City profile · West Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Welch, WV

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

3,492
Residents
$36,188
Median income
$56,500
Median home
$869
Median rent (state)

Welch - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Welch lands in the 5th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

5th
percentile, household income
1st
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: Welch, WV

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,492 residents in Welch, a small town within West Virginia. The typical household in Welch brings in $36,188 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 21.0%. Home values in Welch run a median of $56,500, and the median resident age is 39.8 years. About 6.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 16.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 2 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Living costs in West Virginia run below the national norm: the state registers 89.5 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $869 per month statewide. 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 76.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

3,492 residents

Census ACS 2023 - West Virginia

Median Household Income

$36,188 /yr

Poverty 21.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.5 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, West Virginia average

How does Welch compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 1% 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

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 Welch'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.

5thIncome percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Welch's home value compares nationally

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

$56,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 99% 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. Welch $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 - Welch, WV Welch, WV's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Welch, 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 Welch, WV median $36,188/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%
Welch, 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 Welch, WV. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 6.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 21.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 16.4%

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

Population
3,492
Median Income
$36,188
Median Home Value
$56,500
Median Age
39.8
Poverty Rate
21.0%
Labor force participation
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
6.3%

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 →
3,300 residents3,400 residents3,500 residents3,600 residents3,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,597 residents 3,389 residents ▼ -5.8%
Welch's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.8%
Carpool
10.3%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
2.5%
Work from Home
12.4%

Based on 523 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 Welch 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
76.7 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in West Virginia

Pleasant Valley
3,494 people
Shady Spring
3,455 people
Shannondale
3,441 people
Summersville
3,397 people
Blennerhassett
3,229 people
Petersburg
3,172 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Welch's 3,492 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ainaloa, HI
3,493 people
New Baden, IL
3,493 people
Lockland, OH
3,493 people
Central Gardens, TX
3,491 people
Springtown, TX
3,493 people
Hidden Springs, ID
3,490 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Welch's $36,188 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lawrence, MI
$36,188 median income
Wheeler, IN
$36,184 median income
Flint, MI
$36,194 median income
Wabbaseka, AR
$36,174 median income
Emporium, PA
$36,167 median income
Elton, LA
$36,211 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Welch, 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 Welch, WV - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 74.0% 25.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.0% White 74.0% Black or African American 25.0% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.5% 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 Welch 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
Welch (this city) 3,492 $36,188
Pleasant Valley 3,494 $58,456
Shady Spring 3,455 $70,792
Shannondale 3,441 $72,283
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WV NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Welch, WV?

What is the population of Welch, WV? +

Welch, WV counts 3,492 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Welch runs $36,188, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Welch? +

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

Homes in Welch carry a median value of $56,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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