Sprague, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Sprague is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 971. Residents earn $59,643 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
971 Population 1,541/sq mi density
$59,643 Median Income $23,623 per capita
$108,900 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$59,643 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$108,900 home value
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,643
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $108,900
61% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.4%
69% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 28.5%
130% higher than US avg

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

People

Population971
Median Age54.7 yrs
Density1,541/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

B
Median Income$59,643
Per Capita$23,623
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty28.5%
County GDP$4,532M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$108,900
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression31.0%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain43.4 in/yr
Elevation2,391 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.4%
High School+70.7%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute14 min
Libraries5

Is Sprague a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sprague is $59,643, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 28.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sprague is $108,900, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 70.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Sprague 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.

Sprague has a population of 971 with a density of 1,541 people per square mile. The median age is 54.7 years, 41% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.5%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 10.4% Black.

Population

971
Total Population
1,541
People / sq mi
54.7yrs
Median Age
41% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 40.9%
Female 59.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Sprague vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sprague vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sprague is $59,643, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 28.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Sprague vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,643
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,623
Avg Weekly Wage$1,043
IRS Avg AGI$63,527

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate28.5%
130% 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 Rate2.51%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.9 min
Work from Home14.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Sprague is $108,900, 61% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$108,900
61% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied92.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,735
22% below US avg
Effective Rate2.51%
In Sprague, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 31.0% report depression. 29.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes12.5%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure38.2%
Asthma12.4%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity29.2%
Depression31.0%
Mental Distress22.2%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.1%
Checkup Rate79.7%
Premature Death16,996/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Sprague 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

Elevation2,391 ft (729 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density1,541/sq mi
Coordinates37.7938°N, 81.1822°W
County FIPS54081
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 10.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% 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+10.4%
69% below US avg
High School+70.7%
School Test Score4.81
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,541/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities299
Restaurants129
Retail Stores302

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.9 min
Work from Home14.5%

Nearby Cities

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