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Cowen, WV

West Virginia

Cowen is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 560. Residents earn $30,625 per year, which is 59% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
560 Population 889/sq mi density
$30,625 Median Income $15,321 per capita
$57,300 Home Value $81,948 Zillow
$753 Median Rent 35.4% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 290 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.3 / 5.0
$30,625 median income, 16.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$57,300 home value, $753/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $30,625
59% lower than US avg
Home Value $57,300
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.2%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $753
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.2%
35% higher than US avg
Unemployment 16.2%
350% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.2%
135% higher than US avg

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

People

Population560
Median Age36.8 yrs
Density889/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans5.4%

Economy

F
Median Income$30,625
Per Capita$15,321
Unemployment16.2%
Poverty29.2%
County GDP$179M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$57,300
Rent$753
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$81,948
Housing Units260
Rent Burden35.4%

Health

Obesity43.2%
Uninsured11.0%
Smoking25.7%
Depression34.4%
Heart Disease7.6%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain55.8 in/yr
Sunny Days290/yr
Elevation2,233 ft (681 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.2%
High School+76.3%
Graduate+1.3%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 83% / D 16%
Commute17 min
Broadband78.0%
Libraries2

Is Cowen a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cowen receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Cowen has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cowen is $30,625, 59% below the national average of $75,149. At 16.2%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 29.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cowen is $57,300, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $753 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Cowen experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 290 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 55.8 inches, including 100.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Cowen has a population of 560 with a density of 889 people per square mile. The median age is 36.8 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%).

Population

560
Total Population
889
People / sq mi
36.8yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.7%
Female 44.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Cowen vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Cowen vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cowen is $30,625, which is 59% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 16.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 29.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Cowen vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$30,625
59% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,321
Avg Weekly Wage$788
IRS Avg AGI$45,046

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment16.2%
350% above US avg
Poverty Rate29.2%
135% above US avg
Establishments (County)216
County GDP$179M

Business (County)

Restaurants8
Healthcare14
Retail24
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.3 min
Drive Alone81.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Cowen is $57,300, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $753 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $81,948.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$57,300
80% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$81,948

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$753
35% below US avg
Rent Burden35.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.9%
Housing Units260
Median Year Built1958

Property Tax

In Cowen, 43.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 11.0% of residents lack health insurance. 25.7% are current smokers. 34.4% report depression. 38.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.2%
35% above US avg
Diabetes14.2%
Heart Disease7.6%
High Blood Pressure40.6%
Asthma13.0%
COPD11.4%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking25.7%
84% above US avg
Binge Drinking15.4%
Physical Inactivity38.8%
Depression34.4%
Mental Distress25.3%
Physical Distress18.7%
Short Sleep43.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.2%
Uninsured11.0%
28% above US avg
Checkup Rate77.5%
Dental Visits45.8%
Premature Death12,111/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access31.2%
Healthcare Facilities14
Cowen has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 55.8 inches. The area enjoys 290 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days290 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall55.8 inches
47% above US avg
Snowfall100.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,233 ft (681 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density889/sq mi
Coordinates38.4106°N, 80.5539°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS54101
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 66.7-point margin. 78.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.7%
D 16%

Winner: Republican by 66.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.2%
67% below US avg
High School+76.3%
Graduate Degree+1.3%
School Test Score4.81
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density889/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities14
Restaurants8
Retail Stores24

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.3 min
Drive Alone81.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Craigsville, WV 1,584 pop · 7.9 mi Richwood, WV 2,617 pop · 13.0 mi Summersville, WV 3,397 pop · 17.8 mi Marlinton, WV 1,050 pop · 28.4 mi Rainelle, WV 1,334 pop · 32.8 mi Ansted, WV 1,210 pop · 35.4 mi Fayetteville, WV 2,864 pop · 38.5 mi Glenville, WV 1,049 pop · 39.6 mi Lewisburg, WV 3,871 pop · 42.1 mi Weston, WV 3,884 pop · 43.7 mi Buckhannon, WV 5,144 pop · 43.9 mi Fairlea, WV 1,266 pop · 44.2 mi White Sulphur Springs, WV 2,646 pop · 44.4 mi Montgomery, WV 1,635 pop · 44.6 mi
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