Elkins, WV

West Virginia

Elkins is a small city in West Virginia with a population of 6,875. Residents earn $47,746 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
6,875 Population 1,858/sq mi density
$47,746 Median Income $31,778 per capita
$130,500 Home Value $162,311 Zillow
$897 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$47,746 median income, 5.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$130,500 home value, $897/mo rent
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,746
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $130,500
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.4%
10% lower than US avg
Median Rent $897
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.8%
46% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.4%
50% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.5%
7% lower than US avg

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

People

Population6,875
Median Age36.1 yrs
Density1,858/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,746
Per Capita$31,778
Unemployment5.4%
Poverty11.5%
County GDP$1,145M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$130,500
Rent$897
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$162,311

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity46.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression33.5%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain47.2 in/yr
Elevation1,900 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.4%
High School+89.1%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute12 min
EV Stations3
Libraries6

Is Elkins a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elkins receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Elkins offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elkins is $47,746, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.4% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 11.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elkins is $130,500, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $897 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

30.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Elkins experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.2 inches, including 68.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Elkins has a population of 6,875 with a density of 1,858 people per square mile. The median age is 36.1 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.5%), with 3.1% Black.

Population

6,875
Total Population
1,858
People / sq mi
36.1yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
3.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Elkins vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elkins vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elkins is $47,746, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Elkins vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,746
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,778
Avg Weekly Wage$879
IRS Avg AGI$57,959

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.4%
50% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.5%
7% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,002
County GDP$1,145M

Business (County)

Restaurants57
Healthcare97
Retail109
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,822
48% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.6 min
Work from Home7.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Elkins is $130,500, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $897 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $162,311.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$130,500
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$162,311
Median List Price$219,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$219,900
$/Sq Ft$128
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio89.9%
Price Drops14.8%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$897
23% 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-Occupied62.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,822
48% below US avg
Effective Rate1.40%
In Elkins, 46.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 33.5% report depression. 32.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.8%
46% above US avg
Diabetes13.1%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure39.9%
Asthma12.7%
COPD9.3%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.7%
Physical Inactivity32.1%
Depression33.5%
Mental Distress23.3%
Physical Distress16.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.3%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death10,398/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access67.9%
Healthcare Facilities97

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Elkins has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average51.7°F
4% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.2 inches
24% above US avg
Snowfall68.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,900 ft (579 m)
Area3.7 sq mi (9.6 km²)
Population Density1,858/sq mi
Coordinates38.9238°N, 79.8540°W
County FIPS54083
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 30.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (10% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.1%
D 25.9%

Winner: Republican by 46.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.4%
10% below US avg
High School+89.1%
School Test Score4.81
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,858/sq mi
Total Area3.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities97
Restaurants57
Retail Stores109

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.6 min
Work from Home7.8%

Nearby Cities

Compare Elkins with another city: