West Dunbar, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

West Dunbar is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 385. Residents earn $37,188 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
385 Population 1,674/sq mi density
$37,188 Median Income $23,939 per capita
$83,300 Home Value
$905 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.7 / 5.0
$37,188 median income, 13.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$83,300 home value, $905/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
6.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,188
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $83,300
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.9%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $905
22% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.1%
44% higher than US avg
Unemployment 13.2%
267% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.1%
78% higher than US avg

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

People

Population385
Median Age38.7 yrs
Density1,674/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 38%
Veterans0.0%

Economy

D
Median Income$37,188
Per Capita$23,939
Unemployment13.2%
Poverty22.1%
County GDP$3,832M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$83,300
Rent$905
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity46.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.9%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI39 (Good)
Elevation605 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.9%
High School+100.0%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute15 min
Broadband79.7%
Libraries5

Is West Dunbar a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Dunbar is $37,188, 51% below the national average of $75,149. At 13.2%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 22.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Dunbar is $83,300, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $905 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x 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%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

West Dunbar experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

West Dunbar has a population of 385 with a density of 1,674 people per square mile. The median age is 38.7 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (55.8%), with 37.9% White.

Population

385
Total Population
1,674
People / sq mi
38.7yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.6%
Female 57.4%

Race & Ethnicity

West Dunbar vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

West Dunbar vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Dunbar is $37,188, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 13.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: West Dunbar vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,188
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,939
Avg Weekly Wage$1,238
IRS Avg AGI$78,515

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment13.2%
267% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.1%
78% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,894
County GDP$3,832M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare137
Retail171
Manufacturing45

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,677
24% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.3 min
Drive Alone98.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in West Dunbar is $83,300, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $905 (22% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$83,300
70% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$905
22% 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-Occupied49.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,677
24% below US avg
Effective Rate3.21%
In West Dunbar, 46.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.9% report depression. 34.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Dunbar vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.1%
44% above US avg
Diabetes16.1%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure46.0%
Asthma13.2%
COPD8.0%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.2%
Physical Inactivity34.6%
Depression28.9%
Mental Distress23.8%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Checkup Rate81.7%
Premature Death9,065/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access67.0%
Healthcare Facilities137

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

West Dunbar has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.4°F
1% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation605 ft (184 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density1,674/sq mi
Coordinates38.3721°N, 81.7558°W
County FIPS54079
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 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 46.3-point margin. 79.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.2%
D 25.9%

Winner: Republican by 46.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.9%
80% below US avg
High School+100.0%
School Test Score4.81
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,674/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access79.7%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities137
Restaurants100
Retail Stores171

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.3 min
Drive Alone98.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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