Morgantown, KY

Kentucky · Metropolitan Area

Morgantown is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 2,729. Residents earn $37,037 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,729 Population 820/sq mi density
$37,037 Median Income $20,189 per capita
$111,400 Home Value $193,523 Zillow
$582 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
244 Violent Crime/100K 2,518 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$37,037 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$111,400 home value, $582/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
244 violent crimes/100K (36% below avg)
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,037
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $111,400
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 244/100K
36% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.5%
81% lower than US avg
Median Rent $582
50% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.6%
106% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,729
Median Age36.3 yrs
Density820/mi²
Male / Female53% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

C
Median Income$37,037
Per Capita$20,189
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty25.6%
County GDP$409M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$111,400
Rent$582
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$193,523

Crime

F
Violent244/100K
Property2,518/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault122/100K
Burglary772/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain50.8 in/yr
Elevation446 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.5%
High School+80.6%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 83% / D 16%
Commute24 min
Libraries2

Is Morgantown a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Morgantown receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Morgantown has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Morgantown is $37,037, 51% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 25.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Morgantown is $111,400, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $582 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Morgantown is below the national average at 244 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,518 per 100,000, 28% above the national average.

Education

6.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Morgantown enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Morgantown has a population of 2,729 with a density of 820 people per square mile. The median age is 36.3 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.4%), with 2.8% Hispanic.

Population

2,729
Total Population
820
People / sq mi
36.3yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
3.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.5%
Female 47.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Morgantown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.9%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.1%
5% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Morgantown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Morgantown is $37,037, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 25.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Morgantown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,037
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,189
Avg Weekly Wage$893
IRS Avg AGI$53,011

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate25.6%
106% above US avg
Establishments (County)309
County GDP$409M

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare24
Retail31
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,856
47% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.7 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Morgantown is $111,400, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $582 (50% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $193,523.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$111,400
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$193,523

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$582
50% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$719
1 Bedroom$794
2 Bedrooms$984
3 Bedrooms$1,277
4 Bedrooms$1,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied35.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,856
47% below US avg
Effective Rate1.67%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.7%
Premature Death11,443/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access20.1%
Healthcare Facilities24
Morgantown has a violent crime rate of 244 per 100,000 residents, 36% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,518 per 100,000 (28% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent243.7/100K
36% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape121.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault121.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,518.3/100K
28% above US avg
Burglary771.7/100K
Theft1,584.1/100K
Vehicle Theft162.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Morgantown has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.8 inches
34% above US avg
Snowfall4.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation446 ft (136 m)
Area3.3 sq mi (8.6 km²)
Population Density820/sq mi
Coordinates37.2174°N, 86.7002°W
County FIPS21031
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 6.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (81% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 66.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.6%
D 16.2%

Winner: Republican by 66.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.5%
81% below US avg
High School+80.6%
School Test Score5.50
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density820/sq mi
Total Area3.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities24
Restaurants14
Retail Stores31

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.7 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Morgantown with another city: