Richwood, WV

West Virginia

Richwood is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 2,617. Residents earn $33,614 per year, which is 55% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,617 Population 1,625/sq mi density
$33,614 Median Income $25,310 per capita
$67,600 Home Value $75,433 Zillow
$630 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.8 / 5.0
$33,614 median income, 10.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$67,600 home value, $630/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,614
55% lower than US avg
Home Value $67,600
76% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.0%
64% lower than US avg
Median Rent $630
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.7%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.3%
186% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.9%
60% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,617
Median Age45.5 yrs
Density1,625/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

D
Median Income$33,614
Per Capita$25,310
Unemployment10.3%
Poverty19.9%
County GDP$883M
Commute38 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$67,600
Rent$630
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$75,433

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression34.5%
Heart Disease7.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain55.8 in/yr
Elevation2,186 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.0%
High School+87.0%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute38 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Richwood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Richwood receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Richwood has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Richwood is $33,614, 55% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.3%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 19.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Richwood is $67,600, 76% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $630 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Richwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.8 inches, including 100.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Richwood has a population of 2,617 with a density of 1,625 people per square mile. The median age is 45.5 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.9%).

Population

2,617
Total Population
1,625
People / sq mi
45.5yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.8%
Female 54.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Richwood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.6%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.4%
97% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Richwood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Richwood is $33,614, which is 55% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Richwood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,614
55% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,310
Avg Weekly Wage$979
IRS Avg AGI$56,288

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.3%
186% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.9%
60% above US avg
Establishments (County)827
County GDP$883M

Business (County)

Restaurants59
Healthcare67
Retail94
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,314
34% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.42%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time38.1 min
Work from Home4.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Richwood is $67,600, 76% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $630 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $75,433.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$67,600
76% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$75,433

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$630
46% 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-Occupied78.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,314
34% below US avg
Effective Rate3.42%
In Richwood, 42.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 34.5% report depression. 36.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.7%
33% above US avg
Diabetes14.1%
Heart Disease7.7%
High Blood Pressure40.6%
Asthma12.9%
COPD11.1%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity36.1%
Depression34.5%
Mental Distress25.1%
Physical Distress18.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate77.0%
Premature Death14,497/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access48.8%
Healthcare Facilities67

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Richwood has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 55.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall55.8 inches
47% above US avg
Snowfall100.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,186 ft (666 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density1,625/sq mi
Coordinates38.2224°N, 80.5380°W
County FIPS54067
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.3%
D 19.1%

Winner: Republican by 60.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.0%
64% below US avg
High School+87.0%
School Test Score4.81
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,625/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities67
Restaurants59
Retail Stores94

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute38.1 min
Work from Home4.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Richwood with another city: