Institute, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Institute is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 690. Residents earn $47,625 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
690 Population 2,464/sq mi density
$47,625 Median Income $16,807 per capita
$93,000 Home Value
$988 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$47,625 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$93,000 home value, $988/mo rent
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
45.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,625
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $93,000
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 45.5%
35% higher than US avg
Median Rent $988
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 48.6%
51% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.0%
19% lower than US avg

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

People

Population690
Median Age23.0 yrs
Density2,464/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 45%

Economy

B+
Median Income$47,625
Per Capita$16,807
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty10.0%
County GDP$3,832M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$93,000
Rent$988
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity48.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.8%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI39 (Good)
Elevation608 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+45.5%
High School+100.0%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute15 min
Libraries5

Is Institute a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Institute receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Institute stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Institute is $47,625, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 10.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Institute is $93,000, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $988 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 45.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Institute experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Institute has a population of 690 with a density of 2,464 people per square mile. The median age is 23.0 years, 41% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (49%), with 44.9% White.

Population

690
Total Population
2,464
People / sq mi
23.0yrs
Median Age
41% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.3%
Female 57.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Institute vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.3%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.7%
65% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Institute vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Institute is $47,625, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Institute vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,625
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,807
Avg Weekly Wage$1,238
IRS Avg AGI$78,515

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.0%
19% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,894
County GDP$3,832M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare137
Retail171
Manufacturing45

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,677
24% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.0 min
Work from Home0.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Institute is $93,000, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $988 (15% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$93,000
67% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$988
15% 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-Occupied77.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,677
24% below US avg
Effective Rate2.88%
In Institute, 48.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.8% report depression. 37.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity48.6%
51% above US avg
Diabetes18.2%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure48.2%
Asthma13.4%
COPD7.7%
Stroke4.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.7%
Physical Inactivity37.5%
Depression26.8%
Mental Distress23.4%
Physical Distress15.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Checkup Rate82.8%
Premature Death9,065/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access67.0%
Healthcare Facilities137

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Institute has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.4°F
1% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation608 ft (185 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density2,464/sq mi
Coordinates38.3795°N, 81.7656°W
County FIPS54079
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 45.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.2%
D 25.9%

Winner: Republican by 46.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+45.5%
35% above US avg
High School+100.0%
School Test Score4.81
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,464/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities137
Restaurants100
Retail Stores171

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.0 min
Work from Home0.7%

Nearby Cities

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