What is Living in Berkeley County Like?

Residents who move to Berkeley County can enroll their kids in Berkeley County Schools, which supports just over 20,000 students, with 3,400 faculty and staff members. There are 32 education sites throughout the county, including:

BCS boasts a 98% graduation rate, which is made possible through its small student-to-teacher ratios. Martinsburg High School, for example, has a ratio of 15:1, creating small class sizes where students can receive individualized instruction.

Beyond the public school system, parents have multiple options if they would like to enroll their students in private school. They can consider Faith Christian Academy, Martinsburg Christian Academy, Rocky Knoll Seventh Day Adventist Elementary (Pre-K -8), and St. Joseph Catholic School.

Berkeley Medical Center (formerly City Hospital), has been part of the West Virginia University (WVU) medical umbrella since 2005. It has allowed residents to receive quality medical care without traveling out of the county. WVU Medicine recently announced plans to invest $260 million in the Berkeley and Jefferson County campuses, developing state-of-the-art facilities that attract top medical talent. 
The $200.9 million investment in Berkeley Medical Center will increase patient capacity from 190 to 316 beds, and redesign the emergency department. This project is expected to create 550 jobs in the region. WVU Medical announced plans to invest in Berkeley County because its population is expected to grow by 40% by 2040. It said in a statement, “WVU Medicine is committed to growing with the population by making this transformational investment to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our communities.”

While WVU Medical ensures patients receive quality healthcare close to home, patients can also travel to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in nearby Baltimore for advanced care.

New parents in Berkeley County can enroll their children in various daycare facilities across the community. Research shows that 23.1% of parents lack adequate childcare in the United States. This causes parents to miss work and keeps some people out of the workforce entirely. By providing childcare options to families, Berkeley County can meet the needs of the community and foster job growth.

Here are a few leading childcare options for parents to explore: 

Martinsburg

Kearneysville

Falling Waters

Inwood / Bunker Hill

Hedgesville

Life in Berkeley County, West Virginia is 5.9% lower than the rest of the United States. Its housing costs are lower than the national average, and residents typically pay less for utilities, healthcare, and other services. More people are choosing Berkeley County because they want to embrace a calmer way of life, and also so they can live affordably. It’s easier to find larger single-family homes with open yards for the kids and pets to play in.

The lower cost of living is clear when you compare life in Berkeley County to the nearby Washington, D.C., metro area. According to Forbes, an employee who earns $100,000 in D.C. would only need $65,000 to live comfortably in Berkeley County. The cost of living is 55% lower, with reduced housing costs leading the way.

Berkeley County boasts more than 250 years of history, and was one of the first established municipalities in modern-day West Virginia. What started as a single settlement in 1726, has grown into several towns, and more than 40 unincorporated communities. 

Berkeley County’s history is connected to George Washington, Davy Crockett, Robert E. Lee, and Frederick Douglass. It has lines through the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Company, connections to the Norwalk Motor Car Company, and made history with the development of Interstate 81. Berkeley County has been home to Olympians, musicians, inventors, and global leaders – and it’s just getting started.  

Learn more about the history of Berkeley County, and how you can connect with history when you live here.

The natural beauty of Berkeley County continues to call new residents to the area. From crisp fall leaves to delicate spring flowers, there’s always something new on your favorite trails. Berkeley County also attracts tourists throughout the year who are drawn to the vast lakes, unique historic attractions, and fun events put on by various communities.