Parsons, WV

West Virginia

Parsons is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 1,481. Residents earn $44,375 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,481 Population 1,322/sq mi density
$44,375 Median Income $26,616 per capita
$101,500 Home Value $128,536 Zillow
$808 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$44,375 median income, 6.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$101,500 home value, $808/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,375
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $101,500
64% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.5%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $808
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.8%
89% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.7%
10% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,481
Median Age46.6 yrs
Density1,322/mi²
Male / Female52% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

C+
Median Income$44,375
Per Capita$26,616
Unemployment6.8%
Poverty13.7%
County GDP$406M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$101,500
Rent$808
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$128,536

Crime

Violent0/100K
Property0/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.5%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain55.0 in/yr
Elevation1,647 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.5%
High School+83.5%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 24%
Commute35 min
Libraries2

Is Parsons a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Parsons receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Parsons offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Parsons is $44,375, 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 13.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Parsons is $101,500, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $808 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Parsons is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 0 per 100,000, 100% below the national average.

Education

15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Parsons experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.0 inches, including 55.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Parsons has a population of 1,481 with a density of 1,322 people per square mile. The median age is 46.6 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93%), with 5.5% Hispanic.

Population

1,481
Total Population
1,322
People / sq mi
46.6yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.5%
Female 48.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Parsons vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.9%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.1%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Parsons vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Parsons is $44,375, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Parsons vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,375
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,616
Avg Weekly Wage$873
IRS Avg AGI$56,893

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.8%
89% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.7%
10% above US avg
Establishments (County)282
County GDP$406M

Business (County)

Restaurants33
Healthcare10
Retail29
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,329
33% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.29%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.0 min
Work from Home8.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Parsons is $101,500, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $808 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $128,536.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$101,500
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$128,536

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$808
31% 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-Occupied72.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,329
33% below US avg
Effective Rate2.29%
In Parsons, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.5% report depression. 31.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes12.4%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure38.6%
Asthma12.4%
COPD8.9%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity31.2%
Depression32.5%
Mental Distress22.9%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.2%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death9,840/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access98.7%
Healthcare Facilities10
Parsons has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 0 per 100,000 (100% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Parsons has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 55.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall55.0 inches
45% above US avg
Snowfall55.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,647 ft (502 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density1,322/sq mi
Coordinates39.0945°N, 79.6785°W
County FIPS54093
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 48.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.4%
D 24.5%

Winner: Republican by 48.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.5%
54% below US avg
High School+83.5%
School Test Score4.81
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,322/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities10
Restaurants33
Retail Stores29

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.0 min
Work from Home8.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Parsons with another city: