Shepherdstown, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Shepherdstown is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 1,399. Residents earn $62,500 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
1,399 Population 3,498/sq mi density
$62,500 Median Income $22,913 per capita
$474,500 Home Value $476,047 Zillow
$1,152 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$62,500 median income, 7.5% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.4 / 5.0
$474,500 home value, $1,152/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
71.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,500
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $474,500
68% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 71.4%
112% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,152
1% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.6%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.5%
108% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.7%
78% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,399
Median Age21.7 yrs
Density3,498/mi²
Male / Female43% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

B
Median Income$62,500
Per Capita$22,913
Unemployment7.5%
Poverty2.7%
County GDP$3,037M
Commute18 min

Housing

C
Home Value$474,500
Rent$1,152
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$476,047

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.4%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain43.5 in/yr
Elevation407 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+71.4%
High School+97.4%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 41%
Commute18 min
EV Stations3
Libraries3

Is Shepherdstown a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shepherdstown receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Shepherdstown offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shepherdstown is $62,500, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.5% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shepherdstown is $474,500, making it a premium housing market at 68% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,152 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.6x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Shepherdstown is a highly educated community — 71.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Shepherdstown experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Shepherdstown has a population of 1,399 with a density of 3,498 people per square mile. The median age is 21.7 years, 44% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.4%), with 11.4% Black.

Population

1,399
Total Population
3,498
People / sq mi
21.7yrs
Median Age
44% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.5%
Female 57.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Shepherdstown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.6%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.4%
67% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shepherdstown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shepherdstown is $62,500, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Shepherdstown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,500
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,913
Avg Weekly Wage$1,189
IRS Avg AGI$83,954

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.5%
108% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.7%
78% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,314
County GDP$3,037M

Business (County)

Restaurants129
Healthcare80
Retail145
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,965
15% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.5 min
Work from Home21.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Shepherdstown is $474,500, 68% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,152 (1% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $476,047.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$474,500
68% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$476,047
Median List Price$395,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$395,000
$/Sq Ft$269
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio93.0%
Price Drops50.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,152
1% 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-Occupied63.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,965
15% below US avg
Effective Rate0.62%
In Shepherdstown, 37.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.4% report depression. 23.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.6%
17% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure35.6%
Asthma12.2%
COPD6.2%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.4%
Physical Inactivity23.7%
Depression29.4%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate79.1%
Premature Death9,062/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access35.1%
Healthcare Facilities80

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Shepherdstown has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.9°F
2% below US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.5 inches
14% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation407 ft (124 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density3,498/sq mi
Coordinates39.4319°N, 77.8047°W
County FIPS54037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 71.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (112% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.8%
D 41%

Winner: Republican by 15.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+71.4%
112% above US avg
High School+97.4%
School Test Score4.81
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,498/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities80
Restaurants129
Retail Stores145

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.5 min
Work from Home21.1%

Nearby Cities

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