City profile · West Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Keyser, WV

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

4,870
Residents
$47,991
Median income
$141,400
Median home
$869
Median rent (state)

Keyser - the verdict

Keyser ranks in the 17th percentile for household income and the 46th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
24th
percentile, home value
2nd
percentile, median rent
46th
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: Keyser, WV

West Virginia's Keyser is a small town, with 4,870 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Keyser brings in $47,991 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.1%. Keyser's housing stock carries a median value of $141,400, and the median resident age is 39.7 years. Educational attainment runs 21.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 47.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits). Keyser reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1487.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 52.5°F with 41.4 inches of precipitation per year and 33.5 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in West Virginia run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, West Virginia scores 89.5 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $869 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $220 across West Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 52.8 out of 100 (Low).

Population

4,870 residents

Census ACS 2023 - West Virginia

Median Household Income

$47,991 /yr

Poverty 18.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.5 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, West Virginia average

How does Keyser compare to other US cities?

Here's how Keyser stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 24% pricier than other cities
Median rent 2% pricier than other cities
Safety 46% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just West Virginia and the picture shifts: Keyser ranks #19 of 45 West Virginia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Keyser's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in West Virginia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

17thIncome percentile
46thSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 46th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Keyser's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Keyser'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 50 Avg. percentile National median
Keyser'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 Keyser's home value compares nationally

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

$141,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 76% 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. Keyser $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 - Keyser, WV Keyser, WV's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Keyser, 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 Keyser, WV median $47,991/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%
Keyser, 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 Keyser, WV. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.7%

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

Population
4,870
Median Income
$47,991
Median Home Value
$141,400
Median Age
39.7
Poverty Rate
18.1%
Labor force participation
47.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1487.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
248.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1239.9
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
41.4"
Annual Snowfall
33.5"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,750 residents4,800 residents4,850 residents4,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,857 residents 4,777 residents ▼ -1.6%
Keyser'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 32
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.1%
Carpool
6.6%
Public Transit
3.4%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
11.2%
Other
2.0%

Based on 2,049 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 Keyser sits in

Cost of Living Index
89.5
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$869/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
52.8 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in West Virginia

Grafton
4,671 people
Buckhannon
5,144 people
New Martinsville
5,175 people
Barboursville
4,394 people
Ranson corporation
5,588 people
Point Pleasant
4,009 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Keyser's 4,870 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Desloge, MO
4,870 people
Raynham Center, MA
4,871 people
Dellwood, MO
4,869 people
Lawnton, PA
4,871 people
East Merrimack, NH
4,872 people
Paulden, AZ
4,874 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Keyser's $47,991 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Spencer, IN
$47,994 median income
Rouzerville, PA
$47,987 median income
Interlachen, FL
$48,000 median income
Waverly, MO
$48,000 median income
Morristown, OH
$48,000 median income
Bluejacket, OK
$48,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Keyser, 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 Keyser, WV - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.7% White 89.8% Black or African American 4.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.6% Some other race 2.2% Two or more races 3.2% 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 Keyser 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
Keyser (this city) 4,870 $47,991
Grafton 4,671 $38,872
Buckhannon 5,144 $48,720
New Martinsville 5,175 $51,226
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WV FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Keyser, WV?

What is the population of Keyser, WV? +

Keyser, WV counts 4,870 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Keyser, the typical household earns $47,991 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Keyser? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Keyser; 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 Keyser, WV safe? +

Keyser has a total crime rate of 1487.9 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 Keyser, WV? +

Keyser's median home value sits at $141,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Keyser? +

Climate normals put Keyser's yearly average temperature at 52.5°F, 41.4 inches of precipitation, and 33.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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 Editorial

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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.