Coal Fork, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Coal Fork is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 1,414. Residents earn $64,053 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,414 Population 276/sq mi density
$64,053 Median Income $31,009 per capita
$101,900 Home Value
$1,023 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$64,053 median income, 19.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$101,900 home value, $1,023/mo rent
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,053
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $101,900
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.7%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,023
12% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.0%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 19.8%
450% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.3%
33% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,414
Median Age49.3 yrs
Density276/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

C+
Median Income$64,053
Per Capita$31,009
Unemployment19.8%
Poverty8.3%
County GDP$14,448M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$101,900
Rent$1,023
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression31.4%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Elevation1,178 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.7%
High School+87.3%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 40%
Commute23 min
Libraries13

Is Coal Fork a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Coal Fork receives an overall livability score of 3.3 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. Coal Fork offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Coal Fork is $64,053, 15% below the national average of $75,149. At 19.8%, unemployment is notably high. 8.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Coal Fork is $101,900, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,023 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Coal Fork 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.

Coal Fork has a population of 1,414 with a density of 276 people per square mile. The median age is 49.3 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.4%).

Population

1,414
Total Population
276
People / sq mi
49.3yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
5.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Coal Fork vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Coal Fork vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Coal Fork is $64,053, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 19.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Coal Fork vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,053
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,009
Avg Weekly Wage$1,192
IRS Avg AGI$70,301

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment19.8%
450% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.3%
33% 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 Rate3.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.1 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Coal Fork is $101,900, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,023 (12% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$101,900
64% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$26
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio90.2%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,023
12% below 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-Occupied87.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,391
3% below US avg
Effective Rate3.33%
In Coal Fork, 38.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 31.4% report depression. 28.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Coal Fork vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.0%
18% above US avg
Diabetes11.2%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure37.9%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.5%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity28.6%
Depression31.4%
Mental Distress22.2%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.3%
Checkup Rate78.2%
Premature Death14,979/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

Coal Fork 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

Elevation1,178 ft (359 m)
Area5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²)
Population Density276/sq mi
Coordinates38.3281°N, 81.5235°W
County FIPS54039
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 12.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% 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+12.7%
62% below US avg
High School+87.3%
School Test Score4.81
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density276/sq mi
Total Area5.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities645
Restaurants428
Retail Stores626

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.1 min
Work from Home0.0%

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