At a Glance
Median Income
$39,939
$30,990 per capita
Home Value
$148,800
Zillow: $151,973
Median Rent
$867/mo
34.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
605/100K
7,955/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
25.9%
89.7% high school+
Unemployment
2.7%
22.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
45.1%
21.3% smoking rate
How Beckley Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Beckley's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Beckley a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Beckley residents earn a median household income of $39,939 , which is 47% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $30,990. The unemployment rate stands at 2.7% (25% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 22.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 2,608 business establishments, including 129 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Beckley is $148,800 , 47% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $151,973. Median rent is $867/month, with 34.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 89.5 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1958.
Safety & Crime
Beckley reports 605 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 59% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 7,955/100K.
Education
25.9% of adults in Beckley hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(23% below the national average).
89.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.0/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Beckley has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C).
Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.5 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population16,977
Median Age39.0 yrs
Density1,787/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born3.1%
Veterans7.9%
Economy
C+
Median Income$39,939
Per Capita$30,990
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty22.6%
County GDP$4,532M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,043
Housing
A+
Home Value$148,800
Rent$867
Ownership53.2%
Zillow$151,973
Housing Units8,665
Rent Burden34.3%
Crime
F
Violent605/100K
Property7,955/100K
Health
Obesity45.1%
Diabetes15.9%
Smoking21.3%
Heart Disease7.3%
Premature Death16,996/100K
Climate
Avg Temp53°F
Rain43.5 in/yr
Elevation2,395 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+25.9%
High School+89.7%
Graduate+8.4%
School Score5.0/10
Community
2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute19 min
Broadband80.4%
Internet Speed54 Mbps
EV Stations4
Libraries5
Did You Know?
Beckley was founded in 1838.
The median home in Beckley was built in 1958.
The nearest airport is West Virginia International Yeager (48 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.491 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
21.2% of the population has a disability.
There are 129 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 10 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.