Rosano is from the Boston area, working the concert venues. He came to West Virginia after seeing a job posted for the Clay Center in Charleston.

"I didn't think I'd stay here this long." says Rosano. "Frankly, my original plan was to stay here two years as a resume stepping stone, but now it's been 3 1/2 years and I really do love it here in West Virginia."

But the Boston transplant is in the minority. The Capitol City has lost an average of 400 people a year since the start of 2000 -- from just over 53,000 to just over 50,000.

The city's mayor takes those figures to task.

"Many small towns have lost population. Charleston's population swells to at least double to the people that live here during the day and maybe more." says Jones.

And he points to an enhanced quality of life, which Rosano quickly noticed. "It's true that it's a small town, so really, you can make a difference."

But Rosano admits it boils down to having jobs.

While Charleston sagged, the state population did manage to grow slightly in 2008 because a few cities like Morgantown and Martinsburg are growing faster than others are shrinking.

While the numbers aren't great, Rosano says there's something about West Virginia.

"What I like is...back home I think that people care kind to...know thy neighbor. Here, it's people want to be kind to thy stranger."

By the way, Mayor Danny Jones says if Charleston's population drops under 50,000 the city will *not* lose any federal funds.

That, he says, is an urban legend.