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As we move through 2026, women in West Virginia continue to encounter significant challenges in the workforce. Despite progress in gender equality, issues such as wage disparities, lack of representation in leadership roles, and higher rates of poverty persist. Understanding the landscape of women’s experiences in different cities is crucial for supporting their advancement and well-being.
To provide insight into the best and worst cities for women in West Virginia, we analyzed various metrics that affect women’s quality of life and career opportunities.
Our findings reveal that geographical location significantly impacts women’s prospects. Continue reading to see how your city ranks in terms of supporting women in the workforce and life.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In West Virginia
The cities listed above represent the most challenging environments for women in West Virginia. Explore the reasons behind their rankings or skip to the end to discover the best cities for women in the state.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In West Virginia
Each city was evaluated based on four key criteria:
- Percentage Of Women In Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage Of Women In Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Income Ratio: How much women earn per male dollar earned (Lower is worse)
- Percentage Of Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To assess income disparities between genders, we consulted the Census’ American Community Survey. We calculated the earnings ratio by dividing median male income by median female income.
The percentage of women living in poverty was derived from ACS data, focusing on women who live alone without relatives, as this demographic often faces higher poverty rates.
We examined the percentage of women in management roles from the ACS to highlight women’s representation in leadership and potential for career advancement.
Lastly, we assessed the percentage of uninsured women in each city using ACS data.
Only cities in West Virginia with populations exceeding 5,000 were included in this analysis.
1. Martinsburg
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.67
Women In Management: 37.4%
Women In Poverty: 29.5%
Women Uninsured: 6.2%
Martinsburg ranks as the most challenging city for women in West Virginia, with alarming poverty rates and low representation in management positions. These factors contribute to a difficult environment for women’s advancement.
2. Morgantown
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women In Management: 37.3%
Women In Poverty: 31.5%
Women Uninsured: 4.4%
Morgantown ranks as the second worst city for women, with concerning poverty levels and a lack of advancement opportunities.
3. Moundsville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.71
Women In Management: 32.0%
Women In Poverty: 23.4%
Women Uninsured: 5.6%
Women in Moundsville also face significant challenges, with low representation in management and a substantial portion living in poverty.
4. Huntington
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.85
Women In Management: 40.1%
Women In Poverty: 33.2%
Women Uninsured: 7.7%
Huntington ranks fourth, with high poverty rates and a concerning percentage of uninsured women, further complicating their financial stability.
5. Fairmont
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.67
Women In Management: 44.6%
Women In Poverty: 26.0%
Women Uninsured: 5.3%
Fairmont ranks fifth, offering slightly better opportunities for women, yet still presenting various challenges in terms of pay and poverty.
6. Pea Ridge
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.65
Women In Management: 36.5%
Women In Poverty: 12.1%
Women Uninsured: 6.1%
Pea Ridge ranks sixth, with a significant number of women struggling with poverty and low management representation.
7. Clarksburg
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.73
Women In Management: 32.6%
Women In Poverty: 24.3%
Women Uninsured: 4.2%
Clarksburg presents a tough environment for women, with low management representation and high poverty rates.
8. Weirton
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women In Management: 39.3%
Women In Poverty: 14.2%
Women Uninsured: 6.0%
In Weirton, women face significant challenges with high poverty rates and income disparities, making it difficult for them to thrive.
9. Parkersburg
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.76
Women In Management: 48.3%
Women In Poverty: 26.7%
Women Uninsured: 7.3%
Parkersburg ranks ninth, where the income gap for women is evident, alongside a significant percentage of uninsured individuals.
10. New Martinsville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.59
Women In Management: 100.0%
Women In Poverty: 24.8%
Women Uninsured: 4.8%
New Martinsville, though ranking tenth, still presents challenges for women, notably a high poverty rate despite strong representation in management.
Summary Of The Worst Cities to Be A Woman In West Virginia
The cities highlighted in this analysis reflect the most significant challenges faced by women in West Virginia. Despite some progress, many locations still present substantial barriers to women’s success.
While the disparities are clear, individual experiences may vary. Women residing in these cities may face unique challenges that affect their personal and professional lives.
Continue reading to view the complete list below.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In West Virginia
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsburg | $0.67 |
| 2 | Morgantown | $0.66 |
| 3 | Moundsville | $0.71 |
| 4 | Huntington | $0.85 |
| 5 | Fairmont | $0.67 |
| 6 | Pea Ridge | $0.65 |
| 7 | Clarksburg | $0.73 |
| 8 | Weirton | $0.66 |
| 9 | Parkersburg | $0.76 |
| 10 | New Martinsville | $0.59 |
| 11 | Brookhaven | $0.65 |
| 12 | Cross Lanes | $0.61 |
| 13 | Hurricane | $0.59 |
| 14 | Beckley | $0.79 |
| 15 | Charleston | $0.73 |
| 16 | Oak Hill | $0.74 |
| 17 | Vienna | $0.72 |
| 18 | South Charleston | $0.74 |
| 19 | Bluefield | $0.76 |
| 20 | Charles | $0.38 |
| 21 | Cheat Lake | $0.52 |
| 22 | St. Albans | $0.80 |
| 23 | Wheeling | $0.71 |
| 24 | Elkins | $0.74 |
| 25 | Bridgeport | $0.66 |
| 26 | Teays Valley | $0.72 |
| 27 | Nitro | $0.71 |
| 28 | Princeton | $0.73 |
| 29 | Ranson Corporation | $0.75 |
| 30 | Dunbar | $1.05 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
