Gauley Bridge, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Gauley Bridge is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 466. Residents earn $19,500 per year, which is 74% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
466 Population 299/sq mi density
$19,500 Median Income $19,148 per capita
$71,600 Home Value $90,245 Zillow
$441 Median Rent 31.9% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$19,500 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$71,600 home value, $441/mo rent
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $19,500
74% lower than US avg
Home Value $71,600
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.2%
43% lower than US avg
Median Rent $441
62% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 32.2%
160% higher than US avg

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

People

Population466
Median Age45.1 yrs
Density299/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans5.6%

Economy

C
Median Income$19,500
Per Capita$19,148
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty32.2%
County GDP$1,578M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$71,600
Rent$441
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$90,245
Rent Burden31.9%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression34.2%
Heart Disease7.1%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain48.0 in/yr
Elevation1,391 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.2%
High School+75.1%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute33 min
Broadband80.4%
Libraries8

Is Gauley Bridge a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gauley Bridge receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Gauley Bridge offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gauley Bridge is $19,500, 74% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 32.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gauley Bridge is $71,600, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $441 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

19.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 75.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Gauley Bridge experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Gauley Bridge has a population of 466 with a density of 299 people per square mile. The median age is 45.1 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

466
Total Population
299
People / sq mi
45.1yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.3%
Female 54.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Gauley Bridge vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Gauley Bridge vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gauley Bridge is $19,500, which is 74% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 32.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Gauley Bridge vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$19,500
74% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,148
Avg Weekly Wage$916
IRS Avg AGI$50,919

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate32.2%
160% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,186
County GDP$1,578M

Business (County)

Restaurants81
Healthcare97
Retail114
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,905
46% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.4 min
Drive Alone95.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Gauley Bridge is $71,600, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $441 (62% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $90,245.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$71,600
75% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$90,245

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$441
62% below US avg
Rent Burden31.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,905
46% below US avg
Effective Rate2.66%
In Gauley Bridge, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 34.2% report depression. 33.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Gauley Bridge vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes13.5%
Heart Disease7.1%
High Blood Pressure37.8%
Asthma13.0%
COPD10.1%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity33.3%
Depression34.2%
Mental Distress24.8%
Physical Distress17.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.9%
Checkup Rate76.7%
Premature Death15,973/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access61.5%
Healthcare Facilities97

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Gauley Bridge has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average53.7°F
1% below US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.0 inches
26% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,391 ft (424 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.0 km²)
Population Density299/sq mi
Coordinates38.1668°N, 81.2096°W
County FIPS54019
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 19.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (43% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41.8-point margin. 80.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.9%
D 28.1%

Winner: Republican by 41.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.2%
43% below US avg
High School+75.1%
School Test Score4.81
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density299/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access80.4%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities97
Restaurants81
Retail Stores114

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.4 min
Drive Alone95.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

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