Bolivar, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Bolivar is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 1,317. Residents earn $81,641 per year, which is 9% above the national average.

4.5 /5.0
A+ Excellent
1,317 Population 3,063/sq mi density
$81,641 Median Income $39,830 per capita
$253,700 Home Value $300,824 Zillow
$1,420 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.5 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$81,641 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$253,700 home value, $1,420/mo rent
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
40.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,641
9% higher than US avg
Home Value $253,700
10% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 40.6%
20% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,420
22% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.9%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.5%
80% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,317
Median Age39.5 yrs
Density3,063/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

A
Median Income$81,641
Per Capita$39,830
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$3,037M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$253,700
Rent$1,420
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$300,824

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.8%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain43.5 in/yr
Elevation509 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+40.6%
High School+93.2%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 41%
Commute35 min
Libraries3

Is Bolivar a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bolivar receives an overall livability score of 4.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Bolivar stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bolivar is $81,641, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. 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 Bolivar is $253,700, 10% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,420 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 40.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Bolivar experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Bolivar has a population of 1,317 with a density of 3,063 people per square mile. The median age is 39.5 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.9%), with 2.2% Black.

Population

1,317
Total Population
3,063
People / sq mi
39.5yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Bolivar vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.9%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.1%
62% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bolivar vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bolivar is $81,641, which is 9% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Bolivar vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,641
9% above US avg
Per Capita Income$39,830
Avg Weekly Wage$1,189
IRS Avg AGI$83,954

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.5%
80% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,314
County GDP$3,037M

Business (County)

Restaurants129
Healthcare80
Retail145
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,965
15% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.3 min
Work from Home16.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Bolivar is $253,700, 10% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,420 (22% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $300,824.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$253,700
10% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$300,824

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$219
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.2%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,420
22% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,965
15% below US avg
Effective Rate1.17%
In Bolivar, 36.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.8% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.9%
15% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure35.0%
Asthma12.4%
COPD6.3%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.5%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression29.8%
Mental Distress20.0%
Physical Distress13.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Checkup Rate78.8%
Premature Death9,062/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access35.1%
Healthcare Facilities80

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Bolivar has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.9°F
2% below US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.5 inches
14% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation509 ft (155 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density3,063/sq mi
Coordinates39.3242°N, 77.7517°W
County FIPS54037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 40.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.8%
D 41%

Winner: Republican by 15.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+40.6%
20% above US avg
High School+93.2%
School Test Score4.81
A Education Grade (4.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,063/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities80
Restaurants129
Retail Stores145

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.3 min
Work from Home16.3%

Nearby Cities

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