Dunbar, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Dunbar is a small city in West Virginia with a population of 7,340. Residents earn $54,647 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
7,340 Population 2,621/sq mi density
$54,647 Median Income $31,117 per capita
$121,100 Home Value $121,237 Zillow
$904 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
166 Violent Crime/100K 2,404 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$54,647 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,100 home value, $904/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
166 violent crimes/100K (56% below avg)
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
30.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,647
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $121,100
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 166/100K
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.8%
9% lower than US avg
Median Rent $904
22% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.7%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.1%
2% lower than US avg

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

People

Population7,340
Median Age43.0 yrs
Density2,621/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 78%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,647
Per Capita$31,117
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty12.1%
County GDP$14,448M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,100
Rent$904
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$121,237

Crime

F
Violent166/100K
Property2,404/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault90/100K
Burglary678/100K

Health

Obesity41.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression31.7%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain48.2 in/yr
Elevation1,009 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.8%
High School+93.7%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 40%
Commute22 min
Libraries13

Is Dunbar a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dunbar receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Dunbar offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dunbar is $54,647, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. 12.1% 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 Dunbar is $121,100, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $904 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Dunbar is below the national average at 166 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,404 per 100,000, 23% above the national average.

Education

30.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Dunbar experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Dunbar has a population of 7,340 with a density of 2,621 people per square mile. The median age is 43.0 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.9%), with 3.1% Hispanic, 12.5% Black.

Population

7,340
Total Population
2,621
People / sq mi
43.0yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Dunbar vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.7%
80% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dunbar vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dunbar is $54,647, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Dunbar vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,647
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,117
Avg Weekly Wage$1,192
IRS Avg AGI$70,301

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.1%
2% 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 Rate2.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.3 min
Work from Home5.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Dunbar is $121,100, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $904 (22% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $121,237.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$121,100
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$121,237
Median List Price$154,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$154,500
$/Sq Ft$83
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio94.2%
Price Drops23.1%
Inventory13

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$904
22% 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-Occupied58.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,391
3% below US avg
Effective Rate2.80%
In Dunbar, 41.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 31.7% report depression. 30.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.7%
30% above US avg
Diabetes13.2%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure41.3%
Asthma12.5%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity30.9%
Depression31.7%
Mental Distress23.1%
Physical Distress15.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Checkup Rate80.0%
Premature Death14,979/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access70.7%
Healthcare Facilities645
Dunbar has a violent crime rate of 166 per 100,000 residents, 56% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,404 per 100,000 (23% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent166.2/100K
56% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape25.6/100K
Robbery51.1/100K
Assault89.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,403.8/100K
23% above US avg
Burglary677.7/100K
Theft1,662.2/100K
Vehicle Theft63.9/100K
Arson25.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Dunbar has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.4°F
1% above US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.2 inches
27% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,009 ft (308 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density2,621/sq mi
Coordinates38.3695°N, 81.7361°W
County FIPS54039
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 30.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (9% 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+30.8%
9% below US avg
High School+93.7%
School Test Score4.81
B Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,621/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities645
Restaurants428
Retail Stores626

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.3 min
Work from Home5.1%

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