Here in Wheeling, a major issue its leaders face is the declining young population, but why?
The majority of Wheeling is 40 and above according to Worldpopulationreview. com. With 45 being the median age above all, and 56% being 18-65 years old. On the other hand, only 20% are 18 and under. With this 36% percent difference, it is a wonder why so many young people want to leave. On the other hand, many people have left and returned.
As Jon-Erik Gilot explains in his article “I Moved Back to Wheeling,” “while record numbers of young people are leaving West Virginia for opportunities elsewhere, there is a growing “young guard” choosing Wheeling…on purpose. As many new businesses and opportunities arise in Wheeling, it may not be enough to keep the young population growing.”
Around Park, many seniors are leaving for better opportunities and less familiarity, living in such a small town creates these issues.
“In the future, I think there is more opportunity for me elsewhere, I love Wheeling, I loved growing up in Wheeling, I loved having that experience, It’s a great place but I just feel like for me, I would be happier somewhere else”, said senior Gianna Landis.
However, we can see that Wheeling has its new charms like the Waterfront to the Highlands, as well as many small businesses that may lure students back to their hometowns.
“I just think that I’ve already achieved my opportunities in Wheeling, and leaving Wheeling allows me to have a broad perspective on more opportunities. My family most likely will not leave Wheeling, so I will probably end up coming back. I don’t want to live here, but I’m probably going to end up coming back at some point,” said Alex Tennant.
Family is of course a main reason to stay in our city, but the push and pull of opportunity is in the forefront of most young minds.
“I feel like I will just have better opportunities if I move away, I’m going to go to WVU and I want to go Pre-Med and I feel like I’ll have better opportunities, and I also would like to be away from what I know so I can figure out how to live on my own and just experience life differently from what I’ve experienced in my 18 years here, I would not come back to Wheeling, I guess I would under certain circumstances, but I would prefer to leave somewhere in Pennsylvania, and I want to work at UPMC Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh, so that’s the plan and that’s what I’m working towards”, said Grace Robertson- Villamnagna.
Young adults are eager for new experiences and surroundings.
“I want to leave the Wheeling area after college. I want to go to WVU after getting my master’s degree. I want to move to Maryland. I chose WVU because it’s not as local, especially to Wheeling. I honestly just like the idea of starting somewhere new and meeting new people,” said Gianna Cipriani.
But what about the people who are still staying local?
“Being a senior this year, I want to attend WVU next fall and major in Physical therapy, eventually I would like to come back to Wheeling, and own a home. After I become a physical therapist, I would like to open up my practice”, said Kieran Moses.
With the growing decrease of Wheeling’s population in general, going from 31,000 in 2000 to only 26,000 in 2024 according to Worldpopulationreview.com. With a steady decrease of -3% each year, who knows what the future will hold for Wheeling’s youth if we don’t take action?
