Choose Country

West Decatur, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

West Decatur is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 624. Residents earn $38,173 per year, which is 49% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
624 Population 446/sq mi density
$38,173 Median Income $19,834 per capita
$90,600 Home Value
$1,053 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$38,173 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$90,600 home value, $1,053/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
3.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,173
49% lower than US avg
Home Value $90,600
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.1%
91% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,053
9% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 37.2%
200% higher than US avg

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

People

Population624
Median Age35.9 yrs
Density446/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans4.6%

Economy

C
Median Income$38,173
Per Capita$19,834
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty37.2%
County GDP$8,000M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$90,600
Rent$1,053
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units237
Rent Burden51.0%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain42.0 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,539 ft (469 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.1%
High School+84.0%
Graduate+1.1%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute29 min
Broadband86.5%
Libraries8

Is West Decatur a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Decatur receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. West Decatur has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Decatur is $38,173, 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 37.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Decatur is $90,600, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,053 per month. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

3.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

West Decatur experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 42.0 inches, including 50.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

West Decatur has a population of 624 with a density of 446 people per square mile. The median age is 35.9 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.4%), with 1.3% Black.

Population

624
Total Population
446
People / sq mi
35.9yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.8%
Female 53.2%

Race & Ethnicity

West Decatur vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Decatur vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Decatur is $38,173, which is 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 37.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: West Decatur vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,173
49% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,834
Avg Weekly Wage$1,024
IRS Avg AGI$66,997

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate37.2%
200% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,430
County GDP$8,000M

Business (County)

Restaurants305
Healthcare462
Retail495
Manufacturing128

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,849
39% above US avg
Cost of Living97.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.35%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.0 min
Drive Alone85.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.1%

Walkability

The median home value in West Decatur is $90,600, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,053 (9% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$90,600
68% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,053
9% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied70.6%
Housing Units237
Median Year Built1950

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,849
39% above US avg
Effective Rate5.35%
West Decatur has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.0 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.0 inches
11% above US avg
Snowfall50.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,539 ft (469 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density446/sq mi
Coordinates40.9291°N, 78.2817°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS42013
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 3.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (91% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.5-point margin. 86.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.4%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 43.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.1%
91% below US avg
High School+84.0%
Graduate Degree+1.1%
School Test Score5.95
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density446/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.5%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities462
Restaurants305
Retail Stores495

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.0 min
Drive Alone85.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.1%

Nearby Cities

Philipsburg, PA 2,754 pop · 4.2 mi Osceola Mills, PA 1,165 pop · 5.3 mi Clearfield, PA 5,918 pop · 10.4 mi Hyde, PA 1,071 pop · 11.1 mi Curwensville, PA 2,544 pop · 12.7 mi Stormstown, PA 2,455 pop · 16.7 mi Tyrone, PA 5,421 pop · 17.6 mi Park Forest Village, PA 8,810 pop · 21.5 mi Toftrees, PA 2,348 pop · 22.0 mi Bellwood, PA 1,586 pop · 22.8 mi State College, PA 40,669 pop · 24.2 mi Pine Grove Mills, PA 1,653 pop · 24.7 mi Houserville, PA 2,145 pop · 25.0 mi Milesburg, PA 1,137 pop · 25.6 mi
Compare West Decatur with another city: