Assisted Living in West Virginia

West Virginia has earned its nickname of “The Mountain State” from being the only state located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain Range. The state is considered to be one of the most scenic in the country, with its rolling hills and stunning mountain views, and has the highest average elevation east of the Mississippi River. Aside from its natural beauty, West Virginia is home to a number of small cities, such as West Virginia University’s home of Morgantown, and the state capital of Charleston. Between its natural beauty and quaint charm, as well as its convenient proximity to other major cities in the Midwest, the South, and the Mid-Atlantic, West Virginia has something to offer everyone and is an ideal place to retire.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 25 senior living communities in West Virginia that provide assisted living. The median monthly cost of assisted living in West Virginia is about $4,000.

Top cities in West Virginia

Charleston Bridgeport Grafton Martinsburg Moundsville Parkersburg

West Virginia Assisted Living Regulations

Assisted living communities are regulated by the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification. Public access to assisted living records and violations history in West Virginia is rated as exceptional. You can use the state’s Facility Search to research the violation history of an assisted living community.

In West Virginia, an assisted living residence is any living facility or place of accommodation in the state, however named, available for four (4) or more residents, that is advertised, offered, maintained or operated by the ownership or management, for the express or implied purpose of providing personal assistance, supervision, or both, to any residents who are dependent upon the services of others by reason of physical or mental impairment, and who may also require nursing care at a level that is not greater than limited and intermittent nursing care. A small assisted living residence has a bed capacity of four (4) to sixteen (16). A large assisted living residence has a bed capacity of seventeen (17) or more.

Cost of Living

Overall, the cost of living in West Virginia is considered to be more affordable than the national average. West Virginia is below the national average for every price index, making it an extremely affordable option. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Price Indexes

Cost of Living: 95
Groceries: 93
Housing: 80
Utilities: 89
Transportation: 94

Demographics

About 16% of West Virginia’s population are seniors. In the 2016 presidential election, West Virginia leaned strongly conservative. The state’s economy is primarily based around the logging and mining industries.

2016 Presidential Election

Voted Democratic: 26%
Voted Republican: 69%
Voted third party: 5%

Population

Median age: 43
Over the age of 55: 34%
2018 population: 1,805,832
2020 population: 1,783,607
Estimated 2025 population: 1,729,235

Miscellaneous

46% regularly attend a religious service
23% consider themselves atheist, agnostic, or a non-believer
The state has a total of 4,413 congregations
There are 164 Masonic lodges in the state

Climate and Weather

Most of West Virginia has either a humid subtropical or oceanic climate. These regions experience hot and muggy summers with above average precipitation year round. The more mountainous regions tend to get lots of snowfall during the winter, while the lower elevations often experience winters that are relatively short and mild.