Matewan, WV

West Virginia

Matewan is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 521. Residents earn $15,378 per year, which is 80% below the national average.

1.8 /5.0
D Poor
521 Population 947/sq mi density
$15,378 Median Income $14,584 per capita
$102,100 Home Value
$356 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
D
Overall
1.8 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.1 / 5.0
$15,378 median income, 9.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$102,100 home value, $356/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $15,378
80% lower than US avg
Home Value $102,100
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.3%
84% lower than US avg
Median Rent $356
69% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.0%
40% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.2%
156% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 41.3%
233% higher than US avg

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

People

Population521
Median Age52.6 yrs
Density947/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

F
Median Income$15,378
Per Capita$14,584
Unemployment9.2%
Poverty41.3%
County GDP$968M
Commute15 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$102,100
Rent$356
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity45.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression36.4%
Heart Disease9.1%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain48.3 in/yr
Elevation754 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.3%
High School+71.3%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 86% / D 13%
Commute15 min
Libraries5

Is Matewan a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Matewan receives an overall livability score of 1.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Matewan faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Matewan is $15,378, 80% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.2%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 41.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Matewan is $102,100, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $356 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

5.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 71.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Matewan enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.3 inches, including 13.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Matewan has a population of 521 with a density of 947 people per square mile. The median age is 52.6 years, 35% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.3%), with 1.9% Hispanic, 11.5% Black.

Population

521
Total Population
947
People / sq mi
52.6yrs
Median Age
35% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Matewan vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.4%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.6%
58% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Matewan vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Matewan is $15,378, which is 80% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 41.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Matewan vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$15,378
80% below US avg
Per Capita Income$14,584
Avg Weekly Wage$1,169
IRS Avg AGI$49,837

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.2%
156% above US avg
Poverty Rate41.3%
233% above US avg
Establishments (County)558
County GDP$968M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare39
Retail57
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,144
67% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.12%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.0 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Matewan is $102,100, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $356 (69% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$102,100
64% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$356
69% 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-Occupied47.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,144
67% below US avg
Effective Rate1.12%
In Matewan, 45.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 36.4% report depression. 44.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.0%
40% above US avg
Diabetes17.4%
Heart Disease9.1%
High Blood Pressure44.6%
Asthma13.8%
COPD14.5%
Stroke4.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.0%
Physical Inactivity44.6%
Depression36.4%
Mental Distress27.6%
Physical Distress22.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.5%
Checkup Rate77.8%
Premature Death22,437/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.2/10
Exercise Access36.8%
Healthcare Facilities39

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Matewan has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.7°F
7% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.3 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall13.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation754 ft (230 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density947/sq mi
Coordinates37.6223°N, 82.1593°W
County FIPS54059
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 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 73.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 86.3%
D 12.5%

Winner: Republican by 73.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.3%
84% below US avg
High School+71.3%
School Test Score4.81
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density947/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities39
Restaurants27
Retail Stores57

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.0 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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