Ridgeley, WV

West Virginia

Ridgeley is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 304. Residents earn $51,667 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
304 Population 1,048/sq mi density
$51,667 Median Income $32,136 per capita
$138,100 Home Value $214,110 Zillow
$890 Median Rent 24.6% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$51,667 median income, 6.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$138,100 home value, $890/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,667
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $138,100
51% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.6%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $890
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.3%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.2%
72% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.4%
16% lower than US avg

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

People

Population304
Median Age41.7 yrs
Density1,048/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans14.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$51,667
Per Capita$32,136
Unemployment6.2%
Poverty10.4%
County GDP$3,542M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$138,100
Rent$890
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$214,110
Housing Units244
Rent Burden24.6%

Health

Obesity42.3%
Uninsured8.9%
Smoking22.1%
Depression34.0%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain39.2 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation849 ft (259 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.6%
High School+89.8%
Graduate+11.6%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute16 min
Broadband81.5%
Libraries6

Is Ridgeley a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ridgeley is $51,667, 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 10.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ridgeley is $138,100, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $890 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Ridgeley experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.2 inches, including 28.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Ridgeley has a population of 304 with a density of 1,048 people per square mile. The median age is 41.7 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.1%).

Population

304
Total Population
1,048
People / sq mi
41.7yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Ridgeley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ridgeley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ridgeley is $51,667, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Ridgeley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,667
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,136
Avg Weekly Wage$996
IRS Avg AGI$57,857

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.2%
72% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.4%
16% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,577
County GDP$3,542M

Business (County)

Restaurants167
Healthcare256
Retail244
Manufacturing47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,083
12% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.5 min
Drive Alone76.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Ridgeley is $138,100, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $890 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $214,110.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$138,100
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$214,110
Median List Price$179,749

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$179,749
$/Sq Ft$164
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$890
23% below US avg
Rent Burden24.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.9%
Housing Units244
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,083
12% below US avg
Effective Rate2.23%
In Ridgeley, 42.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.9% of residents lack health insurance. 22.1% are current smokers. 34.0% report depression. 33.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.3%
32% above US avg
Diabetes13.5%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure38.8%
Asthma12.8%
COPD9.6%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking22.1%
58% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity33.2%
Depression34.0%
Mental Distress24.0%
Physical Distress17.2%
Short Sleep39.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.3%
Uninsured8.9%
3% above US avg
Checkup Rate77.7%
Dental Visits55.8%
Premature Death11,358/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access66.3%
Healthcare Facilities256
Ridgeley has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.2 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.7°F
1% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.2 inches
3% above US avg
Snowfall28.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation849 ft (259 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density1,048/sq mi
Coordinates39.6413°N, 78.7729°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS24001
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 10.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 40.3-point margin. 81.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.2%
D 28.9%

Winner: Republican by 40.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.6%
69% below US avg
High School+89.8%
Graduate Degree+11.6%
School Test Score4.81
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,048/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.5%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities256
Restaurants167
Retail Stores244

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.5 min
Drive Alone76.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.4%

Nearby Cities

Cumberland, MD 18,938 pop · 1.1 mi Carpendale, WV 1,053 pop · 1.3 mi Bowling Green, MD 1,096 pop · 2.0 mi Bowmans Addition, MD 1,149 pop · 3.3 mi La Vale, MD 4,388 pop · 3.6 mi Cresaptown, MD 5,238 pop · 4.7 mi Bel Air, MD 10,616 pop · 6.0 mi Frostburg, MD 7,025 pop · 8.2 mi Fort Ashby, WV 1,011 pop · 10.3 mi Lonaconing, MD 1,093 pop · 12.1 mi Westernport, MD 1,864 pop · 17.8 mi Keyser, WV 4,870 pop · 17.9 mi Meyersdale, PA 2,058 pop · 18.0 mi Romney, WV 1,714 pop · 20.5 mi
Compare Ridgeley with another city: