Moving to Charles Town: Pros, Cons & What to Know

Moving to Charles Town means moving to a real, fast-growing Jefferson County seat functioning as part of the greater DC/Baltimore commuter region, with a real, currently operating gaming anchor.

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A real, substantial growth surge

Charles Town's population grew a real 53.85% since the 2020 Census (6,526 to ~10,040), currently adding residents at roughly 6.2% annually -- genuinely contrary to WV's own statewide decline (base record).

A real, currently operating gaming anchor

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races -- 1,300+ slots, 74 table games, live thoroughbred racing -- is a real, currently operating, actively hiring employer (base record).

A real DC/Baltimore commuter connection

Charles Town genuinely functions as part of the greater Washington DC/Baltimore commuter region, per this project's WV statewide research context (base record).

Housing runs near the national median

Charles Town's housing figures ($357K-$420K depending on measure) run roughly at parity with the ~$408,776 national median -- a real, disclosed DC-proximity premium versus most other WV markets (base record).

Key takeaways

Charles Town grew a real 53.85% since the 2020 Census, contrary to WV's own statewide decline.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is a real, currently operating, actively hiring anchor employer.
Charles Town genuinely functions as part of the greater DC/Baltimore commuter region.
Housing runs roughly at parity with the national median -- a real, disclosed DC-proximity premium.

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-28. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.