Clarksburg, West Virginia Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Clarksburg, West Virginia is located in the north-central part of the state along the West Fork River. The city is situated in a hilly terrain, with elevations ranging from 950 to 1,100 feet above sea level. The climate of Clarksburg is typical of the Appalachian region, with four distinct seasons and mild winters and summers.

The history of Clarksburg dates back to 1785 when the town was founded by General George Rogers Clark. Since then, Clarksburg has grown into an important regional center for culture and commerce. The city was an important stop on the Northwestern Turnpike and played a role in both the Civil War and World War II.

Politics in Clarksburg are dominated by Republicans, who hold all five county commission seats as well as most of the other elected offices in Harrison County. The city is represented at the state level by Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Representative Alex Mooney.

The economy of Clarksburg is largely driven by healthcare services, retail trade, manufacturing, and tourism. Major employers include United Hospital Center, Walmart, Mon Health Systems, and Benedum Airport Industries. In addition to these larger employers there are numerous small businesses that contribute to Clarksburg’s economy as well.

Schools within Clarksburg include West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVU-P), Fairmont State University at Robert C Byrd Institute (RCBI), West Virginia Junior College (WVJC), BridgeValley Community & Technical College (BVCTC) , as well as numerous public schools for elementary through high school students. All schools receive funding from both local taxes and state government sources which provide a quality education for all students in Clarkbsurg’s public school system.

Clarksburg has many landmarks that draw visitors to its streets each year including: Veterans Memorial Park; Waldomore Mansion; Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum; Bridgeport Country Club; Downtown Farmers Market; Anmoore Park; Robert C Byrd Institute; and many more! Each landmark offers a unique glimpse into some aspect of life in this vibrant community that serves as an important hub for commerce throughout Central West Virginia.

Population: 16,743. Estimated population in July 2024: 16,439 (-1.8% change)
Males: 7,752 (46.3%), Females: 8,991 (53.7%)

Harrison County

Zip codes: 26301, 26302.

Demographics

Median resident age: 40.5 years
Median household income: $27,722
Median house value: $58,800

Population by Race

Races in Clarksburg:

  • White Non-Hispanic (93.1%)
  • Black (3.8%)
  • Two or more races (1.3%)
  • Hispanic (1.1%)
  • American Indian (0.6%)

Ancestries: United States (18.4%), German (15.5%), Italian (14.3%), Irish (14.1%), English (10.8%), Scotch-Irish (2.7%).

Elevation: 1011 feet

Land area: 9.5 square miles

Population by Education

Clarksburg is a city located in Harrison County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Harrison County and has a population of 16,743 according to the 2010 census. It is situated along the West Fork River, which flows through the city on its way to its confluence with the Monongahela River. The city is home to West Virginia University Institute of Technology and Fairmont State University.

Clarksburg has a diverse population that reflects its long history as an industrial center and major transportation hub in northern West Virginia. The largest ethnic groups are German (21%), Irish (17%), English (11%), Italian (9%), African American (7%), Polish (6%) and Scots-Irish (4%). The median household income for Clarksburg residents was $32,876 in 2017, slightly lower than the median for West Virginia as a whole ($41,073). The unemployment rate in Clarksburg was 4.2%, significantly lower than the state average of 5.7%.

The city also has a large senior population; nearly one-third of Clarksburg’s residents are over 65 years old. In addition to retirees, there are many young professionals who work at local businesses or commute to nearby cities such as Morgantown or Pittsburgh for work. There is also a growing immigrant population; in 2017 there were over 1,000 foreign-born residents living in Clarksburg representing countries including Mexico, India and China. Education levels vary widely among Clarksburg’s population; while nearly 24% have only attained a high school diploma or less educationally, almost 28% have achieved some college education or higher.

For population 25 years and over in Clarksburg

  • High school or higher: 80.3%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.0%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.7%
  • Unemployed: 8.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 17.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Clarksburg city

  • Never married: 24.8%
  • Now married: 49.1%
  • Separated: 2.5%
  • Widowed: 12.1%
  • Divorced: 11.5%

1.3% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -1,694 (-9.2%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Clarksburg:

  • UNITED HOSPITAL CENTER (PO BOX 1605)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Clarksburg:

  • FAIRMONT GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; FAIRMONT, WV)
  • STONEWALL JACKSON MEM HOSP (about 20 miles; WESTON, WV)
  • WILLIAM R SHARPE HOSPITAL AT WESTON (about 20 miles; WESTON, WV)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Clarksburg:

  • HARRISON/MARION REGIONAL (about 9 miles; CLARKSBURG, WV; Abbreviation: CKB)
  • MORGANTOWN MUNI-WALTER L. BILL HART FLD (about 39 miles; MORGANTOWN, WV; Abbreviation: MGW)
  • MID-OHIO VALLEY REGIONAL (about 76 miles; PARKERSBURG, WV; Abbreviation: PKB)

Other public-use airports nearest to Clarksburg:

  • WADE F MALEY FIELD (about 10 miles; SHINNSTON, WV; Abbreviation: 6W0)
  • FAIRMONT MUNI-FRANKMAN FIELD (about 16 miles; FAIRMONT, WV; Abbreviation: 4G7)
  • LOUIS BENNETT FIELD (about 17 miles; WESTON, WV; Abbreviation: 49I)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Clarksburg:

  • UNITED TECHNICAL CENTER (Full-time enrollment: 144; Location: RT 3 BOX 43C; Public)
  • CLARKSBURG BEAUTY ACADEMY (Full-time enrollment: 102; Location: 120 S 3RD ST; Private, for-profit)
  • HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT (Full-time enrollment: 67; Location: 120 S LINDEN AVE; Private, not-for-profit)
  • UNITED HOSPITAL CENTER SCHOOL OF RADIOLOGIC TECHN (Full-time enrollment: 15; Location: 3 HOSPITAL PLZ; Private, not-for-profit)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Clarksburg:

  • FAIRMONT STATE COLLEGE (about 19 miles; FAIRMONT, WV; Full-time enrollment: 5,317)
  • WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY (about 36 miles; MORGANTOWN, WV; Full-time enrollment: 19,666)
  • CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (about 62 miles; CALIFORNIA, PA; Full-time enrollment: 5,183)
  • WEST LIBERTY STATE COLLEGE (about 64 miles; WEST LIBERTY, WV; Full-time enrollment: 2,453)
  • UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-MAIN CAMPUS (about 82 miles; PITTSBURGH, PA; Full-time enrollment: 22,930)
  • DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY (about 82 miles; PITTSBURGH, PA; Full-time enrollment: 8,199)
  • WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY AT PARKERSBURG (about 84 miles; PARKERSBURG, WV; Full-time enrollment: 2,306)

Schools

Public high schools in Clarksburg:

  • ROBERT C. BYRD HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 880; Location: 1 EAGLE WAY; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 664; Location: ONE MOUNTAINEER DRIVE; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • UNITED TECHNICAL CENTER (Students: 5; Location: RR 3 BOX 43C; Grades: 11 – 12)
  • TRI-COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL (Location: RR 3 BOX 43C; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high schools in Clarksburg:

  • EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 149; Location: 1318 N 16TH STREET; Grades: KG – 12)
  • NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 149; Location: 127 EAST PIKE STREET; Grades: 7 – 12)
  • CLARKSBURG WESLEYAN METH SCH (Students: 14; Location: 401 FOWLER AVE; Grades: 1 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Clarksburg:

  • WASHINGTON IRVING MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 660; Location: 443 LEE AVE; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • GORE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 307; Location: RT. 3, BOX 43B; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • ADAMSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 301; Location: 1636 W PIKE ST; Grades: PK – 05)
  • NORTH VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 283; Location: NORTH 19TH STREET; Grades: PK – 05)
  • WILSONBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 195; Location: RR 4 BOX 1; Grades: PK – 05)
  • PRESSLEY RIDGE SCHOOL (Students: 20; Location: RR 5 BOX 697; Grades: 07 – 11)
  • GENESIS YOUTH CENTER (Students: 11; Location: 535 HORNER AVE; Grades: 04 – 11)

Private primary/middle school in Clarksburg:

  • SAINT MARY’S CENTRAL GRADE SCH (Students: 143; Location: 107 EAST PIKE STREET; Grades: KG – 6)

Libraries

Library in Clarksburg:

  • CLARKSBURG-HARRISON PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $615,662; Location: 404 W. PIKE STREET; 61,868 books; 1,500 audio materials; 1,800 video materials; 146 serial subscriptions)