Hometown Appalachian lore: Fun Facts About Morgantown
Think you really know Morgantown? It's a city with a party school reputation that could fuel a small country, couch-burning incidents that you'll have to witness to believe, and Mountaineer mascot antics that are equal parts strange and beloved. But there's more to Morgantown than WVU! Let's run through the facts, stats, and special details that showcase what makes Morgantown's so oddly charming.
Hannah, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Hannah is a born and raised West Virginian who briefly tested life across state lines before realizing the pull of the hills is undefeated. She has lived in both northern and south central West Virginia, moved more times than she can count during college, and knows Charleston well enough to give directions using landmarks instead of street names. She writes fiction, spins yarn into sweaters, drinks Charleston coffee like its a personality trait, and somehow keeps four pets fed. Editing West Virginia guides comes naturally when you know the people shine... even when the sun does not.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes Morgantown Morgantown?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Common nicknames for Morgantown
Mo-Town, M-Town, Home of the Mountaineers
Local Reality Check
People think it's all couch fires and tailgates. In reality, that's just a portion of the local flair.
You're most likely moving from
Pittsburgh suburbs or somewhere else in West Virginia
Strangely large concentration of
Outdoor gear stores, bars, and restaurants
Music scene
123 Pleasant Street hosts local and national acts; house shows aplenty
You'll have to see it to believe it
The Personal Rapid Transit System (PRT): Morgantown's own mini train system designed for WVU in 1975
Unique Geography
Built into steep hills, spotted with beautiful streams
Morgantown is home to
West Virginia University, the historic Seneca Glass Company building, and a sprawling rail trail system
Well known for its
Aggressive Mountaineer football and basketball fandoms
Fun history fact
Morgantown was founded in 1772 by Colonel Zackquill Morgan
Celebrity sightings
Don Knotts, Jennifer Garner, Jerry West, Brad Paisley, Sierra Ferrell
Noteworthy Census stat
Median age was 24.4 years as of the 2020 census
Most interesting sub-culture within Morgantown
DIY music scene, hosting house shows and more
Population
3rd largest city in WV
Morgantown is roughly the same geographic size as
Paterson, NJ (~10 square miles)
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
It may seem like a mundane thing, but the Morgantown Farmers Market is one of the best things you can take part in during the warmer months of the year. It's a Spruce Street special, where you can enjoy live music, fresh baked goods, organic produce, honey, crafts, and more. Across the street, you can visit the Morgantown Public Library and enjoy the used book sales, too!
— Hannah Wyatt
West Virginia Local Expert
Ready to See If Morgantown Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Morgantown guide for the bigger picture.