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Elk Garden, WV

West Virginia

Elk Garden is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 195. Residents earn $58,750 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
195 Population 750/sq mi density
$58,750 Median Income $27,984 per capita
$81,800 Home Value $130,383 Zillow
53°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$58,750 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$81,800 home value
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,750
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $81,800
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.5%
90% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.1%
34% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.5%
88% lower than US avg

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

People

Population195
Median Age33.9 yrs
Density750/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans4.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$58,750
Per Capita$27,984
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty1.5%
County GDP$1,790M
Commute57 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$81,800
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$130,383
Housing Units69
Rent Burden23.3%

Health

Obesity43.1%
Uninsured10.4%
Smoking24.8%
Depression35.2%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (11°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain41.4 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation2,262 ft (689 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.5%
High School+85.1%
Graduate+3.2%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute57 min
Broadband59.0%
Libraries5

Is Elk Garden a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elk Garden receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times, high obesity rates. Elk Garden offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elk Garden is $58,750, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 57 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elk Garden is $81,800, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

3.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Elk Garden experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 41.4 inches, including 33.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Elk Garden has a population of 195 with a density of 750 people per square mile. The median age is 33.9 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

195
Total Population
750
People / sq mi
33.9yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Elk Garden vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Elk Garden vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elk Garden is $58,750, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 57 minutes.

Income: Elk Garden vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,750
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,984
Avg Weekly Wage$933
IRS Avg AGI$67,304

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.5%
88% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,168
County GDP$1,790M

Business (County)

Restaurants85
Healthcare81
Retail138
Manufacturing44

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,909
40% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time56.9 min
Drive Alone53.8%
Public Transit23.8%
Work from Home12.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Elk Garden is $81,800, 71% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $130,383.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$81,800
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$130,383

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden23.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.4%
Housing Units69
Median Year Built1975

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,909
40% above US avg
Effective Rate6.00%
In Elk Garden, 43.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.4% of residents lack health insurance. 24.8% are current smokers. 35.2% report depression. 36.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Elk Garden vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.1%
34% above US avg
Diabetes14.0%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure39.4%
Asthma13.1%
COPD11.1%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking24.8%
77% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.1%
Physical Inactivity36.2%
Depression35.2%
Mental Distress25.1%
Physical Distress18.6%
Short Sleep40.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate83.2%
Uninsured10.4%
21% above US avg
Checkup Rate77.1%
Dental Visits49.2%
Premature Death8,314/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access57.9%
Healthcare Facilities81
Elk Garden has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.4 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.4 inches
9% above US avg
Snowfall33.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,262 ft (689 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density750/sq mi
Coordinates39.3862°N, 79.1556°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS24023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 3.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (90% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54-point margin. 59.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.9%
D 21.9%

Winner: Republican by 54 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.5%
90% below US avg
High School+85.1%
Graduate Degree+3.2%
School Test Score4.81
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density750/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access59.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities81
Restaurants85
Retail Stores138

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute56.9 min
Drive Alone53.8%
Public Transit23.8%
Work from Home12.5%

Nearby Cities

Westernport, MD 1,864 pop · 9.3 mi Keyser, WV 4,870 pop · 10.0 mi Mountain Lake Park, MD 2,033 pop · 12.1 mi Oakland, MD 2,043 pop · 13.3 mi Lonaconing, MD 1,093 pop · 15.6 mi Bel Air, MD 10,616 pop · 20.9 mi Terra Alta, WV 1,992 pop · 21.1 mi Romney, WV 1,714 pop · 21.5 mi Fort Ashby, WV 1,011 pop · 21.7 mi Frostburg, MD 7,025 pop · 22.0 mi Cresaptown, MD 5,238 pop · 22.3 mi Moorefield, WV 2,952 pop · 24.3 mi Bowling Green, MD 1,096 pop · 25.0 mi Carpendale, WV 1,053 pop · 25.7 mi
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