Sophia, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Sophia is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 1,654. Residents earn $34,498 per year, which is 54% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,654 Population 2,363/sq mi density
$34,498 Median Income $29,190 per capita
$112,900 Home Value $105,309 Zillow
$782 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$34,498 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$112,900 home value, $782/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $34,498
54% lower than US avg
Home Value $112,900
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.2%
76% lower than US avg
Median Rent $782
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.7%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.2%
63% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,654
Median Age45.6 yrs
Density2,363/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

C+
Median Income$34,498
Per Capita$29,190
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty20.2%
County GDP$4,532M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,900
Rent$782
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$105,309

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression34.0%
Heart Disease7.5%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain43.4 in/yr
Elevation2,319 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.2%
High School+74.9%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute28 min
Libraries5

Is Sophia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sophia receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Sophia offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sophia is $34,498, 54% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 20.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sophia is $112,900, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $782 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

8.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 74.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Sophia experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.4 inches, including 38.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Sophia has a population of 1,654 with a density of 2,363 people per square mile. The median age is 45.6 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.5%), with 4.2% Black.

Population

1,654
Total Population
2,363
People / sq mi
45.6yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Sophia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sophia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sophia is $34,498, which is 54% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 20.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Sophia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$34,498
54% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,190
Avg Weekly Wage$1,043
IRS Avg AGI$63,527

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate20.2%
63% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,608
County GDP$4,532M

Business (County)

Restaurants129
Healthcare299
Retail302
Manufacturing44

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,735
22% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.42%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.8 min
Work from Home6.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Sophia is $112,900, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $782 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $105,309.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$112,900
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$105,309

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$65
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio96.4%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$782
33% 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-Occupied63.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,735
22% below US avg
Effective Rate2.42%
In Sophia, 42.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 34.0% report depression. 34.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.7%
33% above US avg
Diabetes14.2%
Heart Disease7.5%
High Blood Pressure40.6%
Asthma13.2%
COPD10.8%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.3%
Physical Inactivity34.8%
Depression34.0%
Mental Distress25.2%
Physical Distress18.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.6%
Checkup Rate78.9%
Premature Death16,996/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.1/10
Exercise Access56.8%
Healthcare Facilities299

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Sophia has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.4 inches
14% above US avg
Snowfall38.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,319 ft (707 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density2,363/sq mi
Coordinates37.7073°N, 81.2536°W
County FIPS54081
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 8.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.4%
D 22%

Winner: Republican by 54.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.2%
76% below US avg
High School+74.9%
School Test Score4.81
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,363/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities299
Restaurants129
Retail Stores302

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.8 min
Work from Home6.4%

Nearby Cities

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