Blennerhassett's laid-back lifestyle with nearby city amenities
Blennerhassett sits on the bend of the Ohio River, marking the beginning of Wood County's rural western side. Forests and farmland fit between established residential pockets, and the neighborhood's slight separation from Parkersburg lets residents enjoy a quieter lifestyle without feeling disconnected from city life. "Until you get more toward Belleville, you're still relatively populated," says Blaine Ritchie, managing broker at Coldwell Banker Commercial Select Properties, who's been selling homes in the area for over a decade. "There are not a lot of isolated homes, and it's probably only seven to 10 minutes from downtown." The community also offers interesting green spaces, such as Blennerhassett Island, a popular destination accessible by personal watercraft or sternwheeler boat.
Diverse housing stock, from midcentury to modern
Trees shade the winding roads, sloping driveways and cul-de-sacs. Blennerhassett's occasional hilly terrain is primarily residential, with several subdivisions positioned throughout the community. The west and south sides of the area lean more rural. Most homes have at least an acre of land, and many roads dead-end into forests. Midcentury ranch-style homes, split-levels and small New Traditional properties typically sell between $120,000 and $270,000. Townhouses and large custom homes are less common, selling between $285,000 and $520,000. A majority of residents living in Blennerhassett own their homes, and a small percentage rent.
Historic island and riverside trails offer outdoor recreation
Stretching along the community's border are the Ohio River and Blennerhassett Island. The island has several historical attractions, from the Blennerhassett Mansion to the Putnam-Houser House. From May through October, people can tour the mansion, enjoy carriage rides and explore the outdoors. "I think the island is really a gem,” says Victoriea Spiroff, a local Realtor with Coldwell Banker, who started selling homes in 2023. “You can take the sternwheeler, and it’s the most popular way, but people will also get over to it by kayaking or on their private boats.” The area’s west side is bordered by the DuPont Nature Center, which offers hiking trails that wind through flowering meadows and protected wildlife habitats.
Education options in Blennerhassett
Wood County Schools serves the community, receiving a B-plus from Niche and ranking in the top percentile for academics in West Virginia. Kids can start at either Lubeck Elementary, rated a B by Niche, or Blennerhassett Elementary, which has a B-plus grade. They can move on to B-rated Blennerhassett Middle and B-minus-rated Parkersburg South High. The high school has a successful athletics program; its wrestling teams have won 26 AAA state and 32 regional championships.
Long-standing restaurants and nearby shopping options
Although Blennerhassett has few retail options, the area is sparsely dotted with convenience stores and a few locally owned restaurants. For nearly a decade, Country Kitchen has served classic diner-style breakfasts and American fare. Roughly 7 miles away, Parkersburg has a large commercial area anchored by the Grand Central Mall. Several retail plazas around the mall house big-box stores, such as Walmart and Sam's Club.
Major roads, flight options and medical centers
Dupont Road, Highway 50 and state Route 68 are the neighborhood's primary roads, and Highway 50 sees the most traffic activity among the routes. “It’s not like we’re a traffic-heavy area, but we do want to see more river infrastructure,” Spiroff says. “Ways to get across are very limited.” Blennerhassett is just under 5 miles from Camden Clark Medical Center in downtown Parkersburg. The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport is roughly 17 miles away.
Examining local water quality
The community touches Washington Bottom, a large industrial area along the Ohio River. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, DuPont Washington Works was responsible for contaminating several Mid-Ohio Valley water districts with PFOA chemicals during the late 20th century. Local water quality is still monitored to the present day.
