In a recent survey, we asked Wheeling residents to describe their city in one sentence and share their favorite thing about it. The responses referenced everything from history and the arts, to Oglebay Park, to the wonderful local businesses, to Wheeling’s small-town feel. One common theme stood out to many: the sense of community that can be found here. For many of the survey respondents, Wheeling isn’t simply a place to live. It’s a place where people know one another, support one another, and consistently work together to make their city better.
“It’s the people.”
In the survey’s question asking about residents’ favorite thing about our city, 67% of answers specifically mention that the people, community, relationships, support or partnerships were residents’ favorite aspects of our city. Some described Wheeling as “a great place for family and community,” “small and very community oriented,” and “a friendly city filled with wonderful people.”
Others highlighted the way residents come together to help people in need, support local causes, and invest their time and energy into improving the city. Some great examples would be the Ohio Valley Mutual Aid flood relief efforts since 2025, the annual Wheeling Sleep Out fundraiser to benefit young people facing homelessness, the city’s Food for Fines program that accepts five non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies or personal hygiene products as payment for overtime parking violations in December, and even initiatives such as Small Business Saturday and Show of Hands to rally behind hyperlocal small businesses.
“Wheeling is a city full of art, culture, music, and some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.”
That sense of connection also appeared in the one-sentence descriptions. Consistently, responses gushed about the sense of community, family, kindness, friendliness, and belonging here. For a city that is affectionately referred to as the Friendly City, the nickname appears to resonate with the people who call Wheeling home.
A city with history and a future…
Community may have been the strongest common thread, but survey answers also described Wheeling as a city with a distinctive cultural identity. Many respondents referenced history, culture, art, music or the region’s unique identity when describing the city.
Wheeling’s location between Appalachian and Midwestern influences was noted as part of what makes the city different. Others pointed to its architecture, growing arts scene and local music as characteristics that contribute to its identity. The arts were also mentioned when residents were asked about their favorite parts of Wheeling. Open-air concerts, local music and the city’s developing art scene were among the attractions that stood out.
“Wheeling is a place where anything can happen, it’s vibrant, historic, and full of possibility.”
Though many pointed to the city’s storied history and wonderful historical remnants, the responses didn’t really describe Wheeling as a city stuck in the past. Instead, the words used included “vibrant,” “growing,” “improving,” “possibility” and “anything can happen.”
Grit, tenacity, and hometown pride
Not every description focused on friendliness. Words like “gritty” and “tenacious” painted a different perspective of Wheeling. Namely, one of resilience. Together with the overwhelmingly positive descriptions of community, these responses paint a picture of a city whose identity is not simply about being welcoming. Residents also see perseverance and determination as part of what makes Wheeling Wheeling.
Several respondents expressed a strong emotional connection to the city, describing it as home, an awesome place to live, or a great place to raise a family. That attachment may be particularly significant because most respondents have spent much of their lives in the city. Of the respondents, 78% have lived in Wheeling for at least 10 years, since childhood, or for their entire lives.
More than just a place to live
“I love the programs for kids especially through the library and local schools. I love the open air concerts and art scene in Wheeling that seems to grow every year. I love that people care deeply about their community here.”
Residents also pointed to a wide variety of tangible things they appreciate about Wheeling. Oglebay Park received praise for its variety of activities, including the zoo, spa, pools, zip-lining, fishing and hiking. Others highlighted local businesses, schools, libraries, children’s programs, architecture, local produce and Wheeling’s compact layout. One particularly interesting response focused on the accessibility of getting involved, noting that Wheeling’s scale can make it easier to start a business, organization, or hobby group.
That idea reinforces another recurring theme: you can participate here. Rather than simply being consumers of a city’s amenities, residents described opportunities to become part of the community itself.
The Friendly City, in their own words
Perhaps the most telling part of the survey is how little the respondents needed to say to convey their feelings about Wheeling. Their answers repeatedly returned to the same ideas: People. Community. Family. History. Arts. Resilience. Possibility.
The individual attractions may change. New businesses will open, new events will be created, neighborhoods will continue to evolve. But the strongest common denominator in these responses wasn’t a building, park, event or institution. It was each other.
