Belpre, OH

Belpre sits right along the banks of the Ohio River, offering a quiet, small-town atmosphere directly across the water from Parkersburg, West Virginia. Home to around 6,700 residents, it provides a relaxed pace where neighbors know each other and community ties run deep. Its name comes from the French for "beautiful prairie," and the scenic waterfront remains a focal point for the town. Multiple bridge crossings connect Belpre to West Virginia, making it easy to commute for work or head across the river for dining and shopping.

ATTRTim Kiser / CC BY-SA 4.0

Families have access to dedicated local schools and community staples like the Belpre library and Civitan Park along the riverfront. Neighborhoods spread outward from the water into quiet residential pockets, while nearby highways link residents to historic Marietta to the north. For those moving to the Mid-Ohio Valley, Belpre offers an affordable, tight-knit place to live with larger regional amenities always within a quick drive.