Paw Paw, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Paw Paw is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 440. Residents earn $62,500 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
440 Population 830/sq mi density
$62,500 Median Income $24,498 per capita
$83,900 Home Value $225,273 Zillow
$989 Median Rent 28.3% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$62,500 median income, 9.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$83,900 home value, $989/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,500
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $83,900
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.2%
85% lower than US avg
Median Rent $989
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.0%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.7%
169% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.7%
78% lower than US avg

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

People

Population440
Median Age47.2 yrs
Density830/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 78%
Veterans8.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$62,500
Per Capita$24,498
Unemployment9.7%
Poverty2.7%
County GDP$413M
Commute41 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$83,900
Rent$989
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$225,273
Rent Burden28.3%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression33.9%
Heart Disease7.4%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain42.8 in/yr
Elevation561 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.2%
High School+79.7%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 21%
Commute41 min
Broadband86.7%
Libraries2

Is Paw Paw a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Paw Paw receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, long commute times, high obesity rates. Paw Paw offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Paw Paw is $62,500, 17% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.7%, unemployment is notably high. Only 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 41 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Paw Paw is $83,900, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $989 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Paw Paw experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Paw Paw has a population of 440 with a density of 830 people per square mile. The median age is 47.2 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.5%), with 4.3% Hispanic, 9.1% Black.

Population

440
Total Population
830
People / sq mi
47.2yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.8%
Female 50.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Paw Paw vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.4%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.6%
6% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Paw Paw vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Paw Paw is $62,500, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 41 minutes.

Income: Paw Paw vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,500
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,498
Avg Weekly Wage$889
IRS Avg AGI$59,981

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.7%
169% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.7%
78% below US avg
Establishments (County)386
County GDP$413M

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare21
Retail42
Manufacturing6

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,431
31% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time41.3 min
Drive Alone82.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Paw Paw is $83,900, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $989 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $225,273.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$83,900
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$225,273

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$989
15% below US avg
Rent Burden28.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,431
31% below US avg
Effective Rate2.90%
In Paw Paw, 42.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 33.9% report depression. 37.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.0%
31% above US avg
Diabetes14.4%
Heart Disease7.4%
High Blood Pressure40.6%
Asthma13.5%
COPD11.2%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.7%
Physical Inactivity37.1%
Depression33.9%
Mental Distress25.7%
Physical Distress18.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.6%
Checkup Rate77.3%
Premature Death13,254/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access72.0%
Healthcare Facilities21

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Paw Paw has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.4°F
3% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.8 inches
13% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation561 ft (171 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density830/sq mi
Coordinates39.5314°N, 78.4553°W
County FIPS54065
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 55.7-point margin. 86.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.1%
D 21.4%

Winner: Republican by 55.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.2%
85% below US avg
High School+79.7%
School Test Score4.81
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density830/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.7%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities21
Restaurants30
Retail Stores42

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute41.3 min
Drive Alone82.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.3%

Nearby Cities

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