West Virginia’s economy has been one of the most unstable in the nation. It ranks among the lowest in per-capita income, in employment, and in the number of adults with college degrees.

Mining dominates West Virginia’s economy. Even with a federal court ruling that shut down four of the state’s largest mines because of environmental concerns, Moody’s Economy.com believes that the increasing demand for coal could attract significant investments into the state in the future.

How Is the Economy Treating You? Tell ABC News Your Story

Tom Witt, professor of economics and director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at West Virginia University, said that even with the state’s economic volatility, he does not believe it is in a recession.

“We haven’t seen, in the short run, the budget shortfall that other states have had,” he said. Witt also said that, except in the eastern panhandle, West Virginia has not been as affected by the subprime mortgage crisis as have other parts of the country.

Witt believes the biggest concerns for the state include its aging work force and the number of college graduates choosing to leave the state after graduation.

“We have the oldest age of population of any state in the country,” he said, “and we face a pretty high proportion of people who have withdrawn from the labor force.”

Witt believes, however, that the state may finally be trying to capitalize on its higher-education system. To combat the loss of college graduates, the state provides $50 million to fund a new initiative called Bucks for Brains. Modeled on a program implemented in Kentucky, the fund provides incentives “to stimulate world-class research and development and to reap the related benefits of high-tech, high-wage industries.”

.Reference resource: Click Here.

West Virginia is nicknamed the “mountain state” for good reason. Situated in the Appalachians, the West Virginia real estate market has peeks and valleys as well. West Virginia is somewhat of a misunderstood state when it comes to national recognition. Occasionally shown in a negative light, the state is actually a tremendous location for outdoor enthusiasts. Rock climbing, hiking, fishing, camping and rafting are available in practically every part of the state. Throw in numerous historical sites from the Civil War and West Virginia just might be considered a hidden gem.

West Virginia real estate prices are extremely reasonable throughout the state. The average price of a single family home in Charleston, for instance, is approximately $180,000. The average home price drops to $140,000 for single family homes in Morgantown. It’s pretty hard to find prices this low in the rest of the country, particularly for a town rated the 3rd best in the United States. For the last 12 months, West Virginia real estate has appreciated at a rate of a little over 9 percent. Overall, West Virginia is jumping back onto the national scene because of low real estate prices. Real estate in Morgantown, in particular, may be a very good investment.