$444,363Average Value$185Average Price per Sq Ft46Homes For Sale
The growing seat of Jefferson County
A small town in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle, Charles Town was established in the 1780s by Charles Washington, George Washington’s younger brother. Originally named Charleston, the town was renamed Charles Town to avoid confusion with the state’s capital city. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that about 7,600 people were living in Charles Town as of 2023, and the population has steadily increased since 2010 as newcomers from nearby states relocate to the region. “New buyers coming here from Virginia and Maryland will have the West Virginia stereotypes in mind,” says Jess Derr, a real estate agent with Corcoran McEnearney who lives in the area. “I assure them we have hospitals, restaurants, high-speed internet. The eastern panhandle is very similar to surrounding areas.” The growing historic town has more spacious homes with a lower price tag than Virginia and Maryland houses, making it a viable option for commuters willing to drive over 50 miles to the Washington, D.C., area for work.
Car show entries can win awards for various categories in Charles Town.
Charles Town is rich with both American and civil war history.
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Older bungalows and newer townhouses
Many homebuyers look to Charles Town because its median sales price is about $400,000, which is on par with the national average and significantly cheaper than cities closer to Washington, D.C. “It’s a life hack in a lot of ways — make D.C. money but buy a house for West Virginia prices,” Derr says. “Prices in West Virginia can be shockingly lower. People will come from a condo or townhouse in Loudoun County and be able to get a single-family house with a big yard here.” Charles Town has a mixture of older gridded streets, which have bungalows and American Foursquares from the early to mid-1900s, and newer subdivisions with contemporary townhouses and farmhouse-inspired single-family homes. Derr says that the town has seen a lot of housing developments in the past few years, and new builds often make up about half of the available inventory.
A row of charming historic homes sits along a busy street in Charles Town.
Enjoy convenient living in a town home in Charles Town.
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Public parks in Charles Town, longer hiking trails in Harper's Ferry
The community has a few local parks where residents can take their kids to the playground or play basketball or pickleball on public courts. One of the bigger spaces is Jefferson County Memorial Park, which has a public outdoor pool and walking trails. Harper’s Ferry, which is around 7 miles east, has more outdoorsy recreation. “You can pick up the canal towpath that follows the Potomac River and go jogging or biking for miles,” Derr says. The Appalachian Trail also runs through Harper’s Ferry.
Veterans honor each other's service at the annual veterans day event in Charles Town.
Hiking is popular in Harpers Ferry, and the Appalachian Trail also passes through the town.
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Downtown events through Charles Town Now
The community congregates at town-wide events throughout the year. “There’s a nonprofit called Charles Town Now that’s dedicated to supporting businesses, planning events and revitalizing our downtown,” Derr says. She adds that the biggest event is the annual West Virginia Festival, a celebration with local vendors, live music, food and activities. “The organization will partner with local businesses downtown for pop-up events,” Derr adds. “Following them on Instagram and Facebook is the best way to find things to do.” The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, a large gaming and entertainment complex with a racetrack, draws national acts to perform and is a major contributor to tourism in the area.
Jefferson County residents come enjoy the Sunset Market in Charlestown.
Try some of the best food around at the West Viginia Fest.
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Chain restaurants near the casino and local dining downtown
Restaurants are concentrated in two spots in Charles Town: near the casino and in the historic downtown area. Around the casino, residents find chain restaurants, supermarkets and big-box retailers. The historic buildings downtown host locally owned bakeries, eateries and pubs. Jefferson Medical Center, which is associated with West Virginia University Medicine, is in the area.
Charles Town has many retail chains and businesses for residents to take advantage of.
The Charles Town Hollywood Casino is a big attraction to the Charles Town area.
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Commuters take a train or interstate to go to D.C.
U.S. and state routes crisscross through town, keeping residents connected to other parts of Jefferson County. Commuters headed toward D.C., Maryland and Virginia have about a 60-mile drive southeast. They can also take a train, as there’s a MARC station about 5 miles north, in Shenandoah Junction; it takes about 2 hours to reach Washington Union Station. Dulles International Airport, which is about 40 miles southeast, is the closest major airport. According to FBI statistics, incidents of violent crime in Charles Town increased slightly from 2022 to 2023, while property crimes decreased.
The MARC train runs through Jefferson County making commuting to DC convenient for Charles Town residents.
Commuters can take advantage of rail lines from Martinsburg to DC.
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Technical-education options through Jefferson County Schools
Kids are zoned to Jefferson County Schools; the district scores a B-minus rating from Niche and serves about 8,300 students. High schoolers may enroll in courses at the James Rumsey Technical Institute, which offers programs in automotive technology, firefighting, graphic design and more.
Washington High School if Jefferson County, West Virginia.
Page Jackson Elementary serves Jefferson County, West Virginia.
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Written By
Amanda Boivin
Photography Contributed By
David MacNeill
Video By
Tony Simonetti
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tara Lowe,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Charles Town, WV sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Charles Town, WV over the last 12 months is $402,990, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Live the Easy Life in Style – Modern Farmhouse Elegance in BeallairWelcome to this stunning 2-year young Modern Farmhouse, perfectly situated on a premium corner lot in the highly sought-after gated community of Beallair in Charles Town, Wv. Offering a rare blend of luxury and low-maintenance living, this home delivers the lifestyle you've been dreaming of.Inside, you'll find a
Welcome to Elegant Living in an Amenity-Rich Gated CommunityPerfectly sited on a beautiful corner lot adjacent to the community park, this exquisite former model home offers luxurious living in a park-like setting—with all the comforts and conveniences you could hope for.From the moment you step into the open grand foyer, you’ll be welcomed by warmth, natural light, and timeless
Discover timeless elegance and modern functionality in this stunning 4-bedroom Colonial located in one of the area's most sought-after communities. Boasting a superb commuter location with easy access to Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, this home offers the perfect balance of convenience, comfort, and lifestyle.Step into the open foyer and be greeted by gleaming wood
Live the Easy Life in Style – Modern Farmhouse Elegance in BeallairWelcome to this stunning 2-year young Modern Farmhouse, perfectly situated on a premium corner lot in the highly sought-after gated community of Beallair in Charles Town, Wv. Offering a rare blend of luxury and low-maintenance living, this home delivers the lifestyle you've been dreaming of.Inside, you'll find a
Welcome to Elegant Living in an Amenity-Rich Gated CommunityPerfectly sited on a beautiful corner lot adjacent to the community park, this exquisite former model home offers luxurious living in a park-like setting—with all the comforts and conveniences you could hope for.From the moment you step into the open grand foyer, you’ll be welcomed by warmth, natural light, and timeless
Discover timeless elegance and modern functionality in this stunning 4-bedroom Colonial located in one of the area's most sought-after communities. Boasting a superb commuter location with easy access to Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, this home offers the perfect balance of convenience, comfort, and lifestyle.Step into the open foyer and be greeted by gleaming wood
Nice 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath town home in great location. Kitchen, dining area and family room w/gas fire place. Wood floors on main level. Fully finished basement, one car garage, fenced rear yard for privacy and deck. Easy commute to the Washington-Balitmore Metro areas. Close to schools and shopping centers.
Modern designs, elegant finishes, and upscale amenities await you at Washington Landings. Our Charles Town apartments come in one, two, and three-bedroom spacious and adaptable layouts. Various interior luxuries adorn them, including granite countertops, walk-in closets, in-unit washers/dryers, and more. As a resident of our pet-friendly community, you will also have exclusive access to
Welcome to this beautifully crafted 2024-built single-family home in the desirable King’s Crossing community of Charles Town. Thoughtfully designed for modern living, this home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms on the main level, with a bright and open-concept layout that effortlessly blends comfort and style. The heart of the home is the spacious living room that flows seamlessly into the
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