Barboursville residents enjoy convenient commutes and local amenities
The Huntington suburb of Barboursville lies roughly 13 miles east of the larger city via Interstate 64. However, unlike most bedroom communities, the relationship between the two is more reciprocal than one-dimensional. While residents commute to Huntington for work, shoppers head the other way to Barboursville, most notably to the Huntington Mall. “Barboursville has got a lot of revenue that they generate from the Huntington Mall. In the village itself, if you live inside the village limits, you get free garbage service. They have street sweepers. They have flower guys that water all the flowers,” says Preston Cole, who has owned and operated the Property Professionals real estate agency with his wife Debbie in the Huntington area since 1982. “They just can’t spend their money fast enough in the village, there. It’s a good village to live in.” Alongside the shopping opportunities and village services, residents take advantage of Barboursville’s highly-rated schools and recently updated parks.
Cottages and bungalows near downtown, plus larger lots outside village
Barboursville borders the Guyandotte River, with residential neighborhoods around the village's downtown area. Cottages and bungalows, often from the middle of the 20th century, sit side by side with small yards and detached garages in the back alleys. Outside the defined boundary of the village, the character becomes more rural, with larger lots and more space to spread out. The median sales price in Barboursville is $315,000, significantly higher than the median of roughly $183,000 in Huntington but lower than in other suburbs like Ona or Yates Crossing.
Most students attend A-minus-rated elementary and middle schools
The Cabell County Schools district serves Barboursville and receives a B overall grade from Niche. The system is ranked the best in the state for student-athletes. Most of the community’s residents are zoned to Village of Barboursville Elementary, which receives an A-minus grade. Barboursville Middle also gets an A-minus rating. B-graded Cabell Midland High has several highly regarded sports programs, including recent state championships in baseball, softball and track and field. The Cabell County Career and Technical Center has vocational education options and is relocating to Barboursville. “The Cabell County vocational tech center just bought the old Sears at the mall, and they’re redoing it for the new Cabell County Career and Technical Center, and putting a lot of money into that at the mall,” Cole says.
Barboursville has both locally-owned storefronts and big box stores
Central Avenue is the main strip of locally-owned shops and restaurants in Barboursville. Orbit’s Record Shop is a spot for music and collectibles, and 1861 Public House is a community favorite for pizzas and craft brews. Cole calls out Bruno’s Spotted Hare and its upscale dining as a standout restaurant. Around the interstate, larger shopping centers feature national retailers and big box stores. Menards is located at the Tanyard Station development, while the Merritt Creek Farm shopping center has Target and Home Depot. The Huntington Mall is also in Barboursville, with anchors like Macy’s and a Walmart adjacent.
Barboursville Park offers sports, trails and a splash pad
The community’s recreation hub is Barboursville Park, which has over 750 acres of outdoor activities. It features sports facilities for youth leagues, including baseball, softball, soccer and football. The park also offers activities like hiking, biking and fishing. “They’ve got a pond and a walking trail and picnic shelters,” Cole says. “They just put a couple million dollars into the new soccer field.” During the summer, the Barboursville Park splash pad is especially popular. Parks closer to the center of the village include the Nancy Cartmill Gardens, with walking paths and a fountain, and the Barboursville Dog Park. Golfers can play the Esquire Golf Course within the community, which is open to the public.
Monthly movie nights and annual festivals draw local crowds
Many community events take place at Barboursville Park. These include the Fourth of July celebration, which features food trucks and fireworks, as well as monthly movie nights during the summer at the park’s amphitheater. The village also puts on an annual Fall Fest each September, with live music and a fairground. The event features a pageant to crown a Fall Fest Queen, celebrated at the parade that marches downtown.
Interstate 64 connects commuters to Huntington and beyond
Interstate 64 runs through Barboursville, leading most of the 13 miles west to Huntington. Residents often commute into the city to work. While most locals drive to their destinations, the Tri-State Transit Authority bus system runs sporadically through Barboursville and operates an on-demand transportation service. The closest emergency room to the community is at the Cabell Huntington Hospital, 9 miles away. Huntington Tri-State Airport is 20 miles from Barboursville and offers commercial flights via Allegiant and American.
