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Sylvester, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Sylvester is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 192. Residents earn $70,156 per year, which is 7% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
192 Population 3,840/sq mi density
$70,156 Median Income $27,690 per capita
$79,000 Home Value $62,136 Zillow
$940 Median Rent 12.0% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$70,156 median income, 7.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$79,000 home value, $940/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,156
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $79,000
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.9%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $940
19% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.9%
46% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.1%
97% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.6%
87% lower than US avg

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

People

Population192
Median Age40.7 yrs
Density3,840/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans8.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$70,156
Per Capita$27,690
Unemployment7.1%
Poverty1.6%
County GDP$1,088M
Commute43 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$79,000
Rent$940
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$62,136
Housing Units94
Rent Burden12.0%

Health

Obesity46.9%
Uninsured10.5%
Smoking23.6%
Depression32.6%
Heart Disease7.6%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F (13°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain49.6 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation1,114 ft (340 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.9%
High School+85.0%
Graduate+10.9%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 20%
Commute43 min
Broadband65.0%
Libraries4

Is Sylvester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sylvester receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, long commute times, high obesity rates. Sylvester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sylvester is $70,156, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sylvester is $79,000, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $940 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Sylvester enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 49.6 inches, including 17.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Sylvester has a population of 192 with a density of 3,840 people per square mile. The median age is 40.7 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

192
Total Population
3,840
People / sq mi
40.7yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
0.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Sylvester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Sylvester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sylvester is $70,156, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes.

Income: Sylvester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,156
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,690
Avg Weekly Wage$1,419
IRS Avg AGI$54,832

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.1%
97% above US avg
Poverty Rate1.6%
87% below US avg
Establishments (County)420
County GDP$1,088M

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare36
Retail51
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,333
33% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time42.9 min
Drive Alone71.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Sylvester is $79,000, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $940 (19% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $62,136.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$79,000
72% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$62,136

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$940
19% below US avg
Rent Burden12.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.6%
Housing Units94
Median Year Built1953

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,333
33% below US avg
Effective Rate2.95%
In Sylvester, 46.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.5% of residents lack health insurance. 23.6% are current smokers. 32.6% report depression. 35.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.9%
46% above US avg
Diabetes13.9%
Heart Disease7.6%
High Blood Pressure41.5%
Asthma12.7%
COPD10.3%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking23.6%
69% above US avg
Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity35.8%
Depression32.6%
Mental Distress24.4%
Physical Distress17.6%
Short Sleep44.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.0%
Uninsured10.5%
22% above US avg
Checkup Rate77.3%
Dental Visits51.4%
Premature Death17,744/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access1.5%
Healthcare Facilities36
Sylvester has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.6 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.6 inches
30% above US avg
Snowfall17.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,114 ft (340 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.1 km²)
Population Density3,840/sq mi
Coordinates38.0080°N, 81.5617°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS54005
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57.4-point margin. 65.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.6%
D 20.2%

Winner: Republican by 57.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.9%
29% below US avg
High School+85.0%
Graduate Degree+10.9%
School Test Score4.81
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density3,840/sq mi
Total Area0.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access65.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities36
Restaurants14
Retail Stores51

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute42.9 min
Drive Alone71.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.4%

Nearby Cities

Madison, WV 2,840 pop · 13.3 mi Chesapeake, WV 1,615 pop · 14.9 mi Belle, WV 1,537 pop · 15.8 mi Marmet, WV 1,520 pop · 16.4 mi Montgomery, WV 1,635 pop · 17.4 mi Bradley, WV 1,429 pop · 21.2 mi Oceana, WV 1,421 pop · 22.1 mi Oak Hill, WV 8,057 pop · 22.1 mi Coal Fork, WV 1,414 pop · 22.2 mi Mount Hope, WV 1,369 pop · 22.6 mi Prosperity, WV 1,575 pop · 23.1 mi Charleston, WV 47,918 pop · 23.8 mi Mallory, WV 1,453 pop · 23.9 mi South Charleston, WV 13,594 pop · 24.4 mi
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