City life is exciting and all, but living in the country has its advantages too. Luckily for West Virginians, there are a number of rural West Virginia towns where we can enjoy a slower pace.

Check out some of the best rural places to live in West Virginia if you’re looking to get away from it all:

1. Bramwell
Bramwell, WV, USA
Trixie.in.dixie/Flickr
This Mercer County rural West Virginia town is located on the Bluestone River. It had a population of 274 at the last census. Learn more about what's in store for a visit to Bramwell.
2. Union
Union, WV 24983, USA
Linda Tanner/Flickr
Union in Monroe County, with a population of 425, is a small but beautiful town and one of the best rural places to live in West Virginia. And if you're interested in birds, check out the nearby Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory on Peters Mountain, where you can see hawks, eagles, and falcons. Get more details on Union.
3. Green Bank
Green Bank, WV, USA
Stephen Little/Flickr
With a population of 74, Green Bank is sure to be one of the most rural areas in West Virginia. But that’s not the only reason it’s quiet. It’s also home to the Green Bank Telescope, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope. As such, it's within the National Radio Quiet Zone, which means that radio transmissions are heavily restricted by law. That means no Wi-Fi, microwave ovens, or even gasoline engines within a certain distance of the telescope. It’s becoming a popular place for people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Many even move here for that reason. Discover more about the Green Bank Observatory.
4. Ansted
Ansted, WV 25812, USA
NKS22
Ansted in Fayette County is located on the Midland Trail, a National Scenic Byway. It has a population of 1,290 people. If you are ever near this rural West Virginia town, check out these roadside attractions in Ansted.
5. Dryfork
Dryfork, WV 26260, USA
topol6/Flickr
Rural West Virginia's Dryfork is located along W.Va. 32 in beautiful Randolph and Tucker counties. Consider hiking out to these waterfalls in Dryfork when you are in the area.

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6. Paw Paw
Paw Paw, WV 25434, USA
Justin Grimes/Flickr
Paw Paw in Morgan County has about 413 people and is named for West Virginia's wild fruit, the pawpaw. Learn more about Paw Paw and its characteristics.
7. Sistersville
Sistersville, WV 26175, USA
Mike/Flickr
This town in Tyler County along the Ohio River has about 1,381 people living there. Its claim to fame is having the oldest ferry in West Virginia; it has been in continuous operation since 1817. Stay the night (if you dare) at the haunted Wells Inn in Sistersville.
8. Romney
Romney, WV 26757, USA
Taber Andrew Bain/Flickr
Romney has about 1,717 people. This rural area in West Virginia consists of about .96 square miles of land and is the oldest city in the state. August is a great month to visit Romney's Peach Festival.
9. Seneca Rocks
Seneca Rocks, WV 26884, USA
Jacob Ian Wall/Flickr
One of the best rural places to live in West Virginia, the community of Seneca Rocks is located on W.Va. 28/W.Va. 55 near the confluence of Seneca Creek and the North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River. It is a quiet town with some resorts and cabins and great views of the rock formation with which it shares a name. It’s perfect for anyone who likes to rock climb or be outside. Minimal light pollution also means it’s an ideal place to see the stars, too. Read more about why Seneca Rocks is so special.
10. Davis
Davis, WV 26260, USA
Jon Dawson/Flickr
Another rural West Virginia town, Davis has around 588 people. It’s near Blackwater State Park, full of beautiful scenery and outdoor opportunities. Get more details about Davis.

Have you ever been to these rural areas in West Virginia? What do you like about life in rural West Virginia? Tell us in the comments!

Now that you’ve learned about some of the best rural places to live in West Virginia, what about places to eat? Check out these awesome West Virginia restaurants.

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More to Explore

Exploring West Virginia

Rachel Raimondi | December 14, 2022

What are the most well-known parks in West Virginia?

If it’s exploring the outdoors that you are looking for, be sure to visit some of the most well-known parks in West Virginia:

Blennerhasset Island Historical State Park: Located in Parkersburg, you can only get to this 508-acre site by a sternwheeler. You can tour the 1800s mansion (with costumed guides) as well as hike, fish, camp, and bike here.

Cathedral State Park: Located in Aurora, this 133-acre park is known for its hemlock forest and giant trees, some of them close to 100 feet tall and more than 20 feet in circumference. Enjoy a hike here or even camp out.

Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park: Located in Hillsboro, this 287-acre area was the site of the Battle of Droop Mountain, an 1863 Civil War battle. Here you can take in the historical sites, hike, and camp.

What is West Virginia known for?

Wondering what West Virginia is known for? Quite a few things. Check out some of the most interesting:

New River Gorge Bridge: In Victor, you’ll find this 1,700-foot-high and 3,030-foot-long steel span bridge. It is one of the tallest in the U.S.

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum: Located in Weston, this National Historic Landmark is the biggest hand-cut stone masonry building on the continent. It was in operation from 1864–1994.

Mothman Museum: One of the state’s most famous legends, this museum is dedicated to keeping its legacy alive. It’s located in Point Pleasant, where the supposed encounter with the creature took place in 1966.

What is the most unique town in West Virginia?

Aside from rural West Virginia towns, there are also many unique towns in West Virginia for you to explore. Here are some of the finest:

Shepherdstown: Located in Jefferson County, this town is located along the 405-mile-long Potomac River. It is rooted in American history and contains many important battle sites, museums, and even Civil War reenactments.

Berkley Springs: Located in Morgan County, this town is home to some amazing mineral springs. There’s also outdoor fun at Cacapon Resort State Park, which has tons of hiking, a golf course, and swimming beach.

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