Living in Beckley, West Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Beckley · Census data 2020–2024
Beckley has 16,818 residents with a median age of 42.3. The median household income is $45,826 (23% lower than the West Virginia median), the median home value is $158,000, the median rent is $869/month.
Beckley at a glance
- Population
- 16,818
- Median age
- 42.3State: 42.7
- Median household income
- $45,826State: $59,608
- Median home value
- $158,000State: $162,600
- Median rent
- $869/moState: $872
- Homeowners
- 55.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.2%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Beckley a good place to live?
Pros: Home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 3.2%.
Cons: Median household income 23% lower than the West Virginia median; a poverty rate of 28.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Beckley
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Beckley the median home value is $158,000, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $869 per month, which is 34.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,224 a month in housing costs.
Beckley median household income
The median household income in Beckley is $45,826 and the income per person is $31,431. 28.9% of residents live below the poverty line (West Virginia: 16.7%).
Housing in Beckley: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,628
- Owner-occupied
- 55.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 44.6%
- Vacant
- 18.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1960
- Average household size
- 2.28
Beckley demographics
- Population
- 16,818
- Median age
- 42.3
- Under 18
- 23.4%
- 65 and older
- 21.1%
- Households
- 7,050
- Foreign-born
- 3%
- Veterans
- 7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Beckley ›
Education in Beckley
29.2% of adults 25 and older in Beckley have a bachelor's degree or higher (West Virginia: 24.1%), and 12% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Beckley
- Unemployment rate
- 3.2%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 7.3%
- Drive alone
- 79.7%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 2.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.8%
Beckley vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley | 16,818 | $45,826 | $158,000 | $869 |
| Raleigh | 325 | $47,788 | $46,000 | — |
| Sprague | 952 | $64,875 | $87,400 | — |
| Beaver | 695 | $30,870 | $105,200 | — |
| MacArthur | 1,493 | $35,650 | $160,800 | — |
| Stanaford | 1,449 | $44,219 | $162,800 | $982 |
| Mabscott | 1,396 | $57,813 | $159,700 | $980 |
| Daniels | 1,489 | $60,278 | $171,300 | — |
| Crab Orchard | 1,139 | $43,792 | $168,200 | — |
More for people moving to Beckley
Beckley ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Beckley: FAQ
What is the median household income in Beckley, WV?
The median household income in Beckley is $45,826, 23% lower than the West Virginia median of $59,608 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Beckley?
The median home value in Beckley is $158,000, compared with $162,600 in West Virginia.
How much is rent in Beckley?
The median gross rent in Beckley is $869 per month, about 34.1% of household income.
Is Beckley, WV a good place to live?
Pluses: home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 3.2%. Minuses: median household income 23% lower than the West Virginia median; a poverty rate of 28.9%.
What is the median age in Beckley?
The median age in Beckley is 42.3 years (West Virginia: 42.7).
How long is the commute in Beckley?
The average commute to work in Beckley is 17 minutes; 7.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Beckley?
The unemployment rate in Beckley is 3.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Beckley?
29.2% of adults in Beckley have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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