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Bayard, WV

West Virginia

Bayard is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 311. Residents earn $30,179 per year, which is 60% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
311 Population 1,003/sq mi density
$30,179 Median Income $25,291 per capita
$78,500 Home Value
$715 Median Rent 35.6% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 290 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$30,179 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$78,500 home value, $715/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $30,179
60% lower than US avg
Home Value $78,500
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.4%
63% lower than US avg
Median Rent $715
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.6%
26% higher than US avg

How Bayard Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population311
Median Age44.5 yrs
Density1,003/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans4.8%

Economy

B
Median Income$30,179
Per Capita$25,291
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty15.6%
County GDP$619M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$78,500
Rent$715
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units145
Rent Burden35.6%

Health

Obesity41.2%
Uninsured8.0%
Smoking18.4%
Depression29.6%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain52.7 in/yr
Sunny Days290/yr
Elevation2,354 ft (717 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.4%
High School+90.4%
Graduate+1.0%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 89% / D 10%
Commute35 min
Broadband74.8%
Libraries2

Is Bayard a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bayard receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times, high obesity rates. Bayard offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bayard is $30,179, 60% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. The poverty rate of 15.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bayard is $78,500, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $715 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Bayard experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. With 290 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 52.7 inches, including 117.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Bayard has a population of 311 with a density of 1,003 people per square mile. The median age is 44.5 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.1%), with 2.3% Black.

Population

311
Total Population
1,003
People / sq mi
44.5yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Bayard vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bayard vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bayard is $30,179, which is 60% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Bayard vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$30,179
60% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,291
Avg Weekly Wage$980
IRS Avg AGI$55,076

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.6%
26% above US avg
Establishments (County)364
County GDP$619M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare24
Retail39
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,671
52% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.1 min
Drive Alone75.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Bayard is $78,500, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $715 (39% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$78,500
72% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$715
39% below US avg
Rent Burden35.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$714
1 Bedroom$766
2 Bedrooms$945
3 Bedrooms$1,231
4 Bedrooms$1,380

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.8%
Housing Units145
Median Year Built1974

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,671
52% below US avg
Effective Rate2.13%
In Bayard, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.0% of residents lack health insurance. 18.4% are current smokers. 29.6% report depression. 28.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bayard vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes11.4%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure35.8%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.6%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.4%
31% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.6%
Physical Inactivity28.2%
Depression29.6%
Mental Distress21.5%
Physical Distress14.7%
Short Sleep46.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate83.7%
Uninsured8.0%
7% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.8%
Dental Visits52.3%
Premature Death11,644/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access56.7%
Healthcare Facilities24
Bayard has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.7 inches. The area enjoys 290 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average26°F (-4°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days290 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.7 inches
39% above US avg
Snowfall117.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,354 ft (717 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density1,003/sq mi
Coordinates39.2711°N, 79.3662°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS54023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 79-point margin. 74.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 88.9%
D 9.9%

Winner: Republican by 79 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.4%
63% below US avg
High School+90.4%
Graduate Degree+1.0%
School Test Score4.81
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,003/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access74.8%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities24
Restaurants25
Retail Stores39

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.1 min
Drive Alone75.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Nearby Cities

Mountain Lake Park, MD 2,033 pop · 8.9 mi Oakland, MD 2,043 pop · 10.3 mi Terra Alta, WV 1,992 pop · 15.3 mi Parsons, WV 1,481 pop · 20.7 mi Kingwood, WV 2,980 pop · 21.9 mi Westernport, MD 1,864 pop · 22.9 mi Petersburg, WV 3,172 pop · 22.9 mi Keyser, WV 4,870 pop · 23.6 mi Moorefield, WV 2,952 pop · 25.8 mi Lonaconing, MD 1,093 pop · 29.0 mi Romney, WV 1,714 pop · 33.0 mi Bel Air, MD 10,616 pop · 34.7 mi Grafton, WV 4,671 pop · 35.1 mi Frostburg, MD 7,025 pop · 35.2 mi
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