City profile · West Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Parsons, WV

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

1,481
Residents
$44,375
Median income
$101,500
Median home
$869
Median rent (state)

Parsons - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Parsons lands in the 12th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

12th
percentile, household income
10th
percentile, home value
2nd
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Parsons, WV

Parsons is a small town in West Virginia, home to 1,481 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Parsons households earn a median of $44,375 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.7%. Typical homes in Parsons are valued around $101,500, and the median resident age is 46.6 years. 15.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 42.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 1 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 67% from five years earlier. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 52.5°F with 55.0 inches of precipitation per year and 55.3 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $869 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts West Virginia's average monthly utility costs around $220 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 12.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

1,481 residents

Census ACS 2023 - West Virginia

Median Household Income

$44,375 /yr

Poverty 13.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.5 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, West Virginia average

How does Parsons compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 10% pricier than other cities
Median rent 2% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Parsons 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

Median Gross Rent places Parsons near the bottom of West Virginia's cities

Among the 390 West Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Parsons ranks #253 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Parsons only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#220 of 330
33rd percentile in West Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#253 of 390
0th percentile in West Virginia
Median Home Value
#187 of 337
45th percentile in West Virginia
Poverty Rate
#159 of 389
59th percentile in West Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#183 of 390
53rd 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.

12thIncome percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Parsons's home value compares nationally

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

$101,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 90% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Parsons $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 - Parsons, WV Parsons, WV's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Parsons, 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 Parsons, WV median $44,375/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%
Parsons, 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 Parsons, WV. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 42.0%

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

Population
1,481
Median Income
$44,375
Median Home Value
$101,500
Median Age
46.6
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Labor force participation
42.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.5%

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
55.0"
Annual Snowfall
55.3"

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,260 residents1,280 residents1,300 residents1,320 residents1,340 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,325 residents 1,282 residents ▼ -3.2%
Parsons's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 3
2021 0
2022 0
2023 3
2024 1

Permit volume decreased 67% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.2%
Carpool
17.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
8.1%

Based on 496 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 Parsons 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
12.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in West Virginia

Mabscott
1,488 people
Alum Creek
1,472 people
Mallory
1,453 people
Glen Dale
1,517 people
Marmet
1,520 people
Mount Gay-Shamrock
1,440 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Parsons's 1,481 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Baywood Park, CA
1,481 people
Glide, OR
1,481 people
Elmore, AL
1,482 people
Springfield, CO
1,482 people
Livonia, NY
1,480 people
Wedgefield, SC
1,480 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Parsons's $44,375 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Larsen Bay, AK
$44,375 median income
Humnoke, AR
$44,375 median income
Fairmead, CA
$44,375 median income
Taylorsville, GA
$44,375 median income
Switz City, IN
$44,375 median income
Earling, IA
$44,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Parsons, 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 Parsons, WV - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 93.0% 6.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.1% White 93.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.1% Two or more races 6.8% 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 Parsons 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
Parsons (this city) 1,481 $44,375
Mabscott 1,488 $58,125
Alum Creek 1,472 $72,250
Mallory 1,453 N/A
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WV NOAA Normals Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Parsons, WV?

What is the population of Parsons, WV? +

The population of Parsons, WV stands at 1,481 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Parsons runs $44,375, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Parsons? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Parsons; 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.

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

Homes in Parsons carry a median value of $101,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Parsons? +

The average annual temperature in Parsons runs 52.5°F, 55.0 inches of precipitation, and 55.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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