Morgantown, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Morgantown is a mid-size city in West Virginia with a population of 30,273. Residents earn $42,245 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
30,273 Population 2,974/sq mi density
$42,245 Median Income $30,286 per capita
$238,200 Home Value $271,933 Zillow
$888 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
260 Violent Crime/100K 2,553 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$42,245 median income, 4.2% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$238,200 home value, $888/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
260 violent crimes/100K (31% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
58.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,245
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $238,200
16% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 260/100K
31% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 58.1%
72% higher than US avg
Median Rent $888
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.6%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.0%
37% higher than US avg

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

People

Population30,273
Median Age24.0 yrs
Density2,974/mi²
Male / Female53% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

C+
Median Income$42,245
Per Capita$30,286
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty17.0%
County GDP$1,012M
Commute17 min

Housing

B
Home Value$238,200
Rent$888
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$271,933

Crime

F
Violent260/100K
Property2,553/100K
Murder6.4/100K
Assault138/100K
Burglary518/100K

Health

Obesity36.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.8%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain43.2 in/yr
Elevation1,214 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+58.1%
High School+93.0%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 20%
Commute17 min
EV Stations18
Libraries2

Is Morgantown a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Morgantown is $42,245, 44% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 17.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Morgantown is $238,200, 16% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $888 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Morgantown is below the national average at 260 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,553 per 100,000, 30% above the national average.

Education

Morgantown is a highly educated community — 58.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Morgantown experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Morgantown has a population of 30,273 with a density of 2,974 people per square mile. The median age is 24.0 years, 38% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.7%), with 4.2% Black.

Population

30,273
Total Population
2,974
People / sq mi
24.0yrs
Median Age
38% below US avg
10.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.5%
Female 47.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Morgantown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.2%
17% above US avg
Spanish7.8%
42% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Morgantown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Morgantown is $42,245, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Morgantown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,245
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,286
Avg Weekly Wage$1,065
IRS Avg AGI$58,346

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.0%
37% above US avg
Establishments (County)884
County GDP$1,012M

Business (County)

Restaurants31
Healthcare53
Retail78
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,185
38% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.3 min
Work from Home12.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Morgantown is $238,200, 16% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $888 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $271,933.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$238,200
16% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$271,933
Median List Price$305,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$305,000
$/Sq Ft$158
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio97.1%
Price Drops8.9%
Inventory56

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$888
24% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,261

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied44.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,185
38% below US avg
Effective Rate0.92%
In Morgantown, 36.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.8% report depression. 27.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.6%
14% above US avg
Diabetes13.4%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure37.2%
Asthma12.1%
COPD8.6%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity27.4%
Depression29.8%
Mental Distress21.6%
Physical Distress15.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.7%
Checkup Rate78.4%
Premature Death11,315/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access45.3%
Healthcare Facilities53
Morgantown has a violent crime rate of 260 per 100,000 residents, 31% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,553 per 100,000 (30% above US avg). The murder rate is 6.4 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent260.4/100K
31% below US avg
Murder6.4/100K
2% above US avg
Rape35.4/100K
Robbery80.4/100K
Assault138.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,552.8/100K
30% above US avg
Burglary517.6/100K
Theft1,954.8/100K
Vehicle Theft80.4/100K
Arson12.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Morgantown has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average53.8°F
0% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.2 inches
14% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,214 ft (370 m)
Area10.2 sq mi (26.4 km²)
Population Density2,974/sq mi
Coordinates39.6375°N, 79.9469°W
County FIPS54077
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 58.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.5%
D 20.5%

Winner: Republican by 57 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+58.1%
72% above US avg
High School+93.0%
School Test Score4.81
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,974/sq mi
Total Area10.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations18
Alt Fuel Stations24
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities53
Restaurants31
Retail Stores78

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.3 min
Work from Home12.5%

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