Wheeling Ranked Among Top Locations To Raise a Family
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WHEELING -- Fortune.com sees Wheeling as the top place in West Virginia to raise a family, placing it among the best family cities in the United States.
The Friendly City found a place on Fortune Well's 2023 list of the best places to live for families in each state. On that list, Wheeling came in at No. 33, ahead of cities like Omaha, Nebraska, and Denver, Colorado. West Chester Township in Ohio was the Buckeye State's representative at No. 13.
Described as "a Rust Belt town situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and along the Ohio River," Wheeling was commemorated for its rich history and modern comforts.
Mayor Glenn Elliott says he is pleased to see Wheeling awarded recognition in light of the major improvements happening all across the city.
"It is gratifying to see a national publication recognize what we have known locally for a long time -- that Wheeling is a terrific place to raise a family," he said. "It is not uncommon to hear those of us on City Council talk about 'quality of life' initiatives, and that is no accident."
Specifically, the article mentioned Oglebay Park's golf course, zoo and adventure park and the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack as providers of all things entertainment.
Fortune Well also noted the Wheeling Suspension Bridge as being a historic landmark and symbol of the city that was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its construction. Closing out the ranking, the article recognized Wheeling University, which was ranked the No. 1 private university and best small college by Niche.
The main contributors to Wheeling's high score, in addition to history, entertainment and sightseeing, were assets like health care, education, and resources for seniors.
Olivia Litman, marketing director at Visit Wheeling WV, said Wheeling's charm can be felt no matter how long or short a person's stay spans.
"Many that live and have relocated to our area are visitors first," she said. "They will come to eat, stay and play and fall in love with all the amenities we have to offer our visitors but feel our passion and pride in the area we live and want that for themselves."
Elliott says he hopes this ranking is a small part of a larger initiative to bring more people to Wheeling and revitalize the city.
"The more we enhance Wheeling's strengths in this regard, the more people we can expect to choose to stay in or relocate to the Friendly City in the years to come," he said.