Fort Gay, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Fort Gay is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 459. Residents earn $27,679 per year, which is 63% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
459 Population 553/sq mi density
$27,679 Median Income $19,434 per capita
$58,100 Home Value $121,868 Zillow
$671 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$27,679 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$58,100 home value, $671/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $27,679
63% lower than US avg
Home Value $58,100
79% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.3%
84% lower than US avg
Median Rent $671
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.5%
42% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.7%
140% higher than US avg

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

People

Population459
Median Age47.1 yrs
Density553/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

C
Median Income$27,679
Per Capita$19,434
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty29.7%
County GDP$539M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$58,100
Rent$671
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$121,868

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity45.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression35.9%
Heart Disease8.4%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain45.1 in/yr
Elevation707 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.3%
High School+80.9%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 83% / D 16%
Commute35 min
Libraries1

Is Fort Gay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fort Gay receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Fort Gay has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fort Gay is $27,679, 63% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 29.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fort Gay is $58,100, 79% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $671 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Fort Gay enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.1 inches, including 19.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Fort Gay has a population of 459 with a density of 553 people per square mile. The median age is 47.1 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.6%).

Population

459
Total Population
553
People / sq mi
47.1yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.7%
Female 47.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Gay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Fort Gay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fort Gay is $27,679, which is 63% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 29.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Fort Gay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$27,679
63% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,434
Avg Weekly Wage$860
IRS Avg AGI$53,332

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate29.7%
140% above US avg
Establishments (County)353
County GDP$539M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare28
Retail51

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,263
35% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.5 min
Work from Home1.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Fort Gay is $58,100, 79% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $671 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $121,868.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$58,100
79% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$121,868

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$671
42% 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-Occupied41.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,263
35% below US avg
Effective Rate3.90%
In Fort Gay, 45.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 35.9% report depression. 40.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fort Gay vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.5%
42% above US avg
Diabetes15.2%
Heart Disease8.4%
High Blood Pressure42.1%
Asthma13.9%
COPD13.0%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.9%
Physical Inactivity40.4%
Depression35.9%
Mental Distress27.4%
Physical Distress20.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.5%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death14,424/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.2/10
Exercise Access27.7%
Healthcare Facilities28

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Fort Gay has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.5°F
5% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.1 inches
19% above US avg
Snowfall19.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation707 ft (215 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density553/sq mi
Coordinates38.1222°N, 82.5913°W
County FIPS21127
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 5.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (84% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 67.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 83.1%
D 15.9%

Winner: Republican by 67.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.3%
84% below US avg
High School+80.9%
School Test Score4.81
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density553/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities28
Restaurants25
Retail Stores51

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.5 min
Work from Home1.4%

Nearby Cities

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