The City of Morgantown is the County seat of Monongalia County, population is 83,918 , located along the Pennsylvania border in the north central part of West Virginia. Morgantown(pop. 28,292) is the home to West Virginia University, the largest institution of higher education in the State with an annual enrollment of 26,051 students (Fall 2005); and is the medical, cultural, and commercial hub of the region. Daytime population estimates 70,000 in Morgantown. Morgantown and Monongalia County offer "Mountains of Opportunity" for business development and expansion. This is one of the major growth areas in the State. Monongalia County was the only north central county to realize population growth for the last 20 years, and it has been one of the fastest growing counties in the State during the 1990's. Morgantown and Monongalia County have consistently seen some of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. Some of the major employers in the area include the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Hometown Legends : Don Knotts, David Selby, Lawrence Kasdan, & Jerry West (WVU Student). Climate and General Information 2000 Census information Annual Mean Temperature (F)....... 52 degrees January Mean Temperature (F)...... High 37 degrees, Low 21 degrees July Mean Temperature (F)............. High 83 degrees, Low 63 degrees Annual Rainfall (inches)................ 41.2 Annual Snowfall (inches).............. 30 - 45 depending on elevation Elevation ................................. Ranges from a low of 960' in the City to a high of 2100' at Cooper's Rock Crime Rate Index (1995)............. 35.8; US 52.8 Monongalia County Stats Population Trend 197063,714 198075,024 199075,509 200081,866 2006 estimate84,752 Morgantown Stats 199025,879 200026,809 2006 estimate28,654 Urban Area designated 200255,997 Unemployment Rate Morgantown continually has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the State. November 2007 - 2.9% Location, Location, Location Within a 500-mile radius of Morgantown is one-half of the population of the United States and one-third of the population of Canada. Morgantown is one day's drive from 6 of the 8 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, 20 metro areas with populations of 1 million or more, and 22 of the nation's top 35 industrial markets. Morgantown is located at the intersection of Interstate 79 and Interstate 68, giving visitors and businesses easy access to large cities in all directions. North Pittsburgh, PA77 miles Cleveland, OH208 miles Toronto, Canada384 miles New York, NY393 miles South Charleston, WV155 miles Richmond, VA322 miles Charlotte, NC385 miles Norfolk, VA407 miles West Columbus, OH205 miles Chicago, IL528 miles East Washington, D.C.218 miles Baltimore, MD225 miles Philadelphia, PA327 miles Morgantown History Morgantown is closely tied to the Anglo-French struggle for this territory. Until the Treaty of Paris in 1763, what is now known as Morgantown was greatly contested among settlers and native Indians, as well as the English and the French. The treaty decided the issue in favor of the English, but Indian fighting continued almost to the beginning of the Revolution. Several forts were built in the area after this conflict. Fort Pierpont was constructed towards the Cheat River, in 1769. Fort Coburn was built in 1770, near Dorsey's Knob. Fort Morgan was established in 1772 at the present site of Morgantown. Fort Dinwiddle, north several miles at Stewartstown, was built in 1772. Fort Martin was established in 1773, several miles north on the Monongahela River. Fort Burris was erected in 1774 in the Suncrest area of Morgantown. Fort Kern was built in the Greenmont area of Morgantown in 1774, as well as other small forts that served the purpose at the time. Morgantown was settled in 1772 by Zaquill Morgan. The Virginia Assembly chartered the territory in 1785 and the first lot sale was held. Morgan received the charter for the establishment of the town to be called Morgan's Town. The direct result of the Virginia Charter is the present city of Morgantown. Notable early structures that still stand in Morgantown include the "old Stone House," built prior to 1813. The structure stood on the street known as "Long Alley," but is known today as Chestnut Street. Another structure that has been well restored is the home built by John Rogers on Foundry Street. This structure was built in 1840 and is now occupied by the Dering Funeral Home. Morgantown has seen many changes since the charter of Morgan's Town in 1785. Since that time Morgantown has developed the finest educational, research, industrial, health and transportation facilities available in the area. A healthy business atmosphere and strong community effort assures that Morgantown has a lot of history to come.