Chesapeake, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Chesapeake is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 1,615. Residents earn $60,526 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
1,615 Population 3,365/sq mi density
$60,526 Median Income $24,178 per capita
$83,100 Home Value $83,482 Zillow
$979 Median Rent 30.9% income on 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
$60,526 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$83,100 home value, $979/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,526
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $83,100
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.7%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $979
16% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.9%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.6%
15% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,615
Median Age41.2 yrs
Density3,365/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans7.6%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,526
Per Capita$24,178
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty10.6%
County GDP$14,448M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$83,100
Rent$979
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$83,482
Rent Burden30.9%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression33.0%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Elevation605 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.7%
High School+85.6%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 40%
Commute22 min
Broadband85.4%
Libraries13

Is Chesapeake a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chesapeake is $60,526, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. 10.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chesapeake is $83,100, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $979 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Chesapeake 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.

Chesapeake has a population of 1,615 with a density of 3,365 people per square mile. The median age is 41.2 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.3%), with 1.4% Black.

Population

1,615
Total Population
3,365
People / sq mi
41.2yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Chesapeake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Chesapeake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chesapeake is $60,526, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Chesapeake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,526
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,178
Avg Weekly Wage$1,192
IRS Avg AGI$70,301

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.6%
15% 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 Rate4.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.2 min
Drive Alone82.2%
Public Transit0.9%
Work from Home1.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Chesapeake is $83,100, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $979 (16% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $83,482.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$83,100
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$83,482

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$10
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$979
16% below US avg
Rent Burden30.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,391
3% below US avg
Effective Rate4.08%
In Chesapeake, 41.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 33.0% report depression. 34.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.9%
31% above US avg
Diabetes13.2%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure41.1%
Asthma12.6%
COPD9.3%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity34.7%
Depression33.0%
Mental Distress25.1%
Physical Distress16.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Checkup Rate78.4%
Premature Death14,979/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

Chesapeake 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

Elevation605 ft (184 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density3,365/sq mi
Coordinates38.2229°N, 81.5362°W
County FIPS54039
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 17.4-point margin. 85.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.6%
D 40.2%

Winner: Republican by 17.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.7%
56% below US avg
High School+85.6%
School Test Score4.81
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density3,365/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access85.4%
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities645
Restaurants428
Retail Stores626

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.2 min
Drive Alone82.2%
Public Transit0.9%
Work from Home1.8%

Nearby Cities

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