9 Best Parkersburg, WV Neighborhoods

Hannah WyattFacts, Stats, & ResearchWV Local Expert

Last Modified: July 11, 2026

Parkersburg is built around its downtown core, where the Ohio River defines the western edge and the surrounding neighborhoods fan out from there, each with its own texture. Downtown and the adjacent Julia-Ann Square Historic District sit close to the water with walkable streets and the kind of older architecture that draws people who want character built into their daily commute, while South Parkersburg offers quieter residential blocks where families tend to put down longer roots. The further you move from the river corridor, the more the city opens into conventional suburban rhythms, with trade-offs in convenience versus space that vary considerably depending on the neighborhood. Each profile below covers who tends to feel most at home there, what residents say they value most about living there, and the real practical considerations around things like commuting, schools, and cost of living, so you can compare honestly before committing. If you're still weighing the city itself, start with our Moving to Parkersburg guide for the broader picture.