The overall population of West Virginia has long been in decline, but Morgantown is an exception, maintaining a growth trend. West Virginia University and the local healthcare system play a crucial role in retaining the population.

Monongalia County has shown a gradual but steady increase in population over the past few years. In contrast to the state's overall outflow, a pattern has emerged where young people are drawn to cities with universities and healthcare facilities.

West Virginia University and WVU Medicine are the largest employers in the area, consistently increasing new hires alongside the expansion of healthcare services. Additionally, the nearby natural gas industry and recently discussed investments in data centers and advanced manufacturing are also being mentioned as new drivers for the local economy.

According to West Virginia labor statistics, the unemployment rate in the Morgantown area is in the low 3% range, which is lower than the state average. Income levels are gradually rising, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors, but they still remain below the national average.

Discussions are underway for the development of industrial parks along the Route 79 corridor near Morgantown, and construction is ongoing for the expansion of university hospital facilities. However, due to the state's overall financial conditions, large-scale public infrastructure investments are reported to be slow.

Various organizations, including the Milken Institute, evaluate Morgantown as a city showing exceptionally stable growth within West Virginia, but they also point out that the state's economy's reliance on mining and energy industries could pose indirect risks to the local economy.

For Korean households, the low cost of living and stable rental demand are seen as advantages. However, since the city is not very large, the selection of available properties may be limited, making it necessary to take a selective approach focusing on areas with clear rental demand, such as near the university.