Regional Context and Demographic Profile

Currently the City with the largest population in north central West Virginia, Morgantown, is the northernmost City along the I-79 Economic Growth Corridor which has become so important to the State in recent years. Washington, Uniontown, and Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, are 25 to 70 miles from Morgantown, and Fairmont, Clarksburg, and Bridgeport, West Virginia, are 20 to 35 miles from Morgantown. Daily commutes for employment, shopping, and university education interlink these cities with Morgantown. Upon completion of construction, in Maryland, of the freeway connection to US-48, the route was renamed to I-68, providing direct access from Morgantown to the Washington, D.C. metro area about 200 miles to the east. Currently another freeway is being built in Pennsylvania, to interconnect with I-68 at the Cheat Lake interchange. This will improve access to Uniontown, PA, and Pennsylvania's expressway system. The estimated population of Monongalia, Wetzel, Taylor, Preston, Marion, Green (PA), and Fayette (PA) counties is 400,000 by the year 2000.

Morgantown is situated in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, on the Monongahela River, which flows north to Pittsburgh, PA, where it joins the Ohio River. The Cheat River, just to the east of Morgantown, has a hydro power dam which created Cheat Lake, flowing into the Monongahela River at Point Marion, PA.

Demographic

Profile

Morgantown, because of West Virginia University, the Regional Medical Center facilities, and federal research centers located here, is a very cosmopolitan community. The cultural, medical, and educational opportunities available here are also very important to persons/ families that relocate to north central West Virginia from larger cities in other states. Although since 1990 significant changes have taken place in the county and City, the 1990 census is still our most detailed official source for most data.

West Virginia University's impact upon the City is evident in a number of ways, particularly when associated businesses and medical facilities are included. The WVU student enrollment has been rather steady, at about 21,500, for several years now, and is expected to be at that level for the next 10 years. While nationally there are fewer students graduating from high school, a greater percentage are going on to college.

A 1995 WVU report showed 3,440 students (16 percent) living on campus, and 18,060 living off-campus, including 4,200 part-time students. Obviously, many of those living off-campus do not live in the City. Commuting from nearby counties in Pennsylvania and West Virginia is quite common.

Housing, for off-campus students, prior to 1990, was concentrated in private dorms, houses, and apartments near campus. Since 1990 several hundred new apartments , primarily for students, have been built just outside Morgantown, in the County. The result has been that many older, less attractive rentals in the City are vacant. However, non-student households do not find such vacant units attractive due to lifestyle conflicts with the students who do live in the area.

In 1990 Morgantown had about 10,500 dwelling units. According to census data, and supported by the City's rental inspection and registration program, about sixty percent of the total supply of housing units are rentals. For the State as a whole, about 23 percent of the housing stock is rental. In Morgantown, low and moderate income persons/ families have a very difficult time competing for housing. Two or three University students living together can pay much more monthly rent than can low income non-student households, and landlords charge what the market will bear.

Racial Makeup of Morgantown, because of WVU and the other governmental facilities here, is somewhat different than the State averages.

Source: Bureau of the Census, 1990

The Male-Female Makeup of the City and State is virtually the same; about 49 percent male and 51 percent female.

Family/ Non-Family Characteristics (1990) of Morgantown residents are also affected by the off-campus WVU student population.

Source: Bureau of the Census, 1990

Projections of Population, Households, and Jobs were made for the countywide transportation study. The estimates and projections were made for small geographic areas referred to as Transportation Analysis Zones (TAZ's). This allowed for differences in growth potential to be geographically described. 1995, when the mid-census estimates were done, became the base year for describing future change.

Source: Bureau of the Census for 1995 data. LDR and the West Virginia Regional Research Institute for 2020 projections.

Part of the City's projected population growth is based upon known discrepancies (undercount) in the 1990 census which will hopefully be reconciled in the 2000 census. Additional growth will come as redevelopment of some areas of the City occurs, such as the riverfront and the Sunnyside neighborhood.

Employment Opportunities in the County will experience a 33 percent increase by 2020, up from 46,600 to 66,100 jobs. About 96 percent of all jobs will be in the urban area. Morgantown should gain about 3,400 new jobs in this period.

Per Capita Income is reported at the County level, and in 1990 Monongalia County had the sixth largest in the State, at $18,174; just $296 less than the third highest county. If it were not for the large number of "low income" university students who are included in the calculation, the County's ranking would be much higher. Three census tracts in the City, where students predominate, have been classified by HUD as low-moderate income areas eligible for federal grants.

Age of Population is an important factor in several planning elements, such as parks and recreation, and housing. Again, because of the large number of university students, the City's resident median population age is only 23.3 years as opposed to 35.4 for the State. In fact, about 65 percent of our residents are in the 18-44 year-old age group.

In an attempt to fill a housing need for seniors, a new retirement village is being built near the County hospital. Should it prove successful, it could encourage many seniors who do not live locally now to relocate to Morgantown. A significant change in the age pyramid could result if Morgantown/ Monongalia County gain a reputation for attractive retirement living.