City profile · West Virginia · Census ACS 2023

White Sulphur Springs, WV

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

2,646
Residents
$43,388
Median income
$119,600
Median home
$924
Median rent (state)

White Sulphur Springs - the verdict

White Sulphur Springs ranks in the 11th percentile for household income and the 50th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

11th
percentile, household income
17th
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
50th
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: White Sulphur Springs, WV

West Virginia's White Sulphur Springs is a small town, with 2,646 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in White Sulphur Springs brings in $43,388 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.2%. White Sulphur Springs's housing stock carries a median value of $119,600, and the median resident age is 43.2 years. About 24.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 51.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 3 residential building permits were authorized in White Sulphur Springs (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. White Sulphur Springs reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1378.1 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). NOAA puts White Sulphur Springs's yearly average temperature at 51.5°F with 41.0 inches of precipitation per year and 18.1 inches of snowfall.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $924 monthly. 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 75.8 out of 100 (High).

Population

2,646 residents

Census ACS 2023 - West Virginia

Median Household Income

$43,388 /yr

Poverty 20.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.5 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, West Virginia average

How does White Sulphur Springs compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 17% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities
Safety 50% 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, White Sulphur Springs ranks #18 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 White Sulphur Springs 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

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places White Sulphur Springs toward the top of West Virginia's cities

Among the 390 West Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, White Sulphur Springs ranks #96 - the 75th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares White Sulphur Springs only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#230 of 330
30th percentile in West Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#210 of 390
45th percentile in West Virginia
Median Home Value
#135 of 337
60th percentile in West Virginia
Poverty Rate
#106 of 389
72nd percentile in West Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#96 of 390
75th 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.

11thIncome percentile
50thSafety percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income · 50th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

White Sulphur Springs's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

White Sulphur Springs'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
White Sulphur Springs'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 White Sulphur Springs's home value compares nationally

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

$119,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 83% 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. White Sulphur Springs $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 - White Sulphur Springs, WV White Sulphur Springs, WV's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not White Sulphur Springs, 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 White Sulphur Springs, WV median $43,388/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%
White Sulphur Springs, 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 White Sulphur Springs, WV. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.8%

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

Population
2,646
Median Income
$43,388
Median Home Value
$119,600
Median Age
43.2
Poverty Rate
20.2%
Labor force participation
51.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1378.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
91.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1286.2
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
51.5°F
Annual Precipitation
41.0"
Annual Snowfall
18.1"

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 →
2,100 residents2,150 residents2,200 residents2,250 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,219 residents 2,133 residents ▼ -3.9%
White Sulphur Springs's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 3
2021 1
2022 30
2023 0
2024 3

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.1%
Carpool
5.3%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
10.5%
Work from Home
1.4%

Based on 1,129 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 White Sulphur Springs sits in

Cost of Living Index
89.5
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$924/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
75.8 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in West Virginia

Richwood
2,617 people
Inwood
2,605 people
Sissonville
2,706 people
Bethlehem
2,568 people
Winfield
2,538 people
Paden City
2,529 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to White Sulphur Springs's 2,646 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lathrop, MO
2,646 people
Columbia, CA
2,645 people
Louisa, KY
2,645 people
Breezy Point, MN
2,647 people
Sleepy Hollow, CA
2,644 people
Crosslake, MN
2,648 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to White Sulphur Springs's $43,388 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bryson City, NC
$43,387 median income
Westfield, NY
$43,385 median income
Napier Field, AL
$43,393 median income
Sun River Terrace, IL
$43,393 median income
Muncie, IN
$43,395 median income
Erie, PA
$43,397 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - White Sulphur Springs, 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 White Sulphur Springs, WV - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.4% 9.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.5% White 85.4% Black or African American 9.8% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 3.1% 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 White Sulphur Springs 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
White Sulphur Springs (this city) 2,646 $43,388
Richwood 2,617 $33,614
Inwood 2,605 $82,267
Sissonville 2,706 $58,322
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WV FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about White Sulphur Springs, WV?

What is the population of White Sulphur Springs, WV? +

White Sulphur Springs, WV counts 2,646 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in White Sulphur Springs, WV? +

In White Sulphur Springs, the typical household earns $43,388 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in White Sulphur Springs? +

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

White Sulphur Springs has a total crime rate of 1378.1 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 White Sulphur Springs, WV? +

White Sulphur Springs's median home value sits at $119,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in White Sulphur Springs? +

White Sulphur Springs has an average annual temperature of 51.5°F, 41.0 inches of precipitation, and 18.1 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

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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.