Mountain-state trivia: Fun Facts About Parkersburg
Think you really know the city of Parkersburg? It's home to ghosts of the oil boom, marks the 4th most populous city in West Virginia, and has historic flood stories that are wilder than any fish tale. Let's run through the facts, stats, and river town receipts that showcase what makes Parkersburg's small-town secrets worth spilling.
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 Parkersburg Parkersburg?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Common nicknames for Parkersburg
P-Burg, (formerly known as Newport)
Local Reality Check
Most people think it's dying, but actually, it's just stubborn and refuses to fade
You're most likely moving from
Columbus, Pittsburgh, or somewhere in northern West Virginia
Strangely large concentration of
Churches per capita and people who remember exactly where they were when the last big flood happened
Music scene
Blennerhassett Hotel regularly hosts live music nights, local rock and country bands play at bars downtown
You'll have to see it to believe it
The historic Smoot Theatre, originally used as a vaudeville house
Unique Geography
Situated where the Little Kanawha River meets the Ohio River at a dramatic confluence
Parkersburg is home to
W. H. Smith Hardware Company Building (Oil and Gas Museum)
Well known for its
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park and Victorian-era architecture in the Julia-Ann Square Historic District
Fun history fact
The city was originally named Newport and wasn't renamed Parkersburg until 1810
Celebrity sightings
Actor Paul Dooley, jazz singer Bill Robinson, NFL star Tom Lopienski
Noteworthy Census stat
Median age is 42 (as of 2020 census)
Most interesting sub-culture within Parkersburg
River history buffs who can name every sternwheeler that ever docked here
Population
4th largest city in WV
Parkersburg is roughly the same geographic size as
Elizabeth, New Jersey
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
The Parkersburg Point Park Concerts on the River Series is a great, free event for locals to enjoy. Each summer, you can enjoy live music with the local community and take in beautiful sunset views.
— Hannah Wyatt
West Virginia Local Expert
Ready to See If Parkersburg Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Parkersburg guide for the bigger picture.