Berkeley County has a diverse economy that has been instrumental in helping many area home owners stay gainfully employed. Employment ranges from government positions, both local and federal, to education and health services.
Some of the larger industries that employ Berkeley County residents are the Berkeley County School system, the U.S. Coast Guard, the VA Medical center and General Motors among many more. The county is also home to one of two Enterprise Computing Centers of the Internal Revenue Service. This center not only provides many jobs to the region, but is also an extremely important entity in the processing of electronically filed business and individual tax returns for the entire county.
In addition to ample available employment, Berkeley County also has a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce located in the county seat in Martinsburg can provide a wealth of resources to small business owners as well as home owners looking to be referred to businesses and services to make the experience of living in Berkeley everything that it can be.
At the very heart of Berkeley County is its county seat, which is situated in Martinsburg. Like many communities throughout the county, Martinsburg is a small town with a big personality. There are approximately 17,227 residents in Martinsburg as of the 2010 U.S. census.
As the county seat of Berkeley County, Martinsburg is essentially the center of all of the bustling activity that occurs around the region. The city is one of the fastest growing in the nation, receiving the runoff from the nearby major cities of Baltimore and Washington, DC.
Despite its rapid growth, Martinsburg, like the rest of Berkeley County, manages to maintain its classic charm. The city is home to a number of historic sites, including the Apollo Theatre and the Miller Tavern and Farm.
In stark contrast to its more urban counterparts to the east, Martinsburg and other communities in Berkeley County are extremely affordable. According to lifestyle website Areavibes, the city’s cost of living index is slightly greater than the West Virginia average but is 6.8 percent less than the national average.
