Ripley, WV

West Virginia

Ripley is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 3,066. Residents earn $35,120 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
3,066 Population 952/sq mi density
$35,120 Median Income $28,459 per capita
$119,300 Home Value $195,740 Zillow
$569 Median Rent
55°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
$35,120 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$119,300 home value, $569/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,120
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $119,300
58% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.3%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $569
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.7%
36% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.4%
24% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,066
Median Age44.9 yrs
Density952/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

B
Median Income$35,120
Per Capita$28,459
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty15.4%
County GDP$1,066M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$119,300
Rent$569
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$195,740

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property369/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity43.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression33.8%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain46.0 in/yr
Elevation599 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.3%
High School+84.5%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 21%
Commute24 min
EV Stations3
Libraries2

Is Ripley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ripley receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Ripley offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ripley is $35,120, 53% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. The poverty rate of 15.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ripley is $119,300, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $569 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Ripley 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 369 per 100,000, 81% below the national average.

Education

20.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Ripley experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.0 inches, including 11.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Ripley has a population of 3,066 with a density of 952 people per square mile. The median age is 44.9 years, 15% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.7%).

Population

3,066
Total Population
952
People / sq mi
44.9yrs
Median Age
15% above US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.9%
Female 46.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Ripley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.1%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ripley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ripley is $35,120, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Ripley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,120
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,459
Avg Weekly Wage$1,018
IRS Avg AGI$62,241

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.4%
24% above US avg
Establishments (County)726
County GDP$1,066M

Business (County)

Restaurants47
Healthcare60
Retail83
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,365
32% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Work from Home6.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Ripley is $119,300, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $569 (51% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $195,740.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$119,300
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$195,740
Median List Price$219,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$219,000
$/Sq Ft$175
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$569
51% 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-Occupied54.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,365
32% below US avg
Effective Rate1.98%
In Ripley, 43.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 33.8% report depression. 33.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.7%
36% above US avg
Diabetes14.1%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure40.3%
Asthma12.9%
COPD9.9%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.3%
Physical Inactivity33.8%
Depression33.8%
Mental Distress23.7%
Physical Distress17.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.8%
Checkup Rate78.8%
Premature Death11,780/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access52.0%
Healthcare Facilities60
Ripley has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 369 per 100,000 (81% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ripley 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 Property368.6/100K
81% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft368.6/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Ripley has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.9°F
2% above US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.0 inches
21% above US avg
Snowfall11.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation599 ft (183 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²)
Population Density952/sq mi
Coordinates38.8216°N, 81.7093°W
County FIPS54035
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 20.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 56.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.3%
D 21.1%

Winner: Republican by 56.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.3%
40% below US avg
High School+84.5%
School Test Score4.81
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density952/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities60
Restaurants47
Retail Stores83

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Work from Home6.7%

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