West Virginia · Metropolitan Area
Lester is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 492. Residents earn $30,000 per year, which is 60% below the national average.
Based on current data, Lester receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Lester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Lester is $30,000, 60% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. The poverty rate of 46.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 48 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.
The median home value in Lester is $81,500, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $834 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.
12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.
Lester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.4 inches, including 38.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
| English Only | 100.0% |
| 27% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $30,000 |
| 60% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $18,676 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,043 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $63,527 |
| Unemployment | 1.4% |
| 61% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 46.2% |
| 273% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 2,608 |
| County GDP | $4,532M |
| Restaurants | 129 |
| Healthcare | 299 |
| Retail | 302 |
| Manufacturing | 44 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $2,735 |
| 22% below US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.36% |
| Commute Time | 48.3 min |
| Work from Home | 7.1% |
| Census Median | $81,500 |
| 71% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $128,330 |
| Census Median Rent | $834 |
| 28% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 39.0% |
| Studio | $714 |
| 1 Bedroom | $766 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $945 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,231 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| Owner-Occupied | 75.8% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $2,735 |
| 22% below US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 3.36% |
| Obesity | 44.6% |
| 39% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 15.1% |
| Heart Disease | 7.4% |
| High Blood Pressure | 42.9% |
| Asthma | 12.9% |
| COPD | 10.4% |
| Stroke | 3.9% |
| Binge Drinking | 15.0% |
| Physical Inactivity | 36.7% |
| Depression | 31.9% |
| Mental Distress | 25.2% |
| Physical Distress | 18.6% |
| Insurance Rate | 95.7% |
| Checkup Rate | 79.2% |
| Premature Death | 16,996/100K |
| Food Environment | 6.1/10 |
| Exercise Access | 56.8% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 299 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 10 |
| FEMA Disasters | 91 |
| Annual Average | 49.7°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 43.4 inches |
| 14% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 38.4 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 2,027 ft (618 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 984/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7320°N, 81.3027°W |
| County FIPS | 54081 |
Winner: Republican by 54.3 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.0% |
| 64% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 77.7% |
| School Test Score | 4.81 |
| RUCC Code 3 | Metro — under 250K |
| Population Density | 984/sq mi |
| Total Area | 0.5 sq mi |
| Public Libraries | 5 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 299 |
| Restaurants | 129 |
| Retail Stores | 302 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 10 |
| FEMA Disaster Declarations | 91 |
| Avg Commute | 48.3 min |
| Work from Home | 7.1% |