As of the census of 2000, there were 26,809 people, 10,782 households, and 4,183 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,736.0 people per square mile (1,056.2/km²). There were 11,721 housing units at an average density of 1,196.2/sq mi (461.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.48% White, 4.15% African American, 0.17% Native American, 4.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 10,782 households out of which 15.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.1% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 61.2% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.76.
Morgantown's age distribution, which is heavily influenced by the presence of West Virginia University, is: 11.1% under the age of 18, 44.7% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 13.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,649, and the median income for a family was $44,622. Males had a median income of $33,268 versus $24,944 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,459. About 15.0% of families and 38.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Following Census 2000, Monongalia County (with county seat Morgantown) and neighboring Preston County were acknowledged as a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) by the United States government. Estimates from 2004 put the Metropolitan Statistical Area population at 113,500; as of July 2005, the estimate was 114,501. Of the 10 largest cities in West Virginia, only Morgantown and Martinsburg have shown positive population growth since the 2000 census, with Morgantown growing from 26,809 to a 2007 estimate of 29,361.
West Virginia University constitutes 913 acres (3.69 km) of the city and vicinity, and with the fall 2005 enrollment added an additional population of 27,115 students.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Morgantown has amongst the lowest unemployment rates in the United States as of early 2009.
Morgantown Municipal Airport is one of West Virginia's few commercial airports. It is located approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of the downtown along U.S. Route 119.
Morgantown is not served by local railways services other than a freight train carrying coal and other industrial goods to Pittsburgh, PA. This line is called the Norfolk Southern's Loveridge Secondary that runs From Brownsville, Pennsylvania to Rivesville, West Virginia where it heads to the Loveridge mine.
Morgantown relies heavily on the Monongahela River for shipping coal and other products. The river is fully navigable from its mouth at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh past Morgantown upstream to Fairmont. Morgantown Lock and Dam, located in the southern part of the city, provides a pool heading upstream towards Fairmont. Point Marion Lock and Dam, the next downtream dam, is responsible for most of the river's pool in Morgantown.
Interstate 79 travels north to its endpoint in Erie, Pennsylvania and south to its endpoint in Charleston, West Virginia. There are four exit ramps to Morgantown and environs. Interstate 68 breaks off from Interstate 79 just south of Morgantown, and also has five nearby exit ramps.
Most of Morgantown is accessible by MountainLine bus system. Most service operates Monday-Saturday from 7am-6pm with very limited service operating on Sunday during the WVU school year. MountainLine's Grey Line bus operates everyday of the year between Clarksburg, West Virginia and the Pittsburgh Airport. Morgantown also has the Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system. The system has five stations (Walnut, Beechurst, Engineering, Towers, and Medical) covering 8.65 miles (13.9 kilometers).