City profile · West Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Follansbee, WV

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Follansbee - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,790
Residents
$52,974
Median income
$137,100
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Follansbee - the verdict

Follansbee ranks in the 24th percentile for household income and the 81st percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
81st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Follansbee, WV

West Virginia's Follansbee is a small town, with 2,790 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Follansbee households earn a median of $52,974 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.5%. Follansbee's housing stock carries a median value of $137,100, and the median resident age is 51.4 years. Educational attainment runs 19.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 63.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Follansbee (No Permits), per Census BPS data. Follansbee reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 604.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in West Virginia run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts West Virginia at 89.5 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $973 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $220 across West Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 54.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

2,790 residents

Census ACS 2023 - West Virginia

Median Household Income

$52,974 /yr

Poverty 3.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.5 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, West Virginia average

How does Follansbee compare to other US cities?

Follansbee measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 81% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to West Virginia alone, Follansbee ranks #7 of 45 West Virginia cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Follansbee against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to West Virginia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

West Virginia-relative analysis

Poverty Rate sits close to the middle of West Virginia's city distribution

Among the 389 West Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Follansbee ranks #282 - the 27th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Follansbee only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#153 of 330
54th percentile in West Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#107 of 390
67th percentile in West Virginia
Median Home Value
#106 of 337
69th percentile in West Virginia
Poverty Rate
#282 of 389
27th percentile in West Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#136 of 390
65th percentile in West Virginia

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within West Virginia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

24thIncome percentile
81stSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 81st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Follansbee's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Follansbee's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 63 Avg. percentile National median
Follansbee's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Follansbee's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$137,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Follansbee $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Follansbee, WV Follansbee, WV's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Follansbee, WV-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Follansbee, WV median $52,974/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Follansbee, WV's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Follansbee, WV. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,790
Median Income
$52,974
Median Home Value
$137,100
Median Age
51.4
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Labor force participation
63.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
604.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
604.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,600 residents2,700 residents2,800 residents2,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,840 residents 2,668 residents ▼ -6.1%
Follansbee's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 3
2021 3
2022 3
2023 2
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.3%
Carpool
8.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
7.0%
Other
3.3%

Based on 1,588 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for West Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$38
avg/month
Total Utilities
$220
estimated/month

Estimates reflect West Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a West Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Follansbee sits in

Cost of Living Index
89.5
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
54.2 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in West Virginia

Milton
2,773 people
Madison
2,840 people
Fayetteville
2,864 people
Sissonville
2,706 people
Philippi
2,919 people
White Sulphur Springs
2,646 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Follansbee's 2,790 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

K. I. Sawyer, MI
2,791 people
Gluckstadt, MS
2,791 people
Cape May, NJ
2,789 people
West Grove, PA
2,791 people
Townsend, DE
2,792 people
Madison, IL
2,788 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Follansbee's $52,974 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Polo, IL
$52,976 median income
Sequim, WA
$52,977 median income
Elfers, FL
$52,979 median income
Michigan City, IN
$52,979 median income
Mount Jewett, PA
$52,969 median income
Weedville, PA
$52,969 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Follansbee, WV Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Follansbee, WV - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 97.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.3% White 97.1% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 2.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Follansbee compares to nearby West Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Follansbee (this city) 2,790 $52,974
Milton 2,773 $54,135
Madison 2,840 $57,073
Fayetteville 2,864 $59,659
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WV FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Follansbee, WV?

What is the population of Follansbee, WV? +

Follansbee, WV counts 2,790 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Follansbee, WV? +

In Follansbee, the typical household earns $52,974 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Follansbee? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Follansbee; the closest available measure is the West Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 89.5 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within West Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Follansbee, WV safe? +

Follansbee has a total crime rate of 604.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Follansbee, WV? +

Follansbee's median home value sits at $137,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.