Huntington, WV is a vibrant, artistic, and developing city with committed residents and leaders. It is a part of the largest inland port in the US and is on the Ohio River, where West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky converge. Still, it serves as the center of the 361,580-person Huntington-Ashland-Ironton metropolitan area. Additionally, Huntington is now the centre of a tristate industrial region formed at the junction of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. It includes the cities of Ashland, Kentucky, and Ironton, Ohio. In fact, it covers eight counties and three states. Huntington offers many amenities and incentives for you, and your family to move here. You will enjoy the lifestyle, safety, and opportunities offered here.
Quick Facts
- West Virginia's Cabell County and Wayne County both contain the city of Huntington.
- The average household income in Huntington is $49,702, with a poverty rate of 32.11%.
- The median cost of rent over the past few years is $727 per month, and the median value of a home is $100,300.
- Huntington is currently declining at -0.49%, and its population has decreased by -0.98%.
- The city's population was 46,842, according to the most recent official US Census in 2020.
Huntington, WV in a Nutshell
Pullman Square and many independent restaurants are among the downtown Huntington attractions. These places are a draw for those looking for shopping, dining, and entertainment. People move through the streets on foot or using the accessible bike lanes to travel from venue to venue. Heritage Farm, the Wild Ramp, Pullman Square, and the Huntington Mall are all in Huntington. The Huntington Museum of Art and Huntington Symphony Orchestra are also in the city. According to Forbes Magazine, the Huntington area has a low living cost. In fact, it has the lowest among communities similar in size in the United States. Housing costs for homeowners are lower than the national average. Marshall University offers championship Division I College sports, which many appreciate. The diverse business base in the area includes manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. These benefits the locals and small- to medium-sized businesses.
Economy
Steel processing, distribution, manufacturing, and transportation were the main drivers of Huntington's growth. These industries drove the economy throughout 1970. Since then, Huntington has shifted its focus to healthcare, finance, and retail. , Educational, service, and tourism industries are also included. The core of the medical community in Huntington comprises of many hospitals. These include the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. St. Mary's Medical Center, Huntington VA Medical Center, and Cabell Huntington Hospital. Technology, retail, finance, education, and healthcare account for most of the city's employment. These have all expanded into Huntington's economic base in recent years. The largest employers are the City of Huntington, Amazon, and DirecTV. Cabell Huntington Hospital, Marshall University, and St. Mary's Medical Center follow suit. Huntington continues to serve as a hub for the metalworking and welding industries. Some services include the repair of barges, boat equipment, and railroad rolling stock. The city also has fabricating firms, like Huntington Special Metals and Martin Steel.
Employment
The service sector now accounts for the majority of jobs in Huntington. But, the city is famous for its robust manufacturing base. The city's early Industrial Revolution roots saw the growth of glass and steel. These also include the transportation industry, which founded the town. With the help of financial incentives, new industries are burgeoning in the region. For example, healthcare organizations are among the top employers in the area. Plus, the healthcare sector is still expanding there. Huntington, West Virginia's economy employs about 18.6k people. Huntington's three largest industries are retail trade, educational services, and healthcare & social help. Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, and utilities are also jobs in the city. Together with wholesale trade, they are industries with the highest wages.
Real Estate in Huntington, WV
Huntington has a population of 46,842, around 19,520 housing units, and a median house value of $100,300. These numbers are quite below the national average for house prices. In comparison to West Virginia, the median house value is also lower. The median monthly rent in the area is $727, and 51% of people live in homes they own. It seems that Huntington has a problem with empty homes. Vacant housing makes up a complete 20.50% of the housing stock. If left unchecked, vacant Huntington homes and apartments can be a drag on the housing market. It can keep Huntington's real estate prices below levels they could reach. It can happen if vacant housing absorbs into the market and becomes occupied.
Real Estate Trends
In Huntington, small single-family detached homes are the most common type of housing. It makes up about 64.81% of the city's housing units. Large apartment complexes or high-rise apartments are around 21.94%. Duplexes, houses converted into apartments, and small apartment buildings are about 11.69%. These are some other common housing types in Huntington. There are both owner-occupied and renter-occupied homes in Huntington. Huntington experienced some of the lowest appreciation rates over the past ten years. Still, house values have increased by 25.51% or an annualized rate of 2.30%. This rate is less than 90% of American cities' and towns' appreciation rates.
Final Thoughts
The ideal illustration of a "big small town" is Huntington, West Virginia. It is a clean, welcoming city ideal for relocating, working, and starting a family. Additionally, it is a college town with a young, energetic vibe. Locals enjoy the vibrant array of boutiques, galleries, live music, and other entertainment. Plus, there are many parks, hiking trails, and outdoor activities. The median home value in its real estate market is currently among the lowest in the country. Despite this, the state has benefited from many of the same positive factors as the rest of the nation. Despite the low home values, Huntington is still much more expensive to live in than it was even a few years ago. The state is still well-priced for anyone looking to buy. And local investors are still permitted the luxury of wholesale and rehabbing. Prices have also increased the appeal of purchasing and investing in rental properties.
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