Terra Alta, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Terra Alta is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 1,992. Residents earn $50,035 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
1,992 Population 1,674/sq mi density
$50,035 Median Income $21,201 per capita
$95,900 Home Value $158,626 Zillow
$744 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$50,035 median income, 5.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,900 home value, $744/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
6.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,035
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $95,900
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.9%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $744
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.4%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.2%
44% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.2%
103% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,992
Median Age29.8 yrs
Density1,674/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

C+
Median Income$50,035
Per Capita$21,201
Unemployment5.2%
Poverty25.2%
County GDP$1,012M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,900
Rent$744
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$158,626

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression33.9%
Heart Disease7.6%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain57.0 in/yr
Elevation2,588 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.9%
High School+78.1%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 20%
Commute26 min
Libraries2

Is Terra Alta a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Terra Alta receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Terra Alta offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Terra Alta is $50,035, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 25.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Terra Alta is $95,900, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $744 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Terra Alta experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.0 inches, including 171.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Terra Alta has a population of 1,992 with a density of 1,674 people per square mile. The median age is 29.8 years, 23% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.3%), with 1.5% Hispanic.

Population

1,992
Total Population
1,674
People / sq mi
29.8yrs
Median Age
23% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.6%
Female 51.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Terra Alta vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Terra Alta vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Terra Alta is $50,035, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 25.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Terra Alta vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,035
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,201
Avg Weekly Wage$1,065
IRS Avg AGI$58,346

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.2%
44% above US avg
Poverty Rate25.2%
103% above US avg
Establishments (County)884
County GDP$1,012M

Business (County)

Restaurants31
Healthcare53
Retail78
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,185
38% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.28%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.6 min
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Terra Alta is $95,900, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $744 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $158,626.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,900
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$158,626

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$40
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio74.1%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$744
36% 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-Occupied71.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,185
38% below US avg
Effective Rate2.28%
In Terra Alta, 39.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 33.9% report depression. 33.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Terra Alta vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.4%
23% above US avg
Diabetes14.1%
Heart Disease7.6%
High Blood Pressure39.5%
Asthma12.8%
COPD10.8%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.5%
Physical Inactivity33.6%
Depression33.9%
Mental Distress24.7%
Physical Distress17.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.0%
Checkup Rate77.3%
Premature Death11,315/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access45.3%
Healthcare Facilities53

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Terra Alta has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average47.7°F
12% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.0 inches
50% above US avg
Snowfall171.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,588 ft (789 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density1,674/sq mi
Coordinates39.4443°N, 79.5436°W
County FIPS54077
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 6.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.5%
D 20.5%

Winner: Republican by 57 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.9%
80% below US avg
High School+78.1%
School Test Score4.81
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,674/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities53
Restaurants31
Retail Stores78

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.6 min
Work from Home3.7%

Nearby Cities

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