City profile · West Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Richwood, WV

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

2,617
Residents
$33,614
Median income
$67,600
Median home
$869
Median rent (state)

Richwood - the verdict

Richwood ranks in the 4th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

4th
percentile, household income
2nd
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: Richwood, WV

West Virginia's Richwood is a small town, with 2,617 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Richwood brings in $33,614 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.9%. Richwood's housing stock carries a median value of $67,600, and the median resident age is 45.5 years. 12.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 27.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Richwood (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 49.9°F with 55.8 inches of precipitation per year and 100.0 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 58.2 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

2,617 residents

Census ACS 2023 - West Virginia

Median Household Income

$33,614 /yr

Poverty 19.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.5 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, West Virginia average

How does Richwood compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 4% higher than other cities
Home value 2% 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 Richwood 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 Richwood near the bottom of West Virginia's cities

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

Median Household Income
#279 of 330
15th percentile in West Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#253 of 390
0th percentile in West Virginia
Median Home Value
#299 of 337
11th percentile in West Virginia
Poverty Rate
#108 of 389
72nd percentile in West Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#241 of 390
38th 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.

4thIncome percentile

4th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Richwood's home value compares nationally

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

$67,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 98% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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. Richwood $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 - Richwood, WV Richwood, WV's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Richwood, 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 Richwood, WV median $33,614/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%
Richwood, 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 Richwood, WV. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 27.6%

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

Population
2,617
Median Income
$33,614
Median Home Value
$67,600
Median Age
45.5
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Labor force participation
27.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.0%

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
55.8"
Annual Snowfall
100.0"

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,580 residents1,600 residents1,620 residents1,640 residents1,660 residents1,680 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,663 residents 1,598 residents ▼ -3.9%
Richwood'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 5
2020 3
2021 4
2022 1
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
60.3%
Carpool
11.4%
Public Transit
14.1%
Walk
4.4%
Work from Home
4.7%
Other
5.1%

Based on 597 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 Richwood 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
58.2 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in West Virginia

Inwood
2,605 people
White Sulphur Springs
2,646 people
Bethlehem
2,568 people
Winfield
2,538 people
Paden City
2,529 people
Sissonville
2,706 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Richwood's 2,617 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Dora, AL
2,617 people
Devola, OH
2,617 people
McAdoo, PA
2,617 people
Deatsville, AL
2,618 people
Lexington, MN
2,616 people
Derry, PA
2,616 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Richwood's $33,614 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Waresboro, GA
$33,616 median income
Stratton, NE
$33,611 median income
Bethesda, OH
$33,606 median income
North San Pedro, TX
$33,622 median income
Palatka, FL
$33,628 median income
Judson, SC
$33,600 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Richwood, 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 Richwood, WV - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 97.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.6% White 97.9% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 1.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.6% 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 Richwood 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
Richwood (this city) 2,617 $33,614
Inwood 2,605 $82,267
White Sulphur Springs 2,646 $43,388
Bethlehem 2,568 $87,500
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WV NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Richwood, WV?

What is the population of Richwood, WV? +

2,617 people live in Richwood, WV according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Richwood households earn a median of $33,614 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Richwood? +

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

Richwood's median home value sits at $67,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Richwood? +

The average annual temperature in Richwood runs 49.9°F, 55.8 inches of precipitation, and 100.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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

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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.