• Womelsdorf (Coalton)
• Worthington
• Vivian

Note: West Virginia does not have towns that alphabetically begin with the letters X, Y, or Z.

Interactive West Virginia Map

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cities and towns are in West Virginia?

West Virginia has 232 incorporated municipalities, comprising 77 cities, 148 towns, and 6 villages. These municipalities are spread across the state’s 55 counties and are governed under the provisions of Chapter 8, Article 2 of the West Virginia Code.

What is the largest city in West Virginia?

Charleston is the largest city in West Virginia and also the state capital. As of 2026, Charleston has an estimated population of approximately 45,403 residents and is located in Kanawha County at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers.

What is the capital city of West Virginia?

Charleston is the capital city of West Virginia. It has served as the state capital since 1885 and is home to the West Virginia State Capitol, widely recognized for its distinctive gold-domed roof.

When did West Virginia become a state?

West Virginia became the 35th state of the United States on June 20, 1863. It separated from Virginia during the Civil War, with its statehood formally recognized through President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation after the state’s constitution was ratified in early 1863.

How many counties does West Virginia have?

West Virginia is divided into 55 counties. The counties vary significantly in size, population, and geography, ranging from the densely populated Kanawha County, home to the capital Charleston, to rural, sparsely populated counties in the southern coalfields and eastern highlands.

What is West Virginia known for?

West Virginia is known for its rugged Appalachian mountain terrain, its historic coal mining and natural gas industries, and its extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. The state is also notable for its role in the Civil War, its distinctive Appalachian culture and music, and landmarks such as Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the New River Gorge National Park, the most recently designated national park in the United States.

What is the most populous county in West Virginia?

Kanawha County is the most populated county in West Virginia. It is home to the state capital Charleston and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the state, with a population that makes it the dominant urban county in West Virginia.

What is the smallest county by area in West Virginia?

Hancock County is the smallest county by area in West Virginia, covering approximately 88 square miles. It is located in the northern panhandle of the state, bordered by Ohio to the west and Pennsylvania to the north, and is home to the cities of Weirton and New Cumberland.