Big Chimney, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Big Chimney is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 497. Residents earn $72,740 per year, which is 3% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
497 Population 249/sq mi density
$72,740 Median Income $34,232 per capita
$216,500 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$72,740 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$216,500 home value
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,740
3% lower than US avg
Home Value $216,500
23% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.8%
50% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.4%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.8%
37% lower than US avg

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

People

Population497
Median Age54.9 yrs
Density249/mi²
Male / Female52% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 100%

Economy

B+
Median Income$72,740
Per Capita$34,232
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty7.8%
County GDP$14,448M

Housing

A+
Home Value$216,500
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression31.6%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Elevation871 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.8%
High School+93.3%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 40%
CommuteN/A
Libraries13

Is Big Chimney a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Chimney receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Big Chimney offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Big Chimney is $72,740, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Big Chimney is $216,500, 23% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Big Chimney enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.2 inches, including 31.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Big Chimney has a population of 497 with a density of 249 people per square mile. The median age is 54.9 years, 41% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

497
Total Population
249
People / sq mi
54.9yrs
Median Age
41% above US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.5%
Female 48.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Big Chimney vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Big Chimney vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big Chimney is $72,740, which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income: Big Chimney vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,740
3% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,232
Avg Weekly Wage$1,192
IRS Avg AGI$70,301

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.8%
37% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,860
County GDP$14,448M

Business (County)

Restaurants428
Healthcare645
Retail626
Manufacturing94

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,391
3% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.57%

Commute & Transportation

Work from Home25.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Big Chimney is $216,500, 23% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$216,500
23% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,391
3% below US avg
Effective Rate1.57%
In Big Chimney, 37.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 31.6% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Big Chimney vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.4%
17% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure36.9%
Asthma11.6%
COPD6.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.9%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression31.6%
Mental Distress21.7%
Physical Distress13.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.6%
Checkup Rate79.1%
Premature Death14,979/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access70.7%
Healthcare Facilities645

Crime Rates: Big Chimney vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

Big Chimney has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average56.2°F
4% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.2 inches
22% above US avg
Snowfall31.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation871 ft (265 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²)
Population Density249/sq mi
Coordinates38.4152°N, 81.5318°W
County FIPS54039
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 17.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.6%
D 40.2%

Winner: Republican by 17.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.8%
50% below US avg
High School+93.3%
School Test Score4.81
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density249/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities645
Restaurants428
Retail Stores626

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Commute & Transportation

Work from Home25.2%

Nearby Cities

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