Vienna is the shopping destination of the Mid-Ohio Valley
As Parkersburg became the birthplace of West Virginia's oil boom in the 1860s, its northern neighbor, Vienna, remained a small but prosperous farming community. It wasn't until the introduction of an electric railway improved travel between Parkersburg and Marietta that Vienna became a desirable residential suburb. The railway also opened up the city's economic prospects, inviting several businesses to enter the community. Today, Grand Central Mall, Home Depot, Lowes, Sam's Club and Harbor Freight are among the area's top employers. Surrounded by towering tulip poplars, pin oaks and silver maples, Vienna has transformed itself into a retail destination from its modest agricultural roots.
Vienna is the shopping destination of the Mid Ohio Valley.
The Grad Central Mall in Vienna offers a wide variety of retail options.
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Shopping the Million Dollar Mile
Vienna is home to the Grand Central Mall, a major destination for the Mid-Ohio Valley as the only shopping mall within 80 miles of Wood County. "We have people from all over the outlying counties that come to Vienna for shopping," says Teresa Smith, who works for the mayor's office. The city has no official downtown, so the mall is the center of the city's economy. It attracts new business every year to the "Million Dollar Mile," also known as Grand Central Avenue.
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Sledding down Jackson Memorial Hill
Vienna stretches along the Ohio River, and residents happily exchange sweeping riverfront views for a bit of seasonal flooding, if that. "I mean, we're on a 100-year flood plain, but I can't even remember the last time the river really flooded," Smith says. Along with riverfront access, the city has many parks with mature trees that shift colors with the seasons. McDonough Wildlife Refuse offers multi-use trails, and some are ADA-accessible. Jackson Memorial Park has diverse sports fields, a disc golf course, two dog parks and the city's outdoor pool. "There's also a huge sledding hill. When there's snow, there's usually tons of children there — and adults!" Smith says. Along the river is a golf course and Spencer's Landing, where changes are coming. Smith says a kayak launch is planned for the park, and the city hopes to add an amphitheater and fishing boardwalk.
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Custom homes are farthest from Vienna's commercial corridor
Ranch-style homes, bungalows, bi-level houses and American Foursquares are the most common styles offered in the city. Subdivisions with custom homes are farthest from Grand Central Avenue, boasting larger lawns and more privacy between neighbors. The city's median price is $178,000, less than half the national median.
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Wood County district, Parkersburg high schools
Students attend the Wood County Schools district, which has a B-plus Niche grade and ranks sixth-best out of 25 West Virginia school districts. Since the district covers several cities, Vienna students attend three elementary schools and one middle school. The city, however, will be consolidating the elementary schools into one centralized facility. High schoolers attend schools in Parkersburg.
Parkersburg High School is a historic building and the largest school in the region.
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Taking Grand Central Avenue from Parkersburg to Marietta
Grand Central Avenue is Vienna's primary thoroughfare, running the entire length of the city. It handles most of the city's traffic, especially around the mall. It also connects to Parkersburg, where Camden Clark Medical Center is located. The Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority bus system serves Vienna, and the closest airport is the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, less than 11 miles away.
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New drone show coming to Independence Day celebration
Freedom Festival is Vienna's biggest event of the year. Held around the Fourth of July, the two-day weekend celebration honors local veterans and the nation's independence. Crowds bring camping chairs to watch live concerts, and attendees enjoy hot-air balloon rides, carnival games and a rodeo. The festival averages about 7,000 people per day, and this doesn't just include people from the surrounding county. "Our first year, we had people visiting from North Carolina, Virginia, even Canada!" Smith says. Usually, the event ends with a fireworks display, but organizers are planning an elaborate drone show for the upcoming year.
Crime rates dropping
According to the FBI, both property and violent crime in Vienna decreased between 2022 and 2023.
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